Warburton names 6 England stars in his Lions XV despite woeful Six Nations

Monday, 22 March 2021 at 11:36

byRugby Rucker

Lions legend Sam Warburton, who picked his Lions XV prior to the Six Nations, has made some changes to his team after the conclusion of round five.

DID YOU KNOW? Warburton joined a very exclusive club during the 2017 Tour to New Zealand, becoming only the second man to captain The British & Irish Lions twice.

BACK-THREE:

15. Liam Williams (Wales)
14. Anthony Watson (England)
11. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)

CENTRES:

13. Henry Slade (England)
12. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)

HALFBACKS:

10. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
9. Tomos Williams (Wales)

Warburton said: "it is about finding the right blend and working out which combinations may work together best. Thus, for instance, my choice of Sexton and Robbie Henshaw at No 10 and No 12."

FRONT-ROW:

1. Mako Vunipola (England)
2. Ken Owens (Wales) - Captain
3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

Warburton said: "The selection of the props will be intriguing, but I would back Mako Vunipola to come good. I know that he has had a difficult tournament and was taken off early in Dublin, but he is a class operator and I think Warren will recognise that.

"Owens is a superb leader and for me is ahead of Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie as the starting Test hooker

SECOND-ROW:

4. Maro Itoje (England)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Wales)

Warburton said: "In Ireland Tadhg Beirne played so well again that it looks increasingly difficult to leave him out of a Lions starting team. Which in itself is going to create some problems, because I think Maro Itoje has to start."