Sir Clive Woodward picks his Lions squad and just two Welshmen make it
Sir Clive Woodward picks his Lions squad and just two Welshmen make it
Sir Clive Woodward selected England international Maro Itoje as his captain.
Sir Clive Woodward has picked his Lions squad
(Image: Clive Rose - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images )
Sir Clive Woodward has named two Wales internationals in his British & Irish Lions squad.
Andy Farrell will make his announcement for the summer series in the afternoon of next Thursday, May 8.
With Wales enduring a tough period on the field, picking up another Wooden Spoon in the Six Nations, the touring squad is expected to have the lowest Welsh representation of any tour.
Having won the World Cup with England as coach in 2003, and then going on to coach the Lions in 2005, Woodward is well placed to make judgements on who is most likely to be selected, and has chosen Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams in his squad.
However, despite picking those two Wales stars, he does not think they will be selected in the starting XV.
Woodward believes Morgan will prove valuable with his ability to play on blind and open side flanker, but thinks that Jack Willis, Caelan Doris and Tom Curry will make up the back row. 25% OFF DEAL NOW: Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby
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"Curry, Van der Flier and Morgan are brilliant players too," says Sir Clive in his Daily Mail column. "And it's an advantage that both Curry and Morgan are comfortable both sides of the flank as well.
"Versatility is a priceless commodity on a Lions tour."
He adds that Willis is the best player in Europe right now and says it's ridiculous he is ineligible for England.
At scrum-half, despite Williams' sizzling form for Gloucester in the English Premiership, he has him down as a third-choice nine.
"Gibson-Park is a certain starter," continued Woodward.
"And Mitchell's importance to Northampton and England is undisputed.
"He'll likely be back-up to the Irishman, though I think Williams will have something to say about that.
"He's one of only two Welshmen in my squad. Sadly, that reflects their demise as a nation.
"But Williams is undoubtedly deserving of his spot. Just look at the way he's been playing for Gloucester."
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He also left out rising star Henry Pollock, who has been touted as a potential bolter for the tour.
Despite his red-hot form, Woodward thinks the tour has come a little early for him, and thinks that going to Argentina and USA with England may provide him with an opportunity to be called up to the Lions if and when an injury arises.
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