England’s numbers on South Africa tour may hit a historic low

This could well be the smallest England contingent ever on a Lions tour. There were 10 players called up originally by Warren Gatland in 2013. I reckon only nine will get the call this time around.

It was a terrible Six Nations for England and there are no England coaches picked for the Lions, which historically might seem bizarre, but makes sense when you consider England’s form. Steve Borthwick turned the role down but even so, assessing the mix of the Lions coaching staff … the released pictures look like the Mitchells from Albert Square to me.

The fact that none of Eddie Jones’ coaching staff have been called up sums up what sort of season they have had. I would be surprised if John Mitchell with all of his experience wasn’t consulted, given the coaches who have been picked by Gatland, but maybe Jones has said that England have had such a bad year that none of them are allowed to go.

There has always been selection politics with previous Lions tours. Scotland did not used to have as strong a side as they do now, and more of their players were selected for the Lions than perhaps should have been, almost like filling a quota. Now the English players will almost be begging to fill their own quota.

You read most people’s Lions XVS and there are only one or two in it. In terms of Lions starters, Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Maro Itoje could all be there, but they are not getting any game time with Saracens.

Tom Curry definitely starts and then, in the backs, there is Anthony Watson. That’s it.

Had England come first or second in the Six Nations then instead of nine players touring, you might have 16. That is the difference a good tournament makes. Although it is not the be all and end all. I remember after defeating Leinster with Leicester in 2001, Graham Henry was on the side of the pitch and just pointed at me and nodded his head. I knew at that point I was going to Australia. With the English teams no longer in Europe and not performing well in the quarterfinals, that can cost players.

From an English perspective, a lot of it has been a bit turgid if you are in the national side, but having said that, the quality in the Gallagher Premiership is as good as it has ever been. I wonder how excited an English player will feel about going on this Lions tour to play in empty stadiums with no fans. Think about the Saracens players; where is their drive and inspiration at the moment other than getting promoted into the Premiership?

Very much like the England “Tour of Hell” in 1998 when more of the experienced players miraculously found an injury or reason not to go, I wonder whether if you are carrying an injury and need an operation – only a small one, but enough to keep you out for six to eight weeks – would that force you to think twice about going on this Lions tour? Hard to believe, but maybe players will turn it down. When you factor in that Premiership clubs will not release their players early building up to the Japan game and that England’s players did not perform well in the Six Nations, and they are not going to be playing in the Champions Cup semi-finals, what does that mean for them all?

Do you get to a scenario where

Hard to believe, but maybe players will turn it down. Everyone must make personal choices

rather than being excited about that letter coming through your door or email into your inbox telling you that you have been selected for the Lions, with all the adulation and benefits that come with that, instead, you get your shoulder or knee fixed, have a full 10 weeks off, and start next season in a World Cup cycle ready to go?

There are some incredibly tough decisions coming up not just for Gatland, but also for the players.

I remember the summer of 2002 there was nothing on. You felt revived from having a full summer off. Compare that to when I went on the Lions tour the year before, then arriving back into a training camp, having three weeks’ holiday where all I did was sleep because I was knackered, and then starting the season at full pace. There is a lot to be said for recharging the batteries. Would players really give up going on a Lions tour? I think they possibly might. If it is your last tour given your age, you might give it a blast.

Everyone though will have hard, personal choices to make, not just Gatland.