Sam Warburton, writing in The Times, has been forced to revise his predicted Lions XV after FOUR of his starters failed to make the squad.
“I must admit that I did show my surprise to the television in front of me on at least one occasion,” Warburton said.
“I think it must have been a close call between Conan and Josh Navidi (who can play anywhere across the back row including number eight), and Conan’s greater game-time of late must have held sway because I know how much Gatland rates Navidi.
“Sam Underhill must be another affected because of his lack of game-time. I’m pretty sure that if they had been fully fit throughout this year, and especially the Six Nations, Gatland would have loved to have them in his squad.
SAM WARBURTON’S LIONS XV:
BACK-THREE
- 15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
- 14. Anthony Watson (England)
- 11. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales) – Was Jonny May
DID YOU KNOW? Hogg comes from a talented rugby family in the Borders. His father, John, played as a championship winning full-back for Hawick before becoming a rugby referee. His brother, Graham, has played for Scotland in the IRB Sevens World Series as well as representing his country at under-18, under-19 and under-20