British & Irish Lions Name Performance Staff for Tour to South Africa

Warren Gatland, the British & Irish Lions Head Coach, has named the performance staff for the 2021 Castle Lager Lions Series in South Africa, as well as The Vodafone 1888 Cup match against Japan at BT Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday, 26 June.

"I am thrilled to have secured a world-class performance team," said Gatland. "For obvious reasons this summer’s Lions Tour to South Africa will be a bit different. It will present a number of unique challenges, not only for the players, but the staff too – who all work so incredibly hard behind the scenes."

Medical

* Prabhat Mathema – Head of Medical (WRU)
* Dr Geoff Davies – Doctor (WRU)
* Dr Ciaran Cosgrave – Doctor (IRFU)
* Bob Stewart – Physio (RFU)
* John Miles – Physio (WRU)
* Ann-Marie Birmingham – Soft tissue therapist (RFU)
* Hanlie Fouche – Soft tissue therapist (WRU)

Strength & Conditioning

* Paul Stridgeon – Head of Strength & Conditioning (WRU)
* Jon Clarke – Strength & Conditioning Coach (RFU)
* Huw Bennett – Strength & Conditioning Coach (WRU)
* Brian Cunniffe – Sports Scientist (English Institute of Sport)

Analysis

* Rhodri Bown – Head of Analysis (WRU)
* Vinny Hammond – Analyst (IRFU)
* Marc Kinnaird – Analyst (WRU)
* Gavin Vaughan – Analyst (SRU)

"I feel reassured when I see the calibre and experience of each individual I have been able to assemble, and I know that whatever challenges we may face on Tour we’ll deal with them in the best way possible," Gatland added. "I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to the four home unions for the flexibility and cooperation they have shown in releasing their employees."

Rugby pictures: Pictures from 2019 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2018 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2017 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2016 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2015, Pictures of the Asia Rugby Sevens Olympic Games Qualifier in Hong Kong, Pictures of Singha Thailand Sevens 2015, Pictures from the 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour in Hong Kong, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2014, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2013, Pictures of Chartis Cup 2012 and Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2012.

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