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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Jon Doel

How the Lions tour is expected to play out: the starting XV, series result and top try scorer

The Lions tour of South Africa is now less than a month away, so who is going to win, who'll make the Test team and who will be the standout players?

As things stand, a 2-1 Lions series victory is the most likely outcome, according to the bookmakers, but it's set to be a very close affair.

The Lions are 6/4 favourites with BetFair to win the series 2-1, while the Springboks are priced at 7/4.

And it's predicted to go all the way down to the final Test, with the sides expected to be level after the first two clashes (10/11).

A repeat of the drawn outcome in New Zealand four years ago is 33/1.

In terms of top try scorer on the tour , a Welshman and a Scot head the list at the moment.

Josh Adams, who has an international scoring record of 17 tries in 32 matches, and Six Nations top try scorer Duhan van der Merwe are favourites at 6/1, just ahead of Louis Rees-Zammit and Anthony Watson at 7/1.

Exeter try-scoring sensation Sam Simmonds isn't too far behind at 8/1, despite having to overcome Taulupe Faletau to actually make it into the Test team.

As for the Test side itself, this has been taking shape for a little while now in terms of who people are putting their money on.

Strangely the two players being backed to be top try scorer aren't in it, perhaps showing how close Gatland's selection choices will be.

The likely XV based on each player's odds is: Stuart Hogg, Anthony Watson, Robbie Henshaw, Owen Farrell, Louis Rees-Zammit, Dan Biggar, Conor Murray; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Taulupe Faletau

While they are the likely faces, there are a few players who are seen as very long shots right now to get close to the main team.

Ireland back rower Jack Conan is the player with the most work to do (12/1 to make Test XV), while England lock Jonny Hill (10/1) and Scotland tighthead Zander Fagerson (9/1) are outsiders up against stiff competition.

Who do you think will win the Lions series? Have your say in the comments below

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