47 - 18

Dad's Army: Gatland insists old age is no barrier to Sexton, Jones in Lions tour selection

28 Oct 2020

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Lions boss Warren Gatland has insisted that old age will be no impediment to veteran players such as Johnny Sexton and Alun Wyn Jones when it comes to selection to go on next year’s three-Test tour to South Africa.

England World Cup winner Neil Back holds the record as the oldest ever player to start a Lions Test match, the back row checking in at 36 years and 160 days old when he packed down against the All Blacks at Christchurch in June 2005.

Next oldest is fellow England international Simon Shaw – the lock was 35 years and 306 days old when appearing against the Springboks in July 2009.

Lions boss Warren Gatland guests on All Access, the RugbyPass interview series

Video Player is loading.

Current Time 0:00

Duration 0:00

Loaded: 0%

Stream Type LIVE

Remaining Time 0:00

Lions boss Warren Gatland guests on All Access, the RugbyPass interview series

By the time of next year’s first Test in Johannesburg on July 24, Ireland skipper Sexton will be 36 years and 13 days old while Wales captain Jones, who this weekend becomes the most capped Test player of all time with 149 caps, will be 35 years and 308 days old when the first whistle sounds in the Test series versus the world champions.

Both players were integral parts of the 2013 and 2017 tours in Australia and New Zealand and Gatland, speaking ahead of this weekend’s finale in the delayed 2020 Six Nations, said: “Age is no limit because when you’re looking at a Lions squad you’re not looking at the future, you’re not thinking of four years’ time. You’re just thinking of the here and now, not developing a team or players or thinking a couple of years ahead for a World Cup.

"They have their own ways of doing things"https://t.co/x7zImHQ0hz
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 28, 2020

“It’s about picking the best players if his form is good enough. One of the things about Alun is he is incredibly honest about his own performance, how he manages himself as he has got a bit older. He wasn’t the best when he was younger.

“It [the caps record] is a tremendous accolade for him. It’s taken a reasonable amount of time for recognition of what he has achieved as a player. It’s probably been the last three, four years in terms of his achievement as a player for Wales and for the Lions.

“I’m absolutely delighted for him. He has done a great job. He leads from the front, he’s incredibly honest and hopefully that (Wales) team can go out there and deliver a performance for him against Scotland to give him a game to remember in breaking the record of Richie McCaw. It’s fantastic for Alun Wyn and I hopes he does well on the weekend.”

Switching to Sexton, Lions boss Gatland added: “Like I said, it’s not about the future, it’s about the here and now. For Johnny, he has managed himself really well and this autumn is going to be what Ireland do in terms of that and then the Six Nations.

“Probably in the last year or so his biggest challenge has been to string a number of games together. He has picked up niggles and knocks, a few head knocks as well. That’s from where we will be looking at him. There’s no doubt about his experience and leadership and qualities as a player. He’s someone I look back on in 2017, he didn’t have a great start to the tour and then came back – and that’s what world-class players do.

“Sometimes their form can go but they are able to, what is it they say, form is temporary ad class is permanent sort of thing. Again it’s just having a look and seeing how Johnny goes over the next six months. That’s the important factor for him, holding his body together and how he manages it. If he is selected how he is managed on tour as well.”

– Warren Gatland was speaking on behalf of Canterbury at the launch of the British and Irish Lions Pro jersey, available at Canterbury.com

EPISODE 4 of RUGBYPASS OFFLOAD #RPOffload
Citing commissioners⚖️
Team socials 🍺
Away Trips and WAGS 👩
iTunes – https://t.co/fgTx9iWHse
Acast – https://t.co/SR5K7kkH5B pic.twitter.com/Plmodrg3Z1
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 28, 2020

Kubota Spears vs Tokyo Sungoliath | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Quarter Final Replay

Australia vs USA | Pacific Four Series 2025 | Full Match Replay

New Zealand vs Canada | Pacific Four Series 2025 | Full Match Replay

South Africa vs New Zealand | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

Argentina vs Australia | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

The Game that Made Jonah Lomu

The gruelling reality behind one of the fastest sports in the world | The Report

Boks Office | Episode 40 | The Steven Kitshoff Special

Comments

0 Comments

Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Latest Features

LONG READ

Opportunity knocks for 'new warriors' in Springboks squad

Juarno Augustus and Marnus van der Merwe could be the breakout Boks in 2025 as Rassie Erasmus layers yet more depth upon on his South Africa squad.

LONG READ

Why Australian rugby pins its hopes on the Brumbies to wrest the Super Rugby crown from New Zealand hands

Stephen Larkham's side underlined their status as the nation's premier franchise and burnished their title-winning credentials by outgunning the Reds.

LONG READ

‘Money is pouring into the All Blacks, yet the more they spend, the less return they get’

With NZ Rugby losing money off the field, is extra investment in the All Blacks bringing dividends on it?

Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 8 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 8 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 8 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 8 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 8 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

My name is Solenn Bonnet, and I am a single mother navigating the challenges of raising my two-year-old child while trying to make ends meet. I came across a trading platform that promised astonishing daily profits of 18%. The allure of such a high return on investment was too tempting to resist, and I found myself drawn into cryptocurrency trading. Excited by the prospect of financial freedom, I invested a significant amount of my savings, totaling over 5.7 BTC. However, what started as a hopeful venture quickly turned into a nightmare. The platform was a scam, and I lost everything I had invested. The emotional toll of this loss was immense; I felt devastated and helpless, struggling to provide for my child and keep up with my bills. In my desperate attempt to recover my funds, I sought help from various recovery experts. Unfortunately, I encountered numerous fraudulent individuals who claimed they could help me retrieve my lost money. Each time I reached out, I was met with disappointment and further scams, which only deepened my despair. Last year was one of the most challenging periods of my life, filled with anxiety and uncertainty about my financial future. Feeling overwhelmed and at a loss, I confided in a close friend from church about my situation. She listened compassionately and shared her own experiences with financial difficulties. Understanding my plight, she introduced me to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, a group of skilled hackers known for their expertise in recovering lost funds. Skeptical yet hopeful, I decided to reach out to them as a last resort. Their services came at a higher cost, but my friend generously offered to help me with a partial payment. I was amazed by how quickly they responded and began the recovery process. Their team was professional, efficient, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire ordeal. To my relief, they successfully recovered more than I had lost to those heartless scammers. This was truly transformative, and I felt a sense of relief and gratitude that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I strongly encourage anyone who has faced similar challenges or fallen victim to scams to reach out to Tech Cyber Force Recovery. If you’ve invested in a fraudulent platform like I did, they are highly capable of helping you reclaim your hard-earned money. Don’t lose hope; there is a way to recover what you’ve lost.

CONSULT TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY

EMAIL.. support@techyforcecyberretrieval.com

WhatsApp.. +15617263697

website.. https://techyforcecyberretrieval.com

Telegram.. +15617263697

0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 8 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍