Six called up as “reinforcements”

Gatland adds to the squad to protect his Test team

Now I have absolutely no problem with calling players up to protect a Test XV, Gatland will have a great idea of who that is by now; however, what I do have a problem with is his excuse of using “geographical location” as justification for the players named.

The Lions is about Pride. Pride in the jersey. Pride in being the best the Home Nations has to offer. Pride in playing for one another. That is now being called into question.

Wales, a team who finished 5th in Six Nations behind all the other Home Nations, now have the same number of representatives on tour as England and more than Ireland. Scotland, having one of their best Six Nation campaigns in a very long time, now have 5 Lions to their name.

For Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan to openly criticise the incumbent Lions Head Coach a week before the First Test speaks volumes at the decision that has been made. McGeechan says that Gatland knew he would bring in cover, and therefore can’t use proximity as a reason.

“I think it’s difficult to justify geography. If that was always part of his planning, then he could have been speaking to Eddie Jones for certainly the England players to be released last week,” said the 70 year-old, former Lions winning player and coach.

Should the players have been judged by the wider community to be there on merit then fine. The social media reaction for most of the players has been “who?”

My criticism is not just for the Welsh call-ups (what is the first language on tour now by the way?), but in calling up Allan Dell, Scotland’s loosehead prop and one that was pinpointed as the weak leak during the Six Nations astounds me. Tomas Francis over WP Nel?

If Gatland doesn’t win the Test Series against the All Blacks now he could face a very hostile reception when returning to these shores. Win it and again he’ll be lauded as a hero as he was after dropping Brian O’Driscoll and winning that all important 3rd Test against Australia in 2013.

The Lions is something sacred on these Isles and a lot of people will be feeling bemused and gobsmacked at the latest call ups. I feel for Joe Launchbury the most.

Mike