Legendary Lions coaches Sir Ian McGeechan and Jim Telfer have left Hamish Watson OUT of their Lions XV – but have included three Scots.
Most fans would sit up and take notice of any line-up put forward by McGeechan and Telfer, who masterminded the iconic Lions series win against the Springboks in 1997.
The side they have selected features six Welshmen, three Irish, three English and three Scots.
FRONT-ROW:
- 1. Wyn Jones (Wales)
- 2. Ken Owens (Wales)
- 3.Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Telfer said: “Furlong is a big beast of a man and you need to meet and match the Springboks for power in the forwards. He also has good footwork, as he proved against Scotland, and soft hands.”
SECOND-ROW:
- 4. Maro Itoje (England)
- 5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
Telfer said: “I think he’s (Itoje) an outstanding player, an outstanding bloke. He has that extra bit about him.”
McGeechan said: “He is the natural captain. I think on and off the field he would be by some distance the natural leader that you would want there.”
