SCOTS’ CHANCE TO STAKE CLAIM
All three will start in first game of tour for Gatland
Blues in Auckland next Wednesday, Gatland said: ‘We are lucky to have some real leaders in the squad and to be able to select them for this match in the likes of Rory Best, Alun Wyn Jones and Greig Laidlaw.
‘I’m looking forward to seeing what Greig can do alongside Johnny Sexton who both are experienced half-backs.
‘It is also great to have Sam starting in the first game of the tour, something he didn’t do in 2013 and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do this weekend.
‘The balance of the squad is really good, we have selected the majority of players who were together for the training weeks in Wales and Ireland and they have worked together and prepared well for a number of weeks.
‘It is important these guys get a run early and lay down a marker for others to follow.
‘We’ve picked the team for Saturday but it is still the plan to try to give the whole squad a start in the next two matches.
‘It is important the players get that opportunity, because if they go well and the team goes well, they put themselves in the shop window for a Test start.’
Wales flanker Warburton will lead a Lions side containing nine debutants and six stars returning from the 2013 tour.
Harlequins prop Kyle Sinckler is yet to start a match for England across his eight Test caps, but has now claimed the first Lions starting shirt available on the New Zealand tour.
Joe Marler and Ireland captain Rory Best complete the front-row, with Wyn Jones and Iain Henderson at lock — and an all-Wales back-row of Warburton, Ross Moriarty and Taulupe Faletau.
Wales’ Rhys Webb and England’s Owen Farrell are among the replacements, with Ireland’s former New Zealand Under-20s star Jared Payne primed for his first Lions action.
‘We are all hugely excited about the first game on tour, it’s a great opportunity for the starting XV and the whole match day squad to lay down a marker and get the tour off to a good start,’ said Gatland.
‘We have named a side that showcases a strong combination of experience and youth.’
Laidlaw, a late call-up to replace Ben Youngs who withdrew after his sister-in-law was diagnosed with terminal cancer, remains intent on proving his full worth for the Lions as they bid for a first series win in New Zealand since 1971.
‘Whenever I’m given an opportunity it’s up to me to show what I’m all about and bring my strengths to the table,’ he said before last night’s team announcement. ‘It was good for me to be in in the camp from the start and I really tried to add value to the group where I can.’
Laidlaw also insisted that the individual records of the Lions’ four nations will carry little weight on a gruelling tour of New Zealand.
England boss Eddie Jones has already warned that the Lions could come unstuck over the next few weeks if they mimic the playing style of Gatland’s Welsh team.
But Clermont-bound Laidlaw believes the class of 2017 will build their own approach under the Kiwi, citing his 2013 series win in Australia as evidence of his strong coaching style. ‘What happens with national sides is not so relevant here now,’ he said. ‘Warren won the last Test series with the Lions, that’s a record that stands up, and that’s what he’s measured on. That’s credit to him.
‘And Eddie can say what he likes, because he’s not sat in the hot seat is he? He’s got other things to worry about.
‘Warren’s coaching style is very detailed. He’ll take a step back and stand and watch, but if he sees something he doesn’t like he certainly won’t let it slip.
‘He knows a fair bit about this part of the world, which is key for us coming down here.
‘So he’ll use his knowledge and experience to help the team. He’s made a strong impression on the group already.
‘Defence is clearly going to be a huge challenge for us here. So the flip side is when we’ve got the ball we need to look after it, and don’t give them too much cheap possession, because they’ll love it and try to shift the ball out to space.’
SCOTS Greig Laidlaw, Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour have been given an early chance to press their claims for a Test start after being named in the British and Irish Lions side for the first tour match against New Zealand Provincial Barbarians on Saturday. Laidlaw will combine at halfback with Irishman Johnny Sexton, while Hogg and Seymour make up a backline including England’s Ben Te’o, Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson. Sam Warburton captains the team for the opener in Whangarei on his comeback from a knee injury, with head coach Warren Gatland admitting he wants to field his full 41-man squad across the Lions’ opening two fixtures. Hopeful his tourists can make a fast start this weekend before their clash with Super Rugby side the