Warren Gatland, you heartless fool

It’s 12 hours since Warren Gatland made The Worst Decision In The World Ever.

By tossing Brian O’Driscoll on to the cruel scrapheap of sporting history, he has handed Australia the series on a plate.

It is the most inept tactical blunder since Napoleon invaded Russia as well as the most heartless act of treachery since Mufasa was killed by his brother.

And it wasn’t only the whole of the British Isles which was appalled by the decision – the faux pas is also said to have prompted the abdication of the King of Belgium.

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Actually, Gatland has dropped a 34-year-old who has been typically solid in defence but otherwise off form.

In the centres are Jamie Roberts, who would always be playing once he regained full fitness, and Jonathan Davies, not only one of the players of the tour but also someone who can link effectively with his international team-mate.

90km of Stage5 to go. Still arguing about whether it was right to drop BOD. Think it was marginal decision. Not a crime against the state

— owenslotTheTimes (@owenslot) July 3, 2013

The sentimentality argument used by O’Driscoll fans can be dismissed out of hand: there is simply no room for it in top-level sport.

And if O’Driscoll was so keen on being sentimental, getting himself sin-binned for a thuggish stamp in his last Ireland game – and helping cause his side’s first ever Six Nations defeat to Italy in the process – was hardly the way to bow out of the green shirt.

So Wales v Australia it is then.. hope this rain stops the grass needs cutting Saturday morning

— Austin Healey (@IamAustinHealey) July 3, 2013

There have also been some, notably Keith Wood and the ever-annoying Austin Healey, who have suggested Warren Gatland has disrespected the Lions tradition by picking 10 Welshmen.

Funnily enough, most of the people who have used this argument had insisted nationality was irrelevant when Wales fans welcomed the initial announcement of their side’s heavily influence in the squad.

Can’t agree w any of this nonsense.Complete misunderstdg of Lions concept. “Brazen insult”? Nationality irrelevant!: http://t.co/P3IRUNEIWW

— Alastair Eykyn (@5LiveRugby) July 3, 2013

Gatland is the coach for a reason. Yes, he’s made some gutsy/Gatsy calls (I think Tom Youngs is more unlucky than Brian O’Driscoll, and Geoff Parling is a far more questionable inclusion than Jonathan Davies).

But that’s what he’s being paid to do. He and his coaching team are better placed than anybody else to decide the best way to beat the Wallabies. Let’s just get the behind the Lions, and not do what one guy at my rugby training this evening has decided to do – go out and buy a green-and-gold jersey.