The Lions £100,000 extra man, Courtney Lawes
- 3298
Courtney Lawes was the late addition to the British and Irish Lions squad that Warren Gatland sought special dispensation to pick, the Telegraph has reported.
The Lions boss had to wait until 7 pm on the night before the 37-man squad was announced to get the green light to select an extra man having previously committing to a trimmed-down 36-man squad.
The Telegraph reports that England forward Courtney Lawes, who toured in 2017, was that extra man with Gatland revealing the decision will cost the Lions £100,000.
"When I had to go back to the CEO and the board about getting an extra player, that costs the Lions well over £100,000 by the time we've paid the club and the player and all the costs associated with that. Particularly at the moment when rugby's struggling financially and the Lions are desperately trying to break even, or there's potentially a loss situation, it's not the easiest conversation to have," Gatland told the BBC
Lawes was a tourist with the Lions under Gatland in 2017 featuring twice off the bench.