Backs
Greig Laidlaw
After replacing Ben Youngs in sad circumstances the scrum-half, who moves to France this summer, added some invaluable experience to the midweek side. 7
Conor Murray
The Munsterman made the Test No9 jersey his own in an effective partnership with his fellow Irishman Johnny Sexton in the last two Tests. 8
Rhys Webb
Used on the bench in the Tests, the Osprey brought some extra pace behind the scrum. His eye for a gap gave him a consolation try in the first Test. 7
Dan Biggar
A reliable midweek fly-half and justified his selection ahead of George Ford, who went on to perform great things for England in Argentina. 6
Owen Farrell
His nerveless kicking ensured the Lions their place in history and he moved seamlessly into the centre to work in tandem with Johnny Sexton. 8
Johnny Sexton
The Irishman dictated play at No10 when he was finally given the jersey for the Wellington Test. He also showed his bravery in a brutal final Test in Auckland. 8
Jonathan Davies
The knee injury that wrecked the Welshman’s World Cup is long behind him. The Scarlets centre has recovered his pace and was consistently excellent during the series. 9
Robbie Henshaw
The centre had to fly back to Ireland after damaging a shoulder muscle against the Hurricanes and he had few chances to demonstrate his powerful running. 5
Jonathan Joseph
A bit of an enigma, the Bath centre faded from view and had no chance to demonstrate the speed and power that stunned Scotland in the spring. 5
Jared Payne
The New Zealand-born back had to pull out of the Hurricanes game for tests on migraines that ended his New Zealand tour. Very effective in the midweek games. 7
Ben Te’o
Was excellent in his first Test appearance with a forceful display at Auckland before the Lions reshuffled their midfield. 7
Elliot Daly
That monster penalty in Auckland at the weekend will ensure his place in any Lions history. Played well but few opportunities to display his attacking flair. 7
George North
The Welshman could not match his impact of four years earlier after having to fly home following a hamstring injury against the Hurricanes in which he scored a try to show what might have been. 5
Jack Nowell
His two tries in the bracing victory against the Chiefs propelled him into the Test squad and the Exeter wing showed his versatility by also playing at No15. 7
Tommy Seymour
The Nashville-born Scot showed his try‑scoring potential against the Hurricanes but had few opportunities to show his finishing power. 6
Anthony Watson
The England man made the Test right‑wing spot his own and always looked a dangerous attacking threat, if given few try-scoring chances. 7
Liam Williams
Stuart Hogg’s injury gave the full‑back an opportunity in the Test team and he grabbed it with both hands, beginning a first-Test try that will be the stuff of legend. 8
Stuart Hogg
Europe’s best attacking full‑back could have given Scotland a representative in the Test team but left the tour after a clash of heads with Conor Murray against the Crusaders. Young enough to tour again. 5
Leigh Halfpenny
The Lions man of the series in Australia had a quiet tour after a quiet Six Nations. The Toulon man was solid enough without challenging Liam Williams for the No15 spot. 5
Forwards
Rory Best
The Lions’ oldest player at 34, the Ulsterman had a much better tour than in 2013 and was consistently effective in the midweek side. 6
Jamie George
The only member of the party not to have started a match for his country, he made the Test hooker spot his own. 8
Ken Owens
The best hooker in the Six Nations Championship could not dislodge Jamie George from the Test spot but was always a dynamic presence and precise in the lineout. 7
Dan Cole
England’s leading tighthead was a mainstay of the midweek front row but saw Kyle Sinckler leapfrog him into the Test squad. Solid as a rock in the scrum. 7
Tadgh Furlong
The Irishman has come from nowhere in the past year. He is a clever, mobile scrummager who coped well with a powerful All Blacks front row. 8
Joe Marler
Very solid in the front row and some tireless displays in the midweek side. The Harlequins prop delivered a particularly brave display in adversity against the Hurricanes. 6
Jack McGrath
The Leinster prop may have been unlucky not to have had the starting loosehead slot in the final Test. A really tough competitor and powerful in the set-piece. 7
Kyle Sinckler
He has impressed Eddie Jones and he impressed Warren Gatland enough to became a dynamic replacement from the Lions bench. Unstoppable with the ball in hand. 7
Mako Vunipola
An improving scrummager and his ball-playing ability made him a natural choice in the front row. 7
Iain Henderson
England’s nemesis in the Six Nations, he improved as the tour went on and was unlucky not to make the Test side. Excellent in the lineout. 7
Maro Itoje
A supreme athlete who ruled the lineouts and was a constant menace at the breakdown. He was a real force in the Tests for such a young man. 9
Alun Wyn Jones
Wales’s most-capped lock held off the challenge from George Kruis to keep his place in the Test side after a quiet first game in Auckland. 7
George Kruis
He had missed the Six Nations but his work in the lineout and loose propelled him into the Test side. Bit of a mixed bag but will tour in 2021. 7
Courtney Lawes
Played himself into the Test squad with a series of terrific appearances in the midweek team. Will give Eddie Jones a selection problem in the autumn. 7
Sam Warburton
On the bench for the first Test, he recovered to lead the team to a triumph and semi-triumph in the next two. Showed real leadership qualities. 8
Peter O’Mahony
He captained the side in the first Test but lost his place. A good leader and lineout expert, he performed impressively and unflashily. 7
Sean O’Brien
He impressed with destructive displays and was unfortunate to miss the second half in the last Test. Brilliant try a fortnight earlier. 9
Justin Tipuric
The Wales flanker was unlucky not to have at least made the Test bench after a series of effective performances in the midweek side’s back row. 7
Ross Moriarty
A case of what might have been with the Lions missing the hard tackling of the Gloucester and Wales back-rower through injury early in the tour. n/a
CJ Stander
Fully earned his first Lions cap at the weekend after a series of forceful displays in the midweek back row. Improved as the tour went on. 8
James Haskell
A late selection after Billy Vunipola pulled out of the tour and his experience with the Highlanders was invaluable. Forceful in the midweek back row. 7
Taulupe Faletau
Young enough at 26 to make a third Lions tour in South Africa. His try in the Wellington Test helped to turn the series around. Always dangerous with the ball in hand. 8
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