‘He just bleeds Lions’

THE Lions hierarchy would like Warren Gatland to lead the next British and Irish expedition in 2025, despite the agony of a near-miss series defeat by South Africa. The tourists lost 19-16 to the Springboks at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, a result which meant the world champions claimed a 2-1 triumph, just as they did when the Lions were last here in 2009. Having presided over a series victory in Australia in 2013 and a draw against the All Blacks in 2017, this was a comedown for Gatland at the end of his third stint as head coach. But as he flew home to New Zealand yesterday, braced for a fortnight of reflection while in quarantine, the door was being left open to him to resume the role in Australia four years from now. Gatland’s post-match comments suggested he may consider an offer to coach the Lions again. Asked yesterday about that possibility, Lions chairman Jason Leonard said: ‘I don’t think he will have a problem with us. The highest accolade that I can give Gats is that he is up there with Ian McGeechan. If you cut him in half, he bleeds Lions. ‘Twenty-four hours after the Test, we have not really gone down that route, but Warren Gatland has to be in consideration. It’s great to hear he is up for it.’

Ben Calveley, the Lions managing director, added: ‘I feel exactly the same. When we appointed Warren two years ago, we said there were two reasons for making that appointment. One was the breadth of his c.v. which is almost unrivalled. The second point was that he just gets the Lions as well as anyone out there.

‘He has proved once again what an outstanding coach he is, but also what an outstanding individual he is.

‘He has brought together this team of rivals, bonded them in the most challenging situation we have faced on any Lions tour and he deserves massive credit because in our view he is right up there as one of the very best in the world.’