The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Gatland pleased with fitness despite Vunipola withdrawal
Warren Gatland has delivered a positive squad fitness bulletin as the British and Irish Lions continued New Zealand tour preparations without England powerhouse Billy Vunipola.
The Lions were dealt a crushing injury blow on Sunday after Saracens number eight Vunipola withdrew from the trip due to an ongoing shoulder problem that will require surgery.
But while Vunipola has been replaced by Wasps flanker James Haskell, Lions head coach Gatland said things were “pretty good” in terms of the 30 players he is currently working with during a pre-tour training camp in Ireland.
Wales hooker Ken Owens (ankle), Leinster back-row forward Sean O’Brien (calf) and Ospreys scrum-half Rhys Webb (groin) missed last weekend’s Guinness PRO12 play-off action, while Leinster prop Jack McGrath saw an arm X-ray come back all clear.
“I think we are pretty good,” Gatland said. “The guys are making good progress.”
Vunipola, one of the most destructive forwards in world rugby, was likely to have been an integral part of the Lions’ Test series victory bid.
He delivered a magnificent display when Saracens retained the European Champions Cup by beating French heavyweights Clermont Auvergne nine days ago, and also shone in defeat on Saturday as Exeter knocked Vunipola and company out of Aviva Premiership title contention.
The 24-year-old was viewed as a major player in Gatland’s squad, although the coach still has the world-class ability of Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau at his disposal, plus Munster’s CJ Stander and Welsh international Ross Moriarty.
“Any player who gets injured at this time is a big loss to the squad,” Gatland told reporters at the Lions training base in Kildare.
“We spend a lot of time going through the process of picking players, and trying to plan and prepare, so to lose someone is disappointing. You have just got to move on. The decision has been made, and we look forward.
“We knew Billy was being managed, and Saracens have been managing that over a time.
“I spoke to Billy, and he just felt that he couldn’t give us 100%. You have got
to respect that decision he has made and him not wanting to let anyone down.
“I did try and persuade him to come over and be assessed, but he was adamant he wasn’t right. He is a big loss to us, but I fully understand the decision he made to not go on the tour.”
Haskell, who has won 75 caps, is set to be involved for Wasps in the Aviva Premiership final against Exeter next Saturday, and he will join up with the Lions squad the following day.
Reflecting on Haskell’s call-up, Gatland added: “He said it was a massive honour. He said he would carry the bags if needs be. He will be great for us.”
Vunipola is the second player to pull out following Gatland’s squad announcement last month, with Leicester and England scrum-half Ben Youngs withdrawing on compassionate grounds after learning that his sister-inlaw was terminally ill.
Gloucester scrum-half Greig Laidlaw was called up to replace Youngs, and now Haskell will join up with Gatland’s Lions ahead of departure to Auckland on Monday.
The Lions face 10 games in New Zealand, culminating with a three-Test series against the world champion All Blacks that begins on June 24.