Warren Gatland named AKI in his touring squad, it was expected Garry Ringrose would have been selected but Bundeee got the nod.

The previous Connacht players to play for the Lions are Ray McLoughlin (1966, 1971), John O’Driscoll (1980, 1983) & Ciaran Fitzgerald (1983) who were all before the professional era.

Several players are named in a Lions squad for a first time, including Josh Adams, Bundee Aki, Chris Harris, Ali Price, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Zander Fagerson, Iain Henderson, Jonny Hill, Wyn Jones, Andrew Porter, Sam Simmonds, Rory Sutherland and Hamish Watson.

“We believe we’ve picked a squad capable of winning a Test series in South Africa,” said Gatland.

“Selecting a Lions squad is never easy and, in many ways, this has been the most challenging selection I have been involved in. Over the course of the last three weeks the coaches and I have rigorously debated each position.

Gatland names Jones as his 2021 Lions captain

“We saw some outstanding performance in the recent Six Nations, so competition for places has been tough with some incredibly tight calls to make.

“However, we are very happy with the squad we have assembled and look forward to meeting up in Jersey in just over a month’s time to start our preparation to take on the World Champions. We’ve left out some very talented players which gives an indication to the strength of this squad and we know how important that stand-by list will be.

“Being selected for a Lions Tour is the greatest honour for a British and Irish player and I congratulate everyone named today.”

Backs (16):

Josh Adams (Cardiff, Wales) Wing

Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) Centre

Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) Fly-half

Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) Centre

Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales) Scrum-half

Owen Farrell (Saracens, England) Fly-half

Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland) Centre

Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) Centre

Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) Full-back

Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) Scrum-half

Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) Scrum-half

Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby, Wales) Wing

Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland) Fly-half

Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) Wing

Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) Wing

Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) Full-back

Forwards (21):

Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland) Second row

Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) Back row

Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) Hooker

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England) Back row

Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) Prop

Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales) Back row

Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) Prop

Jamie George (Saracens, England) Hooker

Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) Second row

Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, England) Second row

Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) Second row

Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales) (Captain) Second row

Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales) Prop

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) Second row

Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) Hooker

Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) Prop

Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England) Back row

Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) Prop

Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, Wales) Back row

Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) Prop

Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) Back row

The post Bundee Aki joins elite list of Connacht Rugby players to go on the British And Irish Lions Tour appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Push to make the squad

This is usually the time of year when club players make a push to get into their international teams for the November Test Series. This year that series has been canceled. Despite there being remaining fixtures in the 2020 6 Nations Tournament, the squads for these games are set. Instead, there is an opportunity for new players to feature in a proposed competition in November and December.

This tournament would feature 6 Nations teams along with two invited teams, likely to be Fiji and Japan. Split into two groups of four teams the competition would guarantee each team at least three games. Ample time for players to make an impression.

Firstly, to be played in 2020 are six rounds of the English Premiership. Secondly, one round and the semi-finals of the Pro14 looks set to feature three Irish sides. Thirdly, the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup where British and Irish players can be found across the remaining teams. This is all before the turn of the year when another 6 Nations comes around in February.

Throwing to one of our greatest tries.

Who else was watching this like the coaching staff? #LionsRugby #TBT pic.twitter.com/V3mzgAOU42

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) August 27, 2020

Gatland knows what it takes

With this in mind, Lions’ tour Head Coach Warren Gatland will have a close eye on proceedings and will be spoilt for choice when deciding where to look for potential players. Facing his fourth Lion’s Tour, third as Head Coach, Gatland will have a good idea of what he’s looking for. Undoubtedly, there will be a chance for players with little or no International experience to come to the fore at this time. However, it may be a Tour where the coach opts for experience over youth.
Physicality over Flare

Ireland’s Conor Murray says competition from John Cooney for the scrum-half spot is a positive for the team ahead of Saturday’s game against Wales.
https://t.co/GQuj8rGNhr pic.twitter.com/vkCLVQzP6S

— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) February 4, 2020

The 2019 World Cup winners are known for their brute strength, which will have some players reminiscing of the 2009 Tour. Gatland will need a team to compete with such a side and this falls into certain player’s hand. Conor Murray is an obvious example.

Despite poor 2019 form and a World Cup hangover, Andy Farrell kept faith in the Munster man for the 6 Nations over the energetic options of John Cooney and Luke McGrath. This motivated by a desire from Farrell to keep Ireland’s most experienced as he transitioned the team into a new Age.

Can Conor Murray get his form back

Murray won’t be complaining though as it gives him time to return to form and prove to Gatland that he can replicate the performances he gave on the previous two Lions Tours. Standing at over six-foot, Murray is not the stereotypical scrumhalf and his physicality could be a huge asset in South Africa.

If all goes to plan, rugby fans will have no shortage of entertainment in the coming months. With so many games there will an abundance of talent, both familiar and fresh, and the oncoming Lions selection will only add to the players’ drive. One thing that can be certain is the headache Warren Gatland will have next spring deciding players for the Lions’ Tour 2021

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐑𝐘 @JohnnySexton Baird @JamesLowe_03#GuinnessPRO14 pic.twitter.com/tZoLsmsnN0

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) August 25, 2020

The post Which players will make cut for British and Irish Lions’ in 2021 tour appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.