'My opinion hasn't changed' - Sean O'Brien resparks war of words with Warren Gatland

“I know it caused controversy at the time but my opinion hasn’t changed, we could have won that series 3-0,” says O’Brien.

“When you look at the players we had – there was so much world-class talent in the squad, enough to have won all the Tests.

"I know all about the history, how the Lions have only won seven Tests or something like that in New Zealand over the years.

But look at what has happened to New Zealand since 2017. They’re still a brilliant team. But we (Ireland) beat them in 2018; South Africa beat them down there in 2018, Argentina had their win last year, England destroyed them in the (2019) World Cup.

“Think about it. The Lions not only had the best of England but also Ireland, Scotland and Wales. That’s where I was coming from; we had the players to do it. I didn’t intend to insult or undermine anyone by saying that.

"I certainly don’t want to do that this time because Warren’s a good coach, the right man to lead this tour. But do I still think we could have won 3-0? Yeah, I do.”

The two didn't exactly see eye-to-eye during the 2017 tour of New Zealand with Marler himself admitting his 'bulls*** behaviour' put him out of contention for the 2021 installment.

“I don’t think I ever got close enough to blow smoke up his a***,” laughed Marler.

“I found him quite an awkward character, which says a lot really because I tend to surround myself with awkward characters!

He added: “To be fair, Gats has been on God knows how many Lions tours, won God knows how many trophies.

“Before the Lions, my first contact with him was him dropping me a message of support after Gypsy-Gate.

“It had all blown up and he said: ‘Don’t worry about it, keep your head down’ out of the blue.

“I’m sure he’s a good bloke and he’s got a good heart. It’s just a couple of my experiences of him were interesting to say the least. I don't think he liked me and that's probably fair.”

O'Brien, who was a key player during the drawn Test series against the All Blacks, claimed that the Lions squad had been over-trained leading up to the first Test and was critical of Gatland and his coaching staff.

Gatland described the Ireland flanker's comments as "words without a solution" and questioned O'Brien's own preparation for matches.

Speaking to , Gatland said: "My thing to Sean is, if he can look himself in the mirror and say 'I was the most professional person on tour, on and off the field, in New Zealand', in terms of the way he prepared himself, then I think his points would be more valid."

It's fair to say, we doubt O'Brien is on Gatz Christmas card list.

Despite a lacklustre Six Nations aside, many considered the 6’2, 130kg Saracens’ No.8’s size and power too enticing a prospect for Gatland not to pick him, especially given the ultra physical nature of the Springboks.

However, Adam Jones believes Billy Vunipola didn't stand a chance of making the Lions squad after comments he made four years ago.

Vunipola told the BBC at the time, “I wasn’t there on tour but I guess if he (O’Brien) is saying it and the authority he said it with, he’s probably right.

“For me to sit here and say the Lions would have probably won is wrong. But personally my opinion is that if Eddie Jones went as coach they would have won 3-0. He is that good.

“I don’t know how he would have done it, but Eddie would have found a way. Eddie has changed our mindset at England from always accepting we can’t always be too outspoken and confident and he’s really helped us a team to kick on.”

One of several England players who Gatland and Eddie Jones disagree on, with Jones considering May a key man for the Red Rose and Gatland snubbing him for the second tour in a row.

A report from 2017 in The Times suggested Gatland doesn't think he's a good player and sees him as only a 'speed' merchant. It appears that May hasn't changed his mind.