Brian O'Driscoll names his five ‘certainties’ for 2021 Lions XV

O’Driscoll, the Irish midfielder who went on four Lions tours and was infamously dropped by Warren Gatland for the 2013 series decider against Australia, has opted for an England-dominated selection.

Check out his fiver certainties below:

Position: Hooker

"He was terrific in 2017 and doesn't really have any competition for the shirt at the moment in my opinion."

Position: Lock/Back-Row

"I'm going to go with Itoje at six. That size will matter, particularly against South Africa who we have seen decimate teams physically. You look at Pieter Steph du Toit playing at six, you have got to match him, Itoje is someone who is capable of doing that."

Position: Lock

O’Driscoll picked fell countryman James Ryan to partner Alun Wyn Jones. He went on to say that he did question whether Jones was capable of delivering in South Africa but said “I know the warrior that’s in him, the fitness animal he is, the appetite he has for work so I think he’ll still be able to piece himself together.”

Position: Number 8

"The back row aside from Billy is very difficult. He's been the best out of three contenders (Taulupe Faletau, CJ Stander and Vunipola)."

Position: Centre

"Garry Ringrose is going to need a huge, huge year but the hard ground could suit him, but I think Jonathan Davies is the man in possession. I think that's working in his favour even though he hasn't shown any form because he hasn't played since the World Cup."

Brian O’Driscoll’s Off The Ball Lions XV: Stuart Hogg (Scotland); Anthony Watson (England), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Manu Tuilagi (England), Jonny May (England); Owen Farrell (England), Tomos Williams (Wales); Rory Sutherland (Scotland), Jamie George (England), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), James Ryan (Ireland), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), Maro Itoje (England), Sam Underhill (England), Billy Vunipola (England).