THE LION THING
Toony reveals fears tour call had passed him by after snubbing last approach
GREGOR TOWNSEND feared his chance of working with the Lions was gone after he turned down an offer four years ago – only for Warren Gatland to come calling again.
Townsend felt he could not go on the tour to New Zealand in 2017 because he was poised to start his new job as Scotland head coach and would miss their summer get-together if he went with the Lions.
But now the 47-year-old has been offered – and happily accepted – the chance to be Gatland’s attack coach when the tourists go to South Africa this summer.
On saying no first time around, Townsend said: “That was not an easy decision but at the time I felt it was the right decision to stay with Scotland.
“It was going to be my first coaching opportunity with the national team and we had a tough tour to Australia and Fiji.
“But it did cross my mind that if you turn down the Lions you might not get asked again. I’m delighted that Warren didn’t cross me off his list.”
The Scotland boss has a long association with the Lions going back to 1997 when he was in the squad that beat South Africa 2-1 in the three-Test series.
The Springboks were reigning world champions, as they were in 2009 when they defeated the Lions on tour.
And, having beaten England in the 2019 World Cup Final in Japan, this will be the third time running the South Africans face the Lions as the planet’s finest.
Townsend added: “For the Lions to take on the world champions is amazing and some luck. It happened in 1997, in 2009 and it’s now happening again.
“That’s the ultimate challenge – taking on the world champions – and one that will focus the minds of everyone who gets into that final squad.”
With his Scotland assistant Steve Tandy also part of Gatland’s coaching team as defence coach, along with kicking coach Neil Jenkins and forwards coach Robin McBryde, Townsend is sure that Scottish players will get a fair crack of the whip this time when it comes to selection.
He said: “The Scottish players have put their hands up and not just in this season’s Six Nations but in the one prior to that. If you look at the last two Six Nations, there is just one point separating Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England.
“And that shows you how competitive it is between the countries that make up the British and Irish Lions.
“So our players – sorry, Scotland players – are in the mix. But they’re up against very good players from the other three teams.”
Townsend had been talking about the post with Gatland since November but Tandy was only offered the job last week, leaving him stunned when he took the call.
Gatland added: “Steve said to me, ‘Oh my God, I’m shaking at the knees, I’m just so excited’.”
Tandy said: “It was Tuesday or Wednesday last week. It has been a bit of a whirlwind since then.
“I’m super privileged to be part of Lions history and I can’t wait to get to South Africa.”
The playing squad, probably numbering 36, will be announced on May 6. The Lions will have a warm-up international against Japan at Murrayfield on June 26 and will play three Tests against the Springboks in July along with several midweek games, with dates to be finalised.