British & Irish Lions player profiles: The forwards
British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland will oversee a 37-man squad captained by Alun Wyn Jones for the eagerly-awaited tour of South Africa this summer.
Here’s a closer look at Gatland’s forward selections for a trip that is highlighted by three Test matches against the world champion Springboks.
Forwards
Wyn Jones (Wales)
Position: Prop
Age: 29
Region: Scarlets
Caps: 35
Lions Tests: 0
Form guide: Impressive during Wales’ Six Nations title campaign this year. Strong Test team claims if he can prove himself throughout the tour.
Mako Vunipola (England)
Position: Prop
Age: 30
Club: Saracens
Caps: 67
Lions Tests: 6
Form guide: Had his share of injuries, but offers an enormous amount of quality and experience. Skillful and has excellent workrate around the field.
Rory Sutherland (Scotland)
Position: Prop
Age: 28
Club: Edinburgh
Caps: 16
Lions Tests: 0
Form guide: Impressed for Scotland this season through admirable consistency. Deserves his Lions chance and has a great shot at making the Test line-up.
Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
Position: Prop
Age: 25
Club: Glasgow Warriors
Caps: 38
Lions Tests: 0
Form guide: Solid performer for Scotland this season, who is part of a strong Lions front-row contingent. More than capable of a spot in the Test 23.
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Position: Prop
Age: 28
Province: Leinster
Caps: 49
Lions Tests: 3
Form guide: Currently shades the contest for a Test team place at tighthead prop, with incredible power, footwork and scrummaging making him top drawer.
Kyle Sinckler (England)
Position: Prop
Age: 28
Club: Bristol Bears
Caps: 44
Lions Tests: 3
Form guide: Called up to replace an injured Andrew Porter after being a surprise initial Lions omission. High-class operator but temperament questioned.
Ken Owens (Wales)
Position: Hooker
Age: 34
Region: Scarlets
Caps: 82
Lions Tests: 2
Form guide: Returned from injury to shine in this season’s Six Nations. An experienced leader who possibly just shades the hooking battle at the minute.
Jamie George (England)
Position: Hooker
Age: 30
Club: Saracens
Caps: 59
Lions Tests: 3
Form guide: Key Lions Test team performer in 2017, and will have a thirst for more top level action in South Africa after spending a season in the Championship.
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)
Position: Hooker
Age: 28
Club: Exeter Chiefs
Caps: 31
Lions Tests: 0
Form guide: A destructive forward who is a handful for any opponent. Will relish his Lions chance and not take a backward step against the Springboks.
Maro Itoje (England)
Position: Lock
Age: 26
Club: Saracens
Caps: 48
Lions Tests: 3
Form guide: Likely to be among the first names on Gatland’s Test team-sheet. World-class operator who has all the tools to cause South Africa problems.
Jonny Hill (England)
Position: Lock
Age: 27
Club: Exeter Chiefs
Caps: 9
Lions Tests: 0
Form guide: Continues his rapid emergence on the international scene with his Lions selection. All-action performer who knows his way to the try-line.
Courtney Lawes (England)
Position: Lock
Age: 32
Club: Northampton Saints
Caps: 87
Lions Tests: 2
Form guide: Returned impressively for his club following a spell out injured. Could make a major Lions contribution as he can play both second and back-row.
Alun Wyn Jones (Wales, captain)
Position: Lock
Age: 35
Region: Ospreys
Caps: 148
Lions Tests: 9
Form guide: Gatland’s choice as captain is the squad’s most experienced player. Fourth Lions tour, and remains in peak form. Incredible leader.
Iain Henderson (Ireland)
Position: Lock
Age: 29
Province: Ulster
Caps: 63
Lions Tests: 0
Form guide: Will be an important part of the squad. Vastly experienced and a possible midweek team captain, Henderson is a ball of energy in the pack.
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
Position: Lock/back-row
Age: 29
Province: Munster
Caps: 22
Lions Tests: 0
Form guide: Consistency personified for Munster and Ireland. Will be in Test team shake-up and looks to be seen more as a blindside than lock.
Jack Conan (Ireland)
Position: Number eight
Age: 28
Province: Leinster
Caps: 20
Lions Tests: 0
Form guide: Outstanding in Leinster colours over an extended period. Strong performer who fully deserves his place in this squad.
Tom Curry (England)
Position: Flanker
Age: 23
Club: Sale Sharks
Caps: 33
Lions Tests: 0
Form guide: One of the world’s finest players on current form. Appears a Test team certainty whether that’s at six or seven. Will relish the physical aspects of the tour.
Justin Tipuric (Wales)
Position: Flanker
Age: 31
Region: Ospreys
Caps: 85
Lions Tests: 1
Form guide: One of the most naturally-gifted forwards in world rugby. Strong in all departments who will enjoy the fast grounds in South Africa.
Hamish Watson (Scotland)
Position: Flanker
Age: 29
Club: Edinburgh
Caps: 41
Lions Tests: 0
Form guide: This season’s Six Nations player of the tournament who is rightly among Gatland’s back-row riches. Will want to back up that form on this tour.
Sam Simmonds (England)
Position: Number eight/flanker
Age: 26
Club: Exeter Chiefs
Caps: 7
Lions Tests: 0
Form guide: Overlooked by England boss Eddie Jones since 2018, but he is arguably the Premiership’s most consistent player. Big chance for him.
Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Position: Number eight/flanker
Age: 30
Club: Bath
Caps: 86
Lions Tests: 4
Form guide: Test team certainty. Back to his very best, which will be a concern for the Springboks. A silky runner who is strong, fast and skilful to boot.
Planet Rugby - Interview with Gary Teichmann - Key Match-Ups
Former South Africa captain Gary Teichmann believes the front-row battle in the Lions series is going to be crucial. He believes what happened to England in the Rugby World Cup final in 2019 will be playing on the Lions' minds going into this tour and feels the Boks' tight five will be really important in the battle. He is disappointed, however, that there's no younger fly-half option with veterans Elton Jantjies and Morne Steyn acting as back-up for Handre Pollard.