WARREN Gatland’s second term as coach of the British and Irish Lions is expected to begin officially today when the man in charge of next summer’s tour to New Zealand is unveiled in Edinburgh. It has been an open secret for several weeks that the 52-year-old would lead the tour to his homeland, and although the venue for the announcement led to speculation that Vern Cotter would get the nod, the reason it is in the capital is that Standard Life, the tourists’ main sponsor, is based there.
Cotter is thought to have come into consideration last month after it was revealed that his time as Scotland coach would end in June, but Gatland has one big advantage over him and any other potential candidates: he knows what it takes to win a Test series with the Lions, having done so against the Wallabies in 2013. As he did then, Gatland will probably be required to take a sabbatical from his current post as head coach of Wales in order to take charge of the touring side.
With only the identity of the head coach being revealed today, it remains to be seen if any Scots are invited to join the coaching team. Gregor Townsend, who will move from Glasgow Warriors to take over from Cotter next summer, said recently that no-one from the Lions management had been in touch - but there is plenty of time for that to change before the party to meet the All Blacks is finalised.
Four years ago, Gatland’s assistants were Rob Howley and Neil Jenkins of Wales, and England coaches Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell. Wales captain Sam Warburton skippered the tourists, while tour manager Andy Irvine was the only Scottish member of the backroom staff.
Meanwhile, Cotter will again have Richie Gray as part of his own coaching team for his final year at Murrayfield. Gray, the former Gala captain, has been given “a specific defensive brief”, according to a press release from Scottish Rugby, and will work alongside the established defence coach, Matt Taylor.
“Scotland Head Coach Vern Cotter today confirmed defensive contact consultant Richie Gray will return to his backroom staff for the 2016 Autumn Tests and 2017 RBS 6 Nations,” the release said. “Gray was part of last season’s 6 Nations and Summer Test preparations following a three-season spell as South Africa’s specialist breakdown coach – culminating in their bronze medal finish at Rugby World Cup 2015 – as well as the ‘Blitzbokke’ 7s side. Gray has again been given a specific defensive brief and will work alongside defence coach Matt Taylor in the build-up to the two competitive campaigns.”
A former age-grade international, Gray worked for Scottish Rugby full-time until 2006. He subsequently set up Global Sports Innovation, a company which manufactures training equipment, with special emphasis on the collision in rugby and other sports. In addition to Cotter, Gray and Taylor, the national side’s coaching team continues to include Jason O’Halloran, the backs coach, and Nathan Hines, the resources coach.
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