Warren Gatland will lead the Lions for a third consecutive tour in 2021 when the team made up of English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh internationals will take on newly crowned world champions South Africa. With plenty of time for players to impress there will no doubt be a change in which players go on tour. I’ve picked a potential test XV from players based on their form at the moment and potential to develop in time for the trip to face the Springboks.
15. Liam Williams
Unlucky not to be shortlisted for World Rugby Player of the year after a double with Saracens and a Grand Slam, ‘Sanjay’ will no doubt make the plane bound for SA. Welsh fans will wonder what could have been had he not been ruled out of their World Cup Semi-final with the Boks. Almost unrivalled in the air and a real threat in attack he is one of, if not the best fullback in the game. Gatland will be wary of Handre Pollard and Willie Le Roux’s tactical kicking and going with Williams, a player Gats trusts seems the more likely option to sure things up. Scotland’s Stuart Hogg is definitely in the frame having featured in two tours under Gatland as is Elliot Daly of England but having played as the first-choice fullback in New Zealand, setting up THAT Sean O’Brien try in Wellington he looks nailed on to start.
14. Anthony Watson
Watson was seriously impressive in New Zealand in 2017 and he’s consistently performed at International level for England and club level for Bath. Equally capable at fullback or wing, Watson has bags of pace and a deadly step as well as being defensively solid. It will be important to have a defensively capable winger in SA to deal with flyers Kolbe, Mapimpi or Nkosi. Another player set to challenge Watson will be George North, who could be on his third Lions tour aged just 29 in 2021 should he make it. Darcy Graham and Jordan Larmour of Scotland and Ireland respectively are two young stars who could bring an x-factor to an experienced squad.
13. Jonathan Davies
The best outside centre in the world for the last 4 or 5 years and another veteran of 3 tests should he be selected to tour, ‘Foxy’ brings powerful ball carrying and top-quality defence as well as leadership and experience to this team. He infamously replaced Irish legend Brian O’Driscoll in the final test XV in Australia in 2013 and was ever present in 2017, his best days may be behind him in 2021 but will still have lots to offer. There will be a number of players hot on Davies’ heels though, English pair Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade are closet followed by long shots in Irish Garry Ringrose and Scottish Rory Hutchinson. Huw Jones, who was omitted from Scotland’s World Cup squad could also make the plane.
12. Owen Farrell (Captain)
There’s not much Owen Farrell doesn’t have in his locker. Hard carrying, soft passing, accurate kicking, he’s one of the most technically solid players. Similarly, he has leadership in abundance and a rugby brain beyond his years. The Yorkshireman and England skipper is a sure thing to be on the tour. Moved to inside centre to accommodate Jonny Sexton in 2017 and George Ford in England’s world cup final defeat he could end up at 10 or 12, I’ve gone for 12 but it’s a toss of a coin. If he were to move to flyhalf the likely replacement would be an Irishman, whether that be Bundee Aki or Robbie Henshaw. Welsh-Kiwi Hadleigh Parkes could feature as could Willis Halaholo, another kiwi who becomes welsh qualified today.
11. Josh Adams
Its been a rough journey for Adams following his release from the Scarlets in 2015 but could he feature for the Lions in 2021? The boy from Hendy in West Wales shone in the World Cup totalling 7 tries, the highest in the tournament and a record for a welsh player in a world cup. He is fast establishing himself as a lethal finisher and if he continues the way he’s playing, he could well become a test Lion. Adams faces competition from England flyer Jonny May and another prolific try scorer in Ulsterman Jacob Stockdale. Joe Cokanasiga could well make it but would have to displace one of May or Watson for England first.
10. Finn Russell
Not the greatest year for the man playing club rugby for Racing 92 in Paris, but on his day, Russell is a fantastic playmaker. Assuming he is partnered with Farrell, The Englishman will be on kicking duties, allowing Russell to bring the running game he possesses. The balance of Russell’s flair and Farrell’s coolness could well trouble the Springboks. Jonny Sexton will be 36 and a start in a test may be beyond him, however, I wouldn’t rule it out. George Ford already has a proven relationship with Farrell which could work in his favour, but his defence has been questioned and Welshman Gareth Anscombe has missed the world cup with a knee injury. Ireland’s Joey Carberry, who is set to take over from Sexton could be worth a shot, as could young Adam Hastings who is currently pushing for Russell’s Scotland shirt but I doubt they’ll be ready for a test with the world champions, 2025 seems more likely for those two. Dare I mention Danny Cipri……?
9. Gareth Davies
The Rhys Webb saga left a big hole in the welsh team and Davies has more than filled it. Rapid quick and always threatening around the breakdown he already has 14 tries for Wales. A hard call as Conor Murray could well be picked having had a difficult year. England’s Ben Youngs would also be a good bet. Both Murray and Youngs could offer a better tactical kicking battle than Davies. Ali Price and Tomos Williams will be in the picture as could Rhys Webb himself should he return to Wales after his Toulon contract expires.
- Mako Vunipola
Mako offers an incredible work rate around the park but will need to sure up his scrummaging having been destroyed by Frans Malherbe in Yokohama. After a great season with Saracens Vunipola gets the nod for me ahead of Irish duo Cian Healy and Jack McGrath. Rob Evans being left out of Wales’ world cup squad by Gatland himself suggests he won’t feature in South Africa despite being one of the best ball playing props in the game and young Ellis Genge brings ball carrying like no other.
2. Jamie George
He had to be some player to knock England captain Dylan Hartley out of the team and that’s exactly what he is, a great all-round hooker with ball carrying, tackling and a good line out throw his key strengths. George was a young player in the tour to New Zealand but this time he’ll have enough international knowledge and experience to go toe to toe with Malcom Marx or Bongi Mbonambi. The Sheriff, Ken Owens must be 60% on the plane already having consistently performed for Wales similarly, Scotland’s skipper Stuart McInally always performs. Luke Cowan-Dickie and Elliot Dee will be in the conversation if they improve in the next 2 years but again, Australia in 2025 seems more likely for them.
3. Tadgh Furlong
Tough one. Kyle Sinckler is an immense player, always gives 100% around the field and possesses a pair of hands most outside-half’s would dream of. I’ve gone for Furlong as going for the frot row who were eaten alive by the Bok’s in the World Cup final would be a big call. Furlong has the scrummaging capability to take on Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtarwaria or Steven Kitsoff. Expect to see Sinckler off the bench as the game opens up though. Tomas Francis is fast becoming a quality tight head prop too and could feature as could WP Nel of Scotland.
4. Maro Itoje
Starred in the Lions tour of New Zealand and became a fans favourite with their “Oh Maro Itoje” chant. He is one of the most athletic individuals in rugby. He hits hard and is a menace at the breakdown, he carries well and brings an energy rarely seen by second row forwards. A remarkable player. Alun Wyn Jones will be 36 by the time the tour comes, but don’t bet against him earning a remarkable 10th Lions test cap. Hard hitting Courtney Lawes could be taken to try and match the Boks physicality. Workhorse Jonny Gray of Scotland is in with a chance, but Gats has history overlooking him. Welshmen Jake Ball and Cory Hill are longshots.
5. James Ryan
Leinster’s young second row has had a great start to his career, already a European Cup winner and regular for both club and country. Ryan will dominate a lineout which will be needed for the Lions against world class second rows. Likewise, England’s George Kruis could do a similar job. Iain Henderson, one of the Lions top performers in New Zealand may well be on the plane.
6.Tom Curry
An openside by trade but moved to the blindside for the World Cup. Curry is one of the best youn players around, proven by his nomination for World Rugby Player of the Year this year. I’ve put him at 6 so I could accommodate two opensides but Gatland may well go for a traditional blindside such as Peter O’Mahoney of Munster. Welsh starlet Aaron Wainwright has become a very good player and has impressed Warren Gatland for Wales, he may well become a Lion for the first time in South Africa. Fellow Welshman Josh Navidi and England’s Mark Wilson, both of whom can cover the whole back row are likely to be in contention.
7. Justin Tipuric
Played second fiddle to Warburton for Wales for a while before breaking into the team, who can forget his part in Alex Cuthbert’s brace in Wales’ 30-3 victory over England in 2013. Tipuric’s speed and skill is on a different level to most flankers, will no doubt cause the Springboks problems. England’s Sam Underhill and Scotland’s Hamish Watson will be in the picture, but Tips gets the nod. Ellis Jenkins could force his way in with an extended run in the Welsh side as could Dan Leavy of Ireland.
8. Taulupe Faletau
Injury ruled the Bath man out of the trip to Japan before it began but when fit remains one of the best Number 8s around. He has the ability to take the ball on the back foot and ride out of tackles to get his team back on the front foot. Billy Vunipola might well go, but generally had a poor World Cup. Faletau was immense in New Zealand scoring a great try in the second test. CJ Stander, Ross Moriarty and Ryan Wilson are not too far off the Tongan cousins though.
Haydn Evans 