Ranking the five favourite reserve Lions to be called up by Warren Gatland

A stellar 2019 and 2020 with England meant the powerhouse was in a good position to earn a Lions berth at the beginning of the year with Sam Warburton tipping him to start. Unfortunately a hip injury came at the worst possible time as he missed the entire 2021 Six Nations - but the destructive tackler would not let the Lions down if he was called into the squad.

It was hard to understand the call to leave him out in the first place, with Navidi losing out to the likes of Jack Conan and Sam Simmonds despite offering exceptional power, and having been a major factor in Wales' Six Nations title triumph a few months ago. Odds suggest he'll be the next back-rower called-up if there is an injury .

Definitely one the biggest shock omissions having won three Test caps on the tour against New Zealand four years prior, with Scotland's Zander Fagerson and Ireland's Andrew Porter preferred ahead of the England tighthead. 

Unexpectedly lost out to an Ireland team-mate in Bundee Aki, with Gatland opting for the Connacht centre's power over Ringrose. Put like that, it makes sense, but Ringrose must have been close. Has closed into 2/1 to be called up since Chris Harris was replaced by Gloucester last weekend after suffering a hand injury.

Understandably, the Lions management didn't take a gamble on Tuilagi for the initial squad given he hadn't played in months. However, since his return to action with Sale last weekend there has been multiple reports linking him with a call-up. Every chance that he could end up in South Africa with the powerhouse now odds on to receive a call-up at some point.