Olympics or British & Irish Lions? Cheslin Kolbe makes his pick - Ruck

Olympics or British & Irish Lions? Cheslin Kolbe makes his pick

Springbok speedster Cheslin Kolbe has said he would rather play against the British & Irish Lions next year and forego the chance to compete at the Tokyo Olympics.


“It’s a tough decision but I would definitely choose taking on the British and Irish Lions,” he told the website Planet Rugby in an interview.

“Although I would love to play sevens for my country at the Tokyo Olympics, to be part of a Lions series is a goal I really want to achieve and I would like to be a part of that because it only happens every 12 years.

“Next year would be my only chance to face them, if I do get selected (for the Springboks), as I won’t be around for their next tour so I would definitely go for that option,” he said.


British & Irish Lions predicted 2021 starting XV according to the bookies

Although it’s about a year until Warren Gatland picks his Lions squad, the public has already started talking about who will make it onto the plane and who will line-up in the first Test against South Africa.

Gatland has spoken publicly about his team but has given little away as he continues to ponder over big selection decisions.

That doesn’t stop the bookies offering odds on who will make the squad.

Here is how the XV would shape up based on the favourites to be selected from each position.

You can view the full odds from Paddy Power HERE.

Odds are accurate on Wednesday, 22nd April 2020, 8am, and are subject to change. 

Fullback: LIAM WILLIAMS (Wales 4/7)

Other contenders: Stuart Hogg (Scotland 4/6), Jordan Larmour (Ireland EVS), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales 5/1), George Furbank (England 7/2)


Left wing: JONNY MAY (England 1/25)

Other contenders: Jacob Stockdale (Ireland 1/3), Adam Radwan (England 40/1), Jack Nowell (England 11/4), Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales 13/8)


Outside-centre: JONATHAN DAVIES (Wales 1/3)

Other contenders: Henry Slade (England 5/6), Garry Ringshow (Ireland 4/6), Jonathan Joseph (England 13/8), Chris Harris (Scotland 20/1), Huw Jones (Scotland 6/1)


Inside-centre: MANU TUILAGI (England 1/3)

Other contenders: Robbie Henshaw (Ireland 5/6), Hadleigh Parkes (Wales 5/4), Sam Johnson (Scotland 9/2)


Right wing: JOSH ADAMS (Wales 1/18)

Other contenders: Anthony Watson (England 4/6), George North (Wales 2/1), Elliot Daly (England 10/11), Joe Cokanasiga (England 3/1), Keith Earls (Ireland 9/2)

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