2013 British & Irish Lions
Gatland offers lifeline to France-based players
ESPN Staff
November 1, 2012
Toulon's Steffon Armitage delights in a score against Castres, Toulon v Castres, Top 14 Orange, Stade Mayol, Toulon, France, April 21, 2012
The Lions selection door may still be open for Toulon's Steffon Armitage and other France-based players © Getty Images
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British & Irish Lions boss Warren Gatland has revealed he is prepared to consider those players based in France whose sides may still be competing for the Top 14 title when the squad departs for Australia next year.

Gatland had originally hinted that he was only prepared to consider those players who would be able to fly out with the rest of the squad on May 27, two days after the Aviva Premiership and RaboDirect PRO12 finals, but he now appears to have left the door open to those who may be in action in the French title decider on June 1 - the date of the Lions' first tour game against the Barbarians in Hong Kong.

The Lions have already expressed their willingness to look beyond the Test match stage and the Premiership and PRO12 competitions for a squad capable of claiming a first series triumph over the Wallabies since 1989 and the impressive form of the likes of Toulon's Jonny Wilkinson, Steffon Armitage and Andrew Sheridan, who have propelled their side to the top of the league, has clearly cut the eye of Gatland.

"There are a number of players in Toulon who are playing well and putting their hands up," Gatland told The Daily Telegraph. "I have said all along that my preference is to have everyone on the plane going together.

"When you have got the Premiership and PRO12 final basically the day before we fly out, there is a potential that the first time the squad will be together is on the night of our farewell dinner.

"That makes it difficult for preparation point of view and if you are going to potentially add some French players the week after that, it is not ideal. But that said, you have to be a little bit flexible, depending on injuries and form. I am not going to back myself into a corner and say 'this is my 100 per cent policy'."

"I think Delon is playing well and Andrew Sheridan is scrummaging well," Gatland added. "There are a few players there I have been impressed with. Steff's form has been good. France is a different culture and domestic form is important as well."

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