Right now, there are 11 players from these shores in the British & Irish Lions squad that will tour New Zealand.
By the middle of July, there should be a few more wearing red.
According to Brian O’Driscoll and Ben Kay, three or four of the current 41-man squad may not even make it south to New Zealand. That is a pretty pessimistic forecast but there is a serious fall-out in terms of playing personnel on a Lions tour.
The 2013 squad had nine fresh recruits and there were eight in 2009, even if Ryan Jones did only land in South Africa to be ruled out due to concussion.
With that in mind, it is worth looking at the options in terms of first-up reserves for Warren Gatland and his coaching staff. The likes of Garry Ringrose and Joe Launchbury have already been told they were very close to making the initial squad so it would be no surprise if Gatland kept in close contact.
Test experience, form, suitability for the conditions and Lions experience will all be considered and Irish players look well set.
2017 LIONS RESERVES
Loose-head – Cian Healy (Ireland)
Healy and Rob Evans are the two likely lads, with both unfortunate to miss out. Both should tour with their country this summer with Evans’ Wales actually in New Zealand for a Test against Tonga. Still, Healy toured in 2013 and can inflict some damage, in the loose and at scrum time, when he is on form.
Hooker – Richard Hibbard (Wales)
Hibbard was out of favour with Wales over the past year but has trimmed down in recent months and is doing with for Gloucester. We feel he is likely to get the nod over Sean Cronin and Fraser Brown if there is an injury or suspension in the hooking department. If Dylan Hartley did not make the initial squad, he is unlikely to come in as a late replacement.
Tight-head – Samson Lee (Wales)
The Welshman gets the edge here on account of being a favourite of Gatland and the fact that his team will be at close, close quarters to the Lions. Other options include John Ryan, Tomas Francis or Scotland’s Zander Fagerson.
Second row – Joe Launchbury (England)
Desperately unlucky to miss out after a fantastic 18 months for England. A work-horse of a lad and someone who would fit in nicely with an athletic, mobile second row unit. Gets the nod ahead of Ireland’s Donnacha Ryan and Devin Toner and the Scottish duo of Jonny and Richie Gray. Do not rule out Luke Charteris either, though.
Flanker – James Haskell (England)
Possibly a controversial call here but, by reliable accounts, Haskell would be a good tourist and his enthusiasm is infectious. His main competition here is Hamish Watson of Scotland but Josh van der Flier has a victory over the All Blacks on his rapidly improving CV.
Number 8 – Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
With three No.8s in his squad, Gatland should be well covered here. Still, Toby Faletau may be employed at blindside and there are two fairly decent lads on the reserve list. Providing he returns in good nick from his back surgery, Heaslip [a two-time Lion] beats out Nathan Hughes.
Scrum-half – Danny Care (England)
The Harlequins and England man has the confidence to be dropped into the middle of a massive tour like this and call the shots as he sees them. Greig Laidlaw and Kieran Marmion the alternatives.
Out-half – George Ford (England)
Two Six Nations winners’ medals in his pocket and he still missed out on the tour. Ford has done a fine job for Eddie Jones but one suspects the All Blacks would target him heavily. The wildcard, and exciting, option is Finn Russell while Paddy Jackson merits a place in the conversation.
Centre – Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
The Leinster star should already be in the squad but he was dreadfully done for when he missed out. Has proved his defence is strong while continuing to sparkle in attack. Has also played inside centre admirably against the All Blacks. Scott Williams and Alex Dunbar were unfortunate to miss out but there was not much wailing when their names did not feature.
Back three – Simon Zebo (Ireland)
Zebo was all but certain of a Lions spot until he was not. Leigh Halfpenny’s kicking skills may have got him that final pick in the back three. A late call-up in 2013, we we are backing Zebo to get the first call if any player from the Lions back three drops out. Keith Earls should keep his phone charged up too.
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