The last thing we expected in the aftermath of BODmageddon this morning was Lions media people lecturing journalists on how to do their job, but so it has come to pass.
Our own Conor George tweeted his own analysis of the decision to drop BOD and Healip about twenty minutes after the team was named.
O'driscoll not even in squad. This is Gatland pressing self destruct button. Wales players who can't beat Australia in 3 last games in team
— Conor George (@conoreligeorge) July 3, 2013
Bod dropped after having his own game stifled by a coach who has gone back to players we know can't beat Wales. Outrageous decisio/selection
— Conor George (@conoreligeorge) July 3, 2013
Emotive language, yes, but George's overall point has a strong grounding in reality. Well, head British and Lions media consultant Greg Thomas thought George deserved a talking-to after those tweets, and that perhaps all of Ireland required a reminder over the true spirit of the Lions that Gatland was protecting.
@conoreligeorge Media should not be fans with laptops it is the BRITISH & IRISH Lions not Ireland you forget that WG gave BOD his first cap!
— Greg Thomas (@gregbthomas) July 3, 2013
Whatever you say, Greg. Gatland's selection today, and over the tour, has cheapened the whole concept of the Lions. Don't try to halt journalists from calling a spade a spade.