[ad_1]
British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has unveiled the coaches who will work alongside him on the tour to South Africa this summer.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the appointments and their records.
Warren Gatland
Nationality: New Zealander.
Age: 57.
Current job: Chiefs head coach.
Lions role: Head coach.
Lions history: Head coach for the 2013, 2017 and 2021 tours. Assistant coach in 2009.
Test caps: None.
Club playing career: Waikato.
Form guide: Among the finest coaches in rugby history. Had domestic and European success with Wasps and took charge of Wales in 2008, winning a Six Nations Grand Slam in his first season. Further titles and Grand Slams followed, plus two World Cup semi-final appearances. Was at the helm for a Lions series win against Australia eight years ago, and drawn series with then world champions New Zealand in 2017.
Gregor Townsend
Nationality: Scottish.
Age: 47.
Current job: Scotland head coach.
Lions role: Assistant coach (attack).
Lions history: Two Tests as a player, 1997 tour of South Africa.
Test caps: 82 for Scotland (1993-2003).
Club playing career: Northampton, Brive, Castres, Border Reivers, Montpellier.
Form guide: Impressive. Masterminded Scotland away victories over England – a first since 1983 – and France, ending a 22-year wait, during this season’s Guinness Six Nations. Undoubtedly a Lions scholar of the great Sir Ian McGeechan, there is nothing not to like about Townsend’s appointment.
Robin McBryde
Nationality: Welsh.
Age: 50.
Current job: Leinster forwards coach.
Lions role: Assistant coach (forwards).
Lions history: Four appearances as a player, 2001 tour of Australia.
Test caps: 37 for Wales (1994-2005).
Club playing career: Swansea, Llanelli, Scarlets.
Form guide: Excellent. Was part of Gatland’s coaching furniture when the New Zealander led Wales through an era of Six Nations title triumphs, Grand Slams and World Cup semi-final appearances. McBryde goes about his business without fuss or bother, and he is now an integral part of Leinster’s push for a record fifth European title this season.
Steve Tandy
Nationality: Welsh.
Age: 41.
Current job: Scotland defence coach.
Lions role: Assistant coach (defence).
Lions history: None.
Test caps: None.
Club playing career: Neath, Ospreys.
Form guide: Strong. Welshman Tandy might be the biggest Lions selection bolter of all this time around, but Gatland will know his coaching quality well from a six-year stint as Ospreys boss. Developed further during a coaching stint with Super Rugby side the Waratahs in Australia, and Scotland are reaping the benefits.
Neil Jenkins
Nationality: Welsh.
Age: 49.
Current job: Wales assistant coach.
Lions role: Assistant coach (kicking).
Lions history: Four Tests as a player, 1997 tour of South Africa, 2001 tour of Australia. Assistant coach on 2009, 2013 and 2017 tours.
Test caps: 87 for Wales (1991-2002).
Club playing career: Pontypridd, Cardiff, Celtic Warriors.
Form guide: Top-notch. Like McBryde, Jenkins was one of Gatland’s right-hand men for more than 11 years with Wales, coaching the kickers to an impeccable standard and also offering skills expertise. Scored more than 1,000 points for Wales during his Test career, and he was pivotal to the Lions’ memorable 1997 Test series victory over South Africa.
[ad_2]
Source link
