Lawes was training with Northampton when rugby director Chris Boyd stopped the session, and told the entire Saints squad that the England back-five forward and Wales fly-half Dan Biggar had both won Lions places. Jonny May: Has been world class but two new wingers on the block have pipped him to the post. Gatland has shown no hesitation in delivering the Australian – an old rival – a slap in the face with his previous Lions picks, but this year's could be the most emphatic of all. Moments and feelings that last. What Warren Gatland's Lions squad tells us about how he wants to play, 'No Johnny Sexton is crazy': Former Lion Luke Fitzgerald hits out at Warren Gatland's Lions squad, Readers' Lions squad: Warren Gatland springs surprises - but not all were unexpected, Not picked: The biggest Lions omissions and their chances of a late call-up, Iain Henderson preferred to Alun Wyn Jones among the second row selections, No place on the plane for England shoo-in Billy Vunipola, Owen Farrell gets the nod over Johnny Sexton as an out-and-out fly half. A. Watson15. And I'm looking forward to hopefully putting my name forward.". "I don't think I really worried about it too much. His selection is well deserved. “I can confirm that the board’s intended position is for the tour to go ahead as scheduled in South Africa in 2021,” said Jason Leonard, chairman of the British and Irish Lions. Over the past few days, we've been asking Telegraph readers to pick their 36-man Lions squad. Beirne’s journey will be one that is sure to be written about in the coming weeks having had to leave Leinster, making his name at Scarlets before returning to Munster. Tuesday afternoon’s joint statement issued by South Africa Rugby and the British & Irish Lions finally ruled out three possible scenarios: the Lions touring on home shores, the postponement of … Some England players may miss out on the British and Irish Lions tour because of poor Six Nations form while there will be more Scots picked than in 2017, says head coach Warren Gatland. We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism. Good luck with that! Hopefully the best players on the best form will be picked for the Tests. George North and Joe Launchbury will both be unavailable due to injury while Ben Youngs ruled himself out due to family reasons. Marcus Smith has been shredding defences for Harlequins this season and the uncapped 22-year-old is among an extended group of over 50 players to have been notified that they are under consideration. Robbie Henshaw, Tadhg Furlong and James Ryan seem to certain to tour from Leinster while there are a number of other players in contention, including props Cian Healy and Andrew Porter, hooker Ronan Kelleher, back-rows Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan plus Garry Ringrose in midfield. However, a decision on crowd size will be made nearer the time of the event and in line with the latest Government guidance. It wasn’t the amount of Irish players despite beating the English and the Scots in the Six Nations that caused O’Driscoll to go over the top with his punctuation, however, it was the selection. I personally still have a soft spot for George North's fireman lift of Israel Folau in 2013... After months and months of conjecture, the day has finally arrived and Warren Gatland will reveal his 36-man squad to take on the Springboks at just before 12.30pm. On the heels of a very successful 2021 CFL Draft, the BC Lions Football Club addressed a key piece of its 2020 prospect haul with the signing of LB Jordan Williams, last year’s 1 st overall selection. Absolutely fascinating squad. This is just one of the many selection questions that the Lions coaching staff have been wrestling with. Leinster senior coach Stuart Lancaster believes a host of Leinster players remain in the frame for the Lions squad and the ex-England supremo has backed Johnny Sexton to make his third tour. The British and Irish Lions taking you to extraordinary places go to Lions … Faletau 9. Read Gavin Mairs' exclusive story on the Lions captaincy with insight from Sean Holley, who coached Jones at Ospreys between 2005 and 2012, and said he was a “modern-day Willie John McBride”, and his former team-mate Adam Jones. Telegraph Sport understands Sam Simmonds will be the other eighth man, getting the nod ahead of Billy Vunipola, Caelan Doris and Jack Conan (unless there is a last minute change of heart). Biggar 11. Garry Ringrose, Chris Harris, Jonathan Davies, Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade are all in the mix too. Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes - Lions in 2013 and 2017 respectively - will be in action shortly but did not get on the pitch before the announcement to stake a claim. Itoje 5. He told Charles Richardson that he suspected that his decision not to enter England's Six Nations bubble counted against him when considering which players to take to South Africa. Not to mention the high level of competition for any of the fly-half berths with Dan Biggar, Owen Farrell, Finn Russell, George Ford and Marcus Smith. Daly's versatility and massive boot make him a strong candidate despite recent form while Nowell is a favourite of Gatland from the last tour. Due to the 36-man squad numbers will be less but as well as Murray, Tadgh Furlong, James Ryan and Robbie Henshaw look to be nailed on selections but Tadgh Beirne has an extremely strong chance. Care has formed the Gallagher Premiership's most creative half-back partnership alongside Smith and he could profit from Ben Youngs ruling himself out of consideration. Conor Murray is the leading contender. L. R Zammit12. The latest reports from Telegraph Sport suggest that Jonathan Sexton could miss out. Like, what sort of inhumane person would leave their lawn half cut, half uncut! 2:58pm, 26 February 2021 ... More News . #Lions2021. 11.34 28 Apr 2021 Share this article Wales international George North will miss the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa this summer due to a knee injury. There are not many fly-halves in the world, let alone in Britain and Ireland, who can play a high-tempo passing game when required but still sit back in the pocket and play the percentages when required as well as Ford. Gatland will name a group of 36 — made up of 20 forwards and 16 backs — at an announcement that is being streamed live online with players discovering for the first time if they have been selected. There was a piece at the start of the week in SportsJoe.ie saying that it would be a fight between Ryan and Ulster’s Iain Henderson for a second row spot and the prediction proved prophetic with 2017 tourist Henderson receiving the call. The British & Irish Lions Test match against Japan at BT Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday 26 June 2021 for the Vodafone Lions 1888 Cup will continue as scheduled. Looks like a hell of a squad. Louis Rees-Zammit and Duhan van der Merwe are preferred. In Limerick, the Munster hopefuls will be keeping their fingers crossed, but defence coach JP Ferreira insists it is business as usual. On the flip side, that sort of good news can lift the whole mood within a club, so from that end, coaches will be hoping their players hear their name called out. The team announcement is about to, finally, happen. Williams, Congratulations to everyone selected for @lionsofficial today. Brian O’Driscoll told ‘Off The Ball’ a similarly unconventional story of his experience of finding out he had made the squad in 2013. Harlequins' mid-season resurgence has propelled Danny Care into contention at scrum-half three years after the 34-year-old veteran of 84 caps fell out of favour under Eddie Jones. I have had the pleasure and honour of looking after this bad boy for the last 4 years! At 20 years 93 days old Louis Rees-Zammit becomes the youngest @lionsofficial player on day of selection in a touring party since Ireland's David Hewitt in 1959. This field is required Report: Channel 4 set to bag British and Irish Lions tour highlights. These invariably feature nine front rowers, four locks, four flankers and two No 8s. M. Itoji 5. Owens 17. Three from Wyn Jones, Mako Vunipola, Cian Healy and Rory Sutherland are likely to be selected. T. Curry7. Jack Nowell: The injury to George North opened the door for him but Elliot Daly got the nod instead. “I knew the squad was going to be announced, I was sitting in my house watching the press conference and the names roll up,” Henderson told the ‘Wind Yer Neck In’ podcast. The Gloucester and Scotland centre has had an excellent season, defensively vital for Scotland in the Six Nations, while his link play in attack has also improved. ", How they found out Watch the moment that Chris Boyd revealed to the squad – and the duo themselves – that Dan Biggar and Courtney Lawes had been called up by @lionsofficial pic.twitter.com/L8OIQgTE8o. ⚡️#LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/2K7kmBxCKY. The Detroit Lions added seven rookies to their roster over draft weekend. I got a text from my sister saying, ‘Get in!’ when Stuart Hogg’s name came up. Courtney Lawes is the wildcard in this mix. Hogg, Subs: 16. ! pic.twitter.com/KUuL5BGtSY, The moment our duo found out... #WeAreBath ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/ujyRE5nDGh, The moment @charris_13 found out he was a ! pic.twitter.com/twe4rQf5kU. The heartbreaking part is that there is going to be elation and devastation in certain clubs. ... British and Irish Lions 2021 tour … It appears that Warren Gatland does not enjoy making life easy for himself. That would leave Owen Farrell, Dan Biggar and Finn Russell in prime position. pic.twitter.com/AyBqmi6F7q. Perhaps it is the fact that there is such a cloud over Johnny Sexton due to injury that he is dominating the more negative discourse on how many Irish will make the plane to South Africa. Robbie Henshawis the leading contender after a superb Six Nations. However, Sexton is unable to force his way into the 37-man squad announced by Gatland, as are Jonathan Davies, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola and Josh Navidi. Starting at No 8, Taulupe Faletau is a shoo-in. Injuries the issue. Ireland and Lions legend Brian O’Driscoll’s use of three question marks and an exclamation mark after he asked his Twitter followers for their reaction to Warren Gatland’s Lions squad said it all when it came to the make up of the Irish contingent. Granted there was a growing doubt over the talismanic fly-half due to recent head knocks. be kept close to chests, however, because part of the excitement around the Lions is the squad announcement. The Lions are due to tour South Africa this summer, but uncertainty surrounds the trip because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. But, Gatland likes him and he is a proven Lions performer. Captain. He is joined by fellow bolters and centres Bundee Aki of Ireland and Scotland's Chris Harris, with Manu Tuilagi left out as he approaches his comeback from an Achilles injury. That would mean Jonny Gray would unluckily miss out. Alun Wyn Jones will be named tour captain, while England's Saracens pair Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell and Scotland's Stuart Hogg also mooted as contenders. Who will speak for the Irish when Warren Gatland and his coaches go into conclave over the next 24 hours to make their final selection? Sexton can still be a top performer, but can Gatland trust him to be fit for the tour and then stay fit during it? I am so thrilled for him. 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Johnny Sexton is another player who has picked up an injury at just the wrong time. The injury to the versatile George North could open the door for Tuilagi who is now back fit after a spell on the sidelines. Lack of an Irish voice in final Lions selection meetings will have stars sweating. O’Driscoll also said what many were thinking when he continued: “Huge for [Jack] Conan and Bundee [Aki].” Jack Conan, the Leinster No 8 received a warm selection from Irish fans on social media while Welsh fans were pondering if he came in at the expense at Josh Navidi. Lions will tour South Africa this summer, with altitude an option for all matches The tour may take place without fans and only in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Sinckler has not been at his best but still good enough to make the trip in eyes of most. So, I think he’ll have a good idea before Thursday.”. It is anticipated that a couple of English players that did not feature in the Six Nations could be selected. On Six Nations form, the versatile options of Iain Henderson and Tadhg Beirne would join them. Player and performance news, features and analysis from the British & Irish Lions. I personally think Vunipola would be fortunate to be selected due to his scrummaging issues - notably against the 'Boks in the World Cup final as well as in this Six Nations - and his recent lack of form. It is worth remembering Ireland beat both England and Scotland in the Six Nations this year and finished third behind Wales and Scotland. Warren Gatland’s 36-man squad to be named from 11.45am BST The Breakdown: this unique tour needs right characters British and Irish Lions 2021 squad winners and losers: Forwards for tour vs South Africa British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland named his squad to … Issued every Friday. ", Named Lions skipper for this year's tour to South Africa, Jones has shown a burning desire to be the best on the pitch throughout his career, Read all about Alun Wyn Jones and how he got this point here. The Gloucester centre has proved himself to be an outstanding defender at international level, notably marking Vrimi Vakatawa out of the game against France during the Six Nations which is no mean feat. Courtney Lawes has revealed his shock at making Warren Gatland's 37-man British and Irish Lions squad - then quickly pledged to be fighting fit in time for the South Africa tour. She was like, ‘Aw, that’s so cool, that’s class’, and my phone started going crazy. Personally, I would take Curry, Navidi, Watson and Underhill (with sincere apologies to Tipuric). Highest Scottish representation on a Lions tour in the professional era. Porter 19. Huge relief and massive honour.”, Ken Owens: “I’m hugely thankful and looking forward to it.”. “We’re actually on a day off, I guess everyone will be sat at home, or wherever we are in our hotel and just watching it,” Leinster senior coach Stuart Lancaster explained. Johnny Sexton and James Ryan miss out on Lions Tour as eight Irish make Warren Gatland's squad Lions countdown: The ‘brutal’ wait every Irish tour contender is going through Furlong 4. "Some players got emails and things like that, but I didn't get an email. “I was glad to watch the 2013 Lions at home with my wife. Although the players know it’s coming, some will choose to deal with the anxiety in their own unique way, as Iain Henderson did in 2017. On the flank, Tom Curry will be picked. I think we all just want to the squad at this point. As Telegraph Rugby reporter Charlie Morgan has suggested.... it's settled then: 18 jackallers, 17 full-backs and Dan Biggar. … Our best Scott Gibbs, The pursuit of victory. T. Furlong4. However, his untimely injury could prove costly. The powerful England centre has not played since September, ruling him out of the autumn and Six Nations and making his inclusion a risk, but Gatland will be aware of his unique ability to break the gainline and may decide he is worth the gamble. The British & Irish Lions have announced the fixture for the tour to South Africa in 2021, with the notable venue in Johannesburg likely to see a record crowd for a British Lions fixture. “There hasn’t been much talk about it, but we just carry on with our normal business, we focus on the Rainbow Cup and what will be, will be. Alun Wyn Jones is expected to be named British and Irish Lions captain for the summer tour to South Africa at lunchtime today. Dawson gets it back to go. Warren Gatland has unveiled his 2021 Lions tour squad for South Africa that will be skippered by Alun Wyn Jones of Wales, the most capped Test rugby player of all time, who found out on Sunday that he would be getting the role. The former Leinster wing felt that England and Exeter’s Johnny Hill was picked at Ryan’s expense and he questioned the selectors sanity over Sexton. Johnny Sexton: An excellent Six Nations but injuries after the tournament look costly. "But I think we'll just climb into it and work hard. Sutherland picked up an injury a fortnight ago which could cost him selection despite an excellent 18 month spell of international rugby. One man, however, who should not be written off quite yet is George Ford. No Kyle Sinckler, James Ryan, Johnny Sexton and Billy Vunipola. However, Telegraph Sport also understands that Marcus Smith and George Ford are on the long-list as well. Still lots of chat about what the Lions means. There was also the sense that regardless of recent injury travails Johnny Sexton would force his way onto the flight to South Africa but it was not to be. Sections, Players set to learn their fate as Gatland weighs up options for tour to South Africa, It's decision time for Lions coach Warren Gatland, who is set to announce his 36-man squad. “Covid-19 will almost certainly prevent the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour from taking place in the host country of South Africa,” petition organiser Mark Gardner said on change.org. "And in terms of the tour, I think it's going to be great, obviously it's going to be very, very different, with all of the Covid stuff going on. Selecting Bundee Aki and leaving out Kyle Sinckler standout in particular. Devastation in certain clubs likes him and he is a proven winner at club and international level enjoy life. His age but from my sister saying, ‘ get in! ’ when Stuart Hogg ’ squad! 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