Warren Gatland has revealed the Lions coaches were tempted to start Liam Williams on the wing for the second Test against South Africa.
The Scarlets full-back came off the bench during the 22-17 first Test victory but, despite that impressive cameo, has missed out on the matchday 23 altogether.
It’s a tough blow for the Welshman, who started all three Tests in New Zealand four years ago.
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And Gatland admitted that leaving out the player affectionately known as the ‘bomb-defuser’ was a tricky decision given the kicking battle that will ensue on Saturday.
“It was a tough one,” he said after naming his side on Tuesday.
“Both him and Hamish (Watson) were tough decisions. We did discuss whether we start Liam on the wing and that was a debate. We felt he was more of a full-back decision and Stuart Hogg was good last week.
“There was a significant aerial battle and we looked at things and we came out slightly on top of that in terms of crumbs that we got. We’re expecting a lot more.
“There was a long discussion about that. And what we talked about as well was the cover that Elliot (Daly) gives us in terms of being able to cover 13 and the back three. It was a really tough for Liam to miss out on the squad.”
Such is the nature of a Lions tour, players who are regular starters for their countries will miss out – with Williams no different in that regard.
However, Gatland was full of plaudits for the wider squad and how they’d reacted to not making the Test side.
And he made it clear there is likely to be changes for the third Test, no matter what the outcome this weekend.
“It’s really tough on some of those players because a lot of them are used to being number one selections for their home nations,” he added.
“You come on a Lions tour and you’re not making the 23.
“I understand that and appreciate it. That’s the hardest part of the week when you’re picking and naming a Test team and you know you’ll have a number of guys who are incredibly happy to be selected, but then you’re going to have a group who are incredibly disappointed.
“I expect that. It’s the hardest thing to deliver those messages and it’s a real challenge. But, again, we spoke to the group about that today and said ‘look, the guys who are starting or are in the 23, that we’ve got to get ourselves mentally right. If we are four or five per cent off mentally, then it’s going to be a long day for us.
“If we get mentally right then we have a chance of winning this series and if we’re not and we lose the second Test, then you’ll probably see a number of changes going into the third Test.
“If we do win the series, you’ll probably see a number of changes for the third Test too.
“Hopefully for those guys who have missed out there’s a lot of motivation to stay focused and involved because the tour’s not over and they potentially have a chance for the following week.”
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