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Laidlaw hitting right notes as Lions tune up for All Blacks

By Nicholas McGee

18 May 2017

British and Irish Lions half-back Greig Laidlaw

Warren Gatland made no secret that the British and Irish Lions will be using choir practice to bond as a team and it appears Greig Laidlaw has been the man impressing with his vocal talent.

The Lions have been putting their singing skills to the test as they prepare for a 10-match tour of New Zealand, which will see them attempt to record a first series win over the All Blacks.

And it is Scotland half-back Laidlaw – a late call-up after Ben Youngs’ withdrawal for family reasons – who has apparently been hitting the right notes, at least according to kicking coach Neil Jenkins.

Asked what the team have been doing to come together as a unit, Jenkins told a media conference: “There’s been a few things. We’ve had choir practice. But these boys have knitted quickly.

“They play against each other and know each other. We’ve had a song from each country and had a bit of fun in the evenings singing together. Greig Laidlaw has been pretty good.”

Find out what motivates @Jonathanjoseph0, his favourite music and what’s his go to emoji! #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/b6p8d5utIB
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 18, 2017

Lions captain Sam Warburton is to miss Cardiff Blues’ European Champions Cup play-off with Stade Francais as he continues to recover from a knee injury that has keep him out of action since April 7.

“He’s doing well, he hasn’t done everything, but whether he plays for the Blues is a discussion for Gats [Gatland] and the physios,” Jenkins said of Warburton.

Wales hooker Ken Owens is another member of the squad who will miss out for his club side, as he sits out Scarlets’ Pro12 semi-final with Leinster because of an ankle issue.

“It’s rugby at the end of the day, stuff does happen and players get injured,” said Jenkins.

“Hopefully Ken is going to be fine although he is missing a big game for the Scarlets this weekend.

“With a bit of luck everything is going to be okay for the Lions.”

The first match of the three-Test series takes place on June 24.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Bull Shark 11 minutes ago

David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner

Possibly. But this welsh team is no better than a good URC team at this point.

But a tough match is what is needed for the inexperienced in the group. Building depth etc.

Nobody learns anything pumping a team by 50.

3 Go to comments

Bull Shark 15 minutes ago

Rob Howley: Warren Gatland is 'the best coach in the world'

Jeepers. That’s a nuclear response given the context.

By all means back the man. But there’s no need to go overboard with calling him the world best coach.

1 Go to comments

Bull Shark 17 minutes ago

Sadness pervades as Gatland stands on the brink of Welsh exit

He played a big role, as director of rugby prior to stepping in as coach, putting systems in place. He’s been involved in many of these players careers since they were teens or debutants at their provincial teams.

So I agree with you 100% it’s not Gatlands fault the pipeline of players is poor.

20 Go to comments

Bull Shark 21 minutes ago

Johan Ackermann returns to SA in new coaching role

Rassie is going to coach the boks until he’s 65. Never get tired of this.

4 Go to comments

Bull Shark 22 minutes ago

The Springboks confirm one change made to team named on Tuesday

It could be about the cut. It doesn’t seem wise to risk a reinjury.

Also an opportunity to give others a run.

6 Go to comments

Bull Shark 24 minutes ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

It a hypothesis sure, perhaps Felix has a sweet deal lined up somewhere else. But I also don’t think he’d say something about that environment if it wasn’t true. He doesn’t strike me as a douche.

13 Go to comments

Bull Shark 26 minutes ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Just a hypothesis. What on earth else could be the issue with regards to the environment as claimed by Felix?

13 Go to comments

JM 31 minutes ago

'Lightweight' Premiership not preparing England players for Test rugby

You start off talking about physicality and then quickly segue to intensity as if they're the same thing.

If you think the Premiership isn't physical then you're either a fool, or being disingenuous.

One of the issues the Premiership does have when it comes to intensity is that the bonus point structure makes the last 20 minutes of lots of games meaningless. Everyone's wrapped up their points, benches are cleared, the quality of the game deteriorates, and what could be tense conclusions end up just petering out.

12 Go to comments

Tom 40 minutes ago

'I don't think Steve Borthwick would pick Jack Willis even if he's playing in England'

Willis is incredible and probably the best of the bunch but in Underhill and Earl we have two excellent alternatives.

Willis is solid in the lineout but I don't think Borthwick would pick a backrow without a 6'5" blindside.

4 Go to comments

Toaster 43 minutes ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

As an ABs fan there’s nothing to justify

The Boks are the best and just know how to win

And their depth is incredible now

And when they don’t they lose late on by one point

The rest of us aren’t too far away (some closer than others)

But in reality if we include England Argentina and now Aus rugby looks greatly competitive

Bongis knock on and Lomaxes double bank

These things happen

The fact is the ABs overall have evolved with new players and others like Aumua Vaai and Williams who have progressed immensely

But by and large although it has improved overall our second halves are a massive work in progress

So a B- is about right provided there is no loss to Italy

A loss drops it to C- !!

Remember we could have lost all three games to England but were just slightly better that’s all

29 Go to comments

fl 44 minutes ago

'I don't think Steve Borthwick would pick Jack Willis even if he's playing in England'

Willis is decent in the lineout to be fair, but definitely lacking a heavyweight ball carrier.

I think between Underhill, Curry, and Willis there isn't a huge amount between them. Maybe Willis would be good enough to start, but he wouldn't massively improve the team.

4 Go to comments

Tom 46 minutes ago

'England's blanket of despair feels overdone - they are not a team in freefall'

I'm not sure he is getting there and I don't think he will. Progress has been glacial honestly. Our attacking structure hasn't improved at all, except that he's now picking Marcus Smith who is a one man attack at the moment... And our defence for obvious reasons is now awful. I would have faith in Borthwick if I had faith in his assistant coaches... But I don't think Wigglesworth is an attack coach and why would he be? He's never been an attack coach and he spent his entire career box kicking. Our defence coach has never been employed as a defence coach and is still the head coach of a second division French side with an awful defensive record. The fact that Borthwick appointed them both is a poor reflection. If we still had Felix Jones and we had Mike Catt/Nick Evans or someone in the attack coach role, I'd be content to be patient and that results will come. With Wigglesworth and Joe El Abd, I have no faith that we will improve and I've seen no signs that we are.

16 Go to comments

EV 55 minutes ago

Sadness pervades as Gatland stands on the brink of Welsh exit

You miss the point. There is no pipeline of players. A coach cannot change that. That is up to the Welsh RFU, which have failed.

Rassie is a clever bugger, no doubt, but the Boks could play 52 players this year because of the systems they have put in place to find and develop players from schoolboy level up.

20 Go to comments

EV 57 minutes ago

Sadness pervades as Gatland stands on the brink of Welsh exit

Rassie is ruling the roost because he put systems in place to find and develop the best players from schoolboy level up. Its an entire system and organisation that now, several years down the line, presents him with a pipeline of battle ready talent.

Wales lacks this, lacks a Director of Rugby. Firing Gatland won't change this fact. He is an world class coach. If anything Abi Tierney should be shipped out for failing to put these systems in place over the last 11 months.

20 Go to comments

Tom 58 minutes ago

'I don't think Steve Borthwick would pick Jack Willis even if he's playing in England'

In terms of player quality, that is a phenomenal backrow. In terms of balance, not so much. Lacks a heavyweight ball carrier and a lineout option. I'm sure they'd still cause havoc though.

4 Go to comments

SC 1 hour ago

New Zealand can't keep losing first fives like Harry Plummer

Is Harry Plummer a better 10 than Barrett or McKenzie? I do not think he is close to their level. Clearly, neither does Robertson.

Therefore Plummer does not deserve to start or be on the bench for an All Black Test if he is not one of the top two in his position. The third best player at a position should only be selected if one of the top two are injured.

This applies to all players at all positions.

The All Black XV team is for player development. The All Blacks should not be.

6 Go to comments

Tk 1 hour ago

Five changes for the All Blacks, including the return of Sam Cane

Worst selection of the year. Farewells for Sam and TJ- but they are not retiring greats, they have chosen to leave NZ rugby for pay days. Havili, just why? Lakai had a great 78 mins last week now dropped for a retirement party. Reuben Love anyone, you know, a player who will be around come RWC'27!

11 Go to comments

SC 1 hour ago

Five changes for the All Blacks, including the return of Sam Cane

Italy beat both Wales and Scotland and tied France in this year's Six Nations.

11 Go to comments

SC 1 hour ago