Just one Irishman makes PA's Lions XV for South Africa
The British and Irish Lions’ 2021 tour of South Africa will be among world sport’s headline acts next year.
The first Test against the world champion Springboks in Johannesburg might be almost 500 days away, but selection debates have already started among rugby fans.
WATCH: RugbyPass were lucky enough to meet Welsh Rugby legends James Hook and Shane Williams.
Here, the PA news agency looks at a possible Lions starting line-up if the opening Test was this weekend.
15: Liam Williams (Wales)
Spent four months on the sidelines this season due to an ankle injury suffered at the World Cup, but Williams returned to action in Wales’ Guinness Six Nations clash against England. Created one of the greatest tries in Lions history during the drawn 2017 Test series with New Zealand and is an outstanding player.
14: Anthony Watson (England)
Like Williams, England star Watson has had his injury troubles but he is a proven world-class performer. Relishes the big stage, as he showed on the New Zealand tour three years ago, and will thrive against the world champions.
13: Jonathan Davies (Wales)
Sidelined by a knee injury for much of this season but a fully-fit Davies would be among the first names on Lions head coach Warren Gatland’s team-sheet. Lions player of the series in New Zealand, he is a masterful defensive organiser and persistent attacking threat.
12: Sam Johnson (Scotland)
Will be viewed as a bolter choice by many but Australia-born Johnson has the ability, attacking flair, distribution skills and defensive solidity to thrive in the high-octane environment of a Lions Test series. Possesses game-breaking qualities.
11: Josh Adams (Wales)
It is barely two years since Adams entered the international arena, but his statistics scream from the page. He has scored 14 tries in 24 Tests and finished top of the touchdowns charts at the World Cup earlier this season, crossing the opposition line seven times. Lethal.
10: Owen Farrell (England)
England captain Farrell is a proverbial Test match animal, a player seemingly born to excel in rugby’s high-pressure environments. A world-class goalkicker – he has amassed almost 950 international points – his ice-cool tactical acumen and ability to thrive when stakes are at their highest make him a key selection.
9: Rhys Webb (Wales)
Wales scrum-half Webb spent more than two years away from Test rugby after moving to France and being ineligible for his country under the Welsh Rugby Union’s minimum 60-cap rule for players plying their trade outside the country, but now back in the Test arena and offers class, experience and stardust.
1: Rory Sutherland (Scotland)
Excelled during this season’s truncated Six Nations after returning to the Scotland team following almost a four-year absence. Also spent 14 months recovering from a groin injury, but he has proved the bedrock of an impressive Scottish scrum.
2: Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)
Played second fiddle to Jamie George throughout his England career, but has become increasingly influential during appearances off the bench. Like Johnson, the Exeter hooker would be considered an outside shot for the Lions Test team, yet he fits the bill.
3: Kyle Sinckler (England)
England’s tighthead prop has developed into a world-class operator, with consistency underpinning his international performances. One of the very best front-row forwards out there, and he will relish the battle.
4: Maro Itoje (England, captain)
Like Sinckler, Itoje’s displays illustrate a player at the top of his game. No obvious weaknesses, and an individual who has already shone in a Lions shirt during the epic series against New Zealand. Rich captaincy material, too, and he could be handed the Lions reins.
5: Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
The Wales skipper is one Test match appearance away from equalling rugby’s world record held by New Zealand World Cup-winning captain Richie McCaw. A veteran of three Lions Test series in 2009, 2013 and 2017, he continues to set standards few players can aspire to.
6: CJ Stander (Ireland)
Ireland’s South Africa-born flanker or number eight provides a significant physical presence. His adaptability across the back row was not lost on Gatland during the 2017 Lions tour and he will want the 29-year-old in full confrontational mode.
7: Justin Tipuric (Wales)
The Wales openside flanker might have turned 30, but he continues to deliver one top-drawer display after another. Makes the game appear ridiculously easy at times and is a force in attack, defence and at the breakdown. A master.
8: Tom Curry (England)
Curry might be only 21 but he wasted no time establishing himself at the forefront of an England team that reached the World Cup final earlier this season. England boss Eddie Jones sparked furious debate after picking the flanker at number eight, yet he is so good, you just want him in the team, almost irrespective of shirt number.
Replacements:
Jamie George (England), Ellis Genge (England), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), James Ryan (Ireland), Josh Navidi (Wales), Ben Youngs (England), George Ford (England), Jordan Larmour (Ireland).
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments