2017 tour of New Zealand (Talking Rugby Union)
The test series was drawn 1–1 – one victory each and a draw in the third match. Of the other tour matches, the Lions won four, lost two and drew one.
BEST PLAYERS:
- Jonathan Davies (Wales): A magnificent tour in attack and defence. Won the Lions players’ player award, and impossible to disagree. Outstanding. 9/10
- Maro Itoje (England): England’s 22-year-old lock went up another gear with the Lions. Relished the big occasions and taking on New Zealand’s revered forwards. 9/10
- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland): A scrummaging rock for the Lions, he performed with a maturity beyond his years. Already approaching world-class status. 8/10
WORST PLAYERS:
- George North (Wales): Failed to make a mark and fell well below the blistering standards of his Lions tour to Australia four years ago. 5/10
- Robbie Henshaw (Ireland): Travelled to New Zealand with his expectation, but things did not materialise, and then he suffered a tour-ending injury in the Hurricanes game. 5/10
- Greig Laidlaw (Scotland): Never really got going, and while an important midweek performer, he did not stand out. 5/10
EDITORS PICKS:
- ‘Leaked’ Lions XV with Warren Gatland to make ‘minimum changes’
- Three players Warren Gatland should have picked for the Lions
- The six changes Will Greenwood would make to the Lions XV
- Dan Carter and Jonny Wilkinson rank their top five fly-halves
- The four changes Sir Ian McGeechan would make to the Lions XV