Sir Clive Woodward selects his Lions XV - including his captain

Sunday, 21 March 2021 at 07:37

byRugby Rucker

Legendary coach Sir Clive Woodward has selected his British & Irish Lions XV for the Mail Online with six Welshmen making his team.

BACK-THREE:

15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
11. Anthony Watson (England)

Woodward said: "On the wings young Louis Rees-Zammit and Anthony Watson, returning from injury, have been on fire."

DID YOU KNOW? In 2012, following his Scotland debut, Stuart Hogg discovered he was a distant relative of George Best. A close relative of Best recognised the link after seeing Hogg play on television

CENTRES:

13. Henry Slade (England)
12. Jonathan Davies (Wales)

DID YOU KNOW? Henry Slade is the great nephew of former Portsmouth F.C. footballer Geoff Williamson.

HALFBACKS:

10. Owen Farrell (England)
9. Gareth Davies (Wales)

Woodward said: "To beat South Africa, I believe you will need either Owen Farrell or Jonny Sexton at 10 and I’ve gone with Farrell, who among other things, seems to steer clear of serious injury."

DID YOU KNOW? Owen was not at first registered as a Farrell, but took mum Colleen’s family name of O’Loughlin

FRONT-ROW:

1. Rory Sutherland (Scotland)
2. Ken Owens (Wales)
3. Kyle Sinckler (England)

DID YOU KNOW? On 5 August 2019, Ken Owens was inducted into the Gorsedd of Bards at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Llanrwst

SECOND-ROW:

4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) - Captain
5. Maro Itoje (England)

Woodward said: "Jones may have missed out on the Grand Slam but the Wales captain is my choice to lead the Lions against South Africa in the summer."

DID YOU KNOW? Alun Wyn Jones was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to rugby union football in Wales

BACK-ROW:

6. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
7. Tom Curry (England)
8. Justin Tipuric (Wales)

Woodward said: " I’m not prepared to leave Tadhg Beirne out, but want Wyn Jones and Maro Itoje to form a second row partnership, so I’m playing the Irishman at blindside flanker. Tom Curry starts at seven, and I’m going to take a risk and start Justin Tipuric at No 8."