LIST: Warren Gatland's 5 Most Surprising Lions Call-ups

Sunday, 27 June 2021 at 09:52

byRugby Rucker

Over the years, Lions head coaches have handed out international caps ranging from the mildly unexpected to the downright bizarre.

Here, we look at five stars who earned surprise British & Irish Lions call-ups under Warren Gatland.

#5. Shane Williams (Wales) - 2013

There was no disputing Williams’ place in the Lions squad in 2005, with the Welsh legend equalling a record five tries in a single game against Manawatu as if to hammer that point home.

However, by 2013 the wing was 36, playing his club rugby for the Mitsubishi Dynaboars in Japan and was, like Court, conveniently in Australia anyway to work for the tour as a radio commentator.

Nonetheless, he was drafted for three days to play a tour match against Brumbies, in which he was named on the starting lineup.

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DID YOU KNOW? In November 2016, Williams was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame during opening ceremonies for the Hall's first physical home in Rugby, Warwickshire

#4. Tom Court (Ireland) - 2013

Whilst not selected for the Test team, the London Irish man must be considered one of the strangest call-ups in Lions history. The Ireland international, who is from Australia, joined up with the squad while visiting family in 2013. He made no real impact to the trip but held up the scrum against the Melbourne Rebels.

DID YOU KNOW? He qualified to play international rugby for Ireland through his Grandfather

#3. FInn Russell (Scotland) - 2017

Fans were excited when the dynamic fly-half got added to the squad as part of the G6 (Geography six), but he’d play just a forgettable five minutes off the bench as a blood replacement against Hurricanes and managed to knock it on in that time. He’ll be hoping to get a better chance to impress against the Springboks this summer.

#2. Christian Wade (England) - 2013

The one-cap England wide-man was called up to play in the Brumbies game but stole the show for his hair-combing off the field, not his rugby. Wade possessed an abundance of speed and could finish, but looked very raw and didn’t relish defensive duties when called upon.

#1. Billy Twelvetrees (England) - 2013

Summoned from England duty in Argentina but part of a makeshift side which flopped against the Brumbies. This moment really felt like the moment that sent Twelvetrees international career downhill.