"I’ll never know" -England star REJECTS possible 2021 Lions call-up

Saturday, 01 May 2021 at 21:07

byRugby Rucker

England's Ben Youngs has pulled out of this summer’s Lions tour of South Africa to spend time with his young family.

The scrum-half, who received a save the date letter from Warren Gatland, has ruled himself out.

Youngs instead wants to spend quality time with his family with a third child on the way.

‘Whether or not I would have made the final cut, I’ll never know,’ he revealed to the Mail Online.

‘I’ve got two young children and my wife is heavily pregnant with the third. This summer I’ve got an opportunity to be with my family and my kids.

‘I have always loved the Lions. I’ll be cheering them on, and I wish everyone involved a healthy and successful tour.'

LIST: Three players who REJECTED Lions call-ups from Warren Gatland

Here are three well known rugby players who turned down an British & Irish Lions call-up from Warren Gatland down the years. All English.

#1. Billy Vunipola (England)

Vunipola withdrew from the Lions squad the day after Saracens’ last game of the season against Exeter in May because of his shoulder injury. He was due to report for a training camp in Dublin but opted against travelling to Ireland, despite Warren Gatland asking him to do so.

#2. Jonny Wilkinson (England)

In 2013, Gatland revealed the World Cup-winner turned down the chance to tour Australia this summer. The Toulon outside-half was contacted by Gatland but informed the Kiwi coach he was not physically up to the task and would not be available for the start of the tour due to club commitments.

#3. Ben Youngs (England)

The England scrum half had been chosen in Warren Gatland’s squad in 2017, but opted not to take up his place when the cancer afflicting his older brother’s wife, Tiffany, was declared terminal. Thankfully, against all odds, she made a full recovery.