Sam Warburton leaves Alun Wyn Jones out of his Lions pack
FRONT-ROW:
1. Mako Vunipola (England)
2. Jamie George (England)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
DID YOU KNOW? Furlong comes from a farming family in the parish of Horeswood in County Wexford
SECOND-ROW:
4. Maro Itoje (England)
5. James Ryan (Ireland)
WARBURTON SAID: “What about my captain? It is between Farrell and Itoje. It is such a close call. Both are definite starters (Farrell will be at 12 if not 10) and it makes perfect sense for an Englishman to be captain because most of the squad is likely to be English. I think it will be Farrell but, if I were making the decision, I would pick Itoje.”
WARBURTON SAID: "Underhill is a shoo-in for the Lions tour, he has worked diligently to improve his breakdown spoiling. I think Toby right now is the number one front-runner for the number 8. Toby’s in the same breath as the Kieran Reid, Sergio Parisse, those three for me ar the best number 8s in world rugby in the past decade."
He then added following the first round of the Six Nations: "“Re-watching the Scotland game in readiness for this weekend’s game. Have to say, Hamish Watson was phenomenal. With Tipuric, Curry and Watson you have three world class players."
DID YOU KNOW? Before securing a professional contract, Underhill served an apprenticeship under his Granddad as a painter and decorator. The 24-year-old, who likes keeping busy, hasn’t ruled out a return to the trade when his rugby days are done.
Bundee Aki deserved to be sent off - dangerous hit, but it was a genuine attempt at a tackle on Vunipola.
I really hope @WorldRugby deals with Ellis Genge properly here, despicable and nasty - a poor loser.