These five Lions contenders saw their chances rocked by injuries or poor performances as the countdown to the squad announcement gets into full swing.
Gatland will confirm his 36-man travelling party to. face the Springboks on 6 May.
The lack of travel across multiple times zones to get to South Africa, allied with the Lions not having a midweek match leading into the first Test next July, were the reasons why Gatland said his squad number would be reduced, adding that the forwards/backs split could potentially be 20/15.
#1. George North
The powerhouse is facing an anxious 48 hour wait to learn whether the injury he suffered on Saturday afternoon will rule him out of British and Irish Lions contention. Early in the second half of the Ospreys’ 36-14 Rainbow Cup victory over the Cardiff Blues, North went down in agony, clutching his right knee. FULL STORY