And so, after weeks of waiting, and after a ridiculously drawn out announcement (I think I prefer the far simpler days of Teletext), the Lions touring party has finally been named .
Of the 37 (not 36) selected, there are a number of (mostly English, mostly Saracens) players who can consider themselves really quite fortunate, while Bundee Aki is a very unexpected left-field inclusion and Exeter’s Sam Simmonds the only real (if not exactly unexpected) “bolter.”
Jonny Sexton’s exclusion is a major surprise, Billy Vunipola’s less so, and the likes of CJ Stander, James Ryan, Johnny Gray, Jonny May and Jonathan Davies can consider themselves somewhat unlucky not to make the cut. I would have had either of Ryan or Gray in ahead of Jonny Hill, for example.
It is no surprise at all to see the squad led by Alun Wyn Jones and little doubt that he deserves it, both on his Six Nations form and in terms of his vast experience. But I do think an opportunity has been missed in terms of Maro Itoje. Yes, he had a few issues with discipline during the Six Nations but, for me, the guy is a world class performer and a born leader and the significance and impact of having Itoje leading the British and Irish Lions in South Africa should not be underestimated.
As to whether the Tour should be going ahead at all, I remain unconvinced. Will I tune in to watch? Of course, but I fear this will be a Lions Tour in name only – 37 players cooped up in a bio-secure bubble, no travelling fans, and an opposition who has not competed since November 2019 – not what a Lions tour is about at all. Frankly I am surprised more players have not chosen to opt out.