| Last weekend, as the Neath Swansea Ospreys clinched the Celtic League title, and Wales proudly displayed the RBS Six Nations trophy, in his match programme notes Tournament Director David Jordan put forward his thoughts.
“It is fitting to see that of the 26 Wales players who took to the pitch during the RBS Six Nations championship, all but two have played in the Celtic League this season. In fact of the 171 players who took part in the tournament as a whole 64, or 37%, have played Celtic League rugby this season, including the RBS Player of the Championship, Martyn Williams of Cardiff Blues. It is the single biggest contribution of players to the tournament by one league.
If we project this example to possible Lions selection, the four home unions provided 107 players for Sir Clive Woodward to assess during the tournament, and 60% of those were Celtic League players. Therefore can we look forward to a similar proportion, or 26 players, being selected in the final 44 man party for the summer tour?”
Everyone has their own Lions party in mind and there is bound to be plenty of debate in rugby clubs around the home countries before the squad is announced on 11 April. The rugby world awaits Sir Clive’s deliberation with bated breath!
|
