Shane Williams’ column: Lions need Warren Gatland but where are our guys?

Warren Gatland would be my choice right now to lead the Lions to New Zealand in 2017, but where have all the British coaches gone in Test rugby?
It would be a huge gamble for the Lions to look outside the Home Unions when they make their appointment for the biggest job in European rugby.
And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see Gatland is top of the list given his experience with Wales and his record in South Africa and Australia with the Lions.
But look at the options the Lions have from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales … three Kiwis and an Aussie!
Don’t get me wrong, Gatland, Vern Cotter, Joe Schmidt and Eddie Jones are among the very best in the world.
Gatland has transformed Welsh fortunes and is a proven winner with the Lions but now has the pressure of being labelled the ‘favourite’ to land the job.
Schmidt was described by Brian O’Driscoll as the best coach he ever worked with, and there’s not much higher praise than that.
Cotter has transformed Scotland in a short space of time. They look a far more confident side and were desperately unlucky not to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup just three months ago.
And Jones is a wily character who is not afraid to ruffle a few feathers.
He has already freshened things up with England and, who knows, if he has a couple of good years, there could be calls for him to take charge of the Lions. He certainly has the experience.
However, all four know only too well that the Lions tour is 18 months away and things can change a lot. It all depends on results and that is not always in their hands.
But it is a shame that there are no British coaches on the front-line of the Six Nations. In fact the only one could be at Italy, given they have already made one bid for Conor O’Shea.
There are, however, plenty of really good guys working behind the scenes.
Wales have great coaches in Rob Howley, Robin McBryde and Shaun Edwards, who managed to win the Championship while Gats was away, and may be asked to do the same again next year.
England have Paul Gustard and Steve Borthwick rising through the ranks while my old Ospreys coach John Humphreys is doing a great job with the Scottish forwards.
Unfortunately countries nowadays tend to look for ‘global’ success and appear more inclined to go for an established name of international repute, rather than appointing from within.
That’s what we saw with England who went for Eddie Jones rather than any of the number of top English coaches working in the Aviva Premiership such as Rob Baxter, Jim Mallinder or Richard Cockerill.
Maybe it will change in a couple of years? I can easily imagine one of those Welsh assistants taking over from Gatland.
As for the Lions job, it takes a certain character to handle that.
The head coach not only has to deal with the obvious pressure and attention that comes with such a prestigious post and the challenge of facing world champions New Zealand in their own back yard, but somehow must bring together four sets of players.
To be honest, they’re damned if they pick guys from their own country and damned if they don’t.
Three years ago out in Australia, we, the players, were all aware of the impact Warren’s selection for the third Test had on the fans, particularly the Irish. The decision to drop O’Driscoll was huge and the sort of call upon which your fate could rest.
In hindsight, it proved the right one as Jonathan Davies was superb and we won the series. But only a few characters could handle that sort of scrutiny.
That’s one of the reasons I would back Gats to do the job again.
He picks purely on form and ability to do the job – not on reputation – and that’s exactly how it should be.
Staying with the Lions, if I was given the task today, my wings would have to be George North and Anthony Watson.
North is a big-game player and offers something unique. I also like Watson who is such an exciting attacker.
But there are a few older heads starting to show signs of a comeback in Chris Ashton, Alex Cuthbert and, one of the best wings I ever played with, Tommy Bowe.