Nigel Owens names five players who have to start for Lions vs South Africa

Monday, 21 June 2021 at 17:15

byRugby Rucker

Popular referee Nigel Owens has been looking forward to the British & Irish Lions tour, when Warren Gatland's men take on the reigning world champions South Africa.

#5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)

Age: 35
Position: Second-row

Nigel Owens said: "The words great and legend are bandied around far too frequently when it comes to our sports stars, but they most certainly each apply in the case of him.

"Many were questioning whether Alun Wyn would even make the Lions tour, some citing his age, let alone have any chance of getting into the Test XV.

"I suspect a few of those critics are hiding behind a sofa because the Six Nations changed everything again."

DID YOU KNOW? He is one of a small group of Welsh players to have won three Grand Slams including Gerald Davies, Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, Ryan Jones, Adam Jones and Gethin Jenkins

#4. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

Age: 28
Position: Fullback

Owens said: "How can you fail to be impressed when watching Hogg play.?He’s so exciting as he burst into that line and, of course, was named Six Nations player of the tournament a couple of times."

DID YOU KNOW? Hogg is briefly mentioned on Pottermore, in an excerpt written by J.K. Rowling for the website, suggesting that he and fellow players Jim Hamilton and Kelly Brown are in fact squibs – wizard-born with no magical powers – masquerading as muggles

#3. Maro Itoje (England)

Age: 26
Position: Second-row

Owens said: "He is someone who plays right on the edge. That is what makes him such a great player. He must be so difficult to play against but he is also difficult to referee and I mean that with the utmost respect. He plays with passion and on the line.

"One of my concerns with him being Lions captain just yet is the number of penalties he gives away."

DID YOU KNOW? As a schoolboy, Itoje played several sports including basketball, football, rugby and athletics, representing England at U17 level in shot put

#2. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)

Age: 20
Position: Winger

Owens said: ““In this year’s Six Nations, I think as a newcomer, he’s way above everybody else. He’s a different level.

"Put your money on him going to South Africa with the Lions. I reckon, if he carries on the way he is, he’ll be on that plane… or on the bus."

wales wing louis rees zammit close up pa 1

Did you know? Having started his youth career with the Cardiff Blues, he moved to Hartpury College and from there to the academy of Gloucester Rugby

#1. Owen Farrell (England)

Age: 28
Position: fly-half

Owens said: "I've refereed Farrell many times for England, always found him to be respectful and a terrific player who leads by example in his own right.

"I expect him to be one of the favourites to start against South Africa, despite England's poor form in the Six Nations.

"Perhaps Farrell isn't guaranteed his place in the way he would have been a year ago, but Gatland knows what he can do. And what's that saying about form being temporary, class permanent?"