British and Irish Lions 2017 squad announcement
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Warren Gatland had a really tough job when it came to selecting his British and Irish Lions squad for the 2017 tour of New Zealand such is the amount of talent in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Here are the players who made the cut and will get the chance to pull on the famous red jersey this summer:
Captain - Sam Warburton - Wales
Sam Warburton will captain the Lions in New Zealand and deservedly so. He’s been in amazing form this season and has all of the attributes a leader needs. This will be his second tour with the Lions.
Dan Biggar - Wales
Bigger is an amazing out-of-hand-kicker whose ability to make big plays in big moments is outstanding.
Elliot Daly - England
Daly’s pace and acceleration make him a threat from all over the field. The fact he can kick penalties from almost out of the stadium is useful too!
Jonathan Davies - Wales
Another man who toured in 2013, Davies replaced Brian O’Driscoll when Gatland made one of the biggest calls ever by a Lions coach.
Owen Farrell - England
Some people were calling for Farrell to be made Lions captain. He looks certain to start the first Test, it remains to be seen if that’s as a 10 or 12.
Leigh Halfpenny - Wales
Halfpenny’s kicking is exceptional but he offers much more than that. Had some standout moments in 2013 and will look to produce more this year.
Robbie Henshaw - Ireland
Has the honour of being one of the men to score a winning try against the All-Blacks. He’ll hope to repeat that feat this summer.
Stuart Hogg - Scotland
Probably the best 15 in the squad and another man who scores tries regularly. It’d be a huge shock if he doesn’t start the first Test.
Jonathan Joseph - England
Joseph has proven that he is a world class try scorer who is lethal with ball in hand.
Conor Murray - Ireland
Murray has probably been the best scrum-half in all of British and Irish rugby for the last two years.
George North - Wales
Of all the nailed-on picks, North is the most nailed-on! One of the best finishers on the planet, the Welshman is a superb player.
Jack Nowell - England
The last wing spot was seemingly up for grabs and Nowell got it, probably due to his excellent defensive ability.
Jared Payne - Ireland
Payne’s injury issues look to be behind him. Perhaps a bit of a surprise inclusion but his game speaks for itself, it’s just been a while since we saw it consistently due to his injuries.
Jonathan Sexton - Ireland
Injury issues aside, Sexton was an easy pick. His game management is outstanding and will be a huge asset for the Lions in New Zealand.
Tommy Seymour - Scotland
Had a very good Six Nations as Scotland performed very well. Seymour’s physicality makes him a real handful.
Ben Te'o - England
Ben Te’o seems to have found a role for himself as an impact substitute. That could be huge for the Lions this summer.
Anthony Watson - England
Watson is one of those players who you might not see for what is seemingly ages but then he just pops up with a piece of individual brilliance.
Rhys Webb - Wales
Webb’s injuries may have made him a bit of a forgotten man but his ability to sniff the try line make him such a dangerous player.
Liam Williams - Wales
Williams is another play who just has the ability to score tries, he does it so often! His versatility makes him a valuable squad member too.
Ben Youngs - England
The third scrum-half place in the squad was up for grabs and Youngs got it.
Rory Best - Ireland
Best didn’t have the best (pardon the pun) Six Nations but he showed his class in the win over England. His smarts and experience will be valuable in New Zealand.
Dan Cole - England
Dan Cole’s ability at set-pieces makes him a valuable member of any squad. If the Lions want to ensure they get small marginal gains at set-pieces, Cole is a dependable man to select.
Taulupe Faletau - Wales
Another player who has had injury worries but Warren Gatland seeming loves him and understandably so.
Tadhg Furlong - Ireland
It’d be a huge shock if Furlong wasn’t one of the first names on the team-sheet when the Test side is picked.
Jamie George - England
Often seen as a backup, Jamie George is starting to emerge as a decent starter in his own right. He’s unlikely to make the starting line-ups in the Test side but don’t be surprised to see him appear regularly from the bench.
Iain Henderson - Ireland
Henderson’s ability to play in a number of different roles across the back five of the scrum makes him a valuable asset in any squad.
Maro Itoje - England
A supreme athlete whose power and agility make him stand out from the crowd.
Alun Wyn Jones - Wales
A former Lions captain and an absolute no-brainer pick. Alun Wyn Jones is one of the fiercest competitors in world rugby.
George Kruis - England
George Kruis only made his return from a knee injury last weekend but his excellent form in 2016 meant he had to be included. He is so good at the line-out but he offers a lot more than that.
Courtney Lawes - England
Lawes, after a slight slump in form, looked back to his best during the Six Nations. He tackles everything in sight and is a very good ball-handler too.
Joe Marler - England
Marler had a very good Six Nations so it’s no surprise to see him included.
Jack McGrath - Ireland
McGrath is arguably the most powerful loosehead in the squad. His ability to move well for a man of his size is highly impressive.
Ross Moriarty - Wales
The hour he played against England in the Six Nations might have been the best hour of rugby played in the tournament. Moriarty has been outstanding all year.
Sean O’Brien - Ireland
Has had a bit of an injury nightmare since touring as a Lion in 2013 but he’s back fit now and looks like he’s never been away.
Peter O’Mahoney - Ireland
Peter O’Mahoney just has a knack of producing big moments at key times. Legends are made on Lions tours due to moments and he has the ability, if picked, to produce them.
Ken Owens - Wales
Stood out as the best hooker during the Six Nations and his physicality and skill make him an easy selection.
Kyle Sinckler - England
Probably the biggest shock inclusion in the 41-man squad. Kyle Sinckler’ aggressive style of play probably got him included on the tour.
CJ Stander - Ireland
Another no-brainer. Stander’s energy levels and ball carrying ability make him an easy selection.
Justin Tipuric - Wales
Tipuric adds a much-needed dose of pace to the squad. He’s another who is unlikely to start in the Test matches but he’s an amazing option to have on the bench.
Mako Vunipola - England
Hopefully Mako Vunipola’s injury issues are behind him so he can form a decent partnership with his brother.
Billy Vunipola - England
Speaking of whom, Billy Vunipola is back fit and as such, is straight in the squad. He was one of the best players in the world in 2016, the Lions will hope he can hit the same levels this summer.