Be prepared: Gatland gets his excuses in early for tour

Lions coach Warren Gatland appears to be making some early excuses, berating a lack of preparation time for his team’s New Zealand tour and the schedule ahead of the first test with the All Blacks.

The Lions leave Britain on a tight timetable.

Gatland has only three days to gel his composite team for their tour opener in June.

They leave London Monday following the on the English Premiership and Pro 12 finals. They arrive in Auckland on the Wednesday and play on the Saturday, against the Provincial Barbarians in Whangarei.

Gatland warns it goes against the successful formula used lead- ing into the successful tour Australia four years ago.

‘‘I said in my report that it comes down to three words: preparation, preparation, preparation,’’ Gatland told The Guardian. of

‘‘There are a number of stakeholders involved and they have to understand the future of the Lions and that things should be done properly.

‘‘Everyone wants more time but what would be reasonable would be to have a week together with the squad in the UK or Ireland before you travel and arrive seven days before your first game.’’

Gatland also questioned the hectic week leading into the crucial first test.