Former British & Irish Lion Luke Fitzgerald has questioned whether Warren Gatland’s appointment as head coach for their 2021 South African Tour is the right call.
Gatland was announced as head coach for a third successive tour earlier today, having led the Lions to a 2-1 series win over Australia in 2013 and a series draw against the All Blacks in 2017.
However, Fitzgerald is cautious that his appointment could be less exciting for Welsh players considering he has coached the national side since 2008.
The 34 times capped Ireland back doesn’t want to put down Gatland and all he has achieved but he believes that the players should be given a new experience when they head on the tours.
Gatland will not be the first coach to have taken charge of three tours as Ian McGeechan previously did so in 1989, 1993 and 1997.
The 55-year-old Kiwi claimed his third Six Nations Grand Slam title earlier this year with the Welsh and is looking to continue his side’s winning run at the World Cup in Japan later this year.
He is a perfect candidate given the likes of Joe Schmidt and Eddie Jones ruled themselves out of the running but nonetheless it is an interesting point from Fitzgerald.
