Here are three well known rugby players who turned down an British & Irish Lions call-up from Warren Gatland down the years. All English.
COMPETITION:
#1. Ben Youngs (England)
The England scrum half had been chosen in Warren Gatland’s squad in 2017, but opted not to take up his place when the cancer afflicting his older brother’s wife, Tiffany, was declared terminal. Thankfully, against all odds, she made a full recovery. He again turned down a call-up in 2021 because his wife, Charlotte, is heavily pregnant with their third child.
