Scotland has not had more than three players named in an initial Lions tour squad since Gregor Townsend, Doddie Weir, Tom Smith, Alan Tait and Rob Wainwright went to South Africa in 1997.
Now, after a promising Six Nations which brought victories on the road against both England and France, hopes are high that Warren Gatland will select a bumper crop when he announces his 2021 squad this afternoon.
Here is our guide to the leading contenders from north of the border.
Dead cert
Stuart Hogg
Scotland’s full-back and captain is a certainty to be selected for his third tour, and if he maintains his current excellent form then he will wear the No15 jersey in the Test matches.
He was just a kid on the 2013 trip to Australia and flew home from New Zealand early with a nasty facial injury in 2017, so this is his big chance to shine on the ultimate stage.
The 28-year-old has taken his game to a new level since moving from Glasgow Warriors to Exeter in 2019, adding maturity and defensive solidity to that attacking edge which first brought him to prominence.
Good bet
Hamish Watson
Recently voted the Six Nations’ player-of-the-championship and statistically one of the most effective players in international rugby.
However, lack of bulk could count against him given the physicality we are expecting from the Springboks.
Would be a travesty if he doesn’t go, but there are a lot of good back-rows out there, and Gatland has never shied away from making unpopular decisions.
Finn Russell
On his day, one of the most exciting and dangerous playmakers in the world – but tends to blow hot and cold.
Gatland likes consistency and tends to stick with those that he knows best, which is why Dan Biggar, Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell may squeeze the Scotsman out.
Worth a punt
Chris Harris
Defence is his big selling point but won’t frighten the South Africans with ball in hand in the way that Manu Tuilagi and Garry Ringrose can.
Sean Maitland
Toured in 2013 and arguably in the best form of his career at the moment – plus can cover both wing and full-back.
Zander Fagerson
Has always been a big contributor in the loose and is now a solid scrummager at international level as well.
Outside chance
Rory Sutherland
Would have been a stick-on as one of three loose-head props in the squad until he suffered a shoulder injury at the end of March which has left him in a race against time to be fit by the end of June.
Ali Price
Scotland fans get frustrated that he kicks so often, but it is his job to play the percentages so that Russell outside him can do what he does best. Is still prone to the odd rush of blood to the head.
Duhan van Der Merwe
While eight tries in only 10 games for Scotland so far makes him a contender, pace and power alone will not be enough in this environment.
Jonny Gray
Mr Reliable never gives less than 110 percent and has added dynamism to his game this season. Unfortunately, he is up against ferocious opposition for a place among the four second-rows who will tour.
Jamie Ritchie
An out-and-out warrior who is equally effective at openside and blindside flanker, but Gatland will be looking for more ball-carrying threat.
Bolter
Cameron Redpath
The 21-year-old made a big impact on his Scotland debut against England in February but missed the rest of Six Nations with a neck injury. He has it all in terms of ability, physicality and toughness – but will Gatland take a gamble on someone so inexperienced?
