Tempers flare in the Lions camp

It hasn’t been all fun and games in the Lions training sessions as a group packed with talented players compete amongst each other for a coveted place in the Test team. 

Reports indicate that things have actually become quite heated on more than one occasion, especially since Warren Gatland named his team for the first Test. 

"Some of the training sessions have had real physicality and have probably been tougher than some of the games we’ve played," said Gatland. 

"We had a bit of bone on bone yesterday. It’s not something you do a huge amount but it was very much a defensive day with some attack. 

"We focused on that as well as the aerial battle and what they’re going to throw at us. 

"It was a pretty tough day with a little bit of niggle which you’d expect. The pleasing thing was that the guys who missed out just threw everything at it. 

"That was exactly what I wanted. I know myself that if I wasn’t in the 15 or the 23 the message to everyone would be don’t give them anything and don’t take a backward step. 

"They definitely did that. It was tough for us but exactly what we wanted. We got a huge amount out of it." 

Gatland was pressed on just how far the niggle in the squad had gone, and responded with the following: 

"Yeah, there was a bit of stomping,” he said.  

"The guy just had to take a few stomps and get his leg out of the way because he was slowing the ball down," he added. 

"I thought it was brilliant. There were a couple of pushes and shoves. Guys were not backing down. 

"You get that in Test match rugby. There was nothing in terms of punches thrown. You just saw guys not being prepared to take a backwards step and that’s exactly what you expect because it just shows what it means, not just to the players who are starting but for the guys who are not involved. 

"They were going to show that they are here to train well and made it difficult for the starting XV. You often get that it ramps up that intensity as you get closer to the Tests, particularly at the start of the week when you have a tough, physical session. 

"You have guys who are going to be disappointed and they want to show their disappointment about making sure that they don’t go backwards. That sometimes flares up into a couple of pushes and shoves and a bit of niggle."