LIST: The five fastest possible Lions available to Warren Gatland

Friday, 16 April 2021 at 07:11

bySteven Smith

There's absolutely no alternative for speed.

With the likes of Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi set to line-up for the Springboks, Warren Gatland will need his own quick players to go toe-to-toe with the South African wide-men.

Using their 100m speeds, these are the statistically the five fastest players who could be called up for the 2021 British & Irish Lions.

#5. STUART HOGG – SCOTLAND – 11.6 SECONDS (100M)

Hogg broke Glasgow’s club record by hitting a top speed of 36.8kmh (just under 23mph) in training. In contrast, the Greater Roadrunner bird can only hit 20mph, while, back in the human realm, the top speed ever clocked by Usain Bolt was 27.8mph in the Berlin World Championships of 2009 when he set the still-standing 100m record of 9.58 seconds.

DID YOU KNOW? His father, John, played as a championship winning full-back for Hawick before becoming a rugby referee and his brother, Graham, played for Scotland 7s in the IRB Sevens World Series as well as representing Scotland at three different age grades

4. JACOB STOCKDALE – Ireland – 11.35 SECONDS (100M)

In March 2018, Stockdale received the 2018 Six Nations Player of the Tournament Award after setting a try-scoring record of 7 as Ireland claimed the title and won their first Grand Slam since the 2009 victory. Unplayable on his day, he has plenty of gas.

DID YOU KNOW? Stockdale is a Christian (his father is a Presbyterian minister), and prays before each game

3. ANTHONY WATSON - England - 11.2 SECONDS (100m)

Once ran a 100 metres in 11.2 seconds at a school sports day and his raw pace saw the 21-year-old have a trial for Premier League giants Chelsea. Helped England Under-20s beat Wales in the final of the 2013 Junior World Cup before making the step up to the Test side.

DID YOU KNOW? Watson played for England in the 2011 under 20s 6 Nations Championship at the age of 17

2. Louis Rees-Zammit – Wales – 11.1 SECONDS (100M)

The exciting Gloucester youngster has been timed at 11.1 seconds, having frequently shown defenders a clean pair of heels with his thrilling try exploits in the English Premiership.

DID YOU KNOW? The youngster began his youth career with Cardiff Blues before joining Gloucester

1. JONNY MAY – England – 10.71 SECONDS (100M)

The speedster clocked 10.71 for the 100 metres. With a strong argument to be England’s quickest wide man ever, May is gradually improving his finishing prowess and is now arguably the first name on the teamsheet for head coach Eddie Jones.