Warren Gatland spoilt for choice to make Lions a roaring success

If Joe Schmidt and Eddie Jones have every reason to feel good about themselves after a very productive Autumn series for Ireland and England respectively then Lions coach, Warren Gatland, will be equally encouraged after some stellar performances from a host of contenders battling for inclusion in his 2017 selection.

Touring New Zealand as a Lion is probably the most demanding and challenging rugby experience a player from this side of the world will ever encounter. There is a reason why the Lions have only won a single series in the 11 tours undertaken since that maiden voyage back in 1904. Welsh wizard Carwyn Jones apart, it does little to enhance the reputation or career prospects of any coach yet Gatland didn’t hesitate when approached and has been preparing himself for this challenge for some time. It will mark his last major coaching footprint in a decorated managerial career in the UK and Ireland.

Having won a Lions series in Australia in 2013, some would question why he would seek to tarnish an impressive tenure with the tourists as assistant coach in South Africa in 2009 and as head coach four years later. He believes that there is sufficient quality available to win a series against the odds and, believe me, the odds are stacked against him.