Lions Legend Blasts Warren Gatland For Calling Up Four Welshman Based On Location

Not happy.

Sir Ian McGeechan is among those shocked and appalled by Warren Gatland’s decision to call-up four Welshmen to his Lions squad based on the fact that they are conveniently located in New Zealand.

Wales’ Cory Hill, Kristian Dacey, Gareth Davies and Tomas Francis joined the squad this afternoon following their Test against Tonga in Auckland last night.

“I think it’s difficult to justify geography.” McGeechan said

“If this was always part of his planning, then he could have been speaking to Eddie Jones for the England players to be released last week.

“And I think Joe Launchbury and one or two others will be feeling a little bit upset that this has been done.

“Where you are (in the world) shouldn’t determine if you get a Lions jersey.

“In 2005, 2009 and 2013 there were a significant amount of players who didn’t start the Test series but ended up playing Test match rugby. You want your best players coming in behind.

“Some of those players coming in could be on the bench next week, with the wrong injury. Some of them could be starting a game in two Tests time and you want the best players there to have that opportunity.”