After all the months of speculation and chat – be it legally mandated, lightweight, or lazily researched – Warren Gatland has chosen his 37-man squad for the series against South Africa with the healthiest Scottish representation since 1989’s tour.
Nine were selected then, (eight featured in 1993 but Andy Nicol was a temporary replacement) and eight have been selected this time, three in the potential pack and five in the backs.
After Alun Wyn Jones was unsurprisingly presented as the captain for the tour, Lions’ chairman and former England international Jason Leonard got down to the business of naming the chosen ones, starting with the backs and revealed in alphabetical order.
The first Scot out the block was centre Chris Harris. The outside centre may have taken his time to endear the wider Scottish fanbase but after a series of powerful displays in this year’s Six Nations, especially in his defensive work and a stellar performance in the victory in Paris, he had come into consideration.
George North’s recent ACL injury reduced those odds further, and Harris plays in the same mould as Jonathan Davies, the 2017 Lions Player of the Series. As a defensive leader for Scotland’s mean defence coached by Steve Tandy who is also going on tour as one of the backroom staff, he’s now a serious contender to start in the 13 jersey.
Stuart Hogg’s inclusion came as no surprise, the Scotland captain showing some of his best form this year, and Finn Russell was always likely to make the squad, despite serious competition in the stand-off berth, as a point of difference. Boshing over the Bokke isn’t easily done, so if Plan A isn’t working, Finn can bring Plans B – Z, which Farrell and the omitted Johnny Sexton don’t have in their playbook.
There may not perhaps have been as many scrum-halves in the “world class” bracket to partner whoever’s at 10, but it was still a keenly contested are, but Glasgow Warriors’ Ali Price was the first domestically based man to make the squad, and he was soon followed by an Edinburgh representative: the bruising Duhan van der Merwe, who simply had to be included after the blistering start to his international career. 5 tries and 31 defenders beaten in this season’s Six Nations – the latter a new record total – surpassing the 30 that Brian O’Driscoll had set 20 years previously. O’Driscoll turned out to be an alright player.
Glasgow got their second representative revealed early in the list of forwards when Zander Fagerson was given the nod over the like of Kyle Sinckler, which elicited a wee swear of delight from me, and he could potentially pack down on the other side of international teammate, Rory Sutherland, if the Edinburgh man can get over the shoulder injury which Richard Cockerill says is progressing well.
And then came the moment of truth. Doing it in alphabetical order had us all waiting, on edge. If I’d had the foresight to keep count as the names were read out I would have realised that Mako Vunipola was number 36.
After “V” comes “W”. After Mako Vunipola, came Hamish Watson. The Six Nations Player of the Tournament rightly awarded his seat on the plane. Faith in humanity somewhat restored.
The Grateful Eight’s next goal is to go and claim something no Scot has worn since Tom Smith in 2001: a starting Test jersey. Hogg – who would have started the Tests at 15 had he not had an unfortunate meeting with Conor Murray’s elbow four years ago – seems in the driving seat, but I certainly wouldn’t bet against Watson starting ahead of Tipuric or Curry, nor Harris partnering Henshaw in midfield to counteract the famed South African physicality.
My outside bet? With the reduced squad numbers, Duhan van der Merwe has to be in with a shout of starting on the left wing with the more versatile Anthony Watson or Liam Williams providing any back-three cover. Any perceived defensive capabilities should be tossed aside like what he does to defenders. His attacking stats prove he’s a match-winner. Just ask France.
British & Irish Lions Squad 2021:
Forwards: Alun Wyn Jones (c), Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Zander Fagerson, Taulupe Faletau, Tadhg Furlong, Jamie George, Iain Henderson, Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Wyn Jones, Courtney Lawes, Ken Owens, Andrew Porter, Sam Simmonds, Rory Sutherland, Justin Tipuric, Mako Vunipola, Hamish Watson
Backs: Josh Adams, Bundee Aki, Dan Biggar, Elliot Daly, Gareth Davies, Owen Farrell, Chris Harris, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart Hogg, Conor Murray, Ali Price, Lewis Rees-Zammit, Finn Russell, Duhan van der Merwe, Anthony Watson, Liam Williams
61 responses
I like reading about the view from the other side – read the sarugbymag website. Watch the War Room – do the books have anything to fear from the Lions? All I can say is..wow..I’m not sure if it’s meant to be a comedic irrelevant look at the game..but..wow.
Stephen Jones on the ruck podcast tonight:
First there were patronising comments on Sutherland and Fagerson basically saying they are too soft.
Next up was Hamish Watson, who apparently is persevering but not powerful enough?
The final pearl of wisdom was that Hogg shouldnt be in the squad as he’s too small and not fast enough. Oh and Liam Williams is apparently the best player in history in the air.
Wow
The Welsh are well over due being smashed in their own back yard (next six nations). I mean er go Lions!
Listening to a video on a certain South African websites take on the squad. Immensely patronising and disparaging to the Scottish contingent. Called Watson a “Hobbit” repeatedly and states the Lions are going to get smashed as they have got “too many Scots” and not enough dominant representation from either Eng, Wal or Ire! Yeesh! SA we’re well worth their 2019 world cup win but seemed to forget they were a national embarrassment for a good few years prior to that.
I wonder how long it will take the saffers to realise they totally underestimated ‘Mish’?
Probably just immediately after the first time he carries the ball me thinks.
You should know by now that Stephen Jones is a Times sponsored troll. Even my Welsh friends read his vitriol with something akin to “ahh, bless him, he’s at it again”.
Steven Jones is the Katie Hopkins of Rugby journalism I don’t think anyone is really listening to him.
Sam, fantastic comment, “Steven Jones this a the Katie Hopkins of rugby journalism” 😂😂😂
Let them suck it up. If the worst comes to the worst, and it’s a disastrous tour, no doubting who they will blame. You just can’t argue with stupidity and there is no point trying.
Personally I have every confidence that the Scots boys will acquit themselves well and contribute to the success of the tour. Can’t wait.
Can only blame the Scots if they get into the test team 😉
Geez don’t read Neil Francis ‘piece’ in the Irish Independent. He discredited all the Scottish selections .and accused Toonie of favouritism …
I mean he’s a clown but it’ll be a fun read.
Yes, I saw that lovely headline: “Scottish players in Lions squad are not good enough to play in the Test team”. I couldn’t be bothered buying that rag or subscribing to read the whole article.
The Irish Times article from Gerry Thornley is more rational. “Gatland unveils a squad to meet Springboks’ physicallity head on”. He thinks the omission of Sexton or Ringrose is a mistake, but that Gatland has otherwise put together a nicely balanced squad.
I’ve just registered so I could read the article. Wow, parochial, myopic Tuesday person. His playing record was nothing to get excited about, played Scotland 6 times, lost 5 and drew 1. Genge ahead of Fagerson! Sinckler ahead of Sutherland. In terms of talent and ability. Sinckler that falls down before contact, same as Genge in the scrum. Even funnier is him saying DVM is hopeless under the high ball and you have to feel sorry for Johnny double-drop May FFS! Getting angrier as I type this. He takes sawn-off double barrelled aim at Townsend, Harris, Price, Watson, Russell, Fagerson, Sutherland and Hogg and DVW i.e. all of us. Really doesn’t like our inclusions at all but you don’t get the opportunity to reply to the donkey, or should that be ass. I’ve copied the entire article, I hope the Scottish lads have sight of it. Very disappointed that a former Cap has not referred to formal analysis or facts before prematurely spurting his impotence in our faces.
This is surely click bait. I registered then didn’t read. It’s all good for Irish independent. The guy believes this then I
He is the worse kind of tool a real bloomer. Ignore the clown.
This is the same guy who said Leinster had not a hope in hell of beating Exeter. He is just a wind up
merchant .
My abiding memory of the 6 nations is the twickenham match and the second or third scrum , being reset , and loud and clear on the ref’s mike we hear , the dulcet tones of Zander “Genge’s struggling, sir” . Still smiling as I remember it.
What single moment stands it for ( to pit it in the west coast vernacular ) Youse?
That’s why Genge isn’t on the list. Sinkler , nah one trick pony can run hard at wee lads , looks great on TV but isn’t that impressive !
For me, the stand-out moment was the closing seconds of the Twickenham match.
A final, desperate England attack that for long-suffering Scotland fans had to lead to the inevitable equalising try followed by a conversion to beat us – only for Hamish Watson to turn it over and boot it to touch. Dramatic, historic, and for me very emotional.
Brian O’Driscoll is at it too. Suggesting Russell only touring because he’s Townsend’s man and implying Sexton should be there instead. Referring to Duhan as a South African but conveniently overlooking the fact that Bundee Aki was born and raised in NZ. He has always struggled to hide his lack of respect for Scottish rugby over the years.
Having lived in Ireland … this is typical Irish
Not to mention Stander and various other Irish poaches….
Scotland had 23 non Scottish born players in their 2021 panel compared to Ireland’s 8. non Irish born in theirs.
What’s your point Pytelium? either Ireland object to the eligability rules and don’t pick anyone not born in Ireland or they don’t. It’s very weak to say we use them but only a little bit.
Generally I don’t think Aki gets the credit or respect he deserves in Ireland, they seem very luke-warm on their celebrating his inclusion. Happy to laud Ringrose and, more deservedly, Henshaw. The Aki- Henshaw partnership was far and away their best performance in 6N and suits the way they play far better but Ringrose is one of their darling players who they love to talk all day about how great he is.
Pytelium – that’s an odd stat to chuck into a discussion on players qualified via residency like Aki or DVDM as the vast majority were born qualified to play for Scotland.
I read somewhere that Sexton isn’t liked by other players, including Irish players. Not heard this b4. Also Sexton isn’t even playing club rugby at moment due to concussion. Realistically, SA on hard grounds …. and his concussion ….. seriously!!!!!
Yea I really don’t think the Sexton call was close at all, they are saying that out of respect for what he has achieved and rightly so but I think it was quite clear cut. For me when i look at the selection and who got picked the phrase that stands out is “point of difference”. Russells points of difference is obvious, Biggar his ability to claim a high ball and 6N form. Farrell is a world class 10 and a world class 12. Sexton’s PoD is he hasn’t strung 3 games together in 3 yrs and keeps getting concussed.
Can’t see 3 10’s in the match day 22, so if Farrell plays 12 Russell won’t be on the bench (and I suspect Biggar will start).
Cats at a rave suggestion – Russell at 12 over Farrell, would massively upset a lot of English fans and has the potential to be very effective.
Think Biggar is pretty nailed on to be in the 22, so Russell really needs to show he can be as versatile as Farrell (but better) to have the best shot.
Would be fun to see it in a warm up game at least.
Looking forward to hearing about the first attack session together when the 10s realise that Russell is Scotland’s attack coach. He then schools them on the playbook and then Farrell storms off because he cant understand a word Russell’s saying.
Nice to hear Tom English on the bbc radio Scotland rugby podcast say that his country men were being petulant and shooting down all their points with some reasoned analysis. They also made a valid point that everyone looks out for their own and thinks their team’s players should be selected ahead of everyone else. I read an interesting suggestion on Twitter (by a fellow Scot who’s name I didn’t take a note of so apologies if you’re reading this!) that everyone should come up with a lions squad excluding anyone from their own country. He was trying to get 25 people from each country do have a go ahead of the next tour to then average out the picks. Would certainly stop the media nonsense we’ve been hearing this time about people from other countries (Scotland!) not being good enough.
I see Russell was sub’d today needing an HIA. He looked OK but who knows
So did Biggar, so that’s the Farrell at 10 then!
I would love it if that moron from the Irish independent really had enough time, between licking windows and masturbation, to troll a fairly niche Scottish rugby blog. That would be the perfect self indictment :D
Thinking ahead to the internationals without the Lions callups and came up with the following team off the top of my head (I’m sure I’ve forgotten about a few people):
Maitland, Graham, Jones, Redpath, McLean, Hastings, Horne; Kebble, Brown, Berghan, Gray, Cummings, Ritchie, Bayliss, M Fagerson
Bench: McInally, Bhatti, Nel, Craig, B Thomson, Dobie, R Thomson, McDowall
Maybe go with a few more young guys in the “A” fixture but in general I think it’s a good idea to keep a few experienced heads to help the young guys along. Excited to get a better look at Redpath and see how McLean, Ross Thomson and Dobie go from a warriors fan perspective. Also thought Alex Craig had a few good carries when he came on against France. Maybe a chance to get a better look at Ashman and Kerr too.
Summer team for Georgia: If your going for what i think would be the strongest line-up.
Jones – Maitland(VC) – Steyn – Redpath – Graham – Hastings – Horne – Fagerson – Ritchie(C) – Skinner – Gray – Cummings – Berghan – Brown – Kebble
Hutchison – Van Der Valt – Hidalgo Clyne – Haining – Meihuizen – Nel – McInally – Bhatti
Steele should be in the squad. Unfortunate to miss : Bennett.
For a while I was starting to wonder where the next generation was to replace Seymour, Maitland, Hogg and even Russell but when you see some of the youngster getting serious time at Glasgow I think there is cause for optimism with Dobie, Thomson, Maclean, Forbes and co. Throw in a Redpath and one or two others and you have a very decent back line for the next decade.
I like this squad. After the USA match I doubt anyone in the coaching setup would ignore experience (though in that case they did).
I would be tempted to give Ritchie the captaincy, or vice captaincy (I say as an armchair pundit on an internet forum).
Good shout on Steyn, Neil. Not sure how I forgot about him and put McDowall instead.
I think I broadly agree with you on that being our strongest available team.
Ritchie should be captain, he’s vice captain to Hogg along with Russell, so in the absence of the other two he has to be captaining the side otherwise the whole VC thing is a bit of a joke. I would imagine the plan would be to play Ritchie for the full 80 and if he has to go off injured then McInally or Brown would take over – but I would certainly have no complaints with it being Maitland.
When is the squad announced?
Squad for summer tour:
Maitland, Kinghorn, Graham, Forbes, Mclean
Jones, Hutchinson, Redpath, Johnson
Hastings, Thompson
Horne, Dobie, Steele
Bhatti, Kebble, Schoeman
Brown, Turner, Ashman
Berghan, Nel
Cummings, Craig, Skinner, Gray
Ritchie (capt), Bayliss, Crosbie, Gordon
Fagerson, Bradbury
Couldn’t think of any other options for tighthead. Worrying as really need to build some depth there.
Picked a couple (Kinghorn, Bradbury) to try and play themselves into some form and there’s a couple I’d have liked to have seen as well (Steyn, Mcdowall) that the tour has just come a bit early for.
Looks a bit skeletal without the lions but a real opportunity for Ritchie, Cummings, Gray etc to cement themselves as leaders in the team.
Given it’s only two tests I would be surprised if there were more than 28 “touring”. I’d probably let Jonny Gray have a rest, as well – I’m not sure how many games he’s played but he still has potentially 7 more games to play for Exeter.
Is Murray McCallum a tighthead?
Also agree that they should probably rest J Gray. I’d like to see them blood some youngsters so maybe throw Darge into the back row mix and rest Fagerson too. Give Bradbury a serious shot at the 8 role.
Loved the way Darge played for the u20s.
@merlot That’s fair although could use it as a oppotunity to look at a few of the younger guys by taking this many. The ones who would probably drop out would be Mclean and Gordon (and Gray) due to the need for injury cover.
@borderbadger McCallum is a tighthead but has barely played in the last 3 years. Shame as he had a lot of promise in his first season.
Not 100% but I don’t think Darge has played for Edinburgh yet. Would like to see him get some game time at Glasgow next year before going on a Scotland tour ideally.
Arguably a stronger midfield than the Lions.
Yes this is a slight wind up.
I was disappointed to hear that the ‘A’ game with England is going to be used as a “capture” game for international allegiances.
I think it’s ridiculous that you can be tied to a country for anything other than full internationals. It plays to the advantage of bigger teams (who are more likely to field A sides), and could cause players to make bad career decisions without really knowing if they’re valued by the side they are choosing.
It has always been that a game for any national “second team” means that you are then forbidden for playing for any other country. In recent years this second team has been nominated as the Under 20s, but that is only because of the lack of “A” team fixtures (and the increase in profile of the U20s competitions).
I find it a bit mixed that you find it “ridiculous that you can be tied to a country for anything other than full internationals” and in the very next sentence advocate players choosing their nation as part of a career choice!!!
A player can always opt out of playing for the “A” team if they are still unsure about their nationality.
Yeah, I get that and understand that it’s been that way for years.
I just think that a lot of pressure is placed on young players (Paolo Odogwu & Bevan Rodd are just a couple of likely examples for this game) by this rule being in place. I imagine it’s a bit tricky for them to opt out as it might make it less easy for them to be picked for the real team afterwards.
I’m not really sure where you’re seeing the contradiction in those two statements. I’m not saying that choosing to play international rugby is a career choice (like it’s just to bolster their CV). However, playing in this game may be a decision that some players regret when they look back on their careers.
Sorry SlowWalk, I was being a bit tongue-in-cheek suggesting players should opt out. However, I truly believe that even in the professional game playing for your country is the pinnacle of your career (Lions notwithstanding). In their hearts they know which national team they really want to play for, and have already made that decision. If they have to make a decision now then so be it.
They are professional sportsmen with agents, coaches, managers and parents to help them make a decision, not 16 year-old kids.
There are hundreds of examples of players who have only been capped once or twice, and then ignored for the rest of their careers by the same national coaches. Do you think they regret the decision to play for their country? It doesn’t matter if it’s a full international, an U20s game or an “A” fixture, you are still representing the country.
Players like Rodd and Odougwu are exactly the ones who may be caught out by this.
An A cap gives no guarantees of a 50 cap England career and all the financial rewards that brings but equally turning it down would almost be an admission they’ll “settle” for Scotland or Italy respectively. You’ve got to be brave to back yourself in that scenario. Rodd if I understand correctly is of Manx origin so probably would take lots of Scotland caps over not many England caps but may prefer lots of England caps over lots of Scotland caps. Difficult decision for young lads.
Can’t help but feel A games should capture players but perhaps only for a couple years so if they aren’t fully capped in that time they can play for any other nation they qualify for.
I have to say I completely disagree with you both. If a player wants to play for the country of his birth, or that of a parent or grandparent, or where he was brought up, then he has the right to choose. What he does NOT have the right to do is chop and change depending on whether he gets the chance to play for the national team, regularly or otherwise.
Why would any country, or national coach, want to have someone for whom that team is second choice?? It’s not applying to University or an NFL draft, it’s playing for your country.
If Rodd or Odogwu feel English enough to play for them then good for them. If they want to play for Scotland or Italy respectively then they can turn Eddie down, and I am sure even Eddie would respect that.
What neither of them should expect is the possibility of switching allegiance if things don’t work out either way.
I cannot help feeling that you both (Scrummo, SlowWalk90) think playing for Scotland or Italy is somehow less than playing for England. It is NOT. Shame on you.
You have to be realistic about these things Merlot.
There will be lads of mixed ancestry/mixed allegiance. English mum and Scottish da etc.
They might well have grown up supporting Scotland when we play England in the 6N however I refuse to begrudge anyone 20k or whatever it is England pay them a game when they’re risking their body/head injuries and everything else.
Players have short careers which can be even shorter than that on occasions so have to make decisions beyond just who they rooted for on TV as a kid or who they feel the most attached to. The apparent luxury of an A team callup at age 20 is a career defining choice for someone like Rodd and it shouldn’t be in my opinion. Yes he could turn both countries down but as above I doubt that’s without ramifications.
You or me might take one Scotland cap over any number of England ones for pride but someone with connections to both has a difficult choice which is exactly what I said previously.
Lots of whingeing by Ireland former players and journos about Gatland’s picks for the Lions squad. Well, they can suck it up, just like we did in 2017. We finished below them in the 2017 6N but with the same number of points and wins – and we beat them at Murrayfield that year. It’s clearly an entitlement thing for them.
Rightly or wrongly having a voice at the selection meetings is massive. We paid the price in 2017 and now it’s a case of sour grapes with the Irish. I understand that Andy Farrell wanted to tour but the IRFU blocked it and so maybe these Irish whiners should vent their frustration at the IRFU. If it cost £100k to add Lawes to the squad then you can see why Sexton wasn’t picked because of his durability risk. Flying out a replacement FH mid tour is really not ideal and would cause so much disruption. Ryan and Stander can feel hard done by but to suggest Sexton and Ringrose should have been picked instead of Russell and Harris is unconvincing at best.
I think the idea that having a voice in the squad selection meetings has been so crucial is overplayed. The other 3 nations have been used to sharing the selections between the 3 of them, which has meant that all their best players have generally been selected. As the split has now gone four ways, some of their players that would generally make it have had to miss out. I think they’re simply not used to that.
I’ve noticed that the rugby pundits from other nations have pushed the idea that it is only due to Townsend coaching and a massive improvement in form in this year’s tournament that gets us a decent share of the squad (still equal smallest). I’ve also noticed that they like to quote league positions as a reference for how successful a team is.
However, league positions are irrelevant for a Lions tour. It’s all about your ability to win. In the last two six nations, we’ve won more games than Wales and have had exactly the same record as Ireland and England (we actually have one bonus point more than England). In the last 5 six nations, we’ve lost 11 out of 25. It’s time these pundits woke up, the Scottish team aren’t inferior to the other home nations in any way.
To be fair, most of them are berating Gatland for the inclusion of English players over Irish. And they have a good point.
LCD or Jamie George over Ronan Kelleher? Kelleher had an outstanding 6N but is relatively inexperienced.
Hill over Ryan? I would have picked Ryan every time. I would have picked Gray over Hill, but Ryan over both of them.
Lawes over Ryan and/or CJ Stander? Difficult one to defend other than Lawes can play 5/6. But you already have two others that can do that in Itoje and Beirne.
Farrell over Sexton? This one is a bit more difficult and if Sexton hadn’t had his latest knock you would have picked him. Possibly over Russell given Gatland wants “flexibility” in terms of position.
Ringrose over Daly? Even my English mates are aghast that Daly is going. He hasn’t had a good match for 2 years. I had Ringrose in my test side, although mostly due to the lack of other outstanding options.
I think if I was Irish I’d be a bit peeved, but equally they are probably as shocked as we are at the inclusion of Conan and Aki. Swings and roundabouts.
The fact is Farrell turned down the assistant coach job and so Irish representation suffered. It shouldn’t happen that way but it does. Although not to the English, for some reason.
I think it’s a common misconception that Gatland has picked the best 37 players in the country. Instead, he’s picked the 37 players he believes are best placed to beat South Africa.
I watched Squidge rugby’s video on selection and it’s a really good portrayal of how Gatland wants to play: fast number 8s who will carry in the wide channels, big powerful second rows with decent hands that can release the ball to the backs, centres that can join forward pods.
When you watch it everything becomes quite clear. Admittedly I had Ryan in my test squad but after watching the La Rochelle game, I understand his exclusion.
I do find the argument that Scotland are only well represented is because of Toony and Tandy (sounds like a weird cartoon) irksome. The optimist in me says that Gatland is not a man easily swayed and it’s just a coincidence. Even the usually impartial Chris Jones on the BBC Rugby Union Weekly was calling for a coach from each nation to be on the panel so bias doesn’t occur. I find it remarkable that someone as canny and intelligent as Gatland could be talked into picking lesser players because the defence coach he picked is mates with some of the Scottish boys.
Yes, do not see Gatland being over-ruled by Townsend!
Good to see the Lions-Japan game will be on Channel 4, as well as them showing highlights of the SA tests.
While I have no issue with games being on Sky etc., it can only be a good thing for more people to be able to see the Lions in action.
The squad for the Summer internationals will no doubt be taking some serious thoughts at Murryfield and certainly merits at Scottishrugbyblog article on its own. There are 3 games to be won and an opportunity to blood new talent alongside the senior players. Just looking at the back 3 it is a perfect opportunity for Maitland to guide the current talents we want to see more from (Kinghorn and Graham) as well as the new (Forbes and McLean) .. in the centre a great opportunity to get Redpath, Hutchinson (who has had a great season) some games time but Lang, Dingwall, Jones and Johnson so much to look at … while at fly half ..Adam Hastings needs game time and at scrum half great to get Dobie some game time alongside Steele, Horne and maybe Vellacott … and there is always a hope that we onboard some new talent (Rodd and Baylis) alongside experience that is fresh after time off for injury (McInally) while allowing others time off (Johnny Gray deserves break) .. get Skinner and Cummings to be the senior pros alongside Craig and maybe Mielhuisen, Hunter-Hill or Davidson… looking forward to the announcement..
Is there actually any indication Dingwall isn’t going to play for England? He’s been in the senior squad and will presumably be in line for a cap this summer. Not sure why his name keeps popping up except blind hope?
I see that Alex Dunbar has called it a day and retired due to injury. Thought he was a great player who was totally mismanaged!