As expected, Welsh flanker Sam Warburton will captain the British and Irish Lions to tour Australia next month, but legendary fly-half Jonny Wilkinson was overlooked.
Wilkinson played a blinder last weekend in what was probably his final appearance at Twickenham, scoring all of Toulon’s points in their 24-12 win over Saracens in a Heinekin Cup semi.
All to no avail.
Lions coach Warren Gatland stuck to his policy of not selecting overseas-based players, which is as outdated as knickerbockers and cravats.
There are still many areas of professional rugby that remain rank amateur.
Welshmen dominate the 37-strong squad with 15 players, there are 10 Englishmen, nine Irishmen, and just three Scots which is pretty proportionate to the way each country fared in the Six-Nations tournament.
One thing for sure, the Wallabies have nothing to fear from this lot.
Sure the Lions pack is big, but the Wallabies will run them off their feet and match the speed of the Lions’ backs for what promises to be a toss-up three-Test series.
Just a reminder the Lions have won only four of their last 12 internationals.
The Lions haven’t won a series since the 1997 tour to South Africa where they were successful 2-1.
But they lost 2-1 to Rod Macqueen’s Wallabies in 2001, lost 3-zip to the All Blacks in 2005, and 2-1 to the Boks in 2009.
Those stats alone will heap pressure on the latest Lions, which the Wallabies can also capitalise on.
The saving grace for the Lions will be Gatland, without doubt one of the world’s best international coaches.
But as Sir Graham Henry pointed out coaching the Lions is very different with four nations involved with their own rugby cultures and traditions.
Another plus for the men-in-gold.
Looking good.
The Lions squad:
Full-backs – Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Rob Kearney (Ireland)
Wingers – Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Alex Cuthbert (Wales),George North (Wales),
Sean Maitland (Scotland)
Centres – Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland), James Roberts (Wales), Manu Tuilaga (England), Jomatham Davies (Wales)
Fly-halves – Owen Farrell (England), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland)
Half-backs – Connor Murray (Ireland), Mike Phillips (Wales), Ben Youngs (England)
Loosehead props – Cian Heaky (Ireland), Gethen Jenkins (Wales), Mako Vunipola (England), Matt Stevens (England)
Tighthead props – Dan Cole (England), Adam Jones (Wales)
Hookers – Dylan Hartley (England), Richard Hibbard (Wales), Tom Youngs (England)
Locks – Ian Evans (Wales), Richie Gray (Scotland), Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O’Connell (Ireland), Geoff Parling (England_
Flankers – Sam Warburton (Wales), Tom Croft (England), Sean O’Brien (Ireland), Justin Tipuric (Wales)
No 8s – Toby Faletu (Wales) Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
Nova
Guest
Flip I wanted to have another perv at Johnny
Austin healy
Guest
Wallabies by 15.Too many welshmen,not enough threats in the backline.
AdamS
Roar Guru
It appears the Lord does work in mysterious ways.....
Justin2
Guest
Staggering ADC but not at all surprising.
A Different Cat.
Guest
I'm sorry David but do some research, don't make things up and stop using the guise of journalism to push your agenda. You are a shocker. Wilkinson was not overlooked. He was asked to tour and turned it down.
Richard
Guest
If you read wilkinson's interview, he declined the opportunity due to the fact that he is considering surgery and wasn't sure his body would hold up. As for French based club players, I would suggest that you pick the best available irrespective of where they are based. This is a lions tour not the six nations. Same goes for George smith. Although he is on loan to the brumbies, lets pick him if we can and suntory/aru get the appropriate insurance cover in place.
Rob9
Guest
And by the by, what the squad announcement highlights isn't the 'many areas of professional rugby that remain rank amateur', it highlights the need for a well structured and fair global season that balance and recognise club and test rugby. Eg. Arguably the form 10 in the northern hemisphere missing out on one of the most celebrated teams in international rugby because the start of the tour clashes with his likely involvement in the Top 14 final.
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
Wilkinson, unwanted by the English selectors in the Six Nations, made it clear to Gatland that he was unavailable for the entire tour. First, he is committed to the Top 14 final with Toulon on June 1, the same day the Lions open their tour with a match against the Barbarians in Hong Kong. Also, Wilkinson has injury concerns. David says that Gatland has "stuck to his policy of not selecting overseas-based players, which is as outdated as knickerbockers and cravats". And: "There are still many areas of professional rugby that remain rank amateur." Well, I would argue that sticking with home-based players, far from being rank amateur, could be perceived as being coldly and ruthlessly professional. But Gethin Jenkins is in the team. He plays for Toulon, although he doesn't expect to be selected for the Top 14 final and has told Gatland he is available to fly out with the squad to Hong Kong on May 27. And Mike Phillips is in the squad. He plays for Bayonne. So Gatland is being blamed for something he hasn't done. Lions tours, even those with only nine matches (the tenth, against the Barbarians, will be little more than an opposed training session) inevitably produce injures. If the chips are down, I have little doubt that Jonny Wilkinson will get the call. Scotland finished third in the Six Nations, behind Wales and England but ahead of Ireland, who came fifth. Therefore the selection of nine Irishmen and three Scots is disproportionate. For what it's worth, I'm tipping the Lions to win the series 2-1.
Rob9
Guest
“Lions coach Warren Gatland stuck to his policy of not selecting overseas-based players, which is as outdated as knickerbockers and cravats.” Did any of you blokes watch the squad announcement on FSN?? It mentioned each players club and country. Gethin Jenkins – Wales and Toulon Mike Phillips – Wales and Bayonne
Blind Freddy
Guest
David's post is no better or worse than our comments
mania
Guest
yeah wilkinson said he's not available as he cant make the baabaas game due to toulon having a game then. but gatland has said that wilko could be an injury option, so theres still hope
colvin
Guest
Jonny wasn't available. He had club obligations and he didn't feel he could last a full tour. He is on the standby list as a potential injury replacement later on the tour. He still may come at some stage, depending on his fitness.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Do the Roar honestly consider this a column? A school teacher wouldn't accept this from a primary school student.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
'There are still many areas of professional rugby that remain rank amateur.' Like the journalism... Gatland contacted Wilkinson to check on his availability and Wilkinson replied that he wasn't physically able and would potentially need an operation. Further, he was going to miss the early stages if selected. However, what you might also have noticed is that Gethin Jenkins actually plays in France. Little club called Toulon.
wMc
Guest
News I heard said Wilkinson was not available...tired or such like after long season. Anyone know more?