‘Jabs for all players would be message of unity’

what we’re doing is important for the Lions but also from a safety perspective as well.

“What’s brilliant about the Lions is its players, people coming together from four different nations, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, England.

“It would be a brilliant message about bringing people together if we were able to vaccinate all the touring party, the players and all the staff. It would send out a really positive message.

“The Lions is about unity and bringing people together. If we can do that it would be a brilliant message.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have my first vaccination a few weeks ago. We’re just talking to some people and hoping that we’re able to alleviate some of the issues around Covid.”

Gatland was also on the front foot in the week about the lack of preparation time for the Lions – including Premiership clubs not releasing players for a pre-tour training camp.

The Kiwi, like all head coaches, wrote reports following his stints in charge in 2013 and 2017 when he emphasised the need for more time with his squad before taking on the world champions but now wonders why he bothered.

He said: “It’s a waste of time doing a tour report every four years. I don’t know who reads it.

“Ian McGeechan is exactly the same – the reports from the past coaches say exactly the same thing. For some reason things don’t really change.

“You just want the same opportunity as the home team with decent preparation. We’re hoping for a couple of weeks in Jersey before we play that Japan game in Edinburgh.

“I understand that the Premiership final is on the same day. We had initially asked for them to move that, but they weren’t prepared to do so.”