4: Maro Itoje (England)
“”Itoje is definitely one of them and I’d bracket him as a possible captain. He’s a hell of a competitor. When you watch him, he’s into everything. He reads things so well, he’s niggling, he leads by example. He’s a really intelligent lad and a really intelligent rugby player.”
5: James Ryan (Ireland)
“Those two could be unbelievable. They are two natural leaders and I’d be intrigued to see how their chemistry evolves on a Lions tour.”
6: Jamie Ritchie (Scotland)
” He’s tough, mobile, into everything. He’s a carrier, a leader, he’s improving game on game and I think he could be outstanding in a Lions jersey.”
7: Tom Curry (England)
“A very clever player, a relentless guy with a huge engine. He’d come into his own in a Lions environment,” he says.
8: Billy Vunipola (England)
Pick your Lions team to face the Springboks
This is your chance to select what a British and Irish Lions XV might look like in 19 months when the storied tourists make their trip to South Africa.
Make your selections below…