Beatthe English andgive megrief
SIX NATIONS
WARREN GATLAND last night ordered Scotland’s Lions hopefuls to beat England and give him a selection headache.
The British and Irish Lions head coach believes a first win in 34 years at Twickenham would lift a host of dark blue stars into his reckoning for New Zealand this summer.
Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour, Hamish Watson and Jonny and Richie Gray have all impressed in the wins over Ireland and Wales and Gatland’s challenged Vern Cotter’s men to stage the ultimate audition at the home of rugby.
“I’m a great believer in the idea that we should want Scotland doing well,” he said.
“Because we should want them to be represented in the Lions. It would create a few headaches, wouldn’t it? There is nothing wrong with that.
“I’m pleased that there is an opportunity for more Scottish players to put their hands up but it’s a big challenge for them this weekend.
“I think they’re well aware of what is at stake on two fronts. One, they can give themselves a chance of winning the Six Nations with Italy at home to come in the last game. They’ll get that monkey off their backs too in winning at Twickenham.
“‘Secondly, a lot of those players will be aware of the match-ups. They’ll be aware of the record England are going for and of how the English-dominated press are pushing a lot of their English players for the Lions.
“So you couldn’t ask for any better motivation from a Scottish point of view, going down there to play at Twickenham.”