This is the Lions team I would select to tackle the Boks next year.
15. Stuart Hogg
Warren Gatland will play three fullbacks to counter the Springboks’ kicking axis. Hogg is solid under the high ball, dynamic in attack and is capable of running some awesome lines with his pace and agility. His 2017 tour was cut short and he will be eager to prove his worth after becoming Scotland captain.
14. Liam Williams
The second fullback is one who is probably the best back under the high ball in world rugby right now. His performance against England in February 2019 unarguably sealed a famous victory that led to Wales’ grand slam. Dynamic with ball in hand and competent in defence, Williams’ record speaks volumes for itself and Gatland will be sure to pick him. Just remember that run that kick-started the Lions’ first try in New Zealand.
13. Jonathan Davies
If fully fit, he will certainly be picked by Gatland. A Lions veteran having seen action in Australia and NZ where he was player of the series, he will complete a full sweep of Lions tours in South Africa next year. After Lukhanyo Am he is one of the best defensively able centres in the game and is rarely out-muscled in contact. He runs some brilliant, hard, straight lines and all in all is a glue in the Lions’ defensive and attacking system. He doesn’t have his own style, he just does what the team needs very well.
12. Manu Tuilagi
The centre partnership of Davies and Tuilagi is ideal to face the Books. They pip Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Sam Johnson and Nick Tompkins as the premier centres of northern hemisphere rugby. Henshaw and Ringrose however would be very likely to come in if one of these were to be injured, while relatively newbies Johnson and Tompkins have been influential in the recent campaigns of Scotland and Wales. Tuilagi however completes a centre full of defensive capability to contain the Boks with his crash ball-running and no-nonsense defence.
11. Elliot Daly
I have been disappointed to see no one put him in their XV for the Lions. Daly’s kicking game has been immense since autumn 2018 and perhaps the best in the world in play. Countless videos of his surgical attacking kick play against France, Ireland and the World Cup have based England’s kicking game as a very effective attacking strategy. A handy long-range kicker blessed with physique and electrifying pace, Daly will be on the wing. The only issue people may see is his defence, however the versatility he offers should not be overlooked.
10. Owen Farrell
There’s not much to be said here. He is the man to control the strings. He has a brilliant track record as a leader, goal kicker and playmaker for England in the last World Cup cycle with extra motivation to avenge the final loss.
(Kaz Photography/Getty Images)
9. Gareth Davies
The nine jersey may be the most unpredictable for Lions fans to chose. The likelihood is that he will be Welsh and deservedly so. Davies has been influential in Wales’ Shaun Edwards era of disruptive defensive lines with his canny intercepts. Perhaps no player can read such plays in his trade.
1. Rory Sutherland
He has been a revelation for Scottish scrummaging. He edges Mako Vunipola purely off the nightmare the Springboks’ front row gave him in the World Cup final. However, this is a 50-50 between them. Vunipola’s carrying and rucking game should not be overlooked.
2. Jamie George
He will try and stake his claim as best hooker in the world. He has excellent soft hands and a decent lineout and is a leader in defence.
3. Tadhg Furlong
The world’s premier tighthead for the last few years will need to bring his A-game against the best scrummaging team in the world. Like George he possesses awesome hands and never seems to give up for Ireland. He will be battle-hardened and fully up for it come 2021.
4. Maro Itoje
No explanation needed. He can give a few too many penalties though.
(Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
5. James Ryan – captain
He is a bolter as captain. He should be a lock-in starter. He and Itoje have bossed the engine room of the northern hemisphere. He could be captain to possibly divert Itoje and Farrell from distractions in order for the team to thrive as a whole. He brings ruck, lineout and a lot of carrying skills.
6. Courtney Lawes
It may be a shock but the Lions need to compete with the Springboks’ lineout. Lawes at six is exactly the answer plus his brutality in combat and non-stop engine is something the Lions will want to unleash. This allows the bench to have more back rowers.
7. Tom Curry
He has been one of the best players in the world since early 2019. He is consistently improving and it’s scary to believe he is 21. He has fantastic ability in the ruck and contact and he is a real game changer in defence. He led England’s body line with dominant tackling in the 32-20 win in Ireland. He is someone the Lions cannot afford to keep out against the Boks.
8. CJ Stander
He Billy Vunipola to the spot. Stander has been one of Ireland’s elite performers. He is a wrecking ball in contact and a menace at the ruck. He and Vunipola will be in the starting 23, it just depends which number they will have.
Reserves
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Kyle Sinckler
18. Mako Vunipola
19. Jamie Ritchie
20. Sam Underhill
21. Billy Vunipola
22. Dan Biggar
23. Conor Murray
Harry Jones
Expert
Kruis is good pick in SA, with Ryan
Harry Jones
Expert
Now? Yes. Sam and Brodie had better coaching for 90% of their careers, and were great tandem. But I’d put EE at the top for talent.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
I can't understand the fuss about Tompkins. He's only played 4 six nations matches where he played well in two of them. He had to 'discover' a Welsh grandmother and google the way to Cardiff to get a game as he never made an England squad.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
It's why Jones was kicking himself for his selection in the final. He got carried away with the AB performance in a similar way Hansen got carried away with the SF against Ireland. If he had his time again he'd start with Marler. Move Lawes to '6' and bring Kruis in to partner Itoje.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
You think Etzebeth and de Jager were/are better than Whitelock and Retallick?
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Whilst no Englishman can have a problem with the result of the final, Harry, I don't think I've ever seen a match, including the lead-up, where literally everything fell into place for one side. Losing against the ABs ensured you virtually had a run-in to the final to mix and match your players; a semi against an injury ravaged Welsh side and then the opportunity to peak at exactly the right time. England shot their bolt against the ABs and then lost their tighthead after 2 minutes. To believe that those forward match-ups would pan out exactly the same nearly a year later is ludicrous. I've seen all those Bok forwards have poor games in important matches. The whole tone can change in a week let alone a year. By your logic it is inevitable that the next time England play the ABs the England pack will 'monster' them again.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Yeah his on field indiscretions will reduce his chances of touring. Having him though could be a point of difference and he is the most creative flyhalf out of the Lions countries. To beat the Boks you need players who can open their defence up. You just need to look back at the pool game between them and the All Blacks. The All Blacks scored 2 tries in the space of 5-10 minutes because they stretched the Boks. Russell can lead that type of attack better than Farrell or Biggar.
Harry Jones
Expert
We Saffas struggle more against an Ardie than an Itoje.
Unders
Roar Pro
My issue with athletic forwards is size- Navidi, Tipuric are excellent but the way this Lions team can compete is by beating SA at their physical game. Not many international teams can beat SA at the grind game, only NZ do it with sheer pace, skill and precision with their backs. Even in the 57-0 game SA weren't beaten in contact. The Lions team with right balance in contact however should pose a real threat.
Unders
Roar Pro
Very true, I think I would go with Ringrose or Henshaw at 13 if Fox was injured. Henshaw is an exciting prospect. Johnson and Tompkins have been very bright, but I think they don't have the size to trouble SA.
Unders
Roar Pro
Only issue w May is that I need versatility. There are so many quality wingers to pick from and to be honest May is immense. May, Adams, Conway, Larmour, Watson, Nowell all have shots in the door. I think they will feature mid week
Unders
Roar Pro
I do get why people call for Russell- but my reservation is largely off the pitch and some of his playing style is too Barbarian like to face the Boks. The Lions are going to have to be structurally immaculate to be successful agains the South Africans who have such a settled side. Russell likes to play the game at 200mph, whereas Farrell and Biggar's discipline will likely find Gatland two easy choices for First Five.
Harry Jones
Expert
Howzit! I’ll send you a packet, C.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Harry, My missus has been bugging me to contact you for tickets and recommendations for the tour. She doesn’t want to travel with the Poms. She also remembers the game and dinner in DC and is eager to catch up again.
Harry Jones
Expert
I’d go with the athletic Welsh loosies, to pair with Curry or Underhill. I liked Underhill’s performance in the RWC final. He was the best Pom forward.
Harry Jones
Expert
They’re good players, but to win a series in SA, you need serious team speed from 4-15.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
If you can't beat them buy them! What happened with your love affair with Curry and Underhill? If you want some extra pleasure, there is an interview with Itoje speaking about what he felt while rewatching the final (I think it was on the Dan Carter podcast/Facebook show). He slaughtered his own performance.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
I rate Daly highly; intelligent player, covers FB, wing, outside center and has a booming boot, but probably suffers from his utility. In a Lions pick there are specialists available in all those positions. Makes him a great bench pick.
Harry Jones
Expert
They also took our forwards coach! Haha! But I stand by my prediction. Celts in the pack; Poms at the back.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
You can’t go wrong really. So many top players. Sam Underhill would be my 7. Johnny May is an awesome winger. Better than Daley. Farrell Captain. Joe Marler bag carrier.