“He’d talk the talk, then walk the walk." - Warren Gatland ranks his top five all-time Lions - Ruck

“He’d talk the talk, then walk the walk.” – Warren Gatland ranks his top five all-time Lions

Lions head coach Warren Gatland is unbeaten in two consecutive Tours to Australia and New Zealand, and is only the second person to lead a third tour after Sir Ian McGeechan.

Gatland was also part of the last British & Irish Lions touring party to South Africa in 2009 as McGeechan’s forwards coach in the 2-1 series defeat to the Springboks. S

Should Gatland avoid defeat this summer, he would create Lions history by becoming the first person to lead tours to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and remain unbeaten.

Below, the boss ranks his top five Lions of all-time with a certain Brian O’Driscoll included in his rankings.

DID YOU KNOW? During his playing career Gatland became the record-holder of the most games for Waikato, finishing his career there with 140 games in total.

#5. Lawrence Dallaglio (England)

  • Major teams British and Irish Lions, Emerging England, England Under-21s, Wasps, England
  • Position No. 8
  • Lions caps 3
  • Tours 1997 (South Africa)

 In 1997 Dallaglio made his first appearance in a Lions shirt during the tour to South Africa, playing in all three Tests of the successful series.

He would go on to be selected for two further Lions squads in 2001 and 2005, but on both occasions had his tour ended early by injury, forcing him out of the reckoning for a Test place. 

GATLAND SAID: “The best captain that I’ve ever been involved with was Lawrence Dallaglio. He had that unbelievable ability to motivate players in a way that I’ve never seen anyone else able to do. Particularly in the changing rooms,

“He’d talk the talk and then walk the walk. I’ve so much admiration for his leadership and honesty in that role.”

DID YOU KNOW? He is one of a very small number of players to have won both the Rugby World Cup and Sevens World Cup

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