Backs the English: Beaumont
RFU chairman Bill Beaumont has hit back at claims by Lions coach Warren Gatland that selecting English rugby players could create a media circus.
It seems that 18 months on and the England team is still being haunted by a scandal-ridden 2011 RWC campaign dogged by dwarf-throwing, ferry-jumping and acute royal embarrassment.
Under new coach and strict disciplinarian Stuart Lancaster, England has been working hard to improve its reputation following the tournament in New Zealand that was a disaster on all fronts.
That image drive received a blow on Tuesday when Lions coach Gatland suggested he may limit the number of England players in his squad to tour Australia, claiming they attract too much media focus and could create a "circus."
Beaumont has reacted by saying any Englishmen selected will take the Lions tour "very seriously."
Comments
pierredelot1 says...
So hardly different from a No Comment. Safe pair o hands there Mr Beaumont.
Posted 19:13 13th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Dudes! its Australia, when have they ever needed any kind of excuse to lay into the English??? Having been through the aussie media grinder once in 2001 my best advice to players, fans, coaches, anyone even remotely pro lions is, don't read the newpapers and don't watch the sports news. it will be a nightmare.
Posted 16:48 13th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Well done BillyBo.
Posted 14:44 13th February 2013
jamesliveinhope says...
seems the press coverage has started already with the British media trying to give it legs.
Quote from BBC website on clarification from Gatland:
"He later clarified his comments, telling the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "I am extremely disappointed that anybody should try to misinterpret what I said and try to say that will count against English players.
"The last thing I would ever do is limit the number of English players."
Nuff said - now a non-story
Posted 14:31 13th February 2013