Warren Gatland selects unexpected captain after Alun Wyn Jones drops out
Rugby NewsSaturday, 26 June 2021 at 22:16
Welsh duo Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales) and Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) have been called into The British & Irish Lions 37-man touring squad to replace Tour captain Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales) and Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, Wales).
Jones and Tipuric both sustained Tour-ending shoulder injuries during the Lions 28-10 win over Japan at BT Murrayfield Stadium today for The Vodafone Lions 1888 Cup. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) takes over as Tour captain from Jones.
“We’re all incredibly disappointed for Alun Wyn and Justin,” said Lions Head Coach, Warren Gatland.
“The timing of these injuries seem particularly cruel given we fly to South Africa tomorrow, but unfortunately they’re part of the game.
“Alun Wyn will obviously be a big loss, both on and off the field, but will be ably replaced by Conor."
“Conor is an outstanding rugby player and is held in the highest regard with both the players and coaches. As a three-time Lions tourist, he knows what will be required as captain and I am certain he will lead the squad with excellence. He will also be well supported by an experienced leadership group.
“We plan for Adam and Josh to join up with the touring party before we depart for South Africa tomorrow evening.”
Lions say goodbye to their partners as they jet off to South Africa
#1. Georgie & Owen Farrell (England)
Despite him being England captain, Farrell’s wife Georgie likes to keep her life extremely private. The couple married in the summer of 2018 and Georgie gave birth to their son, Tommy, in March 2019.
#2. Elliot Daly & Michelle Cussell (England)
The England back met his gorgeous fiancee Michelle Cussell when he was still at school. The pair met at the £18,618-a-year Whitgift School for boys in Croydon, south London, where Daly was a pupil and she worked as a sports events organiser – although they were both 18 at the time.
#3. Luke Cowan-Dickie & (England)
Chloe from Cornwall, is a supportive partner and attends most of the Exeter Chief prop’s games. In 2020, she gave birth to their son Arlo.
#4. Courtney Lawes & Jessica Lawes (England)
Not that you can tell from her flawless figure, but the property developer and blogger has four children with her husband Courtney.
#5. Liam Williams & Sophie Harries (Wales)
He has got it right on and off the pitch. The Swansea-born fullback is engaged to model Sophie Harries, who describes herself as a “small town Welsh girl living in London.”
#6. Alun Wyn Jones and Dr Anwen Jones (Wales)
Wife of the Lions captain and mum to their two daughters, Anwen is a Welsh-speaking physiology lecturer at Cardiff's Metropolitan University.
#7. Taulupe Faletau and Charlotte Rhys Jones (Wales)
Faletau’s wife, Charlotte Rhys Jones, who is the sister of Gareth Bale’s wife, Emma Rhys Jones. Coincidentally, Bale was also in the same school form class as Faletau’s former teammate Sam Warburton. Small world.
#8. Hamish & Lucy Watson (Scotland)
'Pinball' married long-term girlfriend Lucy in summer 2019. She is thought to be an interior designer, and the pair have a baby daughter, called Honor.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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