Harlequins loosehead Joe Marler has admitted he is a bit gutted at being overlooked for the 2021 Lions tour to South Africa this summer.
“I didn’t get an email. Bit gutted. I’m not surprised, but I’d have loved to have gone. I’d love to have gone with a different approach to it than I did in 2017,” Marler said.
“I remember sitting down talking to (former Ireland hooker) Rory Best on that tour. He said he regretted the way he had approached 2013 and the memories he had of it.
“It was pretty obvious from the start that he wasn’t going to make the Test team and he let those feelings become bitter and cloud his enjoyment of the whole experience. And he wanted to make sure that in 2017, the midweekers didn’t make the same mistake that he did. And there was part of that for me in 2017.
“It was pretty obvious from the start that I wasn’t going to get a sniff of the Tests and I was a bit of a s*** at times. I regret having those feelings towards it.
“I still had an unbelievable experience and the friends I made for life, but I’d have liked to have gone back this time around and would have tried to help out.”
5 huge names expected to miss out on Lions selection this Thursday
#5. Ellis Genge (England)
The loosehead-prop has played down his chances of a Lions call-up after receiving no contact from Warren Gatland or his management team. Genge had been tipped for selection by former Lions captain Sam Warburton, but it now looks like he will miss out.
Props to make the squad: Tadhg Furlong (1/10), Kyle Sinckler (1/7), Wyn Jones (1/4), Mako Vunipola (1/3), Cian Healy (8/11), Andrew Porter or Zander Fagerson (both 10/11)