So there it is, the British & Irish Lions squad for 2021 is a 37-man affair, rather than the 36 as originally planned. Alun Wyn Jones of Wales is captain. Notable absentees include the England prop Kyle Sinckler, Wales back-rower Josh Navidi, Ireland’s Garry Ringrose, England’s Henry Slade and the Welsh stalwart Jonathan Davies, who played such an integral role on the tours in 2013 and 2017. Notable inclusions are Bundee Aki, the Ireland centre, and Sam Simmonds, the Exeter No 8 who has been an England exile for a couple of years now.
The full squad is below, again: thank you for reading and for commenting, and good luck to all the players selected. Bye for now.
Backs (16):
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) – Wing
Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) – Centre
Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) – Fly-half #821
Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) – Centre #822
Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales) – Scrum-half
Owen Farrell (Saracens, England) – Fly-half #780
Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland) – Centre
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) – Centre #824
Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) – Full-back #783
Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) – Scrum-half #790
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) – Scrum-half
Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby, Wales) – Wing
Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland) – Fly-half #835
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) – Wing
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) – Wing #816
Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) – Full-back #833
Forwards (21):
Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland) – Second row
Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) – Back row
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) – Hooker
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England) – Back row
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) – Prop
Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales) – Back row #779
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) – Prop #818
Jamie George (Saracens, England) – Hooker #819
Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) – Second row #808
Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, England) – Second row
Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) – Second row #825
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales) (Captain) – Second row #761
Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales) – Prop
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) – Second row #826
Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) – Hooker #829
Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) – Prop
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England) – Back row
Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) – Prop
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, Wales) – Back row #786
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) – Prop #787
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) – Back row
ianbellisgod comments: “Disappointments (though not a surprise) for me is George Ford missing out - I can’t really believe he’s never got close to either of the last two squads (especially since Biggar has toured twice). I do worry there’s not a lot of magic in that backline - they’re all decent enough players, but especially in midfield there doesn’t feel like a lot of box-office material there. I’ve got some concern about scrum-half as well - if Murray is in form then it’s not a worry, but it feels like he’s a bit in and out in the last couple of years, so if he takes a knock there’s a lot resting on Davies.”
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While you’re here, why not read Jonathan Liew’s piece on the slice of the All Blacks being sold off to private equity?
DeanKBain isn’t feeling positive: “This will not end well. I predict a heavy, heavy 3-0 SA series win, putting Gatland’s well earned reputation as an international coach through a blender, with his future NZ hopes evaporating forever. Wales & Scotland played attacking rugby in the 6N - and it worked - but Gatland has reverted to his safety-first approach, hence so many English players and muscle being picked. I’m not looking forward to the actual rugby.”
“Disappointed not to see Ringrose or Ryan in the squad,” comments DJStrangelove. “Pleased for Simmonds, he fully deserves his place. As a Sarries fan I am disappointed for Billy but he had already admitted he didn’t play well for England, so it is the right call. There has been some disdain that Daly is in and he is not in form. Appreciate it is a division down in the Championship, but he has been awesome for Sarries since he returned, one of our best players. He has been deployed at full-back and outside centre and has probably been out best player.”
A sleepless night for Danny Care, the Harlequins (and former England) scrum-half, hoping to be named in the Lions squad ...
Congratulations to everyone selected for @lionsofficial today. Looks like a hell of a squad. I might be able to get some sleep now! Best of luck lads 🦁
— Danny Care (@dannycare) May 6, 2021
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There are some comments about Sinckler’s reputation for hot-headedness counting against him, although he seems to have shaken off that tag in recent times? It would certainly have been interesting to be a fly on the wall in that four-hour selection meeting yesterday.
Jonathan Davies, of course, was the man who kept Brian O’Driscoll out of the team for the decisive (and victorious) Test in Australia in 2013. He played every minute of all three Tests in 2017 too - before being voted player of the series by his Lions teammates. But now he finds himself the subject of another controversial selection decision, this time being left out of the squad altogether.
Ringrose was generally excellent for Ireland during the Six Nations and his absence will generate plenty more talk should the Lions fail to find the necessary cut-and-thrust from midfield. But the selection of Aki does point to an emphasis of physicality. “Warrenball,” as some like to call it?
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PrincePaul comments: “I think Itoje, Furlong, Jones and Hogg are the only four players (barring injury or chronic loss of form) that are certain to start in the Test matches. But no Sinckler ? Billy Vunipola ? Jonathan Davies ? Henry Slade ? Manu Tuilagi ? Jonny May ? Not sure about that. But you know what? To guys who missed out ? Keep your phones on. Lotta rugby still to be played.”
JonCymru comments: “Gutted for Navidi but pretty sure he’ll be first on the plane if and there always are, injuries in the forwards, they are playing the Boks so it will be a little physical.”
Parrotgone adds: “Not sure Navidi’s omission is much of a surprise. Gatland ignored him for something like 10 years before becoming a late convert to his inclusion. It will be interesting to see what he does with Tipuric, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he finds himself amongst the midweek squad again. The track record says neither really fit what Gatland looks for.”
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Sinckler-surprise. The Bristol prop would certainly appear to have the right combination of strong scrummaging and better-than-average ability with ball in hand - essentially the archetypal modern front-rower that you would have thought could have done very well on this tour.
It's a strong squad @LukeMcLaughlin but like many I'm ASTOUNDED Sinckler hasn't gone. He's surely the epitome of dynamic modern forwards. Aki is a big call, and you have to feel for Slade and Ringrose. North's injury must've pushed Daly over him for utility. Some big calls.
— Guy Hornsby (@GuyHornsby) May 6, 2021
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stevew100 comments:
“So by my reckoning...
The Welsh are raging about Navidi.
The Irish are raging about Ringrose/Ryan.
The Scots are pretty happy, though upset about Gray.
The English are shocked to see some of their guys selected!”
While the discussion on Warren Gatland’s Lions selection rages on, here is Andy Bull, on why sport needs to change its approach to reach a consensus on concussion:
Four men from the Chiefs, including Sam Simmonds:
📢 - Four @ExeterChiefs players named in @lionsofficial squad to face @Springboks - congratulations to @StuartWHOGG_ @1_Dickie Jonny Hill and @samsimmonds_ #LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/eGRT1kVTbE
— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) May 6, 2021
A Twitter video via the Lions on the final selection:
The Originals, 1888
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 6, 2021
The Invincibles, 1974
The heroes of 1997
The Unbeaten Tours of 2013, 2017
Over to you Class of 2021 - Time to write a new chapter in our history 🦁
Meet our #LionsRugby 2021 squad...🤩 pic.twitter.com/T5ujqOB0Lr
Gerard Meagher’s initial reaction ...
Astonished that Kyle Sinckler has been left out
— Gerard Meagher (@gerard_meagher) May 6, 2021
Robert Kitson, our rugby union correspondent, with some initial thoughts on Twitter:
Interesting squad...no Manu Tuilagi, Billy Vunipola, Kyle Sinckler, Henry Slade or Jon Davies. Jonny Hill and Bundee Aki both in...
— robert kitson (@robkitson) May 6, 2021
For those who like counting such things, I make that 11 English, 10 Welsh, 8 Irish and 8 Scots..
— robert kitson (@robkitson) May 6, 2021
Gareth Vaughan emails: “Speaking as an England fan, I’m flabbergasted that 11 England players have made the cut. This would suggest that:
1. Those players who performed well in the previous tour and had strong world cups (Farrell, Daly, Vunipola, Lawes and George) were picked on past deeds rather than recent form.
2. The picking of Sam Simmonds either suggests that Gatland does not agree with Eddie Jones’ selection history or that he sees the potential for a high impact player who can play across the back row. I doubt he’ll start much though.”
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And the omission of Kyle Sinckler is a big one. Here is Gerard Meagher:
GibbonRib: “No immense surprises”? For anyone who’s watched Wales recently you’d have to put Navidi’s omission in that category. Arguably Wales’ best and most consistent player. Arguably the player of the tournament. Hugely physical and can cover all three positions. Of course the back row is an incredibly competitive position, so many strong candidates at the moment, but unless there are injury problems that we’re not aware of then I’m astonished by this.”
Yes, fair, Navidi’s absence is a surprise especially as Gatland was expected to favour dependable Welsh performers ... and Ringrose was widely expected to be on the plane. Aki’s selection probably could qualify as an immense surprise. There are surprises, I admit it.
ShavedLegs comments: “Who would I NOT have taken - Bundee Aki, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, Ali Price, Jonny Hill, Courtney Lawes and Mako Vunipola. Who I think SHOULD have gone - CJ Stander, Jamie Ritchie, John Cooney, Johnny Gray, Gary Ringrose, Henry Slade and Josh Navidi.”
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Addiemeister comments: “Definitely a few surprises in there! I would have gone for one of Slade/Davies/Ringrose at 13 and NONE are going to tour, very interesting. No Ryan, no Sexton will definitely raise a few eye brows in Ireland. Jonny Hill, Sam Simmonds, Ali Price and Bundee Aki absolutely the bolters here. From a Scottish perspective obviously happy to see 8 players named, I would have picked 6 myself but even better to have 8. Hogg, Russell, Van Der Merwe, Sutherland, Fagerson, Watson absolutely all should have been picked for me. Was surprised to see both Price and Harris there too but good luck to all of them!”
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Dekenba emails: “Six locks points to Gatland playing one at blind-side, trying to put plenty of muscle out there. Aki kinda paints the same picture. Yet the last team to seriously worry South Africa was Wales in the WC semi, and they had a mobile back row and not the biggest pack. I seriously can’t see this strategy working. Too much muscle, not enough ball playing forwards.”
Jamie George speaks on Zoom: “I’m pretty relieved, it’s always a nervous time ... I have to say the coverage dragged on a bit, it was pretty tough to watch as a player, you just want to get on with it.”
“We’ve been having a lovely time here,” fires back the presenter, Lee McKenzie. Controversy!
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Warren Gatland goes on: “I don’t think it’s about managing egos ... you come into the Lions, and you’re fighting for a position. It’s about having that respect for the whole squad, and for us, it’s about getting the selection right. You start to build up to the Tests and how tough that’s going to be ... you have to enjoy the experience as a player and hopefully be involved in the Tests.”
Attack coach Gregor Townsend: “It’s a huge privilege ... it’s a big honour ... I’m really looking forward to the tour ... we want a game that matches their physicality but also puts them in places they don’t want to go. It’s a balance. It’s a unique challenge ... but I know from my experience as a player, those first couple of weeks in camp are so exciting ... you want to prove to the coaches that you deserved to be here ... it’s a group of players who are desperate to do well for the Lions.”
Kicking coach Neil Jenkins: “It’s the ultimate honour for me, to be a Lion again, there is no bigger achievement in the game ... I’m not going to lie, it would be pretty special if we could emulate what we did in 1997 ... it’s how you handle yourself [as a player], it’s how you go about it.”
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So the No 8 Sam Simmonds of Exeter gets the nod, as had been expected, and the Racing 92 and Scotland fly-half Finn Russell is also on the plane. No Kyle Sinckler, no Josh Navidi, no Henry Slade. Gatland and team felt compelled to enlarge the squad from 36 to 37 yesterday. Is Johnny Sexton unlucky to miss out? Slade is a player plenty of people would have liked to see have a chance and another England player, Sam Underhill, is probably a bit unfortunate too. Drop me an email, or a tweet with your thoughts on the selection.
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Here is the full 37-man squad as released by the Lions media team, including the player’s all-time Lions number where relevant:
Backs (16):
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) – Wing
Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) – Centre
Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) – Fly-half #821
Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) – Centre #822
Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales) – Scrum-half
Owen Farrell (Saracens, England) – Fly-half #780
Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland) – Centre
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) – Centre #824
Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) – Full-back #783
Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) – Scrum-half #790
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) – Scrum-half
Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby, Wales) – Wing
Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland) – Fly-half #835
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) – Wing
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) – Wing #816
Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) – Full-back #833
Forwards (21):
Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland) – Second row
Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) – Back row
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) – Hooker
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England) – Back row
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) – Prop
Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales) – Back row #779
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) – Prop #818
Jamie George (Saracens, England) – Hooker #819
Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) – Second row #808
Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, England) – Second row
Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) – Second row #825
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales) (Captain) – Second row #761
Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales) – Prop
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) – Second row #826
Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) – Hooker #829
Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) – Prop
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England) – Back row
Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) – Prop
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, Wales) – Back row #786
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) – Prop #787
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) – Back row
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Gatland speaks
“To those players who have been selected, congratulations, we know it’s going to be challenging from a number of aspects ... I hope that firstly they really enjoy the tour ... and represent their four home nations as best as they possibly can. For those new players, it’s going to be exciting for them to put on a Lions jersey for the first time.
“Looking at our loose forwards, and the attrition, just getting an extra number there is a bit of a back-up ... we felt that a 37 man squad, and getting permission from the CEO and the board to do that, is something we looked at yesterday.
“There’s a lot of factors ... you look at players who have performed for you in the past, and some younger players ... you want to look to improve as the tour goes on.”
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British & Irish Lions squad 2021
A squad of 37 is named for the tour to South Africa:
Backs: Josh Adams, Bundee Aki, Dan Biggar, Elliot Daly, Gareth Davies, Owen Farrell, Chris Harris, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart Hogg, Conor Murray, Ali Price, Louis Rees-Zammit, Finn Russell, Duhan van der Merwe, Anthony Watson, Liam Williams.
Forwards: Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Zander Fagerson, Taulupe Faletau, Tadhg Furlong, Jamie George, Iain Henderson, Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones (capt.), Wyn Jones, Courtney Lawes, Ken Owens, Andrew Porter, Sam Simmonds, Rory Sutherland, Justin Tipuric, Mako Vunipola, Hamish Watson.
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Here we go. Full squad coming right up. I think Jason Leonard is going to be reading them out. The Teletext Sport desk will be at the ready ...
While you’re here, why not sign up for our weekly rugby email, The Breakdown? Sign up immediately below - just enter your email address - and read the latest edition from Robert Kitson - regarding Warren Gatland’s Lions selection challenges - below that:
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So, Alun Wyn Jones of Wales is skipper, and it’s impossible to argue with that decision. The man is a rock, he brings a phenomenal amount of experience of previous Lions tours and several years as Wales captain. He is really the personification of the phrase ‘leading by example’.
He wasn’t actually in the venue just then, it was some sort of CGI wizardry, and he was mocked up in full Lions kit. Now, coming up soon is the 36-man full squad, which I will post here as fast as possible.
Gatland mentioned they may have gone to 37 players, but I think he implied that they had cut it back to a final 36 in the end. Excitement! Will it be 36 or 37? Feel the tension!
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Jones carries on: “As a rugby player you want to be involved in these challenges ... the significance isn’t lost on me ... it will be interesting to see how we go out there. To do that is a huge honour ... that custodianship ... [as players] you’re all connected, it’s something very, very special, and it’s hard to explain. I’d like to think it hasn’t changed from the times before professionalism to this very day.
“I enjoy the sport, I love what I do, and I’ll continue in a similar vein.”
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Alun Wyn Jones is the 2021 British and Irish Lions captain
Alun Wyn Jones is the man. “Very proud, very privileged, very happy to be here to talk to you today,” Jones says.
“To be in the squad is what you hope for ... to have the armband as well is a privilege ... I had a call from Gats on Sunday evening, actually a missed call ... I thought I better give him a call back. And I accepted, obviously ... I’ve got a huge amount of pride to add this to the CV, but there’s a lot of work to do.”
Was he allowed to tell anyone he was captain “Obviously the nearest and dearest ... I can tell Gats it was kept tight at my end ... at this time of year, it’s obviously the hot topic, and it’s nice that it’s out now ... it’s strange, particularly with the way the last tour finished with a draw ... it’s a four-year wait ... this is where we find ourselves.”
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Squad extends to 37
Gatland promises, as he has done on previous tours, that every member of the squad will have the chance to force their way into the Test team: “One of the thing I’ve said in the last two tours is that everyone will get a start in the first three games.”
“We had a meeting yesterday that was about four hours ... we initially added an extra name so we had 37 instead of 36.”
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Warren Gatland speaks to Lee McKenzie: “We’ve been playing a bit of catch-up [with the effects of the pandemic] ... but now as we get closer, really excited about the final preparations and planning ... and really looking forward to getting down to South Africa. I feel so privileged and so honoured ... for me, it’s the experience of being on both sides. I was lucky enough to play against the Lions in 1993, and what that meant to me ... and to be involved as a coach is incredibly rewarding and exciting ... it’s something that’s unique, it’s special in the rugby world, and hopefully it continues to grow. It’s going to be a challenge without the fans, but it’s something to look forward to.
“In all my time in coaching, this has been the hardest squad to pick. It’s about a balance ... and at the end of the day, selection is a matter of opinion ... we’ve tried to put a squad together that we think can go down and win a series.”
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Bryan Habana is up now, on Zoom like Bowe and Robinson: “It’s a unique honour [to be a Lion] ... Warren Gatland is vying to be the first coach not to lose a series against the southern hemisphere teams ... it’s going to be an extra-spicy one, I feel. I hope the Springboks get a bit of luck, but I don’t think they will need it, because they will be fully prepared.”
“In 1997 I was just getting into the game of rugby, starting to understand the history of the Lions ... South Africa hadn’t played the Lions for 15 years because of Apartheid, and isolation ... [it was] being able to fully understand what the game of rugby means to South Africans ... that Jeremy Guscott drop-goal, and that Matt Dawson try, still irks many a South African.”
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BudaBrit has views on the back row and fly-half: “For the back row, why not Curry, Underhill and Faletau? Looks the perfect balance to me. It’s toughie, though.
“I know who I would have as the starting 10, but not many agree with it...which is a shame as he’s easily the best 10 around. I’m talking George Ford, of course ... Ford absolutely is the best available, just his size counts against him in d...which shouldn’t really be the main thing when talking about a 10.”
Tommy Bowe goes on: “South Africa is such an intimidating place to go ... nothing could have prepared me for that. It was the most intimidating atmosphere I’d ever come across. That Lions jersey, there’s just something special about it. Embrace it, go out there, enjoy it ... the players need to get to know their fellow players as well as they can ... go out there and create memories.”
Robinson on 2001, when of course he was new to rugby union: “I was trying to learn names, I roomed together with the likes of Brian O’Driscoll ... it was his first tour as a young lad ... those times in your hotel room, the chats you have, getting to know each other. Guys like Keith Wood, just some amazing characters, and one of the things I hold on to is the things I learned as a Lion ... I was around so many quality players and I learned from them.”
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Tommy Bowe and Jason Robinson! On Zoom!
Bowe looks back on his call-up in 2009: “I remember we had the distraction that we were made to train on that morning ... I remember in 2009 we were training with the Ospreys ... we were all called into a huddle together, and told the good news and the bad news, and do you know what, it is such a special and exciting day.”
Jason Robinson looks back: “I can remember being out fixing my fence ... the message came into me that I’d made the tour ... as a rugby league player coming in, I didn’t know what to expect ... but it was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had as a player ... to be selected for a Lions tour is something I’ll never, ever forget.”
And as a rugby fan, Robinson burning past Chris Latham on the outside at The Gabba in 2001 is something I’ll never forget, either. A legendary moment.
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Jason Leonard, the Lions chairman, is speaking now: “It’s just unique ... you spend four years knocking lumps out of each other [for respective countries] ... you walk away at the end of your tour, and you’ve made friendships for life.”
How did Leonard find about his first Lions selection? “I actually found out by Teletext ... I’m not sure that some of the younger players on this tour will actually know what Teletext is.”
Lee McKenzie has now kicked off the official announcement. We are about 20 minutes from finding out the identity of the captain. The rumours are that Alun Wyn Jones will get the nod, holding off fellow second row Maro Itoje of England.
“The moment’s almost here,” writes JimTait98. “Keep your seat-belts fastened for bolters and unpopular picks and keep all toys in the pram! Come on the Lions!”
Agreed on all counts, Jim.
PeteTheBeat chips in on Ireland: “Looks like a lot of Irish forwards aren’t going to make it according to rumours. Leinster were second best on Sunday, yet they dismissed Exeter easily enough as did Ireland against England. Additionally, Ireland were poor in the other games but it wasn’t the fault of the pack. They held their own in all the matches - just zero creative spark otherwise.”
Here we go, some music has struck up on the Lions live stream, and the announcement will be getting under way imminently. The captain will be confirmed at 12.15pm, and the full squad will be announced at 12.30pm.
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It would have been interesting to see how Joe Marler got on, had he been selected, but he says he’s not been sounded out regarding his availability. Props Tadhg Furlong, Kyle Sinckler, Mako Vunipola, Wyn Jones and Andrew Porter all on the plane, surely.
Marcus Smith, anyone? Gerard Meagher reports:
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“My back row would be Beirne Curry and Faletau,” writes Rug568. “Navidi, Watson and Simmonds travelling.”
Faletau surely nailed on to start the Tests, but arguably the only back-rower who enjoys that status. A real embarrassment of riches for Gatland and his team in this department.
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Could Manu Tuilagi be on the plane? If fit, his wrecking-ball running would not go amiss in South Africa. Here’s Robert Kitson:
FugaziFan has harsh words for Elliot Daly: “Staggered by reports that Daly is set to be included. His 6N form was rank rotten and the Lions shouldn’t be a test side where it’s harder to drop out of than get in, like some national teams led by certain coaches. Daly doesn’t deserve to go, even if he can play poorly across the backline.”
Form is temporary, class is permanent, I guess would be Gatland’s thinking. Within that it will of course be a judgement call on if he can play himself back into form for the tour.
pointyhairedboss says: “Just hope there’s a good mix of players from all four countries. The worry with Gatland is that he defaults to Welsh players because he knows them better.”
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Daniel Stephens starts the back row ball rolling:
“Simmonds, Tipuric and Faletau would give the Lions more pace and guile.
“Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie instead of the first two if guile becomes less necessary than bludgeon. Josh Navidi or CJ Stander as wild cards.”
No Tom Curry? I’ve got a feeling he could have a huge tour.
Rightly pointed out BTL that if Sam Simmonds is selected, and forces his way into the Test side, that will call into question Eddie Jones’s constant refusal since 2018 to give him a look-in for England. Danny Care to supply Simmonds with the pass for the match-winning try in the final Test?
Here’s another one, then: which three players make up your dream back row for the first Test? You can mail me, tweet @LukeMcLaughlin or post BTL.
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ImNotNotlickingtoads chips in: “Player x is rubbish imo they should have picked player y who is much better because z.”
Wise words.
Jason Leonard, the Lions chairman for this tour, is telling you to tune in and watch the squad announcement from today’s ‘ultra-swish’ venue.
Answer the Chairman's Call!@JasonLeonard114 wants you to join him for the 2021 Lions Squad announcement.
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 6, 2021
We're just 45 minutes away... #LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/8xed6lo4pf
The Finn Russell debate is heating up!
Crutchley writes: “Finn will have his cap(s) assured when he comes off the bench to save the match by changing the approach, applying psychology, tempo and altering the points of attack.”
lostlogin adds: “I expect Russell will go but I would not be surprised if he missed out. A big ethos of the Lions is one for all, being a good tourist and remaining committed if you are not selected in the test 23. Russell threw a major wobbly a year or so back and walked out on Scotland. I wonder if that will count against him?”
News from last night, courtesy of Gerard Meagher, is that Alun Wyn Jones looks poised to be captain, while Sam Simmonds of Exeter, the European player of the year, is going to be on the plane.
LazloLazlo kicks off today’s comments in concise style: “No Finn Russell, no party.”
Well, quite. Gatland will surely fancy a bit of the X-Factor that Russell will bring? Working on the basis that Dan Biggar will be the first-choice No 10, Russell is a lovely option to have on the bench.
And what about the scrum-halves, now we’re on the subject of the half-backs? I rather fancy a Mr D. Care has at least provoked lengthy discussions among the selection panel.
Preamble
In the old days, a good Lions tourist was expected to display exemplary social skills during the squad’s post-match lubrication sessions, be willing to occasionally punch the nearest opponent on their captain’s signal, and of course deliver suitably high performance on the pitch. The challenge this summer in South Africa will be somewhat different, above and beyond the usual complications involved with getting the British and Irish Lions show on the road in the already-packed professional calendar.
The dark cloud of the Covid-19 pandemic hangs over everything but fortunately the coach Warren Gatland has no shortage of experience to call on. He masterminded the series victory in Australia in 2013 and achieved a remarkable 1-1 draw in his native New Zealand four years ago. This time around, his 36 players will be protected inside a bio-secure bubble for the duration of the tour, there will be no fans, and (somewhat bizarrely) the Lions will face a team that has not gone into competitive battle since they won the Rugby World Cup final against England in 2019. The Lions is a unique and special sporting event, but this one will be different again, and Gatland’s selection decisions will no doubt reflect that in some sense.
The customary squabbles over player access have been safely negotiated and today is the day that 36 men across England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland will receive the ultimate accolade, a call to represent the British & Irish Lions. Pre-announcement reading and much more coming up.
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