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Predicting the full 41-man 2021 British and Irish Lions squad
Warren Gatland will now have a fairly good idea of who is going to be in his British and Irish Lions squad this summer, wherever the series is held.
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There is still plenty of time for players to work their way into contention with European rugby still to be played, as well as Scotland’s final match of the Guinness Six Nations this Friday against France.
A number of Scots could throw their hat into the ring at the Stade de France, but for the players from the other three Lions nations, their Six Nations campaigns are over.
So here is a proposed 41-man Lions squad after the Six Nations:
HOOKERS
Ken Owens
At the age of 34, Ken Owens is showing no signs of relenting, and returned to form this Six Nations in perfect time for the Lions.
Luke Cowan-Dickie
England’s Luke Cowan-Dickie is battling to become England’s first-choice hooker after years of high-level performances for Exeter Chiefs and now is in a strong position to make the Lions.
Jamie George
Although there have been some question marks over Jamie George’s form this year, class is permanent. Moreover, this is not a position with bags of options.
PROPS
Wyn Jones
Wales’ Wyn Jones went from being a contender to make the Lions at the start of the Six Nations to a favourite to start against the Springboks by the end. Carries hard and tirelessly, and has the magical ability to coax the opposition into red card offences.
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Mako Vunipola
Good and bad from England and Saracens prop Mako Vunipola this year, which must be partly down to his lack of game time this year with Saracens not playing. But he still has enough of a reputation to make the squad.
Rory Sutherland
Another hugely dynamic loosehead, Rory Sutherland could cement his place in the squad with a strong performance against France.
Tadhg Furlong
For Tadhg Furlong, his selection was secure once he overcame his calf injury, and his brutal display against England rubber-stamped his place.
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Art. #SCOvIRE pic.twitter.com/cd80TUYkVN
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 14, 2021
Kyle Sinckler
England’s Kyle Sinckler has a distribution game that few in his position can match which makes him such an attractive option for Gatland.
Zander Fagerson
Despite missing a portion of the Championship following his red card against Wales, Zander Fagerson is a rock in the scrum, although he may be pushed by Andrew Porter for a place.
LOCKS
Alun Wyn Jones
The frontrunner to captain the team this year, Alun Wyn Jones proved any doubters wrong about his age this Six Nations.
James Ryan
Had a Six Nations that was hampered by injury, but James Ryan has been one of the favourites to start for the Lions for three years now and nothing has changed.
Maro Itoje
England’s Maro Itoje was able to iron out his alarmingly high penalty count as the Six Nations progressed, and only averaged one per match in the final two rounds, which would have put Gatland’s mind at ease.
Tadhg Beirne
A viable option at lock and blindside flanker, Tadhg Beirne stormed into contention this year. Relentless in defence and as a carrier, and a maestro at the breakdown, the Irishman could start at No6 against the Springboks.
Iain Henderson
Another player who is capable of playing in the back row, Iain Henderson was part of Ireland’s juggernaut set-piece pack, which has helped him shade competitors like Jonny Gray.
How many of these guys will make the Lions squad? ? pic.twitter.com/8yDqnpZM8C
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 22, 2021
BACK ROWS
Josh Navidi
Wales and Cardiff flanker Josh Navidi provides the defensive resilience that may be crucial to defusing the Springboks.
CJ Stander
Capable of playing on the blindside and at No8, CJ Stander’s versatility puts him in a very good position. His standard will only improve as well over the coming months as his career draws to a close.
What a send-off for an incredible player ? pic.twitter.com/aSBhg5Vydp
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 20, 2021
Jamie Ritchie
Gatland may opt to take more forwards than usual this year as he may deploy the 6-2 split on the bench to counter South Africa’s same tactic. If so, Jamie Ritchie’s chances could be boosted considerably, although he is a good shout anyway.
Hamish Watson
One of three standout openside this Six Nations, Hamish Watson provides power and explosiveness with ball in hand that his rivals do not.
Tom Curry
Despite England’s shaky Six Nations, Tom Curry’s standard did not drop and he is becoming one of, if not the most influential, player in the England team.
Justin Tipuric
A Gatland favourite during his time in charge of Wales, Justin Tipuric is the complete package at No7 and a guaranteed Lion this year.
Sam Simmonds
The reigning European player of the year Sam Simmonds may be overlooked by Eddie Jones for England, but could be called upon by Gatland to bring some pace in the wider channels.
Taulupe Faletau
After a few injury-dogged years, Taulupe Faletau is playing his best rugby again, and is in a very good position to start at No8 against South Africa.
Billy Vunipola
After struggling for form this year, Billy Vunipola only really showed a glimpse of his best against France, but may still be selected on reputation. But with Saracens playing in the IPA Greene King Championship, he may not have done enough to convince Gatland and has no more opportunities to change his mind.
SCRUM-HALVES
Conor Murray
A tourist in 2013 and 2017, Conor Murray was not as assured to go as he was in previous years. But his commanding performance against England may have earned him a place.
Gareth Davies
Scrum-half is one of the most open positions going into this Lions year, but Gareth Davies may have worked his way onto the tour on the back of Wales’ form.
Ben Youngs
It was a mixed Six Nations for Ben Youngs, but his experience may prove to be the difference. Although he will be pushed by Ali Price and Tomos Williams.
FLY-HALVES
Dan Biggar
As dependable as ever for Wales, Dan Biggar has a strong relationship with Gatland already, but would likely be selected even if that were not the case.
Jonathan Sexton
Like his longtime halfback partner for Ireland, there were question marks over the 35-year-old Jonathan Sexton this year, but he showed his class against England and made a huge Lions statement.
Finn Russell
The mercurial Finn Russell brings something that his other Lions teammates do not, or indeed many other fly-halves on the planet. The Scot provides the creativity that could be needed against a resolute defence.
CENTRES
Owen Farrell
England captain Owen Farrell provides a viable option at fly-half and inside centre. Gatland picked him at No10 for the first Test against the All Blacks in 2017, but moved him to No12 for the second and third Tests.
Robbie Henshaw
Rock solid for Ireland at inside and outside centre, Robbie Henshaw all but confirmed his Lions place in this year’s Championship.
Garry Ringrose
A classy operator at outside centre, Garry Ringrose has been a favourite to be selected for a while, and provides the footwork and movement that other centres on the tour do not.
Jonathan Davies
The 2017 player of the series Jonathan Davies featured at inside centre this Six Nations for a change, which only bolstered his Lions credentials.
George North
After reinventing himself as a centre over the past year, George North has breathed new life into his Lions chances while still being able to cover the wing.
WINGERS
Louis Rees-Zammit
Rugby’s new sensation Louis Rees-Zammit finished the Championship alongside Anthony Watson as top try scorer, and produced some individual moments of pace and brilliance that booked his place on the tour.
Is Louis Rees-Zammit playing himself into a Lions test team?? ???????? #SixNations @ChristinaMahonx @ryanwilson89 @Jamiehuwroberts pic.twitter.com/sHEbkUCxDT
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 17, 2021
Jonny May
England’s Jonny May has been one of the premier wingers in the world for a number of years now, and though it was not the most flashy Six Nations for him, he has enough in the bank to be picked.
Josh Adams
One of the most clinical finishers in the Northern Hemisphere currently, Josh Adams has a prolific strike rate.
Anthony Watson
Comfortable on the wing or at fullback, Anthony Watson showed glimpses of how dangerous he is during the Six Nations despite being behind a struggling England team.
Duhan van der Merwe
Scotland’s new weapon on the wing Duhan van der Merwe may have had a quieter Six Nations than he had hoped for, but offers raw strength and power out wide. Could make a serious statement against France as well.
Duhan van der Merwe ??? #SCOvITA pic.twitter.com/Lc58SdX4lg
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 20, 2021
FULLBACKS
Stuart Hogg
Scotland captain Stuart Hogg’s place is never in doubt, and he will hope to earn his first Lions cap after succumbing to an injury in 2017.
Liam Williams
Another player who can cover the wing or fullback, Liam Williams will not be too far from the Test team come the summer.
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments