Sometimes in rugby, the best moments aren’t the ones that happen on the field.
They’re in the locker room, in the hotels, or in the casual conversations between matches.
One moment that sticks with me happened during the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand—right after a midweek game against the Chiefs.
The first Test against the All Blacks was only a few days away, and even though most of us had a pretty solid idea of who was going to be in the starting XV, Warren Gatland walked in and said, “We haven’t picked the team yet.”
That’s when James Haskell, or “Hask,” interrupted with a deadpan, “Boys, there’s still a chance,” and the whole room burst out laughing.
From “Bin Juice” to Test Players
That moment turned into a kind of running joke.
Hask had coined the term “bin juice” for the midweek players—himself included.
It was a tongue-in-cheek label, but ironically, two so-called “bin juicers,” Elliot Daly and Liam Williams, ended up in the Test team.
Even though we laughed about it at the time, part of me always felt that the phrase took something away from the value those midweek players brought.
Take Rory Best, for example—he was often called the “midweek captain,” but honestly, he was one of the most important guys on that tour.
A true leader, even if he wasn’t in the Test lineup.
Chatting Lions History with Ronan O’Gara
Fast forward to now, I’m in Australia with Ronan O’Gara, both of us working on the Lions tour coverage for Sky Sports.
We’ve got our families out here and our kids are constantly playing together—makes it feel a bit like a summer camp with rugby thrown in.
We’ve had a lot of good conversations, especially about the old tours.
Ronan told me stories from the 2005 tour in New Zealand, which really sounded divided—very much a “them and us” atmosphere.
Brian O’Driscoll mentioned that even though he’s great mates with Denis Hickie, they barely saw each other on that tour.
That kind of split never happened on the tours I was part of.
Playing Both Roles Brings Perspective
Having been both a midweek player and a Test starter myself, I understand both sides.
When you’re not in the main squad, it’s easy to question your role.
But once you are in the Test team, you learn to value what those squad players contribute.
I never felt a disconnect within the Lions teams I played for, but let’s be honest—there will always be players who don’t make the cut, and managing that energy in the camp is crucial.
Andy Farrell Wouldn’t Stand for That Talk
One thing I don’t see happening on this tour? The “bin juice” label making a comeback.
Andy Farrell isn’t that kind of coach. His approach is built on giving everyone a fair shot.
You can see it in the way he rotates the Ireland squad.
He wouldn’t allow any talk that undermines players who aren’t in the starting lineup.
The good news this time around is that the lines between starters and backups feel much more blurred.
Everyone seems genuinely in the mix.
Where the Real Battles Are Happening
Right now, the most hotly contested spots are in the back-row and on the bench.
The backline feels mostly settled—guys like Jamison Gibson-Park, Finn Russell, James Lowe, and Tommy Freeman seem locked in.
But when it comes to flanker and bench roles, it’s wide open.
The Irish centres have a slight edge over the Scots, and Hugo Keenan can easily step in if Blair Kinghorn is fit.
Personally, I think players like Henry Pollock, Jac Morgan, Tadhg Beirne, and Ben Earl have a big opportunity today.
Those flank jerseys are still up for grabs.
Some Names Are Already Inked In
Of course, some players are safe bets. Dan Sheehan, Maro Itoje, Jamison Gibson-Park, and Finn Russell are almost certainly going to feature prominently.
But for the rest? It’s game on.
Enjoying the Journey Down Under
And just to round things off—I made the trip to Australia with Qatar Airways, recently named the world’s number one airline.
The flight was smooth, the service top-tier. Honestly, the whole experience down here—from working alongside great rugby minds to sharing it all with family—has been something special.