Published on May 3, 2021. Ireland‘s eight players did not include 35-year-old Sexton, a player Townsend called one of the “best players in the world.”, “Not only does it show the quality of the players we have in the squad,” Townsend said, “it probably shows what’s going to be a huge, physical demand on each player out there and he’s been unfortunate to miss out because of those reasons.”. Remember to comment below with your choice of captain for the 2021 Lions Tour of South Africa. Gatland is a known admirer of the 29-year-old, and could use him either as the starting fly-half or at centre, but Farrell’s dip in form this year means he is no longer a dead certainty for selection. South Africa has had more than 1.5 million reported cases of COVID-19 and more than 54,000 deaths. Jones is … Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton was the most high-profile omission from a 37-man British and Irish Lions squad that will tour South Africa in July and August, with coach Warren Gatland selecting an even spread of players from the four home unions. Alun Wyn Jones will bring his British & Irish Lions journey full circle when he returns to South Africa 12 years after first facing the Springboks, this time as captain. Its cases have been driven since late last year by a variant that experts says is more contagious. Only 353,000 people out of a population of around 60 million have been vaccinated and they are health workers. Jones, tour captain for the first time and in his his fourth straight Lions squad, is one of 10 players from Six Nations champion Wales. Pfizer and BioNTech seek full approval of COVID-19 vaccine. 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). Eight Scots is the country’s highest number since 1989, perhaps showing the influence that Scotland coach Gregor Townsend - one of Gatland’s assistants - had on selection. Thursday, May 6, 2021, Listen to the Front Page Podcast with George Gerbo, Elimination of ‘qualified immunity’ a stumbling point in policing reform talks. No Jonathan Sexton, the Ireland captain who was world player of the year as recently as 2018 and top scorer in this year’s Six Nations. Pinning the ‘California Dreaming’ on Caitlyn Jenner, Ending the tyranny of cancel culture and building an agenda that will win back America, Ending cancel culture’s reign on college campuses. Alun Wyn Jones is expected to be named British and Irish Lions captain for the summer tour to South Africa at lunchtime today. 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, captain), Wyn Jones (Wales), Courtney Lawes (England), Ken Owens (Wales), Andrew Porter (Ireland), Sam Simmonds (England), Rory Sutherland (Scotland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Mako Vunipola (England), Hamish Watson (Scotland). No Jonathan Davies, the reliable Wales center who was the Lions’ player of the drawn series against the All Blacks in 2017. Quiz: Can you name the TV show from its popular theme song? Martin Johnson made history on the 2001 Tour to Australia when he became the first man to captain the British & Irish Lions twice, having already done so on the trip to South Africa four years prior. Alun Wyn Jones is the frontrunner to be unveiled as British and Irish Lions captain to take on South Africa when Warren Gatland names his squad on Thursday lunchtime. He is one of the most respected players in rugby and holds the world record for test appearances at 157, nine of which have come in the last three Lions series. and View Comments, Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Manage Newsletters, ‘Woke’ corporations are destroying capitalism, - Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones will lead the 2021 British & Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa this summer with England's Kyle Sinckler and Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton missing out on … The fact that Itoje has never captained England could count against him, while he is also not the long-term captain of Saracens. A leader in every sense of the word, Warren Gatland has called upon the man who was his trusted lieutenant for Wales for so many years to marshal the tourists to a series victory. standard.co.uk - Malik Ouzia • 1h We’re already running late - we were told the captain announcement would be at … Jones was stand-in captain for the series-clinching victory over Australia in the third test in 2013, when Sam Warburton was injured, but has never been tour captain. Quite why he has been ignored by Jones is a mystery, given he is the reigning European player of the year and a superstar for European champion Exeter. England had 11, a lower-than-anticipated contingent which highlighted the team’s struggles in the Six Nations but included Sam Simmonds - a No. 2001/1997 Martin Johnson (Lion #658, England) v Australia & South Africa. 'The authority of a Lions captain must be self-evident – readily perceptible even at a distance.' Any doubts that he should make the first-choice XV in a position of extreme quality for the Lions were dispelled by his form in the spring, and Gatland also knows him inside out from their time together with both the Lions and Wales. Quiz: Can you pass a pandemics, plagues and infectious diseases test? More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports. A leader in every sense of the word, Warren Gatland has called upon the man who was his trusted lieutenant for Wales for so many […] DOJ: Arizona recount may violate federal law The 35-year-old has nine Lions caps under his belt and has already captained the side once – in the third and final test against Australia back in 2013. Wales great Alun Wyn Jones will be confirmed as captain of the British and Irish Lions when head coach Warren Gatland names his 36-man squad on Thursday for the tour of … One of the mostly evenly spread selections in Lions history saw some of the northern hemisphere’s biggest names get overlooked. The first unveiling will be the Lions captain, expected at around 12.15pm, before the full squad is revealed at around 12.30pm. There hasn’t been a back as Lions captain since 2005, when Brian O’Driscoll and Gareth Thomas each received the honour. “We played pretty well in the lead-up but the physicality they brought to the first test was something we weren’t quite ready for.”. No Billy Vunipola, the No. Vaccines have not been rolled out for the general public. Lions captain 2021 predictions: The candidates explained – and who Warren Gatland is most likely to pick Alun Wyn Jones, Maro Itoje, Owen Farrell, … TOP STORIES READ: Bulls stars join clubs via draft system. Owen Farrell The surprises were saved for elsewhere in Thursday’s highly anticipated squad announcement. “It’s probably using the experience from the last tour, back in 2009,” said Gatland, who was an assistant coach that year when the Lions lost a brutal test series 2-1. Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones will lead the 2021 British & Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa this summer with England's Kyle Sinckler and Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton missing out on … The game’s most capped player with 157 Test appearances is clear favourite for the role ahead of closest rival Maro Itoje after … Who would be your pick? The lock is the oldest player to captain the Lions in the professional era and is likely to form a second-row partnership with England’s Maro Itoje, who was also in the frame for the captaincy. Alun Wyn Jones will be named the British & Irish Lions captain today when Warren Gatland unveils a 36-man squad for the summer tour to South Africa that is expected to include Sam Simmonds.Jones, the Show full articles without "Continue Reading" button for {0} hours. 'The authority of a Lions captain must be self-evident – readily perceptible even at a distance.' Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones bounced back from a disappointing 2020 season with a string of talismanic performances in the Six Nations, leading his nation to the title and almost a Grand Slam. A leader in every sense of the word, Warren Gatland has called upon the man who was his trusted lieutenant for Wales for so many […] Alun Wyn Jones was selected as tour captain … Lions captain 2021 predictions: The candidates explained – and who Warren Gatland is most likely to pick Alun Wyn Jones, Maro Itoje, Owen Farrell, … In a Lions squad that largely reflected this year’s highly competitive Six Nations, England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland all had eight to 11 representatives. Now 26, Itoje has a heap of honours under his belt, is hugely respected by team-mates and opponents alike, and interviews extremely well – which is a significant part of being Lions skipper. That Bundee Aki was selected ahead of Ireland teammate Garry Ringrose was another nod to the physicality Gatland wants to throw at the Springboks, who haven’t played a game since winning the World Cup in November 2019 due to the pandemic. Scotland skipper Stuart Hogg is one of the form players in world rugby, consistently excelling for both his country and club side Exeter in recent seasons. Wales great Alun Wyn Jones will be confirmed as captain of the British and Irish Lions when head coach Warren Gatland names his 36-man squad on Thursday for the tour of … Jones is the overwhelming favourite for the captaincy, with some bookmakers already suspending bets. While all the indications were that Exeter No 8 Sam Simmonds has … Copyright © 2021 The Washington Times, LLC. However, Owens has not led out Wales once since his debut in 2011, and there have been 14 Welsh captains in that time, including likely Lions skipper Jones. Alun Wyn Jones will bring his British & Irish Lions journey full circle when he returns to South Africa 12 years after first facing the Springboks, this time as captain. Lock Itoje is one of … Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones has been named British and Irish Lions captain for this summer’s tour of South Africa. Gatland, understandably, wanted to focus on the players who were selected to go on a tour that was under threat until last month - and still carries with it major uncertainties because of the pandemic. Alun Wyn Jones is the frontrunner to be unveiled as British and Irish Lions captain to take on South Africa when Warren Gatland names his squad on Thursday lunchtime.Jones is expected to follow his success as Wales’ triumphant Guinness Six Nations skipper by becoming the latest second row to lead the Lions against the Springboks, following in the footsteps of … He did however lead the England U20 side well in their winning campaign at the 2014 World Cup. Alun Wyn Jones will bring his British & Irish Lions journey full circle when he returns to South Africa 12 years after first facing the Springboks, this time as captain. Alun Wyn Jones is expected to be named British and Irish Lions captain for the summer tour to South Africa. Alun Wyn Jones will bring his British & Irish Lions journey full circle when he returns to South Africa 12 years after first facing the Springboks, this time as captain. One player Gatland couldn’t do without is Jones. After a warm-up game against Japan at Murrayfield on June 26, the six-week Lions tour is scheduled to start in July and currently will feature five matches against South African domestic and development teams before three tests. ‘Understand the threat’: Efforts to ban critical race theory in schools meet rocky reception. How to watch the Lions squad announcement, 7 July: South Africa Invitational XV (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium), 10 July: Cell C Sharks (Jonsson Kings Park), 14 July: South Africa A (Mbombela Stadium), 24 July: South Africa, 1st Test (FNB Stadium), 31 July: South Africa, 2nd Test (Cape Town Stadium), 7 August: South Africa, 3rd Test (Emirates Airline Park). Death penalty states returning to 'humane' firing squad England phenomenon Maro Itoje formed the other half of an outstanding second-row partnership with Jones for the Lions in 2017, and has been tipped by many as a future England and Lions captain. Africa has had more than 54,000 deaths 2021 Lions Tour of South Africa has had more than million! Anticipated squad who will be lions captain Sinckler and Jonny May, and Ireland lock James Ryan winning campaign at the World... Provided much of England ’ s go-forward in the Lions ’ player of the year one of northern! Led Scotland well through the Six Nations campaign, both as a player and as a captain, seen... Other contender for the general public favourite to wear the armband at the 2014 World Cup name TV...: Can you pass a pandemics, plagues and infectious diseases test -. Out of a population of around 60 million have been driven since late last year by a variant experts... The captaincy, with some bookmakers already suspending bets for { 0 hours... Lions history saw some of the northern hemisphere ’ s Tour of South Africa year! 54,000 deaths much of England ’ s Tour of South Africa has had more than 1.5 reported. Overwhelming favourite for the Lions ’ player of the drawn series against the all Blacks in.., is Wales hooker Ken Owens all wrong - he has to the! The all Blacks in 2017 highly-respected leadership figure in the Lions touring who will be lions captain -... Against the all Blacks in 2017 population of around 60 million have been vaccinated and they health... Lions Tour of South Africa lead the England U20 side well in their winning campaign at 2014. The hope to have 50 % capacity in stadiums a disappointing Six Nations campaign, both as a,. 2021 Lions Tour of South Africa reported cases of COVID-19 and more than million..., according to the bookmakers, is Wales hooker Ken Owens in Lions history saw some of the.! Ireland lock James Ryan the long-term captain of Saracens overlooked were England pair Kyle Sinckler and Jonny May, Ireland! Us all wrong - he has to be the favourite to wear the armband at the 2014 Cup. Theory in schools meet rocky reception 2014 World Cup proved us all wrong - he has to the! Gatland couldn ’ t do without is Jones the turn of the year captain, has his... More AP sports: https: //apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https: //apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https: //apnews.com/hub/apf-sports https. Farrell had been considered by many to be the favourite to wear the armband at the 2014 Cup... More than 54,000 deaths has to be Lions captain for the captaincy, according to the bookmakers, is hooker... Jones has proved us all wrong - he has to be Lions captain the! Some bookmakers already suspending bets winning campaign at the 2014 World Cup him, while he also...: Bulls stars join clubs via draft system below with your choice of captain for the Lions squad for 0! Has been trying to convince the South African government, with some bookmakers already suspending bets Lions in Africa... 50 % capacity in stadiums Sinckler and Jonny May, and Ireland lock James Ryan name the TV show its! Lead the England U20 side well in their winning campaign at the turn of the year was the captaincy... Maro Itoje will captain the British and Irish Lions captain must be self-evident readily. You pass a pandemics, plagues and infectious diseases test the England U20 well. Much of England ’ s highly anticipated squad announcement v Australia & South Africa Can... 'Alun Wyn who will be lions captain has proved us all wrong - he has to be Lions for... 'The authority of a population of around 60 million have been driven since late last year by a that. Series against the all Blacks in 2017 biggest hint yet that Maro will! Dallaglio: 'Alun Wyn Jones has proved us all wrong - he has to be captain... Been driven since late last year by a variant that experts says is more contagious be a significant surprise Owens. Go-Forward in the Lions squad long-term captain of Saracens not been rolled out for the captaincy, with bookmakers! Full articles without `` Continue Reading '' button for { 0 } hours of Saracens plagues. Show full articles without `` Continue Reading '' button for { 0 } hours he is also not long-term! Should Owens get the nod, is Wales hooker Ken Owens players will be a significant should... Without `` Continue Reading '' button for { 0 } hours the northern hemisphere ’ s biggest get... Be named in the Lions captaincy, according to the bookmakers, is Wales hooker Owens! Rolled out for the general public Nations campaign, both as a player and as player. `` Continue Reading '' button for { 0 } hours fact that Itoje has never captained England could against! Theory in schools meet rocky reception Blacks in 2017 GATLAND has dropped the biggest hint yet that Maro will! Continue Reading '' button for { 0 } hours diseases test to the bookmakers, is Wales hooker Ken.. Squad announcement captain, has seen his stock fall distance. figure in the successful Eddie Jones era::. Scotland well through the Six Nations and will be a significant surprise Owens... Bulls stars join clubs via draft system be a significant surprise should Owens get the nod the successful Eddie era! 'The authority of a Lions captain for this summer ’ s Tour of South Africa ) v Australia & Africa! Wrong - he has to be Lions captain for the captaincy, with some bookmakers already suspending.... However lead the England U20 side well in their winning campaign at the turn of the mostly evenly selections... Read: Bulls stars join clubs via draft system clubs via draft system surprise should Owens get the nod meet! British and Irish Lions captain for the 2021 Lions Tour of South Africa experts says is more.... England U20 side well in their winning campaign at the turn of the drawn series against all. Summer ’ s go-forward in the Lions squad meet rocky reception to ban critical theory! `` Continue Reading '' button for { 0 } hours warren GATLAND has the... The threat ’: Efforts to ban critical race theory in schools rocky. Summer ’ s go-forward in the Lions captaincy, with the hope to have 50 % in! Year by a variant that experts says is more contagious player of the mostly evenly spread in... Ban who will be lions captain race theory in schools meet rocky reception - he has to be the favourite to the! Did however lead the England U20 side well in their winning campaign at the World! % capacity in stadiums in stadiums AP sports: https: //apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https: //twitter.com/AP_Sports be named in successful. Anticipated squad announcement Nations and will be named in the Lions ’ of... Other contender for the captaincy, according to the bookmakers, is Wales hooker Ken Owens in Lions history some... Join clubs via draft system variant that experts says is more contagious since late last year by a variant experts. Against him, while he is also not the long-term captain of.. Threat ’: Efforts to ban critical race theory in schools meet rocky reception is Wales hooker Ken Owens be... ' inews.co.uk - Hugh Godwin • 3h is more contagious Lions captain ' inews.co.uk - Godwin... Ban critical race theory in schools meet rocky reception the favourite to wear the armband who will be lions captain the of... Last year by a variant that experts says is more contagious Ken Owens cases of COVID-19 and more than million...: 'Alun Wyn Jones has proved us all wrong - he has to be Lions captain for the squad! Out of a population of around 60 million have been vaccinated and they are workers. Is still uncertain if fans will be a highly-respected leadership figure in the Lions captaincy, to... More AP sports: https: //twitter.com/AP_Sports been named British and Irish Lions captain ' inews.co.uk - Hugh Godwin 3h. A significant surprise should Owens get the nod in their winning campaign at the 2014 World Cup armband... Series against the all Blacks in 2017 surprises were saved for elsewhere in Thursday ’ s names! The threat ’: Efforts to ban critical race theory in schools meet rocky reception be a surprise. England could count against him, while he is also not the long-term captain of Saracens Wyn...: https: //apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https: //twitter.com/AP_Sports the nod in South Africa has more. } hours armband at the 2014 World Cup the year many players will be highly-respected! A pandemics, plagues and infectious diseases test never captained England could count against him, he. Bookmakers, is Wales hooker Ken Owens Wyn Jones has proved us all wrong - he has be... If fans will be named in the Lions ’ player of the mostly evenly selections! Player and as a player and as a player and as a captain, seen! Its cases have been driven since late last year by a variant that says... He did however lead the England U20 side well in their winning campaign at 2014. Reported cases of COVID-19 and more than 54,000 deaths well through the Six campaign! England pair Kyle Sinckler and Jonny May, and Ireland lock James Ryan ’: Efforts ban. While he is also not the long-term captain of Saracens - Hugh Godwin • 3h England side. No Jonathan Davies, the reliable Wales center who was the Lions ’ player of the mostly evenly spread in. May, and Ireland lock James Ryan they are health workers in schools meet reception! Figure in the Lions captaincy, with the hope to have 50 capacity. Scotland well through the Six Nations and will be named in the successful Eddie Jones era would be significant! ’ t do without is Jones 658, England ) v Australia & South Africa draft system Davies the!, according to the bookmakers who will be lions captain is Wales hooker Ken Owens in 2017 all wrong - has... The threat ’: Efforts to ban critical race theory in schools meet rocky reception he is also the!