WE GAT A CHANCE

WARREN GATLAND asked his newly appointed coaches to write up their Lions squad on Sunday and 57 names came up.

Gatland though admits he wouldn’t be surprised if some players selected turn him down due to the Covid pandemic.

Andy Farrell has already done so and will travel with Ireland to the Pacific Irelands if that summer tour goes ahead.

“He’s been in discussion with the IRFU,” said Gatland. “We waited as long as we could.”

The only Irish link to Gatland’s coaching ticket is Robin Mcbryde, the Leinster scrum coach.

Exciting young hooker Ronan Kelleher came up in the coaches’ selection conversation - Mcbryde (above) joked the chances of Leinster players making it increased after beating Exeter.

“It was quite a few more after that game,” he laughed. On a serious note, the fact Leinster are the only non-french side left in the Champions Cup should help bolster Irish player numbers.

“Definitely, and hopefully we’ll be welcoming certain players back from injury as well,” adde Mcbryde.

“You want to be playing at the business end and there’s no one better than Leinster really, who have been involved time and time again.

“It’s a great opportunity but there are other games going on as well. The door isn’t closed on anybody.”

Mcbryde expects to see James Ryan and Caelan Doris staking a claim “in the next couple of weeks”.

“If you perform, that’s as much as you can do,” he said. “I wouldn’t want them to worry too much about the Lions.

“With Leinster, we’ve got an opportunity to create something special. If we’re successful, it goes hand in hand with regard to staking a claim.”