British and Irish Lions 2021 Starting XV: The Flanker decides
Warren Gatland has plenty of selection headaches ahead of naming his squad for the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2021
Credit: Getty Images/AsiaPac
In 12 months time (fingers crossed) we will be savouring the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa with the First Test due to kick off on 24 July.
Arguably the pinnacle of northern hemisphere rugby, the tour will be eagerly anticipated by rugby fans across the globe amid the chaos caused by COVID-19 to the sporting calendar.
Although a lot can change between now and then, with form, age and injuries playing a massive role on selection, the three amigos that form The Flanker have picked their starting XV for that clash in Johannesburg when Lions meet Springboks.
1 - Loosehead Prop
Jack Colwill - Mako Vunipola (ENG)
Simply the best loosehead going - a strong scrummager that can move the South African pack around the field with his hands and vision. He won’t let you down.
Tom Hitchenor - Cian Healy (IRE)
Tough choice given the depth in the position. Mako Vunipola and Rory Sutherland will be knocking on the door, but the Irishman gets the nod for his superior ability at the scrum, in my opinion. Set piece stability will be vital to stopping the Boks pack.
Christy O’Brien - Mako Vunipola (ENG)
Has a habit of getting injuries at the wrong time but if he’s fit, he must start. A Lions veteran of two tours, Vunipola has the skill set and scrummaging needed to take the fight to a fearsome Springbok pack.
2 - Hooker
Jack - Ken Owens (WAL)
Tough call this but the Sheriff is just a bit more brawny than Jamie George or Luke Cowan-Dickie. He will take the fight to South Africa and this pack will need people like that.
Tom - Jamie George (ENG)
Doubts remain over George’s lineout ability but for his work rate around the park and deft touches of skill in the channels, the Saracens man goes ahead of Luke Cowan-Dickie, Stuart McInally and Ken Owens for me.
Christy - Jamie George (ENG)
Yet another with big-match experience. George can be inconsistent but always seems to come alive for the big occasions. Started all three tests in 2017, despite arguably being Eddie Jones’ number two hooker at the time. He is a Warren Gatland favourite.
3 - Tighthead Prop
Jack - Tadgh Furlong (IRE)
Does what it says on the tin - dependable, works his socks off and won’t back down from a fight. Gets the edge over Kyle Sinckler purely on reliability, with the Englishman a massive weapon to unleash off the bench.
Tom - Tadgh Furlong (IRE)
For me, the outstanding tighthead in European rugby. Brilliant scrummager, great in the loose and a fierce tackler. Kyle Sinckler off the bench for the last 20 minutes is also an enticing prospect.
Christy - Tadgh Furlong (IRE)
Completing the 2017 vintage, Furlong is perhaps the least skilful of the trio but more than makes up for it with his power and scrummaging. As mentioned, a 1-2 punch with Kyle Sinckler off the bench could prove very effective.
Tadgh Furlong, on the charge against the All Blacks during the 2nd Test in Wellington on the 2017 tour, will be crucial to the Lions scrum
Credit: PA (Press Association)
4 - Second Row
Jack - Maro Itoje (ENG)
A captaincy option for Warren Gatland and one of the most dynamic players in the world. Will need to bring his best against a brawny South African pack and make sure he doesn’t get conned into penalties, which has been a problem before.
Tom - Maro Itoje (ENG)
An easy choice and could well be leading the touring party as skipper. One of the most dynamic forwards in the modern game. An outstanding athlete who will cover every blade of South African soil.
Christy - Maro Itoje (ENG)
Sir Ian McGeechan coined the term ‘Test Match Animal’ and this completely encapsulates Itoje. His carrying has improved markedly, he is a world-class defence and line-out operator and a complete pest. If he plays well, the Lions have a great chance of coming away with a series victory.
5 - Second Row
Jack - James Ryan (IRE)
The perennial winner partners Maro in the second row, which has potential as an amazing combination. Has value in the tight and the loose and has the physique to mix it with the fearsome Springbok second row.
Tom - James Ryan (IRE)
The emergence of the Irish giant forces out Wales and Lions legend Alun Wyn Jones and Scottish dynamo Jonny Gray. Was one of Ireland’s best players at the curtailed 2020 Six Nations and is surely on the plane.
Christy - Alun Wyn Jones (C) (WAL)
Age could be a question (he will be 35 by next year) but must start for me if fit and healthy. A 2009 veteran, Wyn Jones gets the captaincy due to his leadership qualities and earns his place in the starting XV through his continued improvement in an ever changing game. Continues to age like a fine wine.
6 - Blindside Flanker
Jack - Courtney Lawes (ENG)
He’s simply a beast and you need guys like him to get momentum against a team like South Africa. A fierce defender, tough carrier and hard worker to boot. He is a smokey pick but one the Lions could really come to rely on to lead the fight.
Tom - Tom Curry (ENG)
England’s outstanding player at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. His performance against the All Blacks in the semi-final is the finest you will see of a back row wearing the Red Rose. He is the man to take on Pieter-Steph du Toit and Siya Kolisi in the loose and at the breakdown.
Christy - Josh Navidi (WAL)
Back row will be absolutely key in defeating South Africa over three tests and Navidi’s carrying, along with his turnover work, will be vital to this. Was one of Wales’ most impressive performers during the shortened Six Nations and looks back to his best after his World Cup was cut short due to injury.
7 - Openside Flanker
Jack - Hamish Watson (SCO)
If it wasn’t for a problematic injury record, I reckon he would be commonly considered the best 7 in the world. A street fighter, a menace at the breakdown and exactly what you need against a tough Springbok pack. Tom Curry and Justin Tipuric are unlucky to miss out.
Tom - Justin Tipuric (WAL)
His pace will be electrifying on the hard grounds of the Highveld (think Tom Croft or Stephen Ferris in 2009.) Has the ability to link the backs to the forwards and can create in the wide channels. Just gets the nod over jackals like Josh Navidi , Hamish Watson and Sam Underhill.
Christy - Tom Curry (ENG)
Probably one of the first names on the team sheet. Curry’s explosion onto the international scene over the past two years has been phenomenal and he will be needed when facing world class ruck-operators like Vermeulen and du Toit. Carrying has come on leaps and bounds too.
England’s Billy Vunipola, who was forced to withdraw from the 2017 Lions Tour to New Zealand due to a shoulder injury, will be vital in South Africa next year
Credit: Action Images
8 - Number 8
Jack - Billy Vunipola (ENG)
Injury allowing, not even a question. He’s the dominant number 8 on the Lions radar and almost an automatic pick, but just needs to stay fit. Can ably be backed up by CJ Stander or Ross Moriarty.
Tom - Billy Vunipola (ENG)
With two smaller, more mobile back rowers, you need a big smasher at number 8 to get through a lot of carries. The man to make metres and give the Lions go forward has to be Billy Vunipola. Edges out cousin Taulupe Faletau and CJ Stander, who will both be in contention.
Christy - Billy Vunipola (ENG)
Will injury cruelly deny him of another tour again? If not, he should start. His national team looks exponentially better when he is playing and is the massive physical presence needed to match the Boks on their home turf. Will be itching to finally prove what he can do in a red jersey.
9 - Scrum-half
Jack - Gareth Davies (WAL)
Scrumhalf is not a position of extreme strength in the home nations at the moment, but Wales probably have the best of it with Ben Youngs and Conor Murray getting on and Ben Spencer not experienced enough at international level. A spark from 9 who has already made his name, Davies beats Ali Price to the starting jersey for me.
Tom - Gareth Davies (WAL)
Wales has many contenders in Rhys Webb and Tomos Williams while Conor Murray and Ben Youngs will offer experience. For me, the current holder of the jersey is the man from Scarlets. Lethal around the fringes and a try-scoring threat. Surely, at least, on the plane.
Christy - John Cooney (IRE)
One area where South Africa have a clear advantage, but Cooney is picked on form. Gareth Davies has played consistently well but the Irishman is in a purple patch which has to be capitalised on. Gatland does not always pick those number one in the international pecking order so will be keenly aware how dynamic, accurate and fast the Ulsterman is.
10 - Fly-half
Jack - Owen Farrell (C) (ENG)
With no Alun-Wyn Jones, the obvious captaincy option and a walk-up starter. Will be central to the way the Lions move South Africa around the park, and they will rely on his masterful tactical kicking. Needs to keep his tackles down this time though.
Tom - Dan Biggar (WAL)
Farrell’s best performances on the international stage have been at 12 in my opinion, so the Wales man gets the nod. A steady hand on the tiller, under the high ball and as second playmaker option. Finn Russell to climb off the bench for a bit of magic in the broken field.
Christy - Finn Russell (SCO)
Must prove to the Lions management he can be depended on in clutch moments but his talent can simply not be ignored. He has added a surprisingly good kicking game to his already impressive bag of tricks, which will be key in these tight fixtures, and has the X Factor to be a difference maker.
11 - Left Winger
Jack - Jacob Stockdale (IRE)
No-one will relish coming up against Cheslin Kolbe, but Stockdale is a great counter-argument. Just seems to be able to do things and score tries no other winger in Lions contention can do. A big body to try to contain Kolbe too.
Tom - Jacob Stockdale (IRE)
Ireland’s best attacking option and a try-scoring machine. Superb finisher with pace, power and strength. Back three is, arguably, the Lions strongest area so edges out George North, Jonny May, Josh Adams and many more.
Christy - Jonny May (ENG)
The arch finisher - May just scores tries. Has been so prolific over the past two years the whitewash is second nature to him. The Lions will need to take all of the opportunities given to them and there is no better man to finish those off than the Gloucester-bound wing. Aerial game is also underrated.
12 - Inside Centre
Jack - Manu Tuilagi (ENG)
Whether he is still an England player by this time or not, if Manu is up to the job it’s a no brainer. The most rounded midfield threat available, he can make dents in the South Africans in both attack and defence. The momentum-changer the Lions will need in key moments.
Tom - Owen Farrell (C) (ENG)
The iceman and a nailed-on starter. Players will lean on his leadership, goal kicking and game management. Improved his tackling technique, loves the physical battle and thrives in second playmaker role. Lions a bit light in centres so fills that hole too.
Christy - Owen Farrell (ENG)
Another Lions veteran, Farrell will be the perfect man to help out Russell. Metronomic off the tee, solid in defence and a fine distributor, Farrell will be crucial in adding a bit of grit to a backline full of pace and flair.
13 - Outside Centre
Jack - Jonathan Davies (WAL)
Injury problems are again the only obstacle to the man who has routinely brought his best for the Lions. Beats out stiff competition from the likes of Henry Slade and Gary Ringrose, who should both travel, but you just can’t ignore class and that’s what the Fox has.
Tom - Jonathan Davies (WAL)
An elegant player, combining size with skill. Superb open field kicker who will carry into contact and a wonderful passer with an eye for a gap. Manu Tuilagi to come off the bench for 30 minutes against tired legs, depending on fitness and availability with an impending move on the horizon.
Christy - Jonathan Davies (WAL)
A man for the big occasion. The 2017 Man of the Series was phenomenal against the All Blacks and has the experience and talent to replicate his form next year. Gatland has trusted him to deliver for the past 8 years and he has not failed so far. Like so many, needs to keep fit and healthy.
14 - Right Winger
Jack - Anthony Watson (ENG)
A tough one to pick again, with Jack Nowell, George North and Sean Maitland poking their heads up, but a fit Watson is one in a million. Has the ability to break open defences and stretch the South Africans with his footwork and speed. A deadly finisher to boot.
Tom - Liam Williams (WAL)
Harsh to leave out Anthony Watson but the Wales man just nudges it for me. Very versatile who can easily slot in on the wing. Safe under a high ball and defensively while offering a genuine counter-attacking threat. Will try to keep the likes of Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi in check.
Christy - Liam Williams (WAL)
Faf de Klerk’s kicking game will be relentless and necessitates Williams’ move to the wing. As we saw in 2017, he has the counter-attacking ability to open up the world’s best defences and operates just as well at fullback, giving the Lions flexibility in the final stages.
15 - Fullback
Jack - Stuart Hogg (SCO)
Liam Williams is very unlucky here but Hogg is arguably finding career-best form and deserves to finally have a crack at a Lions jersey. Robbed by injury in 2017, this is Hogg’s time to bring his talents to the biggest stage. He can just about do it all and is safe as houses at the back.
Tom - Stuart Hogg (SCO)
Another sure starter. The Scot is the best fullback in Britain. Massive boot along with expert positional play and a counter-attacking master. Supremely fast and will scythe through defences given half a chance. If Handre Pollard kicks to him, it will be returned back time and time again.
Christy - Stuart Hogg (SCO)
Has shaken off a poor World Cup (maybe it was the hair) and looks back to his best for club and country. Hogg is electric but backs his flair up with a kicking game and great aerial ability, which will be so crucial in this test series.
Scotland captain Stuart Hogg is a dead cert to go on his third British and Irish Lions tour in 2021
Credit: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Lions Bolter
Jack - Alex Dombrandt (ENG)
England fans have been calling for him for some time and Gatland might just fancy him. A massive ball carrier that will attract Springbok defenders and a nuisance at the ruck, he may join the great tradition of Lions bolters - just ask Brian O’Driscoll.
Tom - Sam Johnson (SCO)
As previously mentioned, Lions centre stocks aren’t massive so the Australian born Scotland International could make a valid claim to make the squad. An elusive runner with a wicked step, the only thing holding him back would be in defence against monsters like Damian de Allende. But as an attacking option, you could do much worse at 12.
Christy - Joe Cokanasiga (ENG)
His aerial game has been found out on occasion but the sheer combination of size, speed and agility will certainly have caught Gatland’s attention. Is a joy to watch in the open field and if he is given that he could make a real difference on next year’s tour.
