Coach still ‘hopeful’ Owen will be fit for first Test
are divided into two. We’ve been written off — people saying there’s a split — and it’s brought us closer together as a group. The boys are singing in the changing rooms. We’re very, very close. If Steve Hansen knows what’s going on from outside then he’s a much better man than I am.’
Hansen was quick to point out that Owen Farrell would be a ‘massive loss’ if he does not recover for the first Test. The England fly-half has a thigh injury but the Lions are confident he will recover.
‘We are hopeful that Owen will be OK,’ said Gatland, who will turn to Johnny Sexton if cover is required. ‘It was precautionary leaving him out. At a pinch, he probably could have played but the ground is quite heavy and a number of players at half-time had tight hamstrings, groins and calves. It was important that we didn’t take the risk.’
Gatland has called up six low-profile players — Finn Russell, Gareth Davies, Kristian Dacey, Allan Dell, Tomas Francis and Cory Hill — to help with preparations this week.
The extra bodies were within short-haul flight distance, meaning Gatland overlooked better players from England and Ireland, and the Kiwi accepted accusations that it could devalue the jersey.
‘These guys will be with us for a week and they are here for bench cover,’ said Gatland. ‘They understand that’s the way it is. My job is to win a Test series and I will do whatever it takes to do that. I understand the concerns and we did similarly in 2013 in terms of some of the call-ups. We found it difficult the first 10 days in terms of jetlag and tiredness and stuff. The players that came in from Auckland last night and from Australia will be able to fit quickly into that time zone.
‘Does it devalue the shirt? I can see some people’s point but we’re here to win a Test series.’