Gatland knows how to win a Lions tour in Australia.
After finishing the Six Nations on a relative low – no bonus point against Wales, a loss to France, dour win over Italy – the Lions’ credentials of Ireland players have rightfully been questioned.
England’s 68-14 win over Wales has pushed many of their men to the fore of the conversation, with the likes of Tom Curry, Will Stuart, and Maro Itoje all looking primed to start, while Tommy Freeman, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, and even 20-year-old Henry Pollock are pushing hard.
But Warren Gatland, a three-time Lions head coach and recently stepped down as head coach of Wales, has not been overly swayed, as Ireland players dominate his Lions XV.
There are eight in total with Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Joe McCarthy, Caelan Doris, Jamison Gibson-Park, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, and Hugo Keenan.
The New Zealander was particularly complimentary of Keenan in his column for the Telegraph, writing: “His work-rate, and GPS numbers, are through the roof. And he scores tries. I think he deserves to be there.”
His selection of Joe McCarthy was probably his most ‘controversial’, with Tadhg Beirne available, but Gatland justified it by saying: “But with McCarthy, you get that ball-carrying physicality that can really cause some damage. He is a big man and you want to get the ball in his hands.”
The breakdown of the the squad is as follows: 8 Ireland, 3 England, 3 Scotland, 1 Wales.
Warren Gatland’s Lions XV:
- Andrew Porter
- Dan Sheehan
- Will Stuart
- Maro Itoje
- Joe McCarthy
- Tom Curry
- Jac Morgan
- Caelan Doris (capt.)
- Jamison Gibson-Park
- Finn Russell
- James Lowe
- Bundee Aki
- Huw Jones
- Duhan van der Merwe
- Hugo Keenan
