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England's Jack van Poortvliet called into Lions squad
By Josh Raisey
England and Leicester Tigers scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet has been called into the British and Irish Lions squad as cover for Jamison Gibson-Park, who missed Leinster’s United Rugby Championship triumph on Saturday.
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The 15-cap England international was playing in his own final at the weekend, as Leicester lost to Bath in the Gallagher Premiership finale, and was added to Steve Borthwick’s England squad on Monday as they prepare to take on a France XV at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Instead, the 24-year-old will head to Dublin, ahead of the Lions clash with Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday.
An update is yet to be given by the Lions on Gibson-Park’s injury after his withdrawal just hours before Leinster beat the Bulls in the URC final at Croke Park.
A Lions statement reads: “Leicester Tigers and England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet will this morning fly into Dublin to train with the Lions as they prepare for the 1888 Cup fixture against Argentina.
“Van Poortvliet will join as cover ahead of the Lions game on Friday. On Monday van Poortvliet was named in Steve Borthwick’s 36-player training squad ahead of England’s match against a France XV on Saturday.
“The 24-year-old made his England debut against Australia in Perth in 2022 and has since won 15 caps for his country.”
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Updated British & Irish Lions squad
Forwards
Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) #838
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England)
Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #839
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England) #851
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) #853
Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #818
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)
Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) #825 (C)
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England)
Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Backs
Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #837
Elliot Daly (Saracens/England) #822
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England)
Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland) #835
Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers/England)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales)
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Ben Spencer once again proved on Saturday that he is head and shoulders above JVP, what do Borthwick and now Farrell have against him??
JVP has more international experience - and has looked better than Spencer in international rugby.
One weekend of rugby tells you very little. Even leaving aside international rugby, JVP has looked better than Spencer over the course of the premiership this season.