Paddy Power are now offering odds on who will skipper the British and Irish Lions when they head to South Africa in 2021.
Here are the seven current favourites:
- Owen Farrell (England) - 3/1
- Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) - 4/1
- Maro Itoje (England) - 4/1
- James Ryan (Ireland) - 5/1
- Peter O'Mahony (Ireland) - 12/1
- Ken Owens (Wales) - 20/1
- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) - 25/1
10 GREAT players who never won a Test Cap for the British & Irish Lions
There are a number of reasons a great player may never win a cap for 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 win a Test cap for the British and Irish Lions
Here are 10 of the best players who never won a Test cap for the British & Irish Lions:
1. Ben Cohen (England)
Injuries and bad timing meant the speedster never managed to win a Test cap for the British & Irish Lions.
Cohen was a member of the England national team that won the 2003 Rugby World Cup, scoring 31 tries in his 57 caps between 2000 and 2006.
In June 2001, he did join the Lions tour to Australia, and although he did not figure in the Tests series he did score twice in the midweek match against New South Wales Country Cockatoos at Coffs Harbour.
Did you know: He is clinically deaf, with about 30 to 33 percent hearing loss in each ear, and has been involved in efforts to make rugby more accessible to the hard of hearing, especially young deaf players.
2. Peter Stringer (Ireland)
Making his debut in 2000, Stringer went on to become an Ireland fan favourite, winning 98 caps in the process.
He quickly became renowned for his ability to take down larger players, especially with one handed "Ankle taps", and game changing moments.
He played at the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cup's and was a key figure in the sides that won the Six Nations Triple Crown in 2004, 2006, and 2007.
Did you know: His only try for Newcastle, which came in his last game for the club, helped them to a 14-10 victory in their relegation decider against London Wasps.
3. Mike Tindall (England)
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 because of injury, he was never able to go on tour with the Lions.
Did you know: Tindall was named a replacement for the Barbarians against the British and Irish Lions as part of their 2013 tour to Australia.
4. Chris Paterson (Scotland)
Paterson was a stalwart of the Scottish side for more than a decade in a variety of positions, winning 109 caps and becoming for a time the most prolific points-scorer in international rugby.
In one remarkable ten-month period in 2007-08 he kicked 36 consecutive goals for Scotland, not missing a single attempt during the 2007 Rugby World Cup or the 2008 Six Nations Championship.
His Lions tale of woe began in 2001 when he missed out on the trip to Australia after being regarded as a dead cert to make the squad.
He was then ignored for the next trek to the southern hemisphere – the ill-fated whitewash by New Zealand in 2005.
Paterson was snubbed yet again one last time in 2009 when Lions coach Ian McGeechan opted to send an SOS for Wales ace James Hook instead.
Did you know: When he quit in 2011 he was his country's leading points scorer (809) and most-capped player (109)
5. Toby Flood (England)
Love him or hate him, Flood established himself as one of the world premier fly-halves around 2010.
However, losing his No.10 duel with England rival Owen Farrell during the 2013 Six Nations meant he heartbreakingly missed out on a place to Australia that summer.
And, having missed out on South Africa four years previous, Flood pretty much gave up on his international career after that - heading to France the following year.
Did you know: Flood captained the Tigers to victory over fierce rivals Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership Final 2013
6. Sean Lamont (Scotland)
Lamont's place in Scotland's 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup marked his third tournament in a row, having been named in the 2007 and 2011 tournaments in France and New Zealand in a career that has spanned over a decade.
Despite his consistency, Lamont was never able to pull on the red shirt, losing out to players with more flair time and time again.
Did you know: He became only the third Scottish player to achieve 100 caps in 2015, after Chris Paterson (109) and Donna Kennedy (115).
7. Huw Bennett (Wales)
Former Ospreys and Wales hooker Huw Bennett is acting as interim fitness chief for British & Irish Lions tour in 2017.
Nevertheless, as a player, despite being highly rated and consistent for Wales, he never got the chance to don the famous red shirt.
Did you know: Bennett represented both Wales and England at various age level; England U16's and England U18's, Wales U19's and Wales U21's
8. Mike Ross (Ireland)
A robust presence around the pitch and a top class scrummager, Mike Ross made his name playing in the Premiership in England for Harlequins.
His top class scrummaging was widely regarded as key to Leinster's Heineken Cup & Ireland's World Cup progression to the Quarter Final in 2011.
Ross also played a key role in Ireland winning back-to-back Six Nations titles in 2014 and 2015.
Did you know: He later made his Six Nations bow in 2011, aged 31
9. Brent Cockbain (Wales)
In 2005, Grand Slam winner Brent Cockbain was again snubbed by British Lions coach Clive Woodward.
The selection of Englishman Simon Shaw ahead of Cockbain again ruffled feathers in Wales, who thought that their achievements in winning the Six Nations had been ignored.
He did eventually join the squad after Danny Grewcock was banned for biting but failed to win a Test cap.
Did you know: Cockbain represented Australia at Under 19 and Under 21 level, but qualified for Wales under the residency rule
10. Andy Goode (England)
We couldn't leave him off the list.
