Will Greenwood names his five 'definite' Lions for first Test

Friday, 07 May 2021 at 07:24

byRugby Rucker

Will Greenwood has analysed the whole of Warren Gatland's Lions squad, picking out his five 'nailed-on' starters for the first test.

#5. Tom Curry (England)

Age: 22
Position: Back-row

Greenwood said: "An awesome player with an outrageous engine – he’s everywhere. Curry is my pick for the first Test at openside."

Did you know? He scored on his Aviva Premiership debut on 30 October 2016, becoming the third-youngest scorer in the competition.

#4. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)

Age: 31
Position: Winger

Greenwood said: "I would pick Rees-Zammit in the Test team, as things stand. Insanely rapid, a sharp defender, but he can do all the basics – and you just can’t exclude this sort of pace."

Did you know? He broke into the Gloucester senior team in the 2019–20 season, becoming the club's youngest ever Premiership player

#3. Dan Biggar (Wales)

Age:
Position: Fly-half

Greenwood said: "He plays with his heart on his sleeve, he’s a nerveless goalkicker, is the best in the world under the high ball, smashes everything and can properly play. The player I’m most pleased for."

Did you know? Biggar has his own routine before kicking goals, which fans now call "The Biggarena" after Los Del Rio's 1995 hit, Macarena

#2. Maro Itoje (England)

Age: 26
Position: Lock

Greenwood said: "He is a force of nature. In a beaten team, he still makes a huge impact. In massive games, you know he will turn up."

#1. Tadhg Furlong

Age: 28
Position: Tighthead-prop

Greenwood said: "Furlong has come back from injury and has torn it up. It would have been inconceivable to leave him out; he’s almost pushing World XV status, with a Lions tour already under his belt."