SM
Arsenal vs. Man City: 7 hrs 33 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Warren Gatland expected to mix up selection for tour opener

:Headline: Warren Gatland expected to mix up selection for tour opener:
The British and Irish Lions tackle Emirates Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Sports Mole

Warren Gatland is likely to mix up selection for the British and Irish Lions' first encounter on South African soil.

The Lions will face the Emirates Lions in their first in-country tour clash in Johannesburg on Saturday, following on from last weekend's 28-10 victory over Japan in Edinburgh.

Head coach Gatland remains determined to field all his tourists in match action across the opening matches on tour, in a bid to hand as many chances as possible for players to impress.

Scotland fly-half Finn Russell missed out in Edinburgh due to the after-effects of a minor ankle issue, so could well come into contention to feature at Emirates Airline Park.

Gatland knows full well the temptation of honing in straight away on Test match selection – but the experienced Lions chief also remains acutely aware of the dangers that would pose.

Asked if all the players will be given opportunities to play in the first three matches, Gatland said: "Yes absolutely; if you were being totally focussed just on the Tests, you might not engage with that practice.

"But we feel that it is so important for the squad that the players do get a chance to start in those early rounds.

"I have often spoken about the harmony in the squad and players feeling that they've had an opportunity.

"From that point of view, we think it's really important.

"As an ex-player, you would understand that if you started in one of those opening games, you'll feel like you've put yourself in the shop window, you've given yourself a chance of impressing and given yourself an opportunity for Test selection.

"That is very much in our thinking. We want everyone to feel that they are a part of it and getting an opportunity."

body check tags ::

amp_article__453350 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-06-30 12:40:42:
html db last update - 2021-06-30 12:40:42 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Warren Gatland

Click here for more stories about British and Irish Lions

Share this article now:
LC
Read Next:
Wayne Pivac: 'Alun Wyn Jones has more in the tank'
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Warren Gatland Finn Russell Rugby Union
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Wayne Pivac: 'Alun Wyn Jones has more in the tank'
Last-minute Levy! Spurs 'hijack' deal for £4.6m defender as 'agreement' reached

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23175156213556
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Everton236892328-526
16Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Sunday's Premier League predictions including Arsenal vs. Man City

1

SP

Following the Sancho path? Chelsea youngster 'in talks' with European giants

2

FT

Sunday's Transfer Talk Update: Dorgu, Tel, Cunha

3

ST

Sunday's Turkish Super Lig predictions including Fenerbahce vs. Caykur Rizespor

4

ST

More misery for Mikel as "infectious" Arsenal target signs new contract

5

MM

Malacia's Man Utd exit 'collapses': What now for the 99-minute man?

6

MM

Vini & Co. stunned as Espanyol record shock win over Real Madrid

7

V&

Tel me more: Bayern explain forward's omission as Man United 'step up interest'

8

TM

Last-minute Levy! Spurs 'hijack' deal for £4.6m defender as 'agreement' reached

9

LL

Top Premier League goalscorers of all time

10

TP


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .