Looking back at the Lions XV Warren Gatland picked back in 2019

Tuesday, 04 May 2021 at 09:46

byRugby Rucker

Speaking to the BBC in 2019, Warren Gatland selected an XV of players who were in pole position to start for his Lions against the Springboks in 2021.

Two years on, and with the New Zealander set to reveal his 36-man squad on Thursday, we take a look at the team he selected back then.

BACK-THREE:

Fullback. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Winger. Josh Adams (Wales)
Winger. Anthony Watson (England)

Verdict: All likely to be included

CENTRES:

Outside-centre. Jonathan Davies (Wales)
Inside-centre: Manu Tuilagi (England)

Verdict: Davies is a certainty, while Tuilagi would be a wildcard pick as he's not played any rugby since September

HALFBACKS:

Fly-half. Owen Farrell (England)
Scrum-half. Conor Murray (Ireland)

Verdict: Would be a major shock if either were left out

FRONT-ROW:

Loosehead-prop: Mako Vunipola (England)
Hooker: Jamie George (England)
Tighthead-prop: Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

Verdict: Furlong is an absolute certainty, but George and Vunipola will be relying on past exploits to be named in the squad

SECOND-ROW:

Lock: Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
Lock: Maro Itoje (England)

Verdict: Both in...move on.

BACK-ROW:

Blindside-flanker: Aaron Wainwright (Wales)
Openside-flanker: Tom Curry (England)
Number 8: Taulupe Faletau (Wales)

Verdict: Curry and Faletau are both nailed-on, but Wainwright has slipped down the pecking order with Hamish Watson or Josh Navidi more likely to be selected