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'I redeclare my James Ryan outrage' - Beard was Gatland's preference all along

01 Jul 2021

Adam Beard

James Ryan’s recovery from an abductor injury to captain Ireland against Japan on the weekend suggests that Warren Gatland’s decision to call up Adam Beard to replace injured British and Irish Lions skipper Alun Wyn Jones was a straight selection call.

Reports of Ryan’s injury [later confirmed by the IRFU] shortly after Beard’s call-up dampened down online outrage in Ireland at the decision to call up Beard. Despite Ryan’s mediocre form of late, many believed the Leinster second row was still the first cab off the rank should Gatland suffer an engine room difficulties, with few outside of Wales predicting that the giant Osprey’s forward would be summoned to South Africa instead.

But so it was.

News that Ryan is not only fit to play, but that he will start as captain for Ireland suggests that his abductor injury was unlikely to have merited a non-selection by Gatland on its own merits. The 5-day turnaround didn’t go unnoticed on Twitter.

Maro Itoje | All Access | Episode 2 – What is it like playing for Saracens rugby club?

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Maro Itoje | All Access | Episode 2 – What is it like playing for Saracens rugby club?

Jim Hamilton sits down with Vitality ambassador and former teammate Maro Itoje before he jets off to South Africa for the British & Irish Lions Series.
The Saracens lock told us all about Saracens rugby club and the defining effect it has had on his rugby career.

“I now redeclare my James Ryan outrage,” wrote well-known Irish journalist Rúaidhrí O’Connor.

I now redeclare my James Ryan outrage
Good to see Joey Carbery back in the Ireland No 10 shirt, great opportunity for Ronan Kelleher to nail down that No 2 jersey https://t.co/s4ur9J9zmS
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) July 1, 2021

He wasn’t the only one surprised.

“I won’t lie, I’m a bit surprised to see James Ryan starting considering five days ago he was an injury concern for the Lions. I imagine it’s more Gatland’s style of play doesn’t suit Ryan’s game. There’s gonna be plenty of shouting from some corners,” wrote The Loose Head.

I won’t lie, I’m a bit surprised to see James Ryan starting considering five days ago he was an injury concern for the Lions.
I imagine it’s more Gatland’s style of play doesn’t suit Ryan’s game.
There’s gonna be plenty of shouting from some corners.
— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) July 1, 2021

“Great to see James Ryan captaining Ireland,” wrote another. “The reports last week were that he didnt replace AWJ in the lions squad because of injury. So was he not asked or did he turn it down?”

Great to see James Ryan captaining Ireland.
The reports last week were that he didnt replace AWJ in the lions squad because of injury. So was he not asked or did he turn it down? #IrishRugby #IREvJPN #rugby #rugbyunited #BritishAndIrishLions
— Stephen Dunne (@stephen_dunne) July 1, 2021

Former Leinster prop Jamie Hagan posted stats comparing Beard’s and Ryan’s performances from a statistical point of view in both the PRO14 and the Rainbow Cup. They both favoured the Leinsterman significantly.

Adam beard vs James Ryan in this seasons pro 14. pic.twitter.com/92ZQO2KXXH
— Jamie Hagan (@Hago_3) July 1, 2021

Adam beard vs James Ryan rainbow cup. pic.twitter.com/YAvD5wvovS
— Jamie Hagan (@Hago_3) July 1, 2021

“So Johnny Hill and Adam Beard are better than James Ryan , maybe your co-worker was correct,” said another poster, referencing Neil Francis infamously likening Gatland to a tub of margerine.

So Johnny Hill and Adam Beard are better than James Ryan , maybe you co-worker was correct #tubofflora
— Guingsy1 (@guingsy1) July 1, 2021

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 12 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 12 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 12 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 12 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 12 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 12 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 12 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 12 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 12 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 12 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 12 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 12 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 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 12 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 12 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 12 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 12 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 12 days ago

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

👍