Lions coaching assistants announced

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/20638321



Good work Rob Howley you've really earned it!

Well we can look forward to a feast of subtle unpredicatble attacking flair based rugby then.

shocking decision

Sorry i can't allow this. You can have Cips though, thats the only compromise i'll make.

I'm surprised that its not Edwards going!

Well-merited, boys.

On the plus side, this does mean that Howley wont be in charge of Wales on our summer tour.

To be fair, no-one was complaining about Howley as assistant coach when they won the grand slam.

Rowntree is unsurprising.

If they picked the coaching assistants on current form, Howley would be nowhere near the squad... I was surprised that Edwards hasn't been named but I guess Farrell will do his job..

thomh wrote:To be fair, no-one was complaining about Howley as assistant coach when they won the grand slam.

Rowntree is unsurprising.

There were quite a lot of complaints about the gameplan / selection, actually. Not all Welsh fans are uncritical supporters of the Gatland approach.

Farrell as a defense coach hasn't done a bad job for England. Hopefully he stays in that role. England's defence in general has been decent in Lancaster's tenure. Especially the first half vs NZ.

Does this mean Howley is back's coach?

Rowntree is a good choice.

samuraidragon wrote:

thomh wrote:To be fair, no-one was complaining about Howley as assistant coach when they won the grand slam.

Rowntree is unsurprising.

There were quite a lot of complaints about the gameplan / selection, actually. Not all Welsh fans are uncritical supporters of the Gatland approach.

Not so much during the last season, though.

WOW, Rob Howely you are the jammiest little Alchy that was ever graced with a bit of rugby skill, those few wasps tries have carved out a career beyond playing the sport long to annoy the welsh public.

The guy was a good little scrummy, was given a job by his mates at the blues, suddenly was inundated with talent in the backline (Roberts, James, 1/2p, Robinson, Phillips) and became renowned for finding a decent high spot to watch games (most backs coaches would love to have a TV camera and crane at hand)

Now he is the best backs coach in Britain and Ireland??? I am actually considering getting a refund on my flight, Farrell is another one, got the job by defauly and has been average at best.

Have nothing but good things to say about Rowntree as I have heard nothing but good things!!

My biggest problem with Gatland now is not that he isn't a good coach, he is, but he likes to surround himself with people who get criticised, takes the flak off himself, and keeps the focus elsewhere!!

Howley and Farrell please quit, allow better and more inventive options to travel and make the most of what will be one of the most varied lions squads I have seen in my lifetime!!!

thomh

I disagree, there were times when Wales looked sublime in small pockets last season, but teams in the 6N countered the gameplan pretty comfortably, England and Italy were very effective (although both played a very defensive gameplan) and Ireland were the only team to say 'I don't car who you are you play us, we're not playing you' and were the better team only to lose the game in the last minute, dare I say if England had done the same they would've beaten us!!!

I dont know enough about Howley to comment fairly.

Rowntree - Excellent

Farrell is the curious one for me...where has this come from?

He wasnt much fancied by the England fans..and too be honest i dont think our defence has been sensational...solid yes but not world beating (one game v NZ doesnt change that as they ran in 2 tries when they actually got moving)

Is he the best defence coach in Britain...hhmm not so sure...

I agree Geordie, there are better in the AP, and dare I say it Rabo. But in comparison to the backs coach his selection is quite clever!!

An assistant coach can sometimes bask in the limelight of a head coach... team does well and he's a good coach, team does badly and well he's only a number 2 and he doesn't make final decisions.

i.e. Andy Robinson.

If Wales do very badly in the 6N how will this reflect on Howley?

Is it totally necessary to announce coaching staff so early?

Also.... to beat AUS we will need to have a flowing backline... they deal with NZ and SA all the time and can deal with route 1 bosh teams reasonably well... they never looked troubled by Wales or ENG this season who adopted similar tactics.

Howley is the only backline coach..... without making too many assumptions, Wales haven't been dynamic in that department for near 2-3 years. Is he really the man to be the lions attack coach???

thebluesmancometh wrote:Farrell is another one, got the job by defauly and has been average at best.

Can't agree with that, when the players have their heads screwed on, and their boots laced to the correct feet, our defense looks great. Thats what his job is.

Still, I'd like both of them back to keep out of the bickering, turgid, politcally driven affair that is The Lions. Please just take Cips as an England representative and you can all debate your hearts out about which Welsh/Scots/Irish would be best where. I'd rather see a full strenght England (Coaches & players both) see more playing time with each other on an Argentinian summer tour personally.

I know a lot of people see this as a great thing, but i've been falling out of love with the B&I lions for a long time now. I usually very much enjoy the age old traditions of Rugby, but the Lions leaves me particularly cold.

Anyways, i'll stop being a wet blanket now

No Alastair... there are a few of us with roughly the same thoughts.

I think you need to look at Englands record defencively over the course of a season, I don't think the system has been particularly effective over long periods.

Also I'm not sure why your so down on the Lions? Myabe I'm a bit young but I can't wait!!

Got any video analysis for that blues..

I mean a saw a youtube clip of alistair burning a lions flag- but my software couldnt gauge an accurate figure of how down he was about this historic series!

Assuming Howley is there because he's quick at getting everyone's Starbucks.

myster

Thats you on another timeout, please don't respond to any of my posts today, I will not be replying to you,

Thanks.

Well im an England fan and i dont think our defence has been so great.

Indeed ive commented on previous threads that our own( Newcastle Falcons) defence looks far more aggressive and organised etc...and whos our defence coach...Mr Graham Steadman.

Anyhow...it will be interesting to watch...and to see which playing personnel make the final cut....

best bicker of the morning, thanks for the laugh on a slow day at work.

thebluesmancometh wrote:Also I'm not sure why your so down on the Lions? Maybe I'm a bit young but I can't wait!!

If push came to shove i couldn't tell you either Bluesman! It just leaves me cold and thinking i'd rather my national team had more time together, i just don't feel at all 'invested' in the Lions. Everytime i see the bickering, the moaning/preening of fans, the turgid, ball breaking political BS that comes with these tours it turns me away even more. I'll watch the games for sure, but will i really give 2 hoots about ther results? Nah, not really, it's just a good excuse to see top flight Rugby.

If we're talking old school Rugby tradition with players from all nations coming together i'm far more invested in the 'good will to all man via the medium of a comprehensive tonking on the field' Ba-Ba's brand. Can't remember the last time i missed their end of season hoorah.

I can understand mate, does the lions fill me with dread/excitement pre game like the Wales games do? no, did I get angry, and ruin my day during the SA losses like I do with Wales games? no.

But for all the bickering and WUMing on this board (and any other where the anonimity makes people brave as bulls) there a thousands of real fans, those I stand next to on the terraces, school pitches and at the bar who are all happy to forget nationalities and come together for one cause.

I remember the last tour in the pub during the day in Dublin with a few Irish and English mates, Vickery gets thrown over a scrum and we all ooh and aah, then the ribbing for the English, followed by the disgruntlement and annoyance at O gara, followed by the ribbing of the Irish.

I have had some of the best times during lions tours with differing nationalities, and for me it is the ethos of rugby, for 4 years the English and Welsh boys are sworn enemies, then for a few weeks they travel south holding hands.

I love the baa baas too but I realy think in todays game the Baa Baa's just isn't competitive, they may win the odd game against developmental sides but havn't the chance to become competitive. I'd like to see the Baa Baa's changed slightly and field a world 15 instead of a selective 15. Every tier 1/2 nation represented.

"(and any other where the anonimity makes people brave as bulls)"

banter is as banter does my friend.. Take it in the friendly way it was dished out.. That or be overcome by sensitivity and over react..



Dont worry i realise you wont reply for any day or so.. You gotta stick with your ethics and all that.. But

I respect lions fans massively. And i will also be cheering us all on. However i allways cheer on the home nations when faced with other opposition, but i am very conflicted as to how the lions ethos is represented today- especially when it seems to hinder our sides(even if that is very slightly- sorry dont have a video analysis)

Looks like they're doing everything they can to train up Gatlands successor. Oh dear.

mikey_philVIII wrote:Looks like they're doing everything they can to train up Gatlands successor. Oh dear.

Think you're right there and I just hope he has the capacity the learn and quickly....I so far remain unconvinced.

I am finding Gatland's patronage of Howley increasingly hard to fathom. It's not a great prospect for the Lions next summer but it's also very worrying for Wales post-Gatland. I just hope the WRU and Roger Lewis in particular can look beyond the current coaching set up when they are looking for a successor, but I'm very concerned they will not. Long term for Wales I personally like the idea of a Nigel Davies/Kingsley Jones combination (with Jenks staying involved too).

Think Howley was always a shoe in once Gatland was made coach but from an England perspective I'm a bit disapointed we'll be losing half our coaching team for our tour. As well as having a young team we have a young coaching team and would much rather seen them develop with England.

I really see the WRU investing in Howley massively only to select someone else when the time comes Gatland gets the long awaited AB offer.

It is typical WRU, absolute tripe!!!

Toadfish

I think that Farell and Rowntree will gain valuable experience with the lions, not to mention an insider view of potential opposition weapons, Lancaster will select 2 more from a number of talented coaches in the AP and give them experience also.

Losing a defence and forwards coach is one thing, head coach is a whole different ball game!!

IMHO the lions selection will benefit the England set up.

thebluesmancometh wrote:I really see the WRU investing in Howley massively only to select someone else when the time comes Gatland gets the long awaited AB offer.

It is typical WRU, absolute tripe!!!

Toadfish

I think that Farell and Rowntree will gain valuable experience with the lions, not to mention an insider view of potential opposition weapons, Lancaster will select 2 more from a number of talented coaches in the AP and give them experience also.
Losing a defence and forwards coach is one thing, head coach is a whole different ball game!!

IMHO the lions selection will benefit the England set up.

Well England are free to LOAN Graham Steadman for the Argentina tour...

Will steadman be able to create a defencive system against professional opposition though geordie

Howley remains under constant supervision from Gatland at all times, right?

He doesn't get to go on his own somewhere with a midweek team??? Without Warren.

We've all seen what happens when he goes solo.

Gatland must not leave him unattended. Under any circumstances.

The coaching selections are a good indicator of how the squad will be made up. Surely they can't pick many Scots or Irish as the coaches won't know them - so it's looking like there could be 28-30 from Wales and England, (which is good as that will minimise the damage to Ireland ).

It's shame that such a great player makes such an ordinary coach. Maybe the secret is to find a mediocre player and make them coach. Someone should call Matt Dawson.....

SL is gonna be the Alex ferguson of rugby- yet he was so bad he played for scotland at age level!!!

Well I don't think its that big a shock but please please please can the WRU now give Howley a sabatical as well so we don't have to suffer him for the 6 Nations.

thebluesmancometh wrote:WOW, Rob Howely you are the jammiest little Alchy that was ever graced with a bit of rugby skill, those few wasps tries have carved out a career beyond playing the sport long to annoy the welsh public.

The guy was a good little scrummy, was given a job by his mates at the blues, suddenly was inundated with talent in the backline (Roberts, James, 1/2p, Robinson, Phillips) and became renowned for finding a decent high spot to watch games (most backs coaches would love to have a TV camera and crane at hand)

Now he is the best backs coach in Britain and Ireland??? I am actually considering getting a refund on my flight, Farrell is another one, got the job by defauly and has been average at best.

Have nothing but good things to say about Rowntree as I have heard nothing but good things!!

My biggest problem with Gatland now is not that he isn't a good coach, he is, but he likes to surround himself with people who get criticised, takes the flak off himself, and keeps the focus elsewhere!!

Howley and Farrell please quit, allow better and more inventive options to travel and make the most of what will be one of the most varied lions squads I have seen in my lifetime!!!

Alchy ? ? ? Thats way off the mark...!

You are making stuff up there.

mystiroakey wrote:SL is gonna be the Alex ferguson of rugby- yet he was so bad he played for scotland at age level!!!

SL, better get cracking on that Alex Ferguson record then, has only another year or year and a half to do it all in, Oakey. That's the convention for the last decade with England and coaches.

Ermmm. I hope he gets a run!

Well as bad as scots seem to sport atm..... There managers are sweet. So that little bit of scottie dna in SL is what we need..

SL is gonna get a long run.. FINGERS CROSSED...

thebluesmancometh wrote:Will steadman be able to create a defencive system against professional opposition though geordie

I thought we were playing Argentina?

Annoyed about farrell and rowntree..the only reason is so bloomin gatland and howley know our systems for the RWC match in 2015.....grrr

fa0019 wrote:Howley is the only backline coach..... without making too many assumptions, Wales haven't been dynamic in that department for near 2-3 years. Is he really the man to be the lions attack coach???

It's not an appointment that fills me with excitement.

maestegmafia wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:WOW, Rob Howely you are the jammiest little Alchy that was ever graced with a bit of rugby skill, those few wasps tries have carved out a career beyond playing the sport long to annoy the welsh public.

The guy was a good little scrummy, was given a job by his mates at the blues, suddenly was inundated with talent in the backline (Roberts, James, 1/2p, Robinson, Phillips) and became renowned for finding a decent high spot to watch games (most backs coaches would love to have a TV camera and crane at hand)

Now he is the best backs coach in Britain and Ireland??? I am actually considering getting a refund on my flight, Farrell is another one, got the job by defauly and has been average at best.

Have nothing but good things to say about Rowntree as I have heard nothing but good things!!

My biggest problem with Gatland now is not that he isn't a good coach, he is, but he likes to surround himself with people who get criticised, takes the flak off himself, and keeps the focus elsewhere!!

Howley and Farrell please quit, allow better and more inventive options to travel and make the most of what will be one of the most varied lions squads I have seen in my lifetime!!!

Alchy ? ? ? Thats way off the mark...!

You are making stuff up there.

To be fair, it's probably not wide of the mark - just something that could be said of pretty much any Welsh international player of the 90s era. As publicly stated by our Australian caretaker coach at the 1995 RWC.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

fa0019 wrote:Howley is the only backline coach..... without making too many assumptions, Wales haven't been dynamic in that department for near 2-3 years. Is he really the man to be the lions attack coach???

It's not an appointment that fills me with excitement.

No he's not, not by a LONG way is he best.

Alchy was too much in all fairness I shouldn't have used that term, but he is renowned for liking his drinkypoo's, probably not too unlike a lot of us.

How ? ley