5 players you forgot earned Lions call-ups under Warren Gatland

Monday, 19 April 2021 at 08:38

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byRugby Rucker

Every British or Irish rugby player dreams of representing the Lions.

Being called up is supposed to be the pinnacle moment of every rugby players career, however, not every star can make their mark for the tourists.

Here, we look at five rugby players you definitely forgot earned British & Irish Lions call-ups under Warren Gatland.

#5. Dylan Hartley (England) - 2013

In May 2013, Hartley was sent off in the Aviva Premiership final against Leicester and banned for 11 weeks after being found guilty of verbally abusing a match official. Despite already being photographed in full kit, this act cost Hartley his place in the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. He would never go on a Lions tour before retiring.

DID YOU KNOW? During his early days in England Hartley swapped positions from prop to hooker

#4. Tom Court (Ireland) - 2013

Whilst not selected for the Test team, the London Irish man must be considered one of the strangest call-ups in Lions history. The Ireland international, who is from Australia, joined up with the squad while visiting family in 2013. He made no real impact to the trip but held up the scrum against the Melbourne Rebels.

DID YOU KNOW? He qualified to play international rugby for Ireland through his Grandfather

#3. FInn Russell (Scotland) - 2017

Fans were excited when the dynamic fly-half got added to the squad as part of the G6 (Geography six), but he’d play just a forgettable five minutes off the bench as a blood replacement against Hurricanes and managed to knock it on in that time. He’ll be hoping to get a better chance to impress against the Springboks this summer.

#2. Christian Wade (England) - 2013

The one-cap England wide-man was called up to play in the Brumbies game but stole the show for his hair-combing off the field, not his rugby. Wade possessed an abundance of speed and could finish, but looked very raw and didn’t relish defensive duties when called upon.

#1. Billy Twelvetrees (England) - 2013

Summoned from England duty in Argentina but part of a makeshift side which flopped against the Brumbies. This moment really felt like the moment that sent Twelvetrees international career downhill.