The British and Irish Lions return to New Zealand for the first time in 12 years in June, but before the tour kicks off, all eyes are on coach Warren Gatland and who he picks to make the trip. Join The Roar from 9pm (AEST) for all the live squad announcements.
With England fresh off a record-equaling winning streak, Ireland proving to be world beaters in recent times and a renewed Scottish line-up that surprised most during the Six Nations, this year’s tour will be looking at one of the strongest sides in recent memory.
» Lions vs All Blacks fixtures
» Lions squad
» British & Irish Lions TV guide
Welsh flanker Sam Warburton is lining up to be named captain again, having become the youngest Lions skipper ever when he was given the job for the 2013 tour of Australia at just 24 years of age.
Despite early calls for an English-dominated squad coming off the back of two Six Nations titles and a run of 18 Test wins on the trot, there will likely be a handful of big name absentees from the final cut.
Dylan Hartley is set to be chief among them, likely to become the third English skipper in a row to miss the Lions tour, joining Chris Robshaw in 2013 and Steve Borthwick in 2009.
Fellow countrymen George Ford, Mike Brown and Jonathan Joseph, who made up one of the deadliest backlines of the last five years and looked to be shoe-ins for the side, now look to be on the outer and are rumoured to be missing the plane.
In terms of distribution, the aforementioned English dominance looks to have been pushed aside, with Wales surprisingly popping up with big numbers in the squad.
It’s expected the Welsh contingency will crack double figures, with the aforementioned Warburton to be joined by the likes of goal-kicking machine Leigh Halfpenny, veteran Alun Wyn Jones, outside back George North and, rather surprisingly, Harlequins centre Jamie Roberts, who has only been able to manage a bench spot for Wales in 2017.
It’s not looking all too good for Scotland though, with Stuart Hogg looking like the only addition to the Lions side at fullback. Hogg has been named the player of the tournament the last two years in a row in the Six Nations and currently sits as one of the best 15s in the game right now.
The battle for flyhalf is still up in the air. Ireland’s Johnny Sexton is a near certainty to take on his second Lions tour and is favourite to snag the No. 10 jersey.
New Zealand hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Lions, winning just a single Test series against the Kiwis in the 113 years since they first met.
That sole victory came 46 years ago, dating back to 1971 when they famously held on for a 14-all draw in the fourth Test to take the series 2-1.
Join The Roar from 9pm (AEST) for all the live squad announcements and updates, and you’ll be able to live stream the announcement in the video player below.
Nemotoo
Guest
Watching the current game. Good entertainment, but frustrating in almost equal measure. The cynical play of the Chiefs at the breakdown is ruining the flow of the game and both officials and commentary team choose to ignore it. It has been the subject of comment by the Lions coaching team but nothing is being done. For those who have not seen it just watch the next time the Chiefs take the ball to ground. At least two players will drive over the top, continue into the defending Lions, grabbing those players denying them the chance to counter. They will then remain in front of the ball, clearly offside holding on to the defenders until they move the ball out of the ruck. This may only be for a few seconds but it allows for their own side to retrieve the ball without a fair contest. This approach is not something I have witnessed in the Premiership and it needs to be addressed soonest. It is to be assumed that if the Chiefs do it the ABs will do it with honours. Not a good omen for a fair fight.
Therearethreekiwibirdsonmylionsjerseysoproud
Guest
As a die hard AB fan, I just hope the B&I Lions are competitive. But let's get real...Test 1 AB win by 10 points, NZ public not imused. Test 2 AB win by 18, Public not convinced but happy the series has been won. Test 3 let's just say it's back to the drawing board for The Lions who end with more of a wimper then a growl. The warning signs will be there in the provincial gave, even with the usual suspects these teams may just be in for a couple of solid wind.
Philip O'Donovan
Guest
So the All Blacks chose to lose that test in Chicago!.The New Zealand public will be delighted by this insightful observation.
Rugby Fan
Roar Guru
Jim Hamilton thinks AWJ is only 50-50 to make the tour but expects Charteris or Toner to be next in line as a replacement for him, since Launchbury doesn't call the lineout.
Samuel Honywill
Roar Pro
Away from the Lions squad Nick, have you seen the England one announced for Argentina? Interesting to say the least!
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I see the Crusaders are going to have full choice of all their All Blacks for their lions match, that's awesome news!! I wonder how Hansen and co will work it in with their plans? I hope they allow the fringe All Blacks like Damien Mckenzie and co who are unlikely to see many minutes play for the Chiefs etc. It is really going to be a combined effort to demoralize and wear down that Lions squad till they resemble a pack of walking dead zombies.
Playerfromwayback
Guest
Taylorman, thank you for your insight?
taylorman
Guest
Nice little run of history there Dave but you omit the fact that the ABs have won every test since 2009 at home. 45. 45? Who does that? Goalkicking won't be an issue.
taylorman
Guest
Appreciate your opinion, but I don't see how listening to the media is an issue here. They don't. Simple. They haven't won the last two world cups, last 45 matches at home by listening to the media. As a fan you might thing it might bring problems but I stand by my belief that the Lions are in trouble. Big trouble, and it's just a matter of how much. The more I picture this side playing...here...in NZ...at Eden park.... the more I think they are going to be in trouble...big time. Lions will be out thought and out smarted, and will crumble under the pressure. Guarantee it.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Yes, and educated at Down H. S.. in Downpatrick...would think he is their first BIL.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I agree, I feel really bad for the guy. I am sure that the thought of Lions selection motivated him to play so fantastically during the 6N. Do you think O'Mahony as a good chance of starting, Nick, or at least making the 23 for the first Test against the All Blacks?
Dublin Dave
Guest
"in the modern game, with much more try scoring and more points per try, goal kicking matters less and not so often the difference anymore." Hold that thought. No really, please do. If Hansen thinks like this, the Lions will win. Maybe you think 1959 was a long time ago (it was) but in the Second Test the Lions outscored the All Blacks by FOUR tries to nil and still lost, thanks to a chap called Don Clarke and his siege gun kicking boots. Ah but, you will say, tries were only worth three points then. Well,l they were worth five points in 1993 when New Zealand lost to England. Mainly because their kicker was injured and they gave the goal kicking duties to the prodigiously talented but very young Jeff Wilson. The pressure got to him and he missed some vital attempts. Enough to lose the game. And in 1997 when, in a reversal of Lions fortunes, South Africa outscored the Lions by three tries but still lost because the Lions had a full back with a metronomic kicking leg called Neil Jenkins. Back in the 1960s, when tries were worth three points, balls were made of leather and frequently came to resemble half filled sacks of coal coated with soap as a match progressed an old (Irish) sage laid down the golden rule for picking a winning international rugby team. "The first three players you pick are your three best goal kickers, and the next 12 should be those least likely to give away penalties in their own half." Still true to this day. And nobody knows it better than New Zealand.
adastra32
Guest
I pity the poor ref that has to deal with Biggar and Webb in the same game - non-stop yap...
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Answer to Lara (below). There are a number Scotland players who individually are at least as productive, if not more so than those who have been selected ahead of them. And I don't buy the 'specific requirements' line I'm afraid, it's just a weak excuse... In what sense is the selection of Courtney Lawes ahead of either Johnny Gray or Joe Launchbury for example, more 'specific' to New Zealand?
adastra32
Guest
What is disappointing for me is the lack of real bolters - one or two left-field selections that might trouble the ABs. Even the outsiders in this squad (like Sinckler) were well-flagged. The fear is that, tactically, we are heading for Warrenball Part 223 - which will not prevail.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Take a look at this http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/02/07/why-scotlands-lions-will-roar-in-new-zealand/
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Indeed Dan, indeed.
UTB
Guest
Nick, Every game I've seen Johnny Gray play in he's been streets ahead on the stats as the busiest forward on the park. I assumed he'd be a certainty and definitely ahead of the Irish locks. Whats your take on his game input from an analysis perspective?
davSA
Guest
totally agree JC but would he have accepted it ?? Methinks he is totally focussed on the World Cup.
The Electronic Swagman
Guest
Having watched all the Six Nations games and most of the New Zealand Super teams this year, I think we are in for a wonderful series. However to my mind the two words that almost guarantee an All Black victory are - BEAUDEN BARRET. You just can't plan for his brilliance.