Gatland: The squad must be vigilant

Warren Gatland has emphasised the need for the entire & Lions squad to stay focused on the Test series with Australia, even if they missed out on a spot for tomorrow’s opener at Suncorp Stadium.

Gatland yesterday unveiled his starting line-up and bench for the long-awaited Test against the Wallabies — his inclusion of late call-up Alex Corbisiero ahead of Mako Vunipola at loosehead and Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip getting the nod ahead at No.8 rather than Toby Faletau the only real selection issues in an otherwise predictable first XV which features three other Irishmen in Paul O’Connell, Jonny Sexton and Brian O’Driscoll. More surprising was the make-up of the bench where Welsh flanker Dan Lydiate got in ahead of the more versatile Sean O’Brien to cover the back row, the Irishman appearing to have paid the price for a poor display in Tuesday’s defeat to the Brumbies. By that same rationale, the decision to back up starting scrum-half Mike Phillips with Ben Youngs, who also had a poor game in Canberra, rather than Conor Murray, who has showed his mettle on this tour as an impact substitute, is curious, likewise the outside back spot where Sean Maitland was preferred to Simon Zebo and Rob Kearney.

With Jamie Roberts injured, the inside centre spot alongside O’Driscoll went to Jonathon Davies, one of the stars of the show last Saturday against the Waratahs, a team performance which went a long way to cementing several Test places in Gatland’s mind.

“A lot of players were rewarded for their performance last Saturday against the Waratahs as well. That was an extremely positive performance and a lot of the side is made up from that team that played the Waratahs.”

The Lions head coach said defence coach Andy Farrell had stressed the importance of everyone staying on message in the mission to defeat the Wallabies and win a first Lions series since 1997.

“Andy chatted to the squad and said how important it is that everyone buys into it,” Gatland said.

“We spoke to a couple of players about 2009. If you remember 2009, the midfield combination for the first Test was Jamie Roberts and Brian O’Driscoll and for the third Test it ended up being Riki Flutey and Tommy Bowe in the centre and I think we finished the match with Mike Phillips at 12 as well.

“It’s important that the rest of the squad stay focused,” he added.