I hope my rant helps the Lions

Lions management during the tour but came under fire from certain quarters yesterday, with Lions tour manager John Spencer insisting he received no complaints during the trip and CEO John Feehan backing Warren Gatland and his coaching staff.

O’brien responded by releasing a statement on Twitter.

“To be clear, my views on the Lions tour were honest and genuine and solely with the intention of building on what was a great tour,” said the 30-year-old.

“Unfortunately some people have focused on what I feel we could have done better instead of what we did well.

“I have nothing but respect for Warren and the whole coaching team, in addition to the rest of the back room staff and squad of players.

“But do I believe we the coaches and players could have done better? Yes. Do I believe we could have won the series? Yes. Do I believe the Lions squad in 2021 will be better for this? Yes.

“If we don’t look to build on and improve on the tour to New Zealand how can future squads get better? It is a privilege and an honour to be called a British and Irish Lion and I hope that this clarifies my position once and for all.”

Feehan (below) also released a statement which stated: “I said all along that I think we had the best coaching team available and I think they proved that in what we achieved in New Zealand

“To draw a series with the All Blacks, who had not lost a Test match at home for eight years, was a remarkable result and Warren and the coaches deserve huge credit.”

CREDIT Gatland’s role was praised by CEO Feehan