Popular Welsh referee Nigel Owens has been discussing his Lions contenders across his various channels in recent weeks with these four earning a lot of praise.
1. 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."
2. 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."
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.
4. 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."
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
