CJ Stander is a fan favourite on this side of the Irish Sea.
Whether it’s the fact that he’s the strongest tackler in Britain and Ireland, or how he is a bulldozer that can’t be stopped. He is phenomenal.
He was Ireland’s best player during the Six Nations and lost out to injured Lions teammate Stuart Hogg in Player of the Tournament voting.
So, coming into the tour it was expected he was a nailed on starter for the test series but that does not look to be the case anymore.
The back row looks likely to consist of three of either Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, Sam Warburton, CJ Stander and Toby Falateu.
But for the South African-born 27-year-old, it is all but guaranteed that he won’t be featuring in Saturday’s test match after the latest Lions news.
Warren Gatland named his side to face the Chiefs on Tuesday with Stander starting at number 8 but that does not bode well for the Munster man.
The bulk of the side that played last Saturday will be rested for the Lions game against the Chiefs with the test team not expected to be too dissimilar to the side that beat the Maori All Blacks 32-10.
That means for Stander, it is highly unlikely that he will find his name on the teamsheet come the first test match in Auckland next Saturday.
Whether he can force his way into the starting lineup for the remaining two test matches, that could go down to how well he performs against the Chiefs but for now, it looks like he will be a benchwarmer in Eden Park.
