There are seven Irish players named in the 37-man Lions squad after a mixed performance at this year’s Six Nations.

Alun Wyn Jones has been named captain of the Welsh and English heavy side. But how do the Irish players stack up on this side?

#LionsRugby

Back in the gym and on the pitch for the Lions today. Here's a look at some of our lads in action. #TeamOfUs #UniteThePride

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 17, 2021

Backs

Conor Murray is one of Ireland’s biggest hopes for starting as he is still the best option that the Lions have at scrumhalf. He would bring experience to a relatively young, new backline.

Murray’s quick thinking would make him an important part of Gatland’s fast, explosive side.

Robbie Henshaw is another strong shout for the starting team after a good season with Leinster and Ireland.

Henshaw’s fast and tenacious ball carrying will have him as a firm favorite to start second center against Emirates Lions.

Bundee Aki was a surprise to many that he was named in the squad after a disappointing Six Nations finishing with a red card against England.

Although it’s unlikely that he will start, Aki was brought due to the pace and ball-carrying skill he brings in the center. Expect to see him used off the bench in a few of the tests.

Forwards

Tadhg Furlong has proven to be one of the British Isles’ best front row with his wide stature and powerful legs.

After another good Six Nations, Furlong appears to be the front runner for starting at number four for the Lions.

Ulster captain, Iain Henderson was a mainstay for Andy Farrell with Ireland and looks to continue that on tour.

Henderson’s style of play would work really well alongside Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones in second row

Munster’s Tadhg Beirne may have to deal with playing most of this tour off the bench or as a replacement.

The Lions team is very strong in second-row options but Beirne can also fill in at six if needed.

Jack Conan is another great Leinster player part of the Lions setup. Unlucky for him is that he is competing with Taulupe Faletau and Tom Curry for a starting shirt.

Conan’s surprising speed in the wide channels will make him a great option later in the tour when players start to tire.

Pleased to show our support for @stonewalluk by wearing rainbow laces at training today #LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/F5udK0fWBc

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 17, 2021

Ronan Kelleher has trained with the squad in Jersey but is only a standby in case of injury to the other front-row options.

The last chance for the players to impress the head coach will be their last challenge against Japan on Saturday 26^th June.

The 37-man squad for the British and Irish Lions 2021:

Backs:

Josh Adams (Wales), Bundee Aki (Ireland), Dan Biggar (Wales), Elliot Daly (England), Gareth Davies (Wales), Owen Farrell (England), Chris Harris (Scotland), Robbie Henshaw (Ireland), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Conor Murray (Ireland), Ali Price (Scotland), Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales), Finn Russell (Scotland), Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland), Anthony Watson (England), Liam Williams (Wales)

Forwards:

Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Jack Conan (Ireland), Luke Cowan-Dickie (England), Tom Curry (England), Zander Fagerson (Scotland), Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Jamie George (England), Iain Henderson (Ireland), Jonny Hill (England), Maro Itoje (England), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), Wyn Jones (Wales), Courtney Lawes (England), Ken Owens (Wales), Sam Simmonds (England), Kyle Sinckler (England), Rory Sutherland (Scotland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Mako Vunipola (England), Hamish Watson (Scotland)

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The 23-year-old plays at hooker and has had a good season in the Pro14 and the Champion’s Cup with the provincial team.

A statement has been released that although he is training with the team, he is not formally part of the 37-man squad.

Kelleher was called in to cover English player, Jamie George, who is still in action with Scarlets.

Ireland hooker Ronan Kelleher will train with the Lions in Jersey this week https://t.co/adCjgCvW1m pic.twitter.com/gDRS0KtvDW

— Rugby World (@Rugbyworldmag) June 14, 2021

Some pundits had given Kelleher an outside chance of making the Lions team, this is a great opportunity for him to show his talents.

He has already made 11 caps for Ireland in his young career.

Lions coach, Warren Gatland said: “I’m delighted to welcome Ronan to train with the squad this week while we wait for Jamie George to complete his domestic season with Saracens next weekend.”

A total of 26 players are beginning preparations for the game versus Japan on 26^th June.

Backs (12):

• Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales)
• Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland)
• Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales)
• Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales)
• Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland)
• Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)
• Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland)
• Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
• Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby, Wales)
• Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
• Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England)
• Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales)

Forwards (14):

• Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland)
• Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)
• Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
• Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales)
• Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)
• Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland)
• Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales)
• Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales)
• Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)
• Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England)
• Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales)
• Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
• Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, Wales)
• Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)

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The eagerly-awaited series visits some of the most impressive stadiums in world sport and culminates in three Test matches against the newly crowned Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks.

The eight-game Tour kicks off on Saturday 3 July 2021 when the Lions play Vodacom Super Rugby’s DHL Stormers in Cape Town.

Three weeks later the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg will host the first Test – a venue which has previously hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final.

The second Test will be on Saturday 31 July at the Cape Town Stadium – the first Lions Test there since 1997 – before the tourists return to Gauteng for the final Test on Saturday 7 August at Emirates Airline Park – the venue of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final.

The Lions have toured South Africa on 13 previous occasions, with the first Tour taking place in 1891. In that time, the Lions have won four Test series, lost eight with one drawn. Their overall record against the Springboks is played 46, won 17, lost 23 and drawn six.

Lions 2021 tour schedule to South Africa:

Saturday 3 July: British & Irish Lions v DHL Stormers – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town.

Wednesday 7 July: British & Irish Lions v South Africa ‘Invitational’ – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth.

Saturday 10 July: British & Irish Lions v Cell C Sharks – Jonsson Kings Park, Durban.

Wednesday 14 July: British & Irish Lions v South Africa ‘A’ Team – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit.

Saturday 17 July: British & Irish Lions v Vodacom Bulls – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria.

Saturday 24 July (first Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions – FNB Stadium, Johannesburg.

Saturday 31 July (second Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town.

Saturday 7 August (third Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions – Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg.

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