Ellis Genge reveals he probably WON'T be touring with the Lions

Warren Gatland sent letters to more than 50 potential Lions players to sound out their availability for this summer's tour of South Africa.

"Maybe my emails are broken", he joked to the BBC before he would go on the tour if asked, but is not expecting to be.

Save-the-date letters were sent to every player in contention for the touring party, which will be narrowed down to 36 men before the squad announcement on May 6.

Meanwhile, Tigers scrum-half Ben Youngs has ruled himself out of contention for the tour for family reasons, becoming the first player to publicly do so.

"Whether or not I would have made the final cut, I'll never know," Youngs told the Daily Mail.

"I've got two young children and my wife is heavily pregnant with the third. This summer I've got an opportunity to be with my family and my kids.

"I have always loved the Lions. I'll be cheering them on, and I wish everyone involved a healthy and successful tour.

"It's not a decision that I've taken lightly, but it's the best decision for my family."

Here are five players who are thought to be among the players who received a letter from Gatland.

Care is thought to be in the mix for Gatland’s final squad. The 34-year-old has not featured for England since the 2018 autumn Test win against Japan but his club form has put him in contention for a first Lions tour. That Ben Youngs has ruled himself out of contention only aids Care’s cause in a position considered to be among the most open. 

Did you know? Care is the only England rugby player to win medals at the Commonwealth Youth Games and the senior Commonwealth Games.

The 25-year-old scrum-half has made only three Test starts for Wales, but might have been the man in possession of Wales' pass-the-parcel nine shirt but for an untimely hamstring injury in a superb try-scoring display against England.

has emerged as a shock potential “bolter” for the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa, the Guardian understands. On South Africa's firm ground, with a point to prove, could he be an ace in the hole for the Lions?

Redpath has made only one international appearance. But what an appearance it was. The 21-year-old centre strolled through Scotland's first win at Twickenham in 38 years, making the step up to the Test arena look effortless. He'd not let anyone down.

The fly-half has emerged as a shock potential “bolter” for the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa, according to the Guardian. Smith has been in fine form for Harlequins this season and it is believed he is among the group of more than 50 players to have received a letter sounding him out about his potential availability this summer.