The British and Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa has been announced.
Warren Gatland and his coaching team have picked a 37-man squad – up from the 36 expected to be named – which will be captained by Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones.
Forwards
Tadhg Beirne (IRE), Jack Conan (IRE), Luke Cowan-Dickie (ENG), Tom Curry (ENG), Zander Fagerson (SCO), Taulupe Faletau (WAL), Tadhg Furlong (IRE), Jamie George (ENG), Iain Henderson (IRE), Jonny Hill (ENG), Maro Itoje (ENG), Alun Wyn Jones (c) (WAL), Wyn Jones (WAL), Courtney Lawes (ENG), Ken Owens (WAL), Andrew Porter (IRE), Sam Simmonds (ENG), Rory Sutherland (SCO), Justin Tipuric (WAL), Mako Vunipola (ENG), Hamish Watson (SCO)
Backs
Josh Adams (WAL), Bundee Aki (IRE), Dan Biggar (WAL), Elliot Daly (ENG), Gareth Davies (WAL), Owen Farrell (ENG), Chris Harris (SCO), Robbie Henshaw (IRE), Stuart Hogg (SCO), Conor Murray (IRE), Ali Price (SCO), Louis Rees-Zammit (WAL), Finn Russell (SCO), Duhan van der Merwe (SCO), Anthony Watson (ENG), Liam Williams (WAL)
Announcement preview
It’s one of the biggest days on the northern hemisphere rugby calendar: the announcement of the British and Irish Lions squad for their upcoming tour of South Africa. Follow along as Warren Gatland reveals his captain and full squad from 9pm (AEST) right here on The Roar.
Thirty-six players will be named to tour the Republic by Gatland tonight, a smaller squad than previous ones on account of the pandemic.
Head coach Gatland will also reveal his captain for the tour. While there are a number of contenders for the honour, including Englishmen Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje, it is believed that Welsh skipper Alun Wyn Jones will be given the nod.
Jones has been a Lions mainstay for more than a decade now, starting in the side’s last three Tests and playing all three matches against the Springboks in 2009, and recently led Wales to the 2021 Six Nations title.
The live stream of the announcement event will begin at 8:40pm. The Lions captain will be announced at 9:09, and the squad itself at 9:28.
Gatland will be unable to call on a number of key players. English halfback Ben Youngs has withdrawn his availability in order to stay at home with his family, while Welsh centre/wing George North suffered a ruptured ACL just a couple of weeks ago and is out for a year.
One player expected to get some good selection news is Sam Simmonds. The English back-rower has been in excellent form of late for Exeter but hasn’t played a Test since 2018, yet it has been reported that he’s an inclusion in this year’s Lions squad, potentially at the expense of Billy Vunipola.
We’ll find out whether that mail is on the money later tonight, so tune into The Roar from 9pm (AEST) to follow the announcement of the 2021 British and Irish Lions squad.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
That’s a fair question Harry as he hasn’t played International Rugby for a couple of years. I like the loose forwards that have been chosen but they are smallish compared to what the Boks will have.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
He’s the second best winger at Gloucester. I watch rugby every weekend. My view is my own. Id start Watson and Nowell ahead of him.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Not what you said Oza. You rated him not best at club, which in itself is debatable when you include the work he does around the pitch (have you honestly watched that many Glaws games I wonder), but also questioned his England place in 2020. Again, you'd really need to paint a picture of exactly who this 'lot of others' are in England and why they deserved his spot, because you've really got me scratching my head?
Harry Jones
Expert
Is he actually ready to play Thor in Joburg? Intriguing. I think the Lions had dilemmas at 6-9 and 13. Can’t wait to see if Gats solved those correctly.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I meant he's not the best winger in his club. I am not a May hater Neil. I have admired his effort and rated him world Xv a year ago. But his effort for the last 12 months isn't nearly as good as a lot of others. He's unlucky but more to do with timing than non-selection - that was merited, now
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Sorry? Not even at his club? In 2020? Just as a reminder, here's an International try at the back end of 2020. Feel free to put up any of the current Lions picks who scored a better one in 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=NY095xwikN0 I don't have a problem with any of those Lions wingers, all decent. But please don't tell me May isn't one of the many unlucky omissions you inevitably get in any Lions squad selection.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
The world needs more active selections.
Harry Jones
Expert
DdeA in top form for Munster. Andre isn’t a fave of Rassie
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Really stoked Sam Simmonds has been selected. Really hard to ignore a guy that has dominated the English and Europe club scene. I hope he has a great tour and shows why he should be playing a lot more International Rugby.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Just read an article on how much money each player will be paid, it’s expected to be down on previous tours with no or limited crowds. On the last tour EACH squad member received £65K, and the Lions have to pay their clubs as well…….no wonder we cannot compete with the NH! https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/how-much-lions-players-paid-20536645?utm_source=facebook_instant&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=facebook_instant&utm_content=in-article&fbclid=IwAR2QQ_gNlS5Cmyc9MAFKw24C64kKVXojCNaKUbTAPAQcaU88qkfAvVtOYqc
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
That’s true but you can’t simply excuse individuals’ form when looking at why the team has under performed. A year ago, May was in a World XV but in 2020 he wasn’t in the best wingers in England or even at his club. He deserves not to be picked right now
potsie
Guest
Two from NZ. Vunipola also in the team.
MO
Guest
Billy V injured for a long time? Taulupe Feletau will cover that job including the propensity for injury. I'd have been very tempted to pick the Welsh back row as a unit (Feletau, Tipuric and Navidi) plus AWJ. That way four out of 8 know each other instinctively and can work together and would love the opportunity to beat the Boks playing together. The change may be Beirne due to his form. My problem is Sinckler is that I didn't think he could scrum well enough. Good player though. Dunno his current form but obviously is a top player and missed out for a reason.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
England haven't been that good this calendar year. It matters.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Nope. Nowell takes his more usual right wing birth and Watson solves the FB problem (or visa versa), Daly goes to the bench as cover for three positions and May stays exactly where he deserves to be on the left wing. In an ideal world that's been sadly missing with Jack's injury woes.
CUW
Roar Rookie
@ Harry Jones so boks wont play Andre the giant? he is in super form in Gallagher . not seen DDDA so dont know how he is playing. but perhaps quotas dictate the miix....
CUW
Roar Rookie
a bit strange - J Davies n S Underhill returning from long layoffs not picked - i thik same with J Ryan C Lawes also not played for a while but selected. always difficult to read the minds of these coaches me wondering if the changes to the support coaching staff has something to do with the mix?
CUW
Roar Rookie
errr North n Launchbury carried off in their last matches .....
Tooly
Roar Rookie
May, Gray, Underhill, Marler, North, Davies, Lauchbury ? I assume French referee’s so the Lions are a chance .
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Gatland's Lions selection track record is good. I recon he has decided what Lions need to do to beat Boks and has selected the squad accordingly. Maybe a small thing but he's a very good manager and will have accounted for living in a bubble. With a few backs who can play several spots then he's got a 6/2 bench forwards option. NH also saying that SA will be undercooked. By how much is arguable but it will have an influence.