Chiefs’ Baxter looking forward to Lions squad announcement
FOUR year ago, a video circulated of the moment that Jack Nowell found out he was a British Lion. He was sat watching the squad announcement with his Exeter Chiefs team-mates, who burst into applause when the Cornishman’s name was read out.
Nowell sat there, almost frozen, as the realisation sunk in, grinning like the proverbial Cheshire cat. Back then, he was the only player from Exeter to be named in the squad.
Unfortunately, there will be no repeat scenario at Sandy Park today as the players are on a day off, as part of their preparations for Saturday’s Premiership clash with Worcester Warriors. But it seems likely that there will be more than one Chief selected in Warren Gatland’s 36-man party that heads to South Africa this summer.
However, while the names within Gatland’s squad are the hot topic of conversation in the world of rugby right now - and will be revealed from midday today - it is not something that has been mentioned in great detail in the corridors of the reigning Premiership and European champions.
“It’s difficult because most of the guys don’t want to talk about it. I think the guys that are genuinely in the reckoning don’t want to talk about it too much, for obvious reasons and don’t want to do anything unlucky, which I can understand,” director of rugby Rob Baxter said.
“I think the guys that are not quite in there don’t want to say too much because they don’t want to feel bad for other people, so it’s a difficult scenario.
“It’s a shame it is on a Thursday as that is our day off – I think it is nice to see the guys quickly – but I think a lot of the guys are pleased they are going to find out on their own and deal with the circumstances on their own for a little bit first before they come in on Friday.
“Will I be watching it? Oh definitely. 100 per-cent. I have probably the same stories of other people of getting up in the early mornings to watch the Lions in Australia or New Zealand and them being absolute highlights of the rugby calendar.
“They are amazing occasions, but probably less now, as I have been involved in professional rugby for quite a while. But pre-professional rugby, it was the biggest thing that rolled around every few years and when you were a child in a rugby family, or first started playing rugby, that’s where your first real idols came from and they certainly linger in my memory.”
Nowell will be hoping to make the plane for a second Lions tour despite a lack of game time this season, while many have tipped Stuart Hogg to captain the side after his relative success leading Scotland to three wins from five games in the recent Six Nations, including a win over England at Twickenham.
“Scotland had a good year and had some notable victories, with Stuart as captain. I think the big talking point in terms of the make-up of the squad is that we are looking at it and trying to work out what’s influenced it,” Baxter added.
“I think what’s influenced the selection was probably England’s lack of form and Wales doing so well because it has really dipped a few people’s ideas on what the make-up of the squad could be.
“There were probably some ironed on England players who now come into doubt, not just because of their individual ability, but because the competition allowed other players to come through and challenge in those positions.
“Alun-Wyn Jones has come through as a very strong contender as captain now and if Alun-Wyn Joes does come through as captain, that ties up one of the second row spots. I think, pre-Six Nations, many people would have thought it was going to two other people.
“Now, there is a different scenario around that and it changes the whole make-up of your back five, you have to look at your back row, so there are some really interesting things going on there and how Warren decides to select around those particular issues is going to be really, really interesting.
“I think, selecting the Lions this year is one of the most interesting things to look at because there are so many different dynamics happening.
“It is interesting – and some of it for the wrong reasons – but it is interesting because there are going to be some very good players that don’t go and there will be some players that go that some people may be surprised at. I am really looking forward to seeing the announcement.”
Sam and Joe Simmonds – key players in the Chiefs’ success of 2021 are also being touted, despite their omission from Eddie Jones’ England squads for the Six Nations. Sam is the reigning European player of the year and has been the stand-out player in the Premiership this season.
“I think we have to have hopes that we will have quite a few in,” Baxter added. “That won’t necessarily happen, but if you think of form, based over the last two or three years, as a club and form some of our players have been in and international form as well, then you have to say there is a group there that is certainly in the reckoning.
“It doesn’t take a genius to work out who they are and then, obviously outside of our international players, we have had guys that have had really good seasons in both Europe and the Premiership – there is obviously a lot of talk about the Simmonds boys – who haven’t been picked for internationals at the moment.
“We have a good selection of players that have played well, both internationally and domestically, so we should be hopeful that we will get a good number in there.”