England and Lions legend Will Greenwood has revealed his pick to captain the British & Irish Lions XV for their first test against South Africa in 2021.
Here’s who Greenwood believes is a certainty for Warren Gatland’s XV in 2021.
1. Stuart Hogg (81 Scotland caps, British & Irish Lions 2013, 2017)
- Age: 28
- Club: Exeter Chiefs
- Position: Fullback
GREENWOOD SAID: "A tourist twice already, Scotland skipper Hogg is yet to pick up a Test cap for the Lions, having been too young in 2013 and suffered injury in 2017 before the first Test, picking up a freak facial fracture after catching team-mate Conor Murray's elbow on the run.
"Hogg's all-round game - his out-of-hand kicking was spectacular - gives him the nod. Hogg's winning streak at Exeter seems to have bred an extra level of confidence that has him looking and feeling invincible. His self-belief is through the roof."
DID YOU KNOW? In 2012, following his Scotland debut, he discovered he was a distant relative of George Best.
2. Maro Itoje - Captain (38 England caps, British & Irish Lions 2017)
- Age: 26
- Club: Saracens
- Position: Second-row/Blindside-flanker
GREENWOOD SAID: "A key man in England's run to the Rugby World Cup final, Itoje has also been central to Saracens' European Cup and Premiership successes. Developed into a pivotal figure during the 2017 tour in New Zealand too."
DID YOU KNOW? So far in his rugby career, he has won four English Premiership titles with Saracens, three European Rugby Champions Cup titles, and three Six Nations Championship titles
3. James Ryan (33 Ireland caps)
- Age: 24
- Club: Leinster
- Position: Second-row
GREENWOOD SAID: "One of the form players in world rugby over the last few years, Ryan has developed into a fantastic performer for Ireland and Leinster in the second row. A future Ireland captain in the making, perhaps even a Lions one."
DID YOU KNOW? He is the Great Grandson of Irish Politician and Easter Rising Revolutionary James Ryan
4. Robbie Henshaw (48 Ireland caps, British & Irish Lions 2017)
- Age: 27
- Club: Leinster
- Position: Centre
GREENWOOD SAID: "He has struggled massively with injuries through his career - indeed a serious pectoral tear against the Hurricanes in a warm-up match the ended his 2017 tour to New Zealand early. But when fit, his power and pace in defence and attack mark him out as a fantastic player."
DID YOU KNOW? Henshaw has a lot of musical talent, playing the accordion, fiddle, guitar and piano
5. Jamie George (58 England caps, British & Irish Lions 2017)
- Age: 30
- Club: Saracens
- Position: Hooker
GREENWOOD SAID: "Superseded England starting hooker and captain Dylan Hartley to the 2017 tour, and then started ahead of Ireland's Rory Best and Wales' Ken Owens in all three Tests too. Has since won a host of trophies with Saracens at domestic and European level and become England's firmly established starting No 2."
DID YOU KNOW? George has played for Saracens since 2009 after training in the Saracens Academy from the age of 14
