B&I Lions 2017
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Neil Jenkins and Graham Rowntree have been added to Warren Gatland's British and Irish Lions coaching team for this summer's tour of New Zealand.
Both were on the Lions coaching team in 2009 in South Africa and for the victorious tour of Australia four years ago, the latter under Gatland, and have been added to the trio of Steve Borthwick, Andy Farrell and Rob Howley who were named in December.
Former Wales five-eighth Jenkins toured as a Lions player in 1997, when he started all three tests at fullback, and 2001.
Ex-England loose-head prop Rowntree toured as a player in 1997 and 2005, winning two test caps off the bench against New Zealand in 2005.
"We all know what Neil and Graham bring - a huge amount of knowledge, experience and expertise at club [level], international [level] and eight Lions tours between them," Gatland said.
"They understand what it will take to win in New Zealand and to have them on board again is positive.
"I know Graham and Steve will complement each other, and Neil will give us valuable backs and skills support. Given the schedule, with two games a week, having six coaches will allow us to devote enough time to ensuring we are successful."
Harlequins forwards coach Graham Rowntree looks on prior to the Aviva Premiership match against Bristol. Photo/Getty Images
Harlequins forwards coach Graham Rowntree looks on prior to the Aviva Premiership match against Bristol. Photo/Getty Images
Jenkins, Wales skills coach since 2004 with a particular remit for goal-kicking, said: "I am excited to be joining up with a very experienced, successful coaching team for what is going to be a huge challenge against the world champions."Rowntree, England assistant coach under Stuart Lancaster and now Harlequins forwards coach, said: "This year will be the ultimate challenge, considering the form that New Zealand have been in across the last decade.
"But looking at the talent and potential in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, it is a hugely exciting opportunity for us to do something incredible."
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@Crucial Remind me again what Neil Jenkins knows about winning in NZ?
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The shape of the coaching team is starting to point to an Anglo-Welsh majority in the squad make-up. Not surprising really. And probably the right mix given the Ireland implosion this tourney. At this point, I'd put Murray, Furlong, Stander, and possibly McGrath on the plane.
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@Catogrande The list would be short if you are wanting coaches with experience of winning in NZ as either a player or a coach.
As Gatland says, you will need two separate coaching teams for the first part of the tour so each team can be prepared.
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@Pot-Hale The Lions coaching team is pretty much the same as in Aust 2013 with the exception of the addition of Borthwick. The original 2013 Lions squad still had a large number of Irish.
Plenty of motivation for the Irish players to prove a point to Gatland this weekend.
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Yeah possibly. One-match wonders should not be touring though. The inconsistent performance from a lot of Ireland players is not what a Lions tour needs. And a lot of them need the kick up the arse that not being selected would do.
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Why is Farrell on the plane?
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@antipodean Fuck knows.
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@Bovidae said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Catogrande The list would be short if you are wanting coaches with experience of winning in NZ as either a player or a coach.
As Gatland says, you will need two separate coaching teams for the first part of the tour so each team can be prepared.
Indeed, so why say it when it isn't true? At least Rowntree has tasted victory in and v NZ. Jenkins has neither experience. Not a dig at Jenks, just a why the fuck say that when it is demonstrably untrue?
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@Pot-Hale said in B&I Lions 2017:
The shape of the coaching team is starting to point to an Anglo-Welsh majority in the squad make-up. Not surprising really. And probably the right mix given the Ireland implosion this tourney. At this point, I'd put Murray, Furlong, Stander, and possibly McGrath on the plane.
Sexton will go. And should go too. O'Brien highly likely.
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@Catogrande Sure Gatland could have worded that differently but I think it is a general statement for PR purposes than a statement of fact to be taken literally. "Understanding" and "knowing" (from past experience) are two different things in my eyes.
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@Catogrande said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Crucial Remind me again what Neil Jenkins knows about winning in NZ?
Clive Woodward knew a bit ... how did the last tour go?
Surely everybody is looking at this tour and wondering what if Eddie Jones was in charge?
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Now that Hansen has indicated we will play a match prior to the first Lions test, anyone heard a whisper as to who it might be?
Fiji, Tonga, Samoa or combined PI team?
Nz Maori?
Cyprus anyone
I think we need a hit out provided we don't get struck with injuries (I know that's hard to control but someone like Milner-skudder would sit it out). -
The 6N just finished was rather comforting I thought. None of the 6N sides really kicked on from Autumn, and once again with the odd exception, the quality of attacking play in the NH remains behind that of NZ at least.
I'm feeling a good bit more confident in any case.
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When you go through those games , 3 games against the Abs, a game against the maori , and the 5 games against the super rugby sides , all in 5 weeks , 9 tough games in 5 weeks ,
I dont think it would be possible to make it any tougher for them .
They are going to have to stay focused , we have a lot of point scoring ability in most of those lineups
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@Billy-Tell I thought neither Wales nor France had any remote inkling of how to use the ball when they had it, likewise Ireland - for all their huge possession stats, they could only manage one try from a maul. Generally the attacking nowce was poor and very lateral from all four teams, the creative attacking instinct 2nd nature to SH teams non-existent.
Where I think we will find the going difficult i.e. competitive is the smothering defence employed by NH teams. -
@Crash said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Billy-Tell I thought neither Wales nor France had any remote inkling of how to use the ball when they had it, likewise Ireland - for all their huge possession stats, they could only manage one try from a maul. Generally the attacking nowce was poor and very lateral from all four teams, the creative attacking instinct 2nd nature to SH teams non-existent.
Where I think we will find the going difficult i.e. competitive is the smothering defence employed by NH teams.Yip. Maul, box kicks and garyowens, and rush/smother defence. Don't see the lions creating a whole lot through their backs, Hogg excepted.
