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British & Irish Lions 37-man touring squad announced

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The moment everyone has been waiting for – as the two-month countdown begins – has arrived with the announcement of the 37-man British & Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa.

Under much anticipation from the rugby world, B&I Lions coach Warren Gatland announced his squad on Thursday afternoon with the experienced Alun Wyn Jones leading rugby’ most famous touring side. It will be the Wales skipper’s fourth tour in the famous red jersey, coming full circle to the same country where he made his debut back in 2009.

Jones is the fifth lock in a row to captain the British & Irish Lions to South Africa, following in the footsteps of Willie John McBride (1974), Bill Beaumont (1980), Martin Johnson (1997) and Paul O’Connell (2009).

Springbok fans can look forward to a festival of rugby in the faint hope that there might be an opportunity to see the action live and witness their heroes claim a series win over the B&I Lions for the first time since John Smit’s 2009 vintage, but Gatland has other ideas.

“We believe we’ve picked a squad capable of winning a Test series in South Africa,” said Warren Gatland, head coach.

 

 

“Selecting a Lions squad is never easy and, in many ways, this has been the most challenging selection I have been involved in. Over the course of the last three weeks the coaches and I have rigorously debated each position.

“We saw some outstanding performances in the recent Six Nations, so competition for places has been tough with some incredibly tight calls to make.

“However, we are very happy with the squad we have assembled and look forward to meeting up in Jersey in just over a month’s time to start our preparation to take on the World Champions.

“We’ve left out some very talented players, which gives an indication to the strength of this squad and we know how important that stand-by list will be.

“Being selected for a Lions Tour is the greatest honour for a British and Irish player and I congratulate everyone named today.”

British & Irish Lions squad:

Backs (16): Josh Adams (Cardiff, Wales – wing); Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland – centre); Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales – flyhalf); Elliot Daly (Saracens, England – centre); Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales – scrumhalf); Owen Farrell (Saracens, England – flyhalf; Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland – centre); Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland – centre); Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland – fullback); Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland – scrumhalf); Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland – scrumhalf); Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby, Wales – wing); Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland – flyhalf); Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland – wing); Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England – wing); Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales – fullback).

Forwards (21): Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland – lock); Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland – loose forward); Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England – hooker); Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England – loose forward); Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland – prop); Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales – loose forward); Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland – prop); Jamie George (Saracens, England – hooker); Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland – lock); Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, England – lock); Maro Itoje (Saracens, England – lock); Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales – lock) (Captain); Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales – prop); Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England – lock); Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales – hooker); Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby, Ireland – prop); Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England – loose forward); Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland – prop); Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, Wales – loose forward); Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England – prop); Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland – loose forward).

B&I Lions tour to SA confirmed

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SA Rugby and the British & Irish Lions confirmed on Tuesday that they were aligned on delivering the Castle Lager Lions Series in South Africa in the scheduled playing window.

The Lions Board confirmed its preference to SA Rugby on Monday evening, prior to follow-up meetings earlier today.

“After reviewing information relating to the various contingency scenarios being considered, I can confirm that the Board’s intended position is for the Tour to go ahead as scheduled in South Africa in 2021,” said Mr Jason Leonard, Chairman of The British & Irish Lions.

“We acknowledge that there is a significant amount of work still to be undertaken to deliver a robust COVID-19 countermeasure plan to ensure a successful, safe and uninterrupted Tour. SA Rugby will have our full support to help implement this plan.”

Mr Mark Alexander, President of the South African Rugby Union, said he would inform the Executive Council of SA Rugby of the alignment.

“We appreciate the Lions’ faith and share their desire to see a safe and successful tour,” said Mr Alexander.

“We have been in regular contact with our government to make that a reality against the backdrop of the pandemic and its predicted progression over the coming months.

“There are serious financial implications for SA Rugby, should the event take place without any supporters in attendance, and we cannot ignore that in our considerations. But we are determined that the eventual outcome will deliver the best occasion and experience for players, supporters and our commercial partners.”

Mr Alexander said that the original tour schedule was subject to review because of those considerations. Should any changes be required they will be communicated as soon as possible.

SA Rugby assured everyone who had purchased tickets through the ticket ballot or as part of the official hospitality programme that they would be entitled to a full refund, with the mechanic to be communicated in due course once any revised schedule was confirmed.

Those who had bought official travel packages through SA Rugby Travel would be contacted by a company representative in due course.

Mr Leonard added: “Every British and Irish player dreams of wearing the famous red jersey, and players from the southern hemisphere aspire to be part of a Lions series. We owe it to the current players vying for a place in both squads to ensure they can become part of Lions history.

“We are very much looking forward to taking on South Africa for what promises to be a highly-competitive Series against the reigning World Champions.”

Mr Alexander thanked the Castle Lager Lions Series’ commercial partners as well as the British & Irish Lions and ticket holders for their patience during the extended period of uncertainty.

“As hosts and ‘owners’ of the Castle Lager Lions Series no one has been more affected or more challenged by the current circumstances than SA Rugby,” said Mr Alexander.

“However, with the support of our government and good planning we can navigate the pandemic to nonetheless create a most memorable event for players, fans and partners.”

The British & Irish Lions have toured South Africa on 13 previous occasions, with the first Tour taking place in 1891. In that time, the Lions have won four Test series, lost eight with one drawn. Their overall record against the Springboks is played 46, won 17, lost 23 and drawn six.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications