Gregor Townsend turns down Lions coaching role

This is really not good news for the Lions. Gregor has had a key role in getting Scottish players back to the cut and thrust attack of the amateur era, promoting a game involving keeping the ball alive and attacking with purpose and support. Anyone who watched Ireland beat the Kiwis a couple of weeks ago knows the importance of relentless attacking against the ABs.

With Eddie Jones in charge of attack for England and not interested in going anywhere with the Lions, and Schmidt seemingly fulfilling a similar role for Ireland, one can only predict what's coming.

Rob Howley...Lions Attack Coach

Anyone who has watched Wales over the past few weeks saw a backline bereft of ideas, ingenuity and a clue. Now this could be a symptom of systems put in place before he took sole charge in the absence of Gatland, but to be honest, this 'Warrenball' is probably just as much as his creation as Gatland's.

I'm just not sure attritional, one out runners is the key against the All Blacks. The most exciting Wales have looked in recent times was when their bench was dry during the World Cup, throwing caution to the wind and throwing a scrum-half on as wing. The autumn internationals have been a depressing affair for them. Those tasked with coaching attack have to share in the responsibility of this.

As evidence of the negative attack approach Wales seem to take, we have seen offloading and barnstorming back-rows seem to make the difference against New Zealand, and Wales have one of those in Justin Tipuric. The Welsh management's seeming reluctance to use him in the starting XV probably says everything you need to know about their attacking intent, opting for Lydiate and Warburton if given the chance. Even Faletau before he got injured playing for Bath seemed to have been told to 'calm down the flashy stuff' a bit.

I hear Alex King is available having left Northampton Saints 'by mutual consent'. Amazing how firing him hasn't seemed to solve their problems, almost as if the issues lie elsewhere...

But please not Rob Howley. Great scrum-half as he was, the game has moved past where Wales currently are attacking wise, and the Lions need a significantly more creative source of inspiration.