WARREN GATLAND WAS an interested spectator at Ireland training on Tuesday at Carton House, with photos of the Lions boss – on leave from his position as Wales head coach – sparking some speculation that Joe Schmidt might have reeled in his session.
When you ask Schmidt if he hid some of his best moves when Gatland was watching on, the Ireland head coach laughs.
“No, we trained fully!” says Schmidt. “In the end, there’s not much that’s secret in the world of rugby anyway. It may be secret from one week to the next, and then everyone does their analysis and figures out what you’re doing.
“There wasn’t too much that was secretive. We had an hour or two of a chat after training and chatted about all sorts of things.”
Schmidt hopes to get across to New Zealand for the tail end of the Lions tour after his Ireland team take on Japan in two Tests in June.
He says himself and fellow Kiwi native Gatland discussed what the Lions tour will involve and some of the conditions they will play in.
“We didn’t talk too much about who will be playing because that’s a decision for him and his coaching staff, certainly not mine,” says Schmidt.
Gatland found his visit to Carton House beneficial, although he may not have welcomed being in the middle of the latest confirmation of an injury to Johnny Sexton, the Lions out-half in 2013.
Ex-Ireland boss Gatland appreciated getting insight into how Schmidt’s team train, particularly given that it contrasts with how some of the other Lions nations go about their business.
“Ireland tend to run their sessions one-a-day, whereas England and Wales tend to have two sessions a day – in the morning and the afternoon,” says Gatland.
“So, it is just about understanding the pressures that the players are going through and that things aren’t a big shock when the team comes together.
“I’m just having a look at the training session, the intensity of the session and how it ran and I was able to got to the team meeting before training. I was lucky enough to sit down for a lunch with Joe and have a good chat, which was pretty beneficial.”
While Schmidt says individual Irish players were not discussed, the former Leinster head coach did give Gatland detail on the mentality of his playing group.
“The big thing that came out of the conversation with him was what a good bunch of guys they are – good players, pretty humble, work hard and good professionals,” says Gatland.
“When you come to a bigger squad, sometimes you are trying to finalise the last few players and you are looking at player personalities, characteristics and making sure that you pick the right guys in terms of fitting in.
“My experience in the past with the Lions is that if you can get things right off the field, you have a chance of getting it right on it.”
As is normal procedure, every player in the Ireland squad had their photo taken in a Lions shirt last week in order to provide headshots for when Gatland names his finalised squad. Scotland, England and Wales players all did the same.
With Gatland also present at training this week, it would be entirely normal for a few thoughts of touring New Zealand this summer to stray into Irish players’ minds.
But Schmidt says he doesn’t even need to address any potential distraction among his squad.
“It hasn’t come up in one single conversation,” says Schmidt. “I’ve no doubt in the back of their minds that they’d love to get a red jersey at the end of May, but at this given point… even they’re so used to playing in provincial games that mean a lot to them – that’s their full focus at that time and then they step it up for national honours.
“At the same time, there is probably a hope in their head that they will get recognised for national honours, so it’s similar to that.”
Gatland – who recently undertook a recce of New Zealand to view team hotels and training bases, as well as travel some of the journeys the Lions will take – won’t name his final squad until 19 April, but this Six Nations is a prime audition.
The head coach still envisages bringing 37 players - 20 forwards, 17 backs – but says he may stretch that figure if any selection decisions are too finely balanced.
He hasn’t added any further coaching staff since the announcement of assistants Andy Farrell, Rob Howley and Steve Borthwick in December, but hopes to do so within the next month.
His scouting of players continues this weekend as he heads to Murrayfield on Saturday, then flies to Rome for Wales’ clash with the Italians the next day.
Round two will see Gatland take in Wales’ home clash with England on the Saturday, before a trip to Paris for Scotland’s visit to les Bleus.
So, the race is very much on for Lions places, even if the head coaches and players involved in the Six Nations cannot afford to focus that far into the future.
For the rest of us, and Gatland, the debates and discussions are only going to grow in the coming weeks as individuals stand out and others succumb to injury or poor form.
Down in New Zealand, meanwhile, they can’t wait – as Gatland found out on his most recent visit.
“New Zealanders are incredibly excited about the Lions. We’ve got to a little bit of PR from 2005 because people keep asking me if Alistair Campbell is coming or if we are bringing two teams and two coaching set-ups. Apart from that they are really excited.”
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Pity to see him go. He was one of the best defenders to play the game
Ever !
That hook in the replay was pivotal.
And from a Tipp point of view – should a player of Callanan’s calibre and experience have allowed himself to be hooked? Remember how a young and inexperienced Shane O’Donnell batted the ball to the net in a similar situation in last years All Ireland.
Anyway JJ was quite simply a class defender – no arguments there!!
The sport has lost a lot of legends this summer. FairPlay JJ, an exceptional career from an exceptional player.
He’ll be the biggest loss of all the retirees. With the greatest of respect he was still first choice (and playing well) this summer while the other four were squad members and getting a few minutes off the bench here and there. Class player in fairness, he’ll leave a huge void on that defence. Phenomenal in the air and a fantastic reader of the game. Best wishes to him.
Jesus I was certain he would stay on and try get 10
One of the finest hurlers to ever grace the field
And toughest !
With all the 9 time winners retiring, Shefflin’s record may stand the test of time!
Some player. The most consistent hurler I’ve ever seen
Ah no. Please one more year. If he had been around in 1912 he would have blocked the hole in the titanic
One of the most complete defenders in the game, awesome talent, first on every team sheet. Thanks JJ for the fantastic memories. Gutted to see you go but every player must walk out to the sunset. Your Hook this year in the All Ireland is a fantastic final memory of a glittering career. You owe hurling nothing everything left on the pitch. Slan
Ah shite!
What a player, pity he didn’t go for his 10th all Ireland. Been a pleasure to watch over the years for both club and county.
Just a legend. Simple as that.
Have to say one of de greatest backs ever to Grace a hurling pitch, and that comes from a wexford man happy retirement jj
Best defender I ever saw and that’s from a Corkonian. Wing back was his best position. 2004 final, he was on one wing and Sean Og on the other. Both had blinders. Glad I was there to see it. No other player I ever saw can go from wing back to full back and be as good. I stayed quite on the other retirements but had to comment on this guy.
An awesome player Brian Cody called him the best defender he’s even seen !!! I think that says it all !!
Irreplaceable. Simple as that. As are tommy Walsh and Henry. Kilkenny will be strong next year but no one can fill these boots. And I’m a Tipp man.
Pity to see JJ retiring sad day!just hope jackie doesn’t follow suit now! Two rocks in the full back line for years!
Noel Hickey was replaced by JJ, Henery Shefflin filled the gap left by DJ… Don’t get too excited that KK will be a spent force… JJ was the best defender I ever seen play, plus a true gent
Great hurler great team, hopefully with alot of the old gaurd retiring they will be considerably weakened from a hopeful cork langer!!!
I say good. Great player but now that so many Kilkenny players are retiring maybe they will stop dominating every year and it will get more interesting.
Cian – sorry to tell you but, there are many more coming up this year – you may be (un)pleasantly surprised …
Haha. I know Dara. Unfortunately Kilkenny do have many more amazing players in their squad and coming through but I’d just love to see Limerick win one :)
Great hurler. Huge loss. Hard act to follow at fullback for Kilkenny.
Defending is an art form in itself. I doubt there has ever been a player who showcased it better. He was always on his mans shoulder, he had an intrinsic sense of where to hook or block, he knew how to shepard his man away from goal, he fouled inconspicuously, he fielded ball he had no right to, he was equally tough, brave and competitive. Not to mention his ability with the ball in hand. His hook on Callinan in the replay was a fitting final reminder to us all of his greatness.
There retiring before Cody gives them the cold shoulder!!!! As he would eventually !!
I suppose this means we can write them off now!
Haha, been written off before, but it’s a massive gap in defence to plug now.
Who was better, JJ or Tommy Walsh?
JJ.
JJ, only because he always keeps a cool head. Kilkenny wouldn’t have been so dominant without him in defence.