Lions squad announcement LIVE: Jonny May and Kyle Sinckler miss out as Warren Gatland reveals selection
Follow all the latest updates after Warren Gatland revealed his 37-man squad for the British and Irish Lions’ tour of South Africa this summer
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Your support makes all the difference.Follow all the latest news live as the British and Irish Lions’ 37-man squad is announced today. Head coach Warren Gatland has selected 21 forwards and 16 backs and the players were not been told beforehand, finding out along with the rest of the world.
There are plenty of big talking points, like the captaincy, which has been handed to Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones after leading his country to the Six Nations title in the spring. Even then though, Jones may not be guaranteed a starting berth in what is naturally a highly competitive squad pooling the resources of the four nations.
Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton has been left out of coach Gatland’s 37-man squad, which tours South Africa from 3 July until 7 August. Owen Farrell, Dan Biggar and Finn Russell will be in contention for the fly-half positions. Follow all the latest reaction from the Lions’ squad announcement below.
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More absentees
Just having another read through of the squad, and a couple more names not listed jump out. Shocked that Jonathan Davies, player of the series last time around and very good at 12 for Wales in the Six Nations, does not figure in the centre reckoning, and Josh Navidi and Sam Underhill feel unfortunate exclusions for what they can bring.
Defence coach Steve Tandy speaks
“Seeing the talent and going through lots of detail on the individuals, there is lots of excitement. We’ll work out a defensive leadership group, but it is hard to pinpoint when you look at the talent through the squad.”
Tandy will be very familiar with Chris Harris and Hamish Watson in that regard, two key defensive lieutenants for Scotland.
Warren Gatland reveals all
“Looking particularly at our loose forwards, getting that extra player there as a bit of a back-up, a 37-man squad was something that we looked at yesterday.
“There are a lot of factors to take into consideration. You are looking at form in the Six Nations, some younger players that you feel you can develop on the tour and players who have done it for you before.”
Notable absentees
The big surprise from that naming is perhaps the exclusion of Kyle Sinckler, with Zander Fagerson and Andrew Porter preferred at tighthead. Elsewhere, no Johnny Sexton or Manu Tuilagi, but space for Bundee Aki, who would not have made many people’s predicted midfield selections. Jonny Hill a real shock inclusion, too, with no room for either James Ryan or Jonny Gray in the second row.
2021 British and Irish Lions Squad - Forwards
Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Zander Fagerson, Taulupe Faletau, Tadhg Furlong, Jamie George, Iain Henderson, Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones, Wyn Jones, Courtney Lawes, Ken Owens, Andrew Porter, Sam Simmonds, Rory Sutherland, Justin Tipuric, Mako Vunipola, Hamish Watson.
2021 British and Irish Lions Squad - Backs
Josh Adams, Bundee Aki, Dan Biggar, Elliot Daly, Gareth Davies, Owen Farrell, Chris Harris, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart Hogg, Conor Murray, Ali Price, Louis Rees-Zammit, Finn Russell, Duhan van der Merwe, Anthony Watson, Liam Williams.
2021 British and Irish Lions Squad
Leonard thanks the sponsors, partners, and staff, before revealing the squad.
It’s time...
A few final thoughts from Sam Warburton, and then it is time for our second teeing-up montage. But we’ve made it! Here’s Jason Leonard.
Still we wait for the squad...
The first warm-up game for the tour is on June 26, and there must be some fear now that Jason Leonard may not have finished announcing the squad by now as we talk to as many former Lions as possible to describe how unique an experience it is.
You have to feel for the players’ fingernails, chewed down to the cuticle as they nervously waiting to find out if they have made it. You’d hate to miss out after all of this build-up.
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