‘You are privileged. You are the chosen few. Many are considered but few are chosen.’
So went that famous Jim Telfer speech, on the 1997 British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa. Now, the Scot has chosen his back-row to dominate the Springboks.
The former Scotland and Lions No.8 was head coach of the Lions in 1983, for their tour to New Zealand, and was assistant coach to Ian McGeechan [with responsibility for the forwards] when the tourists took on world champions South Africa in 1997.
Writing for The Offside Line, the 81-year-old has opted for no Scottish players in his back-row for 2021.
Blindside-flanker: Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
TELFER SAID: Another supremely intelligent player whether he plays at lock or in the back-row and I have him at six to match the power that the World Champion Springboks will field in their back row. He was excellent not only in the Six Nations but also in the PRO14 final in a losing cause for Munster.