We’re five weeks into the Lions tour and Warren Gatland has endured enough vitriol to make lesser men weep but when it has come to selection, he has resolved to make…
Ireland
Five reasons the pressure is on the All Blacks ahead of the Third Test
Momentum shift Bottling momentum in sport is a precious commodity. Before and after the First Test, it was the All Blacks who gave off an insouciant, laid-back air. If there…
Lions Second Test: Five things we learnt
Lions glory. But a black elephant remains in the room The Lions beat the All Blacks by 24-21, levelled the series, and achieved something that few professional rugby players will…
Lions 2017: Warren Gatland’s men silence the doubters to set up Auckland decider
Saturday 1st July, 2017. A date that will forever be etched in the Lion’ illustrious 129-year history. It was an evening where records tumbled as fast as the odds for…
Lions 2017: Warren Gatland gambles for must-win Second Test
The thwack was perceptible through the cold Wellington air. In amongst a throng of All Blacks on the Westpac turf, Beauden Barrett was drilling the ball 40m across field into…
Steve Hansen offers an olive branch to under-fire Warren Gatland
All tour, like two ageing prize fighters, Steve Hansen and Warren Gatland have kept each other at arm’s length, offering the odd verbal jab that, that has been seized upon…
Lions 2017: Hurricanes 31-31 British & Irish Lions
The Lions midweekers gave Warren Gatland both questions and answers after a few days in which the head coach has had to wear a tin hat to protect himself from…
Lions 2017: Five players with a realistic chance of making the Second Test squad
Super Rugby’s great entertainers, the Hurricanes lie in wait for the Lions this evening, with a power-packed side feature a smattering of All Blacks including Julian Savea, Nehe-Milner Skudder and…
New Zealand v British and Irish Lions – First Test analysis
The manner of defeat will concern Warren Gatland The British and Irish Lions’ 30-15 defeat in the first test will obviously concern Warren Gatland. But the manner of the defeat…
Lions name team to take on the Hurricanes
Warren Gatland has named his 23-man squad to face the Hurricanes on Tuesday night at the Westpac Stadium. He has named the experienced Rory Best as his skipper and was…