Sir Ian McGeechan names his five ‘certainties’ for 2021 Lions XV

Here the Lions and Scotland legend picks his five certainties for his XV to face South Africa in 2021.

Position: Lock

“”Itoje is definitely one of them and I’d bracket him as a possible captain. He’s a hell of a competitor. When you watch him, he’s into everything. He reads things so well, he’s niggling, he leads by example. He’s a really intelligent lad and a really intelligent rugby player.”

Position: Prop

“On form, I have to go with Sutherland. He’s been absolutely brilliant. He’s not just a good technical rugby player, he can play, he can run, he makes an impact. His story is an incredible one. I’d love to see him kick on.”

Position: Hooker

"Fantastic consistency, tough, good set-piece performer, just a very solid character. He will take some shifting."

Position: Lock

"A lot of people would probably go for Alun Wyn alongside Maro Itoje, but I wouldn't. Alun Wyn would be an outstanding off-field captain, a standard-setter, a senior figure, but with another year on the clock and some of the other talent that's out there I'd go somewhere else for Maro's partner. And that would be James Ryan - another very bright guy, another very hard and driven player with a massive work ethic.

"Those two could be unbelievable. They are two natural leaders and I'd be intrigued to see how their chemistry evolves on a Lions tour."

Position: Winger

"I'd definitely have Watson. He's great under the high ball, has unbelievable feet and would be outstanding on hard South African grounds."