Warren Gatland’s much anticipated British and Irish Lions coaching team was revealed today and it has been met with an unusual response.
There was inevitably going to be plenty of interest in who did and did not make the staff, but one thing that was not on the agenda beforehand, but has been the biggest talking point by far online, is the lack of hair in Gatland’s coaching team.
Gatland named his staff for the tour of South Africa this year, and Scotland’s head coach Gregor Townsend is joined by his defence coach Steve Tandy, who will serve as the Lions’ attack coach and defence coach, respectively.
The team is completed by Neil Jenkins and Robin McBryde, who both worked with Gatland during his time in charge of Wales. Current Wales skills coach Jenkins joins the staff as kicking coach and Leinster assistant coach McBryde joins as forwards coach.
Here are your coaches for the 2021 #CastleLionsSeries against South Africa 🦁
A blend of experience and fresh perspective 💪
Read more about the appointments below ⤵️#LionsRugby
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) April 13, 2021
With each coach’s mugshot laid next to one another online, it is hard not to notice the trait that unites the quartet. In fact, Gatland’s usual buzz cut now has the appearance of long flowing locks when pictured alongside the rest of his coaching staff, as he is by far and away the most hirsute member of the team.
Social media has been flooded with comments about the makeup of the Kiwi’s coaching team. These range from the tour being named “The Brave and the Bald,” to suggestions that the Lions will not need to spend on shampoo or barbers this year. There has not been a shortage of photos of eggs either.
Of course, there are serious responses to this team, with some questioning how France defence coach and long time colleague of Gatland’s Shaun Edwards or Leinster coach Stuart Lancaster did not make the coaching team.
The pair would have been very well suited to this coaching team based on credentials alone, but their smooth heads would have clearly met one of Gatland’s main requirements.
This year’s Lions theme is apparently “The Brave and the Bald”. Congrats to Toonie and Tandy, although I’m a little concerned that they’ve already taken the two designated Scottish Lions places… https://t.co/Vrp6NKW0IC
— John U. Millar (@runofthemillar) April 13, 2021
They’ll be saving on the shampoo budget this year 😂😂 https://t.co/fFEDFRv47Q
— Gavin Evans (@Gavevans88) April 13, 2021
Pantene must have turned down the shirt sponsorship
— Theophilus “Forensic” Wildebeest 🥦 (@PWildebest) April 13, 2021
No need for a shampoo sponsor at least. https://t.co/FsQAGhJGcq pic.twitter.com/LwwESWYSC1
— The Northern Rugby Podcast (@North_Rugby_Pod) April 13, 2021
🌜Tour of the moonheads🌛
— Ianto Phillips (@iantollwyd) April 13, 2021
Congratulations to Gregor Townsend, Steve Tandy, Robin McBryde & Neil Jenkins on their appointments pic.twitter.com/Ruf2J5Wb8n
— Graham Love (@glove931) April 13, 2021
Surely Gats has to shave his head. Tour rules
— Craig Price (@CraigPrice1) April 13, 2021
No barbers needed on tour for the coaching ticket !
— Cameron Black (@black_cameron) April 13, 2021
Did Warren Gatland just copy and paste the same dude 4 times? https://t.co/ETQrIyF3RG
— Allie O’Rourke (@allie_orourke) April 13, 2021
Hmmm, there is something about this line up and I can’t quite put my finger on it 🤔 https://t.co/ooezGua8br
— Siobhán Ryan (@siobhanryan26) April 13, 2021
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