Paul O'Connell picks his five 'nailed on' players for Lions XV

Tuesday, 02 February 2021 at 17:08

byRugby Rucker

Ireland legend Paul O'Connell has picked out his five ‘definites’ for his Lions XV to face the Springboks this summer.

1. Maro Itoje (England)

Age: 26
Club: Saracens
Position: Second-row/Blindside-flanker

O'Connell said: “He is obviously a world-class athlete, he is a phenomenal second-row forward. I like watching him play. I’m surprised he doesn’t give away more penalties than he does but he is always pushing the limits around the ruck, around the offside line. Brilliant at collapsing mauls, brilliant at stopping teams mauling.”

DID YOU KNOW? So far in his rugby career, he has won four English Premiership titles with Saracens, three European Rugby Champions Cup titles, and three Six Nations Championship titles.

2. James Ryan (Ireland)

Age: 24
Club: Leinster
Position: Second-row

O'Connell said: "There are certain players can do certain things but there are very few that can do it all and he can do it all. He is nailed on for me."

DID YOU KNOW? He is the Great Grandson of Irish Politician and Easter Rising Revolutionary James Ryan

3. Owen Farrell (England)

Age: 29
Club: Saracens
Position: Centre/Fly-half

O'Connell said: “Farrell has that kind of abrasive attitude as well and is very experienced as well in terms of taking on southern hemisphere teams, beating southern hemisphere teams. He obviously had that tough experience as well with South Africa in the World Cup so, as we are talking here, he springs to mind.”

DID YOU KNOW? Farrell celebrates every point he scores by linking his index fingers together to make a 'JJ' sign, the Joining Jack salute, Joining Jack being a charity dedicated to the needs of sufferers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

4.Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

Age: 28
Club: Leinster
Position: Tighthead-prop

O'Connell said: “Furlong is still, for me, the best tighthead in the world.”

DID YOU KNOW? Furlong comes from a farming family in the parish of Horeswood in County Wexford

5. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

Age: 28
Club: Exeter Chiefs
Position: Fullback

O'Connell said: “Hogg has taken his game to another level again with Exeter. I hope this tour can be a redemption for him after what happened in 2017.”

DID YOU KNOW? In 2012, following his Scotland debut, he discovered he was a distant relative of George Best.