Nigel Yalden: Ben Ryan could be Lions game-changer

Gold medal-winning sevens coach Ben Ryan was recognised at the World Rugby Awards. Photo / photosport.nz

The most intriguing member of Warren Gatland's British and Irish Lions coaching staff most likely won't be revealed overnight in Dublin.

Steve Borthwick, Andy Farrell and Rob Howley are expected to be unveiled as Gatland's assistant of the tour to New Zealand next June.

Borthwick will handle the forwards, just as he has done successively for Japan and now England under Eddie Jones; Farrell will reprise the defensive role he filled on the 2013 tour to Australia while Howley will run the backs.

However Gatland is also looking to appoint a second back line/attack coach and that's the name most in UK and Irish rugby circles are predicting we won't hear read out at Carton House.

Despite Gatland showing overt interest in getting him on board, Joe Schmidt ruled himself, preferring to lead Ireland to Japan and the USA next June, while incoming Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has said no so as to lead his team on their summer tour as well.

With Schmidt and Townsend out of the mix, there has been much speculation around who could fill the role with three names featuring prominently.

Proper, mind-blowing gossip in Dublin today. If it's true, the soon-to-be-named Lions' backs coach will take your breath away.

— Nick Mullins (@andNickMullins) December 5, 2016

The name that's creating the most buzz in Ben Ryan.

The Olympic gold medal winning sevens coach is keen for a return to the fifteen man game and is known for innovation and challenging convention, both traits that would sit nicely in the Lions coaching arsenal.

Scotland back line coach Jason O'Halloran is another whose chances are being talked up.

The former Manawatu coach has received plaudits for his work alongside soon-to-be-departing Scottish coach Vern Cotter, with improved back line play one feature of a side that has risen up to its highest world ranking in five years following the recently completed Autumn Internationals.

Mark McCall, the former Irish international who is the head coach at English club Saracens, is third name in the mix.

McCall has guided Saracens to back-to-back English premiership titles and European Rugby Championship title.

The Irishman has been a critic of the Lions scheduling, telling the BBC in August that its "ludicrous" that the Lions are playing ten games on the tour next year.

However with several Saracens strong contenders to play significant roles on the tour notably Maro Itoje, Billy and Mako Vunipola but especially Owen Farrell, that already established working relationship would be massively beneficial.

The Ryan option could be a game changer.

In this era of micro-analysing of your opposition, footage on O'Halloran and McCall run backlines will be ready available and dissected with glee.

But how do you analysis someone who hasn't coached in the fifteen aside game since 2007?

It would be a bold move by Warren Gatland to get Ryan in the mix as it would be for Ryan to accept, given the afore mentioned time away from fifteens.

However Gatland has also stated numerous times that to beat New Zealand in New Zealand "you be must be prepared to play, rather than contain" and the fresh thinking of one of the best sevens coaches of his generation could be just what these British and Irish Lions need in their quest for history.

*Nigel Yalden is rugby editior for Radio Sport & Newstalk ZB