While most newspapers this week focussed on Jonny Wilkinson’s exclusion from the 2013 British and Irish Lions squad, head coach Warren Gatland made a far more surprising omission when failing to name Chris Robshaw in his 37-man squad.

The England captain, who almost led his country to what would have been a magnificent Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year, was expected to walk into this squad, what with his experience and position at England.

However, Gatland’s decision to omit Robshaw – instead selecting Justin Tipuric and Sean O’Brien for the outside flanker position – is a stark reminder that …

ROUND TWELVE SUPER RUGBY FIXTURES:

Friday, 3 May Blues v Stormers at North Harbour Stadium at 19:35
TBC Rebels v Chiefs at AAMI Park, Melbourne at TBC
Saturday, 4 May Highlanders v Sharks at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin at 19:35
Saturday, 4 May Force v Reds at NIB Stadium, Perth at 17:40
Saturday, 4 May Kings v Waratahs at Mandela Bay Stadium,Port Elizabeth at 17:05
Saturday, 4 May Bulls v Hurricanes at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria at 19:10
Sunday 5 May Brumbies v Crusaders at Canberra Stadium, Canberra at 16:05
BYE:  Cheetahs
Kick offs in local times, click here for full …

ROUND NINE SUPER RUGBY FIXTURES:

Friday, 12 April Highlanders v Brumbies at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin at 19:35
Saturday, 13 April Chiefs v Reds at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton at 16:35
Saturday, 13 April Blues v Hurricanes at Eden Park, Auckland at 19:35
Saturday, 13 April Rebels v Kings at AAMI Park, Melbourne at 19:40
Saturday, 13 April Force v Crusaders at NIB Stadium, Perth at 19:40
Saturday, 13 April Stormers v Sharks   at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town at 17:05
Saturday, 13 April Bulls v Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria at 19:10
BYE: Waratahs
Kick offs in local times, click here …

ROUND EIGHT (Daylight Savings ends in Australia and New Zealand) SUPER RUGBY FIXTURES:

Friday, 5 April. Blues v Highlanders at Eden Park, Auckland at 19:35
Friday, 5 April . Brumbies v Kings at Canberra Stadium, Canberra at 19:40
Friday, 5 April . Sharks v Crusaders at Kings Park, Durban at 19:10
Saturday, 6 April. Hurricanes v Waratahs at Westpac Stadium, Wellington at 19:35
Saturday, 6 April. Force v Rebels at NIB Stadium, Perth at 16:40
Saturday, 6 April. Cheetahs v Stormers at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein at 17:05
BYE: Bulls, Chiefs, Reds

Kick offs in local times, click here for full 2013 …

ROUND SEVEN (Easter) SUPER RUGBY FIXTURES:

Friday, 29 March. Highlanders v Reds at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin at 19:35
Saturday, 30 March. Hurricanes v Kings at Westpac Stadium, Wellington at 16:35
Saturday, 30 March. Chiefs v Blues at BayPark Stadium, Mount Maunganui at 19:35
Saturday, 30 March. Brumbies v Bulls at Canberra Stadium, Canberra at 19:40
Saturday, 30 March. Cheetahs v Rebels at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein at 17:05
Saturday, 30 March. Stormers v Crusaders at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town at 19.1
Sunday 31 March. Waratahs v Force at Allianz Stadium, Sydney at 16:05
BYE:  Sharks

Kick offs in local …