Planet Rugby’s Lions 23 for first Test against South Africa

Adam Kyriacou
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Now that the dust has settled on the British & Irish Lions squad announcement, we’ve decided to pick our 23 for the first Test against South Africa.

With 37 players now locked in by head coach Warren Gatland, the battle for a place in the series heats up and there are plenty of spots up for grabs.

Here’s our selection then for the match in Johannesburg on July 24. Make sure to have your say in the comments section and maybe give us your squad.

British & Irish Lions matchday 23 for first Test v South Africa

15 Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

One of the first names on the squad list and also the team sheet as Hogg continues to grow as a top level international. The outstanding Scotland captain will be a leader from the back and possesses electric speed, a booming boot and a solid defensive game, all of which should suit those fast tracks of South Africa. His move to Exeter Chiefs that has led to trophy success has definitely been a positive one but this is the biggest test he faces and it’s one he will relish.

14 Anthony Watson (England)

Since returning from injury the England wing has looked in imperious form and with experience of the British & Irish Lions already in the bank he should walk into the right wing jersey. The Bath man is such a threat with ball in hand and has a wicked step and power in contact that will cause the Springboks issues. The Lions will therefore be desperate to keep him fit as, when he’s firing and injury free, Watson is a joy to watch.

13 Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)

Moved out to 13 from his usual inside centre spot because of personnel but one way or another we expect Henshaw to start the Test series. The Ireland and Leinster star consistently steps up to the mark with a complete game and could well strike up a decent partnership with a certain Englishman against what is a powerful Bok midfield.

12 Owen Farrell (England)

That man is Farrell as, despite his difficult campaign in an England jersey, he looks like the front-runner for the number 12 jersey. A great communicator and thinker, the Saracens star heads on his third Lions tour and will subsequently be full of big-match knowledge that will be invaluable to both player and team. After a tough year he’ll be determined to prove his worth on this tour.

11 Josh Adams (Wales)

One of the more hotly contested positions before the squad was named, one of Adams, Duhan van der Merwe and Jonny May were set to miss out. That man was May so then it was a case of picking between two form 11s who should enjoy strong tours. Van der Merwe is such a threat with ball in hand but Adams has an all-round game that edges it, with his finishing ability something that cannot be ignored.

10 Dan Biggar (Wales)

With Farrell wearing 12 that leaves either Biggar or Finn Russell in the shake-up for 10. Biggar’s form for Northampton and Wales this past year has been top drawer and we feel his game will suit playing against the Boks in those conditions. While Russell has box office skills that we see both for Racing 92 and Scotland, Biggar’s probably a safer bet for the Tests.

9 Conor Murray (Ireland)

After all the talk of Danny Care’s possible inclusion, it is Murray, Ali Price and Gareth Davies on the plane to South Africa. Despite a slump not too long ago, the Ireland nine has shown that class is permanent lately and will be the probable starter against the Springboks, with his decision-making and kicking game set to be critical.

8 Taulupe Faletau (Wales)

An obvious choice here with the Bath back-row being the most complete number eight in Europe. Faletau is an exceptional athlete and a powerful carrier, but he also has a tremendous skill set and can be used as an effective lineout option to combat the exceptional South African set-piece. The 30-year-old could play at blindside, with Jack Conan and Sam Simmonds both in the squad, but the Welshman is best at the back of the scrum, where he shone against New Zealand in 2017.

7 Tom Curry (England)

There are so many contenders for the openside shirt, including the Six Nations player of the tournament Hamish Watson, but Curry just shades it for us at the moment. A brutal tackler and a savvy operator at the breakdown, the Sale Sharks star is an absolute machine without the ball, but he’s also effective with it. His carrying has improved significantly and the youngster’s speed to get around the field makes him a ubiquitous presence in pretty much every match he plays.

6 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

There is the option of perhaps having dual opensides and we considered bringing Justin Tipuric into the starting XV as he does offer excellent lineout ability, but ultimately Beirne is slightly more physical and effective in the tight. He was utterly magnificent against England in Ireland’s final Six Nations contest, being a Maro Itoje-like nuisance at the contact area and maul, and that will be crucial in South Africa. Having a player like Beirne at blindside will allow the likes of Curry, Faletau, Simmonds and Watson to roam.

5 Alun Wyn Jones (Wales, captain)

After Wales’ poor 2020 many thought that Jones might not make it to South Africa but he – and the national team – were rejuvenated in the 2021 Six Nations. The second-row was outstanding throughout that recent competition and deservedly took the captaincy for this year’s tour. Gatland will insist that it doesn’t guarantee Jones a place in the XV but, to be honest, he is the form lock in Britain and Ireland and should start providing injury doesn’t strike.

4 Maro Itoje (England)

Another reason for the inclusion of Jones is the man we have selected alongside him, with the duo forming an effective partnership in New Zealand four years ago. The Englishman may not have been at his best over the past few months, but he was still one of the Red Rose’s better performers in the Six Nations and will thrive in a Lions environment. On form, Itoje is the best lock in the northern hemisphere and, like Beirne, his work in the tighter exchanges allows other players to do the more noticeable things in the wider channels.

3 Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

After a long time out with injury, Furlong has quickly found his form and will play a crucial role against the Springboks. Rassie Erasmus’ side showed the importance of the scrum at the 2019 World Cup, dominating England on their way to the title, and it will be Furlong’s job to anchor the forward eight. The Leinster prop is a superb all-round player – excellent in both the tight and the loose – but he will look to step it up against a fearsome South African front five.

2 Ken Owens (Wales)

On form, Owens clearly makes our XV, but Jamie George could take the starting spot if the Saracens player can re-find his best. Luke Cowan-Dickie will surely be there for impact off the bench, given his power and athleticism, which means the more accurate lineout operators will compete for a place in the run-on side. The Scarlets stalwart has enjoyed another superb year for Wales, helping Wayne Pivac’s men to claim the Six Nations title, and will provide stability and an incredible work ethic at hooker.

1 Rory Sutherland (Scotland)

Similar to the hooking position, you would think that two players will compete for a start, with Mako Vunipola, who offers something very different in the loose, as the bench option. Wyn Jones and Sutherland are the more reliable scrummagers in comparison to Vunipola, who struggled in the World Cup final, but we feel the Scotsman is the better all-round player. Jones edges him as the greater breakdown threat but Sutherland is comfortably better with ball in hand. There isn’t much to choose between the two in the crucial area of the set-piece, but the Scotsman’s carrying ability will provide balance to the pack.

Replacements

16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)

Provides power, a good skill set and is the perfect player to bring on when fatigue creeps in later on in the Tests.

17 Mako Vunipola (England)

We’re slightly surprised Vunipola has been selected in the squad, considering his form over the past few months, but he is the best option to start on the bench thanks to his power in the loose and ability with ball in hand.

18 Andrew Porter (Ireland)

This was the position Kyle Sinckler excelled in on the previous tour, which makes his omission a surprise, but Porter has become one of Ireland’s most important players over the last 12 months. An outstanding scrummager and similarly effective in the loose, he can play a big part in South Africa.

19 Hamish Watson (Scotland)

With three locks in the starting XV, we think it’s a risk worth taking by putting two tearaway back-rows on the bench. Despite the presence of Tipuric in the touring squad, we can’t leave out the Six Nations’ best player, who always makes an impact.

20 Sam Simmonds (England)

This year’s bolter. We can’t see him starting but Simmonds offers something different with his incredible pace and footwork. Hopefully he impresses in the warm-up games and forces his way into the squad.

21 Gareth Davies (Wales)

An incredibly close call between Davies and Price but we opt for the Welshman as there’s a feeling that he would offer more off the bench. Davies has an eye for the try-line and isn’t afraid of the big occasion and will give the Lions an injection of life in the closing stages when he’s called upon to replace Murray.

22 Elliot Daly (England)

We know, we know, we know. We can’t really see how Daly’s made the 37-man squad either but, of the other options in the backs, his selection on the bench makes the most sense. You can afford not to have a fly-half among the replacements thanks to the presence of two in the starting XV and Daly offers both versatility and a big boot. It means he’s more likely to get in ahead of Bundee Aki and Chris Harris, who don’t strike us as impact players.

23 Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)

20 years old but that doesn’t count against him in our thinking. Rees-Zammit has answered every question that has been asked of him for both Gloucester and Wales and is an ideal pace man to use off the bench when legs are tiring. Yes, Van der Merwe was also in our thinking but speed wins over power in this call.

British and Irish Lions