KEV KICKS OFF
WELL, as everyone expected, Warren Gatland is to lead the British & Irish Lions to take on his homeland the mighty All Blacks in New Zealand next year. Gatland says it’s the best job in rugby and they aim to beat the best team in the world. I think the Lions are capable of winning the series but we need a full strength squad with everyone fit so, hopefully, no injuries during the Six Nations and I’m also worried about 10 games in a short time but if New Zealand are paying for the Lions to tour, the more games the more money!
Congratulations to Rob Howley on getting the head coach job of Wales again for the autumn and Six Nations. I’m sure he will do a great job with everyone looking to impress for Lions selection.
It’s great to see Lee Byrne get the DoR job at the newly formed South Wales Ironmen and linking up with my good mate Gerald McCarthy at Merthyr RFC. Byrney had one game for the Blue Bulls in 2003 and absolutely loved the game. I really think he could have gone north with the rest of us. Speaking with Byrney, he will help with the fitness and it will be great to take him up to Warrington for a few games. The PR for the Ironmen has been good so far. I really hope the fans will get behind them. I’m surprised they’ve kept the same coaches after a poor season last year and I really hope they can spend some money and bring in some top class rugby league players in key positions. I know they’ve signed a Samoan and two Gloucester All Golds to start. QUESTION: What do you think of Rob Howley becoming caretaker coach of Wales while Gatland takes his sabbatical for the Lions? I THINK Rob is the right man for the job and I don’t think Gatland considered anyone else. Howley did a fantastic job in 2013 for Wales when Gats was away and he’s still hungry for success and full of energy to get success. Wales’ form wasn’t the best last season and we didn’t win a game on tour in New Zealand but there were lots of positives. I’m sure Wales will have a big year and I hope we see the likes of Sam Warburton, Faletau, Webb and North on that Lions tour!