With the Pro12 playoffs and Lions tour there’s plenty of quality rugby left in the season, writes Ryan Cullen…
There are not many things in rugby that could overshadow the announcement of a new Irish head coach, the aftermath of the Heineken Cup semi-finals and the build up to the final round of the season in the Aviva Premiership and the Rabo Pro12. That the announcement of the Lions squad kicked these issues comprehensively into touch demonstrates the pull this old bastion of the amateur game still has.
Of course there are those who complain the tour is now unnecessarily commercialised and to that I don’t have an answer, but those who argue that it isn’t what it once was I cannot disagree more. Indeed, I am not sure I have witnessed a Lions squad announcement so eagerly anticipated previously. The fans still love the concept and the players still consider it to be the highest honour so as far as I’m concerned, the doom mongers can take themselves off.
When looking at the squad itself it’s not hard to see what style Gatland plans to adopt; the same one he has always adopted. Pace, power and physicality are the order of the day, with a focus below the potential first fifteen on the impact replacements can have. As a result there have been what you could describe as some strange decisions, such as leaving Rory Best at home or taking Mako Vunipola over Scottish loosehead Ryan Grant, one of the breakout performers of the season. It’s difficult not to think a degree of politics entered the decision given the option in both areas was to go English.
Of course this is understandable to an extent, particularly given the makeup of the coaching staff, but it is hard not to feel for the likes of Best who probably knows his chance to be a Lion has now gone.
The decision not to take a third ten aside, the squad looks fairly well balanced if perhaps slightly lacking in creative flair. With Sexton and O’Driscoll in the backline though they should be able to balance creativity with the sheer bulk of the Welsh juggernauts. Domination up front will be the aim of Gatland but as we have seen over the past few years, it will take more than forward pressure to crack this Australian side.
In terms of the Test side, a Welsh/Irish blend seems the most likely concoction with one of two additions. For me the current 15 would be: Healy, Hibbard, Jones, O’Connell, Wyn-Jones, Croft, Warburton, O’Brien, Phillips, Sexton, North, Roberts, O’Driscoll, Bowe, Halfpenny. With injuries likely and players yet to show their tour form, I would be surprised if this was the line-up come the first test though. Certainly the backrow and the back three could look very different come 22 June.
After 9 months, the pub debates, online rants and squad proposals have come to an end. The squad has been chosen and the focus of the Rugby world begins to turn towards Australia. For Gatland and his chosen few the real hard work is about to begin.
Away from the Lions, the Pro 12 semi-finals take place this weekend when Glasgow and the Scarlets aim to stop the expected all Irish final. In form Glasgow seem to have a far greater chance at the RDS than the Scarlets do at Ravenhill.
The Scottish club has performed exceptionally impressively this season and credit must go to Gregor Townsend who has got the Scotstoun outfit playing some excellent rugby. Leinster away is a big task for any side though and good though Glasgow has been, they will need to find a new level to defeat the former European champions on their own patch.
The Scarlets travel to Ravenhill in much poorer form and it is hard to see Ulster not being the first Irish side into the final. Whilst the Scarlets possess players of undoubted ability, their lack of forward power tends to be their undoing and even with John Afoa missing, Ulster should have too much for the men from Llanelli.
As the two best teams in the league this season, it will be fitting if we do see an Ulster vs. Leinster final at the RDS in a few weeks’ time. The Rabodirect Pro12 is becoming an increasingly valuable prize and the league’s top two fighting out the finale in front of a packed crowd can only boost the image of the competition further.
My name is Ryan Cullen and I am a 25 year old Ulster season ticket holder. I was introduced to the game around 15 years ago and have loved it ever since. I have an interest in pretty much all sports though so don’t be surprised to see a few football (Liverpool), Golfing and Racing interests (to name but a few) thrown in from time to time.
