LIST: The 5 unluckiest players never to play for the Lions

There are a number of reasons a good player may never be called-up for the Lions, from the strength of competition in their position to unfortunately timed injuries.

All of the players on this list, whether it be on the grounds of their ability or achievements can be considered very unlucky to never be called up for the Lions.

Here are the top 5 players to never be capped by the Lions:

Perhaps the best player in this list, Stringer’s international career began in 2000, going on to win 98 caps, forming a strong partnership with Munster teammate Ronan O’Gara and playing 55 times for Ireland together.

Whilst O’Gara went on three Lions tours, winning two Test caps while Stringer was never handed so much as a call-up as an injury replacement.

Arguably one of England’s most consistent performers of his era, Tindall was a key member of the side that captured the Rugby World Cup crown in 2003. But during his career, which was at times a stop-start affair due to injury, he was never able to go on tour with the Lions.

Some things are just not meant to be.

Scotland’s all-time top points scorer and second highest caps holder, ‘Mossy’ was a smooth operator in his long and distinguished career. A utility back covering fly-half, wing and fullback, he had a metronomic boot that was as good as anyone’s in world rugby in his prime - at one point he kicked an impressive 36 goals in a row without missing one for Scotland during the 2007 World Cup and 2008 Six Nations.

Strange as it may be to include a player who gained just five international caps in his career, Armitage was an utterly dominant back-rower in his prime. A casualty of England’s overseas player policy, he was a bulldozing, ball-winning force for the supremely successful Toulon side of the early to mid-2010s.

This 6ft. 10-inches beanpole was a stalwart for Wales, winning his first cap in 2004 and the last of 74 caps in 2017. His lineout ability and work rate in the tackle would’ve been key skills for the Lions to call on and his best chance to tour came in 2013’s tour to Australia, with Gatland opting for fellow Welshman Ian Evans instead.