Gatland reveals regret over Sexton's B&I Lions omission

The recent performances of Ireland flyhalf and captain Johnny Sexton has prompted former British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland to query whether his selections at number 10 for the 2021 tour to South Africa last year were correct.  

The Lions were defeated by the world champion Springboks 2-1 in an extraordinary tour which materialised in the face of the covid-19 pandemic. Sexton was overlooked for the Lions as Gatland was wary of whether the then 36 year-old's body would be able to stand up to the physicality brought by the Boks. 

However, Ireland’s recent series win against the mighty All Blacks – spearheaded by the leadership and skills of Sexton – has shown that not taking to South Africa was more than likely a mistake. 

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Gatland expressed the following views: 

“Quite simply he [Sexton] has earned the right to be there, even at the age of 37. 

“I think Marcus Smith is something special but if I want to win a game next week, Johnny has to start. You can’t take away from the impact he has had over the last year. In South Africa I was concerned about his injury record and whether he could get through the tour, and I still probably ask myself now whether it was the right decision to leave him at home. 

“I know I have not always got it right. Some of my selections I still turn over in my head to this day. At the end of the day. selection is just opinion and getting the dynamics right for a Lions tour is one where the learning process never ends. On last year’s tour of South Africa, I was probably too conciliatory at times in picking the Test team. 

“My toughest decision as a Lions coach was omitting Brian O’Driscoll from the third Test against Australia in 2013. However, as a coaching team we were all in agreement that is was the right call. I knew the impact it would have. I also knew it was not going to make me popular, but you are paid to make the tough calls. What I didn’t expect was the extent of the vitriol directed at me personally.”