Even after Warren Gatland left his position as head coach of Ireland in 2001, the love/hate story with the country continued, particularly as Lions boss, with his controversial selections surrounding Johnny Sexton and Brian O'Driscoll.
Gatland has also become partial to an odd best XV in his Telegraph columns, picking his best Lions 23 in today's issue, with some intriguing calls and explanations.
Warren Gatland Explains Controversial Johnny Sexton Lions Call
He left Johnny Sexton out of his 2021 Lions squad in favour of Dan Biggar, Owen Farrell, and Finn Russell, and while Sexton's fitness had been an issue, it was still regarded as a very bold call, and, given Sexton's form in the following seasons, the wrong call by many.
Gats has somewhat made up for it by picking Sexton at 10 in his greatest Lions team, while also shedding light on his decision in 2021 and his reasons for it.
Another one of my controversial decisions was not taking Johnny on the tour to South Africa in 2021. I had sound reasons at the time based on concerns he would be able to withstand the training and fixtures schedule.
Analysis of the players’ data showed he had not played games on three consecutive weekends since 2018 because of knocks and rest periods for Leinster or Ireland.
It is still a decision I wonder if I got right, given how he finished his career with Ireland. But I have no hesitation in naming him in my all-time starting XV.
He started in all three Tests in 2013 and then was pivotal in 2017 when, after the first Test, we went with the Sexton/Farrell combination. His biggest attribute is communication and game understanding.
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6 July 2013; Johnny Sexton, British & Irish Lions, is congratulated by head coach Warren Gatland following their victory. British & Irish Lions Tour 2013, 3rd Test, Australia v British & Irish Lions. ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, Australia. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
Gatland left out O'Driscoll in his starting side, but did include him at no. 23.
His reasoning on picking Jonathan Davies is entirely understandable, however, given O'Driscoll's age when Gatland was head coach, and Davies' magnificent showing on the 2017 tour.
"If you were to pick a Lions team that included the tours when he was at his best, 2001 and 2005, then he would come into that calculation because he was an unbelievable player," wrote Gatland.
"But when I was head coach in 2013, his best days were behind him whereas Jonathan Davies was in his prime.
"He played in the series winning Test in 2013 and went on to become player of the series on the 2017 tour against the world champions New Zealand."
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