What happens if Gatland takes the Lions job?

majesticimperialman wrote: Re: What happens if Gatland takes the Lions job?
by Gatts Today at 8:11 pm

.I think Gats probably has a clause in, and for those mooting Johnson and questioning why Gats should get it, go see your doctor.

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Surely for a Lions coach you would want the best coach avalible. Are you saying that Gatland is the best coach avalible?..Did Wales win the RWC? No they did not.


I too think that Mallet/Kirwin might be interested, But just because Gatland has been given another 4 year contract with Wales, does not make him the best coach avalible.

Dontheman wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote: Re: What happens if Gatland takes the Lions job?
by Gatts Today at 8:11 pm

.I think Gats probably has a clause in, and for those mooting Johnson and questioning why Gats should get it, go see your doctor.

........................................................................................................................
Surely for a Lions coach you would want the best coach avalible. Are you saying that Gatland is the best coach avalible?..Did Wales win the RWC? No they did not.


I too think that Mallet/Kirwin might be interested, But just because Gatland has been given another 4 year contract with Wales, does not make him the best coach avalible.

Oh did Mallet/Kirwan win? If winning the RWC is the criterion who else is available guess that's de Villiers then. Just to remind you Wales were the best team there never more than a kick away from the final

mankiaow wrote:'To get revenge in Dublin I think you need to make around 8-10 changes to the team that last played Wales.'

From that comment I take it that a victory for the mighty Welsh in Dublin is assured and you just have to turn up and squash 'the little green men'.

There's nothing like a bit of over-confidence!

I'm looking forward to it already.

O'Callaghan, O'Gara, O'Driscoll, Paddy Wallace and D'arcy

Feckless Rogue wrote:

O'Callaghan, O'Gara, O'Driscoll, Paddy Wallace and D'arcy

Bingo!

But it looks like O'Callaghan has already lost his place to Ryan at Munster. So same should happen for Ireland. We have loads of great prospects in the center at all four provinces. We just haven't used them. Yet. Sexton has been better than O'Gara for two years. Keatley and Madigan both look like great prospects at 10 too.

That's it really. Four positions need imminent replacement and we have quality players to replace them. I understand why Kidney went for experienced players at the RWC. But he went to far. A midfield of O'Gara, D'arcy, O'Driscoll had no pace or power. O'Gara or O'Driscoll would have been able to use their wise old heads to get the best out of some younger pacier players. But together, the three of them weren't a threat.

Your totally wrong on O'Connell. He's in just about the form of his life. Brilliant since his return to fitness. The best lock in Europe at the moment.

Sin é wrote:Sexton has been one of the main reasons Ireland have lost so many games since '09.

munkian wrote:Gatland, if not THE lions head coach will definately be involved in some capacity.

The Lions is more than just winning, its an idea and a belief - hes proven he can take 30+ rugby players on tour and get respect from the locals by keeping his players in line and comunity work.

Sin é wrote:And what about his anti-Irish sentiments - that should rule him out as head coach immediately (not to mention Shaun Edwards being suspended for fighting with the Irish team psychologist over the singing of some Irish songs). Gatland was 'managing' all of that.

Sin é wrote:

munkian wrote:Gatland, if not THE lions head coach will definately be involved in some capacity.

The Lions is more than just winning, its an idea and a belief - hes proven he can take 30+ rugby players on tour and get respect from the locals by keeping his players in line and comunity work.

Well, he can manage a few Welsh teenagers OK. I wonder how he would cope with grown ups.

Not too sure how well Gatland would go in Australia - kiwis are not that popular there. Big deal he got on well in his home country. Did Alain Rolland get the apology Gatland said he would give if it turned out that Rolland was correct about the Red Card? And what about his anti-Irish sentiments - that should rule him out as head coach immediately (not to mention Shaun Edwards being suspended for fighting with the Irish team psychologist over the singing of some Irish songs). Gatland was 'managing' all of that.

roddersm wrote:

Sin é wrote:And what about his anti-Irish sentiments - that should rule him out as head coach immediately (not to mention Shaun Edwards being suspended for fighting with the Irish team psychologist over the singing of some Irish songs). Gatland was 'managing' all of that.

The psychologist was the Welsh team psychologist, not Irish. Shaun Edwards actually represent Ireland at RL. They made up after so that is irrelevent.

The Irish comments were prior to the last Lions tour, were he was forwards coach and O'Connell was captain so I doubt it would be an issue.

Feckless Rogue wrote:Sin, I personally think Ireland's two best performances since the Grand Slam have been with Sexton at 10. The thrashing of England and the RWC victory over Australia. He also kicked all Ireland's points in a victory over the Springboks. But us two will never agree on the ROG/Sexton debate. No point arguing round in circles.

I wonder if Welsh and Irish inconsistency is down to the small player base? The form of both seems to vary widely. Australia has a small player base too and they can be quite up and down. They lost to Samoa, Scotland, Ireland and England in the last couple of years but also won a Tri-nations. If players lose form or get injured there just isn't the same quality to replace them?

munkian wrote:

Sin é wrote:

munkian wrote:Gatland, if not THE lions head coach will definately be involved in some capacity.

The Lions is more than just winning, its an idea and a belief - hes proven he can take 30+ rugby players on tour and get respect from the locals by keeping his players in line and comunity work.

Well, he can manage a few Welsh teenagers OK. I wonder how he would cope with grown ups.

Not too sure how well Gatland would go in Australia - kiwis are not that popular there. Big deal he got on well in his home country. Did Alain Rolland get the apology Gatland said he would give if it turned out that Rolland was correct about the Red Card? And what about his anti-Irish sentiments - that should rule him out as head coach immediately (not to mention Shaun Edwards being suspended for fighting with the Irish team psychologist over the singing of some Irish songs). Gatland was 'managing' all of that.

One maybe two teenagers. The rest in their 20s and a couple in their 30s. I'm not sure what your point is ? Surely 'men' will have the self control not to do an 'England' and treat it as a jolly abroad.

Ant Irish sentiments ? Oh please

Sin é wrote:

roddersm wrote:

Sin é wrote:And what about his anti-Irish sentiments - that should rule him out as head coach immediately (not to mention Shaun Edwards being suspended for fighting with the Irish team psychologist over the singing of some Irish songs). Gatland was 'managing' all of that.

The psychologist was the Welsh team psychologist, not Irish. Shaun Edwards actually represent Ireland at RL. They made up after so that is irrelevent.

The Irish comments were prior to the last Lions tour, were he was forwards coach and O'Connell was captain so I doubt it would be an issue.

Really!

SHAUN EDWARDS was suspended from Wales’ Six Nations clash with France after a heated bust-up over the singing of an Irish folk song on the team bus, the Western Mail can reveal today.

Warren Gatland’s No 2 missed the 28-9 defeat in Paris after he and another member of the Wales back-room staff, sports scientist Fergus Connolly, were each disciplined through the team’s code of conduct procedure.

We have learned the two men exchanged words over the song as the Welsh team were travelling back to their Vale of Glamorgan HQ after the thrilling 19-13 triumph over Brian O’Driscoll’s Ireland at the Millennium Stadium the previous Saturday.

The incident spilt over once the team bus arrived at the Vale and Gatland decided he was compelled to take disciplinary action.

Wales attempted to keep the matter under wraps, but news of the confrontation leaked out moments before the Six Nations finale with France.

Edwards worked with the players in the early build-up to that game, but was sent away from the camp in the middle of the week.

Connolly, a proud Irishman, has his finger on the pulse of sports science and looks after the well-being of the players.

He helps sort out their hydration levels and conducts regular medical checks to ensure they are at the top of their game.

Like Edwards, Connolly was suspended for the game against France.

As for the anti-Irish sentiment - it wasn't an issue as Gatland was not the head coach on the last Lions tour. FFS, Gatland claimed the Welsh players hated the Irish players (a completely outrageous comment to come from any coach). If Declan Kidney made that comment about the Welsh, he'd have been sacked.

roddersm wrote:

Sin é wrote:

roddersm wrote:

Sin é wrote:And what about his anti-Irish sentiments - that should rule him out as head coach immediately (not to mention Shaun Edwards being suspended for fighting with the Irish team psychologist over the singing of some Irish songs). Gatland was 'managing' all of that.

The psychologist was the Welsh team psychologist, not Irish. Shaun Edwards actually represent Ireland at RL. They made up after so that is irrelevent.

The Irish comments were prior to the last Lions tour, were he was forwards coach and O'Connell was captain so I doubt it would be an issue.

Really!

SHAUN EDWARDS was suspended from Wales’ Six Nations clash with France after a heated bust-up over the singing of an Irish folk song on the team bus, the Western Mail can reveal today.

Warren Gatland’s No 2 missed the 28-9 defeat in Paris after he and another member of the Wales back-room staff, sports scientist Fergus Connolly, were each disciplined through the team’s code of conduct procedure.

We have learned the two men exchanged words over the song as the Welsh team were travelling back to their Vale of Glamorgan HQ after the thrilling 19-13 triumph over Brian O’Driscoll’s Ireland at the Millennium Stadium the previous Saturday.

The incident spilt over once the team bus arrived at the Vale and Gatland decided he was compelled to take disciplinary action.

Wales attempted to keep the matter under wraps, but news of the confrontation leaked out moments before the Six Nations finale with France.

Edwards worked with the players in the early build-up to that game, but was sent away from the camp in the middle of the week.

Connolly, a proud Irishman, has his finger on the pulse of sports science and looks after the well-being of the players.

He helps sort out their hydration levels and conducts regular medical checks to ensure they are at the top of their game.

Like Edwards, Connolly was suspended for the game against France.

As for the anti-Irish sentiment - it wasn't an issue as Gatland was not the head coach on the last Lions tour. FFS, Gatland claimed the Welsh players hated the Irish players (a completely outrageous comment to come from any coach). If Declan Kidney made that comment about the Welsh, he'd have been sacked.

Sin I know the story. It happened in 2009 prior to the Lions tour, on which Gatland was forwards coach and O'Connell was captain. I have no idea why you are bringing this up now. It was not an issue then so it won't be in 2013.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:I dont know who Gatland was trying to kid with that, we all know the Irish and Welsh would never get the chip of their shoulders about England just to hate each other.

Sour Gatland can't get over Irish allergy

By Vincent Hogan

Monday March 08 2010

Well. I wonder what gentle incendiaries Warren Gatland has lined up for us this week. All may appear pleasant and tranquil right now, but it wouldn't be Ireland v Wales if Warren wasn't planning to throw his jacket on the ground and invite half the country outside to answer for some imagined slight.

So, what will it be this time? Or, more pointedly, who?

Gatland has a problem with Irish rugby in the way Michael O'Leary has a problem with the Dublin Airport Authority. He feels that business between them has been soured by a toxic, personal agenda which, I'm afraid, makes him snappy as a menopausal warthog.

And just about as rational.

In 2008, he played his 'et tu, Brute' card against Eddie O'Sullivan. Last year, he went after the Irish players with his peaceable "Wales dislike Ireland more than any other team" address.

It's an eccentric way for a coach to behave, but Gatland -- it seems -- cannot help himself.

It is as if he lives in mortal dread of one day being invisible.

Now those who know him say he is an eminently decent sort. Witty. Self-deprecating. Never slow to buy his round. And his coaching record with Wasps and Wales clearly holds up to the harshest scrutiny.

But Warren developed an itch in the autumn of 2001 that, to this day, he keeps on scratching.

The day the IRFU opted not to renew his contract was the day Warren acquired a peculiar allergy against all things Irish.

We are his poison ivy and, short of sending an industrial vat of calamine lotion his way, it's a little hard to see how Warren and us can ever be remotely compatible again.

One of the unexplored stories of last year's Grand Slam game in Cardiff was the flaring unpleasantness in the Millennium Stadium stands. Ordinarily, international rugby crowds steam along amiably together, everyone florid with alcohol, but generally agreeable.

In Cardiff, the vibe was different. It was palpably sour. In maybe 15 previous visits for Wales-Ireland games, I can never remember a more menacing, confrontational vibe in the city.

Cardiff always feels a little overwhelmed by a Six Nations crowd and, no question, the late evening kick-off wasn't exactly conducive to thoughtful analysis of anything deeper than the demands of navigating safe passage to a bar counter.

But it felt too as if Gatland's words settled over the occasion like a chemical cloud.

And when Ryan Jones clattered needlessly into Ronan O'Gara in the first minute of the game, there was the sense of a team and its people in absolute union. And ever so slightly out of control.

The Welsh coach would explain later that his words had been intended as "a compliment" to Ireland.

From this, you will gather that listening to Warren retrace his steps is a bit like listening to a tree.

Now this column refuses to entertain the suggestion that, maybe, it's the Kiwi in him that is programmed for conflict. New Zealand rugby people are the most cerebral, non-confrontational people in the game today. Got that? It's crystal clear that any bad manners Warren might carry about were picked up this side of the equator.

You wouldn't ever get an All Black doing anything quite as daft as taking a golf cart down a motorway to buy a bar of chocolate, would you? Maybe the odd little outburst of hotel high-jinks here and there. But nothing to detain Her Majesty's finest unduly.

No, this is a local thing and Gatland has made the current Wales team rather easy to dislike.

In Cardiff especially, he seems endlessly tuned to provocation. Already this season, he has criticised the Scots for insisting the Millennium Stadium roof stayed open; then taken a swipe at the French, declaring his team had "played all the rugby" in a defeat against them.

And remember, in his attempt at conciliation just prior to last year's Grand Slam game, he opined that he might in future follow Declan Kidney's style of spouting "cliches and nothing."

Yep, Warren is to diplomacy what Smith and Wesson are to peace.

All of which seems a terrible pity, because he is surrounded by fine people. Rob Howley was as good a scrum-half as it has been this column's privilege to see. And Shaun Edwards broke just about every record there was to break in rugby league.

Just one thing about Edwards, mind. Does he not see how this thing of clutching a novel during games makes him look more than a mite pretentious? Apparently, he carries the book as some kind of pressure outlet, should he become too wound up in a game.

So, when Wales are defending a line-out inside their own 22, Shaun takes refuge in a few pages of Sebastian Faulks? Right.

And maybe Sam Allardyce will unfold a chess-board one of these days when El Hadji Diouf is romancing an opposition crowd.

Frankly, give me England and Martin 'Billy No Mates' Johnson any day ahead of Gatland's Wales. They may be delusional, but they're not drowning in self-absorption.

Ireland to win on Saturday. Warren to toss his jacket on the ground.

- Vincent Hogan

Irish Independent
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/vincent-hogan/vincent-hogan-sour-gatland-cant-get-over-irish-allergy-2091753.html

Feckless Rogue wrote:I also wonder how can an "Irish folk song" cause a fight. I think Irish folk music is the best in the world. But there is a certain strand of hateful anti-English songs, by the likes of the Wolfe Tones that might offend and English person. I personally don't think that rubbish qualifies as Irish folk music.

I couldn't imagine anything by the Dubliners starting a row.