Sir Clive Woodward leaves Russell & Vunipola out of his 2021 Lions XV

Saturday, 21 November 2020 at 08:56

byRugby Rucker

England's World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward is the latest pundit to select his XV for the 2021 tour of South Africa.

Speaking at a Q&A in September 2020, the 64-year-old made his selection, but conceded that a number of those players would need to rediscover their best form over the next 12 months to warrant their place.

Woodward, who coached the Lions in 2005, is the latest pundit to make his selection with Brian O'Driscoll, Sir Ian McGeechan and Will Greenwood all making their predictions.

Here is who Woodward picked, including eight England players.

Sir Clive Woodward's Lions 2021 XV

BACK-THREE: Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Liam Williams (Wales), Anthony Watson (England)

"I'd start these three, but could have Jonny May and Josh Adams adding pace off the bench."

CENTRES: Manu Tuilagi (England) & Jonathan Davies (Wales)

"Similar partnership to Te'o and Davies in 2017, but with even more power."

HALFBACKS: Owen Farrell (England), Conor Murray (Ireland)

"I don't want to see Owen in the centre, his best position always has been 10. Murray will set the pace with someone like Tomos Williams coming off the bench."

FRONT-ROW: Mako Vunipola(England), Jamie George (England), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

"My first-choice front row would be Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Tadhg Furlong with Rory Sutherland, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Kyle Sinckler on the bench if required."

LOCKS: Maro Itoje (England) & James Ryan (Ireland)

"For me they are the two best locks anywhere at the moment. World-class."

BACK-ROW: Tom Curry (England), Sam Underhill (England), Taulupe Faletau (Wales)

"In the back row I would now start with Tom Curry and Sam Underhill either side of Taulupe Faletau at No.8. Billy Vunipola and Justin Tipuric would have big roles to play off the bench."