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Hamish Watson has spoken about Lions selection hopes following his award-winning Six Nations campaign

14 Apr 2021

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Scotland back row Hamish Watson, the Guinness Six Nations player of the tournament, has admitted there can no guarantee that he will tour with the Lions later this year because he might not be their style of player to take on South Africa. The 29-year-old has won 41 caps since his 2015 debut and has been enjoying a rich vein of form in 2021.

However, Watson suggested that momentum isn’t everything when it comes to Lions selection. To illustrate his point, the Scotland favourite claimed that Manu Tuilagi, the England midfielder, was likely to be selected at centre on reputation despite currently being out of the game injured.

Watson has been to the fore in the recent Scotland resurgence, helping his country to away wins in Wales, England and France in the past six months, and those results on the road have enhanced the credentials of numerous Scottish players ahead of the May 6 announcement of the Lions squad by Warren Gatland.

Wales out-half and Lions selection hopeful Dan Biggar guests on RugbyPass All Access

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Wales out-half and Lions selection hopeful Dan Biggar guests on RugbyPass All Access

The forward reckoned it would ultimately come down to one man’s opinion – Gatland’s – but he was hopeful that the presence of Scotland boss Gregor Townsend on the Lions coaching ticket would wield more of an influence on the selection of this squad to tour South Africa compared to 2017 in New Zealand when the Scots got just two original picks.

Speaking about his Lions selection chances during an appearance on the latest episode of The Rugby Pod, Watson said: “Scotland had a great Six Nations. We said at the start of the tournament as well that it was always the thing that Scotland couldn’t win away games, they don’t really win much away from home, but we have dealt pretty well with that.

The man, the mullet, the legend!
Great to have the one and only @hamishwatson7 join the lads this week to chat lids, lions and all things Scotland ?
?: https://t.co/RSnCfApGzR pic.twitter.com/KTEy1oKmtl
— The Rugby Pod (@TheRugbyPod) April 13, 2021

“We beat Wales away in 2020 and then France and England, so that has helped Scotland players out. You’d like to think there would be more than the two players on it in 2017. Quite a few boys put their hand up and a few boys are on form. For me personally, there is a bit of momentum but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter about momentum because I’m a strong believer that someone like Manu will probably go because he is a great player and he has not played since gosh knows when.

“I don’t know the last time he played but I would have him on the tour. Momentum is a big thing and form is a big thing but I don’t know, it’s up to one man I guess and the rest of his coaches. It would be amazing to go on the Lions tour but at the same account I feel like I played quite well in the Six Nations and if it doesn’t happen you are not his style of player. It would be tough to take but that is what it is I suppose.

“I don’t know how much sway Gregor would have. It’s important. In 2017, Gregor may have got asked for a role out there as well but it was his first year in Scotland and just two guys went on tour, so it helps to have a Scotland coach in there who knows all the boys really well. He can try and fight the corner for the Scotland boys that he thinks are good enough.”

Player of the Six Nations, terrifies defences around the world, and fans STILL disrespect him! ???? pic.twitter.com/gW90pC4hBL
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 14, 2021

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 9 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 9 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 9 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 9 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 9 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 9 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 9 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 9 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 9 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 9 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 9 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 9 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 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 9 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 9 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 9 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 9 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 9 days ago

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

👍