It’s just six weeks until the Lions play their first game of their tour to New Zealand. The six-week tour will incorporate seven warm-up games, before the crucial Test matches against the All Blacks.
There were always going to be some tough calls in selection, with competition for places fiercer than ever and a number of quality players have been left disappointed.
We’ve picked out a XV who can consider themselves unlucky to not be travelling to New Zealand this summer.
-
Mike Brown
Brown was been one of England’s most consistent performers in the Six Nations, but hasn’t scored an international try since last summer. Harlequins’ poor season hasn’t helped his cause, neither does his lack of versatility, but he does have experience of beating New Zealand and he has a warrior-like spirit that could have been handy.
-
Christian Wade
Wade has scored 18 tries for Wasps this season, but has failed to break into Eddie Jones’ England plans, which most likely cost him a spot on the Lions tour. He did however receive a call up on the 2013 tour as an injury replacement, but he’s still yet to add to his one England cap that he won in Argentina back in 2013.
-
Garry Ringrose
Ringrose can consider himself exceptionally unlucky to miss out on Lions selection. He’s been burdened with the tag of the “future Brian O’Driscoll”, but it hasn’t fazed him. If there’s an injury to a centre, he can expect to be among the first to receive a call up.
-
Scott Williams
Williams has displaced 2009 and 2013 Lions tourist Jamie Roberts in the Welsh midfield, but both could have laid claim to a call up for this summer’s tour. Their familiarity with Warren Gatland and his tactics could give either centre an advantage if an injury occurs.
-
Simon Zebo
The Six Nations wasn’t the best opportunity for wingers this year, but Zebo performed well and can consider himself unlucky to not make a second Lions tour. He toured in 2013, but like many of his Munster teammates, was completely outplayed in the Champions Cup against Saracens.
-
George Ford
If the Lions wanted to play an expansive game, then they’d have selected Ford ahead of Dan Biggar, however the English fly half has shown defensive failings and has also missed some pressurised kicks at goal. The miss against Stade Francais last week almost justified his exclusion.
Finn Russell can also consider himself unlucky, but Scotland’s performance against England in the Six Nations, combined with Saracens’ thumping of Glasgow in the Champions Cup hurt his chances.
-
Greig Laidlaw
The Scottish captain was struck down by injury against France in the Six Nations. Had that not happened, the entire tour selection could have been very different. There might not have been the capitulation against England and more Scottish players could have been represented on the tour.
-
Cian Healy
Healy is a proven Lion and has won 67 caps for Ireland, but he’s fallen behind Jack McGrath in the pecking order. Healy has started just six of his last 20 appearances for Ireland, but his Lions experience could mean that he’s the first to receive a call up in the case of an injury.
-
Dylan Hartley
England’s captain has lead his side to two consecutive Six Nations triumphs, but he’s personally struggled for form and game time. He squared off against Jamie George a fortnight ago and although he won the battle on that day, he lost the war as his international teammate received the call up.
-
WP Nel
Nel would have been one of the frontrunners for the Lions tight-head berth; however he was struck down by injury and played no part in the Six Nations. The Scottish scrum struggled in the tournament and he’d have provided solidity and enhanced the Scots’ performances.
-
Joe Launchbury
There was always going to be a world class lock omitted from the Lions squad, such is the strength in depth in the position, and it happened to be Launchbury. Two man of the match performances in the Six Nations weren’t enough for the Englishman, but two off-days against Ireland and Leinster probably cost him his place.
-
Jonny Gray
Gray has put in some outstanding performances for Glasgow and Scotland throughout the season, regularly topping the charts for carries and tackles. He was in a good position to travel to New Zealand, until Scotland got routed by England in the Six Nations, which was followed up by losing to Saracens in the Champions Cup.
-
Chris Robshaw
England’s “Mr Consistent” has flourished since being released of the captaincy and reverting to his favoured blindside position, but injury cost him and he played no part in the Six Nations. He’s played three full games for Harlequins since, but that wasn’t enough to persuade Gatland ahead of the performances of others in the international arena.
-
James Haskell
It was always going to be a tough ask for Haskell, who’s missed a significant chunk of the season through injury. The back row was always going to be eagerly-contested and although he’s a versatile player, able to play all three positions, Sean O’ Brien and CJ Stander were too good in the Six Nations. He’s a fantastic team player though and would have galvanised the squad off the pitch.
-
Jamie Heaslip
A two-time Lions tourist, Heaslip had a quiet Six Nations, compared to Stander and O’Brien. With Billy Vunipola and Taulupe Faletau in the squad, there was no room for another No. 8, leaving Gatland to pick more versatile options.
