Telfer fans Lions flames

Jim Telfer has joined Gavin Henson's side in the re-opened 2005 Lions debate, saying the tourists were a 'laughing stock' and 'devalued' by the presence of people like Alastair Campbell.

Telfer: Lions were a laughing stock

Telfer's opinions are in his autobiography, where Sir Clive Woodward is the brunt of Telfer's criticism for his over-prepared methods and the training session with Prince William.

"To watch him [the Prince] having a kicking session, and a political spin doctor who clearly had little understanding of Lions rugby made us a laughing stock," he said.

"And a lawyer and a referee in Lions kit...the honour of reaching the top in British and Irish rugby was devalued."

Telfer could barely contain his disbelief at the way the tourists' legacy was damaged in New Zealand.

"I mean this as no slight against the players, who will all have taken the same immense pleasure I did from the honour of being handed the Lions jersey," Telfer added.

"But in truth, there were a lot of people in New Zealand who had not earned the right to be a Lion, both on and off the field. That was the fault of the management.

"It is inevitable with a squad of 45 players and 29 officials that many among them will have been handed what hundreds of players have viewed as a lifetime's pinnacle achievement, and worked and made great sacrifices for it.

"But going out there with that many and then trying to please them all makes a mockery of the Lions concept."

Telfer also though that Lawrence Dallaglio should have been the captain rather than Brian O'Driscoll.

But Telfer's most damning criticism was for some of the players, especially the forwards who were so overwhelmed by the All Blacks in Christchurch.

"A lot of players let themselves down," he adds. "They allowed themselves to be over-powered and out-muscled and that should not have happened.

"They'll be looking for excuses but they should be looking at themselves in the mirror."

"The [2005 Lions] tour has done damage to the Lions reputation that will take some time to repair".

"The one good thing about them losing was that if it had worked with all those players and half the country there as an entourage, everyone else would have copied it.

"In that respect it was a blessing in disguise."