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The 2017 British and Irish Lions tour gets under way on Saturday with a clash against the New Zealand Barbarians.
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That fixture is the first of six as Warren Gatland’s men gear up for their opening Test against the All Blacks on June 24.
Gatland has named a 41-man squad as he looks to repeat the 2013 victory over Australia.
Here we take a closer look at the forwards.
Forwards
Rory Best
Ulster & Ireland
Age: 34
Position: Hooker
Test Caps: 104
Test Tries: 8
Lions Tours: 2013
Best is the only man to captain a team to victory over the All Blacks since August 2015, with Ireland having halted New Zealand’s record-breaking winning run in Chicago in November. One of a group of leaders in the Lions squad, Best ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to Test selection.
Dan Cole
Leicester Tigers & England
Age: 30
Position: Prop
Test Caps: 77
Test Tries: 4
Lions Tours: 2013
Missed out on the Premiership final despite his strong showing in the semi-final against Wasps, but his experience will be hugely important to Gatland’s squad.
Taulupe Faletau
Bath & Wales
Age: 26
Position: Back-row
Test Caps: 67
Test Tries: 7
Lions Tours: 2013
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Could well be the Lions starting number eight following the withdrawal of Billy Vunipola through injury. Ross Moriarty started all of Wales’ Six Nations matches but Faletau’s greater experience might put him just ahead in Gatland’s thoughts.
Tadhg Furlong
Leinster & Ireland
Age: 24
Postion: Prop
Test Caps: 16
Test Tries: 0
Lions Tours: N/A
Along with Best, Furlong was part of a strong Irish scrum during the Six Nations. Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree said of the prop: “He quietly goes about his business; he’s an exceptional scrummager, but he gets his hands on the ball higher than many other tighthead props.”
"You can feel yourself improving and getting better."@tadhgfurlong says he's learn't plenty during camps https://t.co/y8iSCNQBaQ #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/GNxulVGdeJ
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 26, 2017
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Jamie George
Saracens & England
Age: 26
Position: Hooker
Test Caps: 17
Test Tries: 1
Lions Tours: N/A
Consistently outshone Dylan Hartley from the bench during the Six Nations and was rewarded with a place in the Lions squad at the England captain’s expense.
James Haskell
Wasps & England
Age: 32
Position: Back-row
Test Caps: 75
Test Tries: 4
Lions Tours: N/A
Haskell spoke candidly about his disappointment at missing his last opportunity at Lions selection when the squad was announced in April, but an injury to Billy Vunipola saw Gatland turn to the experienced back-row.
Iain Henderson
Ulster & Ireland
Age: 25
Position: Lock
Test Caps: 32
Test Tries: 5
Lions Tours: N/A
Part of a strong Irish contingent among the forwards, Henderson will likely be a squad player in New Zealand.
Maro Itoje
Saracens & England
Age: 22
Position: Lock/Back-row
Test Caps: 12
Test Tries: 0
Lions Tours: N/A
Itoje is one of the most exciting talents in northern-hemisphere rugby and the Saracens lock was considered a guaranteed Lions pick by many. After spending the Six Nations in England’s back row, a return to the second row could bring the best out of Itoje in New Zealand.
Alun Wyn Jones
Ospreys & Wales
Age: 31
Position: Lock
Test Caps: 116
Test Tries: 9
Lions Tours: 2009, 2013
Another of Gatland’s leaders, Jones’ experience will complement the youth and relative inexperience of Itoje. Jones has played in every Test on each of the last two Lions tours, and you wouldn’t rule out that he could repeat that feat again this year.
George Kruis
Saracens & England
Age: 27
Position: Back-row
Test Caps: 20
Test Tries: 1
Lions Tours: N/A
Some are tipping Kruis to make the Test XV despite missing England’s Six Nations campaign through injury, with Jones his main competition for a starting berth alongside Itoje.
Courtney Lawes
Northampton Saints & England
Age: 28
Position: Lock
Test Caps: 58
Test Tries: 1
Lions Tours: N/A
Lawes gave Gatland an injury scare in the build-up to departure when he picked up a head injury in Northampton’s Premiership semi-final defeat to Exeter Chiefs, sustained when attempting to tackle Lions colleague Jack Nowell.
Joe Marler
Harlequins & England
Age: 26
Position: Prop
Test Caps: 51
Test Tries: 0
Lions Tours: N/A
You can’t accuse the Quins prop of not being thorough in his preparations for the tour – he made room-mate Faletau fill out a questionnaire in a bid to get to know him better.
Jack McGrath
Leinster & Ireland
Age: 27
Position: Prop
Test Caps: 41
Test Tries: 2
Lions Tours: N/A
McGrath could be the third member of an all-Irish front row if Gatland decides to go down that route, with Best and Furlong also pushing for starts. The trio started together in the famous victory over the All Blacks in November.
Ross Moriarty
Gloucester & Wales
Age: 23
Position: Back-row
Test Caps: 17
Test Tries: 2
Lions Tours: N/A
Has perhaps seen his chances of a start improve since Billy Vunipola pulled out, although Wales colleague Faletau could stand in his way.
Sean O’Brien
Leinster & Ireland
Age: 30
Position: Back-row
Test Caps: 51
Test Tries: 6
Lions Tours: 2013
O’Brien is another who has had to contend with fitness issues in the lead-up to the tour and was unable to take part in training last week due to a tight calf. He also missed Leinster’s Pro12 semi-final defeat to the Scarlets.
Peter O’Mahony
Munster & Ireland
Age: 27
Position: Back-row
Test Caps: 40
Test Tries: 1
Lions Tours: N/A
O’Mahony played his way into contention with some strong performances during the Six Nations, most notably his man-of-the-match display in a 13-9 victory that denied England a second successive Grand Slam.
Ken Owens
Scarlets & Wales
Age: 30
Position: Hooker
Test Caps: 50
Test Tries: 3
Lions Tours: N/A
Owens had to sit out the Scarlets’ Pro12 play-off campaign due to an ankle injury but has been training with the Lions to give himself every chance of making the tour.
Kyle Sinckler
Harlequins & England
Age: 24
Position: Prop
Test Caps: 6
Test Tries: 0
Lions Tours: N/A
One of Gatland’s less obvious selections after winning just six caps for England, Sinckler will likely form part of the midweek squad, but will hope to play himself into contention for a place in the Test 23.
CJ Stander
Munster & Ireland
Age: 27
Position: Back-row
Test Caps: 15
Test Tries: 6
Lions Tours: N/A
One of the standout performers of the Six Nations, Ireland’s Stander was the most prolific ball-carrier of the championship. He also became the first forward to score a hat-trick in the competition since 1962 when he crossed for three tries in Italy.
Justin Tipuric
Ospreys & Wales
Age: 27
Position: Back-row
Test Caps: 52
Test Tries: 4
Lions Tours: 2013
Another of Gatland’s Wales stars, Tipuric was part of the squad four years ago but played just 25 minutes of Test rugby.
Mako Vunipola
Saracens & England
Age: 26
Position: Prop
Test Caps: 45
Test Tries: 1
Lions Tours: 2013
Vunipola, like brother Billy, has been troubled by injuries of late, but was an important part of England’s unbeaten run of 18 matches. Could miss out if Gatland opts for an all-Irish front row and includes Jack McGrath.
Sam Warburton (Captain)
Cardiff Blues & Wales
Age: 28
Position: Flanker
Test Caps: 76
Test Tries: 5
Lions Tours: 2013
After stepping down as Wales captain in January, Warburton returns to the role of skipper with the Lions, becoming only the second man to lead the tourists twice as he follows in the footsteps of Martin Johnson. Having played with renewed freedom during the Six Nations, Warburton will hope the added responsibility does not adversely affect his form.
? | Catch all the best pictures from our two weeks in camp here! https://t.co/uAgKNuO6uU #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/4gJR7SXhTe
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 26, 2017
Comments on RugbyPass
Wasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
30 Go to comments