More than 50 players sent save-the-date letters for Lions Tour - report

British and Irish Lions boss Warren Gatland has sent a letter to more than 50 potential Lions  to sound out their availability for this summer's tour according to a report in the Daily Mail.

The report states that a number of current non-internationals were on Gatland's mailing list. 

The likes of current test outcast to receive a mail could include the likes of Sam Simmonds, Danny Care, Rhys Webb and John Cooney.

The Lions selectors will meet this week to whittle the numbers down to a final 36, before the official squad announcement on Thursday week.

According to the report, the prospective tourists have to let Gatland know if they are available for the tour as it will entail players entering into a Covid bubble for six weeks.

Sam Simmond has been widely tipped to feature in the tour with Gatland having attended multiple Exeter Chiefs matches over the past few months.