NO BOOZE BAN FOR SQUAD IN NEW ZEALAND

WARREN GATLAND has ruled out imposing strict curfews or alcohol bans on his British and Irish Lions players in New Zealand, despite England’s scandal-hit World Cup campaign in the same country in 2011.

The Kiwi, well aware of the potential pitfalls facing his players on tour in his homeland later this summer, will allow his players to police themselves when it comes to drinking and staying out late after games.

England’s players were widely condemned for a string of scandals on tour to New Zealand in 2008 and again during their failed World Cup campaign under Martin Johnson three years later.

But Gatland, who toured New Zealand with Wales last year and was in charge when they reached the World Cup semi-final in 2011, is confident the Lions will not overstep the mark.

He said: ‘For Wales, they were all night games, so we got back to the hotel at about 11 and we just said to the players: “You can go out for a few hours but be back at the hotel by 1am. The bar will still be open if you want to have a few drinks”.

‘It won’t be my call but the players might go out — no one will mind them having a couple of beers — and return to the hotel, be there at 1am.

‘I just think we will probably say that to the Lions players.’

England’s World Cup campaign in 2011 was derailed by a series of scandals which included drunk players being photographed throwing dwarves in a nightclub, while allegations of sexual impropriety also dogged the tour.

‘You have got to feel sorry for the English in 2011 because there were other teams that did the same things and some very well-known individuals got up to some stuff that wasn’t reported,’ said Gatland.

His words were echoed by Lions captain Sam Warburton, who will be part of the senior players’ group responsible for setting disciplinary standards on tour.

‘As long as you’re responsible, it will be good to go out and enjoy the fans’ company,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones has been told he will not need an operation on the shoulder he damaged last month and has been cleared to tour.