Winners & Losers: British and Irish Lions Squad Announcement

May 06, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

Every four years players from all the Home Nations eagerly await to hear their name as the British and Irish Lions squad is announced.

This year, Warren Gatland was not short on some surprise inclusions and equally surprising exclusions.

We take a look at some of the biggest winners and losers from the announcement.

Winner: Courtney Lawes

A selection very much based on reputation as Lawes is set to take the pitch for the first time since England's victory over Italy in the Six Nations in February.

The England second-rower has snuck into the team ahead of James Ryan. A top performer on the tour in 2017, Warren Gatland is well aware of what Lawes can bring to his side and has backed England's most capped back five forward to shine in South Africa.

Physicality will be key against the South Africans, something that Lawes has in abundance.

Loser: Manu Tuilagi

If Lawes is a winner, Tuilagi is certainly a loser having missed out on selection. The Sale Sharks and England centre was tipped by many to crack the nod for Gatland's squad but ultimately it was not to be.

Tuilagi has a great reputation as a world-class centre but his injury record seems to have been too much of a gamble for Gatland and his coaching staff.

Winner: Bundee Aki

It’s been a long time since a Connacht player has made the Lions squad 🦁

Congrats Bundee 🥳 #LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/rlOTdTTU1Z
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) May 6, 2021

One man's loss is another man's gain. With Manu Tuilagi missing the tour, Bundee Aki has been brought in as a like for like replacement.

Aki is very much a similar player to Tuilagi with his physicality both on defence and attack. His breakdown ability is another plus for Gatland's side.

The Connacht centre featured for just 64 minutes of Ireland's Six Nations campaign before getting red carded. That incident did not sway the Lions boss away from selecting the centre.

Losers: Garry Ringrose & Henry Slade

Sticking with the centres. Both Garry Ringrose and Henry Slade had solid Six Nations campaigns that would have kept them in the running for a Lions call up, however, Gatland looks to have gone for more powerful options in Aki, Robbie Henshaw, and Chris Harris.

Loser: Jonathan Davies

One of the most shocking calls from Gatland's squad. The man of the series in 2017 and one of Gatland's most trusted players during his tenure as Wales' head coach, Jonathan Davies looked a nailed-on Lions tourist to South Africa. However, the Lions boss made the tough decision to leave 'Fox' out of his squad. The rise of Chris Harris during the Six Nations certainly made the situation somewhat easier but it would have still been a tough call. Davies has and can comfortably cover both 12 and 13 for the Lions and Wales.

Winner: Chris Harris

Just reward for a simply outstanding Six Nations campaign. Chris Harris is just the kind of player that Scotland fans would predict that Gatland would snub.

However, Harris may just be another benefactor of the Scottish coaches with the Lions. Steve Tandy will know better than most about the value that Harris can bring on defence and with Davies missing out, Harris can make a move for a starting role in his place.

Winner: Jack Conan

The bolter few saw coming. Jack Conan was a surprising inclusion in Gatland's squad with the Leinster no.8 hardly a regular starter for Ireland.

Conan's first test after the Rugby World Cup only came against Italy this February but he obviously made an impression on Gatland recently.

Loser: CJ Stander

A Lions test against South Africa would have been a perfect send-off for the Ireland and Munster no.8 but Warren Gatland isn't one for sentimental selections.

Stander has been in excellent form for Munster and Ireland featuring at no.8 and blindside but not enough to convince Gatland to select him for a second tour.

Winner: Sam Simmonds

Having not played for England in over three years, Warren Gatland and his coaching staff have seen value where Eddie Jones hasn't.

Simmonds' form has more than warranted a test call up and dry sunny conditions in South Africa could be the perfect place to set Sam loose.

Loser: Billy Vunipola

A victim of England's poor in the Six Nations, Billy Vunipola misses out on selection for the second time in his career with injury denying him in 2017.

The England no.8 wasn't in terrible form for England but wasn't quite at his best and Saracens' featuring in the Championship haven't helped his chances.

Loser: James Ryan

Courtney Lawes' reputation helped him into the squad while James Ryan wasn't quite as fortunate as his tough run of injuries hampered his chances of making the squad.

Had the Lions tour taken place last year, there is a good chance James Ryan's name would have been read out, but instead it was the likes of Tadhg Beirne, Courtney Lawes, Maro Itoje, Jonny Hill and Iaian Henderson who got the nod.

Winner: Finn Russell

Gregor Townsend running the attack for the Lions certainly helped Finn Russell's chances of making the squad.

Russell's form definitely warranted an inclusion but one can't help but think Townsend went out to bat for his flyhalf at Scotland.

It would have been a tough call between Russell, Ford and Sexton and Townsend's trust in the pivot must have played a role.

Loser: Jonathan Sexton

Gatland's trusted flyhalf for the Lions on the last two tours, Sexton's exclusion from the squad was somewhat surprising. Sexton played in all six of the Lions' test under Gatland's tenure to date but was overlooked for the likes of Dan Biggar, Finn Russell and Owen Farrell. Sexton's age and injury record did not help the Irish captain's chance, particularly his recent run of injuries.

Winner: Ali Price