Warren Gatland: Divided Lions Camp, Brutal Selection Calls & Sexton vs Farrell | Stick to Rugby 15 episode artwork

EPISODE · May 7, 2025 · 56 MIN

Warren Gatland: Divided Lions Camp, Brutal Selection Calls & Sexton vs Farrell | Stick to Rugby 15

from Stick to Rugby

The latest special episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, sees Warren Gatland return to the panel alongside Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean and Tom Shanklin for a no-holds-barred look at the chaos, controversy and legacy of the British & Irish Lions.Back for his second appearance, Gatland reflects on the moments that shaped — and nearly sank — his time as Lions head coach. From off-field issues that split squads to the brutal selection calls he still stands by.He opens up on the “clown nose” backlash, the fallout from dropping Brian O’Driscoll, and the tensions that ran through multiple tours. There’s insight on managing Sexton, the rivalry with Farrell, and the pressure that comes with leading the Lions.Off the field, Gatland recalls a near-death experience abroad, the need to restore pride in the jersey, and the text Phil Vickery got from his mum after getting dropped.A brutally honest conversation with one of rugby’s biggest coaching figures — this is the Lions, unfiltered.🚨🔔 Subscribe now and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode!00:00 - Welcome Back Warren Gatland00:30 - What Makes the Lions So Special?01:19 - The Best Advice 03:11 - Teaser 04:10 - First Time Inside a Lions Camp06:30 - Coaching His First Lions Tour08:55 - 2005 vs 2009: A Tale of Two Tours10:35 - Brutal Selection Calls & Squad Morale11:58 - Gatland’s Most Iconic Lions Games14:41 - The Toughest Part of Coaching the Lions17:01 - Schalk Burger’s Eye Gouge Incident18:08 - O’Driscoll Concussion & 2009 Injury Chaos20:12 - Getting Close to Rival Nations21:24 - Phil Vickery’s Mum 22:00 - Safari Story22:58 - Comparing 2009 and 2013 Lions Tours25:25 - Wales’ 2008 Tour of South Africa26:31 - The Truth Behind Dropping Brian O’Driscoll30:30 - Knowing When the Game’s in the Bag34:07 - Inside the 2017 Lions Tour38:33 - Taking on the New Zealand Media43:45 - Reflections on Selections & Leadership44:22 - Drawing the 2017 Series46:59 - Owen Farrell & Managing Johnny Sexton49:43 - Gatland’s Any Other Business Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Warren Gatland: Divided Lions Camp, Brutal Selection Calls & Sexton vs Farrell | Stick to Rugby 15

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