British & Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell has named his squad for their tour of Australia later this year, and there was always going to be great anticipation around the names selected.
Once again, the tour group sees two South Africa-born players included: Duhan van der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman from Scotland.
Van der Merwe, who was born in Pretoria, moved overseas in 2016 and has featured in over 40 Tests for Scotland since debuting in 2020.
Schoeman, who was born in Mbombela, moved to Edinburgh from the Bulls in 2018 and has featured in nearly 50 Tests for Scotland since his debut in 2021.
The squad features 26 first time tourists, while nine players will participate in their second Lions Tour. Tadhg Furlong and Elliot Daly have also been selected for a third Lions Tour.
Northampton Saints back row Henry Pollock is the youngest member of the touring party at just 20 years of age.
Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell, said: “I want to congratulate Maro on being named captain of The British & Irish Lions.
“This is a great honour for Maro, his family and everyone who has supported him throughout his career from Saracens to England – and on to The Lions in 2017 and 2021.
“As a two-time tourist, Maro fully understands what The Lions is all about and also the role of the captain in helping the group achieve its goal of winning a Test Series this summer.”
Speaking about the squad, Farrell added: “Since we met as a coaching unit for the very first time six weeks ago we have been discussing more than 75 players of interest.
“But the key job is getting that squad balance right as we prepare for a long and demanding tour that finishes with a Three Test Series against the Wallabies.
“I am very excited about working with this group and believe they have the capacity to achieve something special and add to the Lions legacy.”
England captain Itoje, was the youngest player on the 2017 tour of New Zealand. He has featured in all six of The Lions’ last Test matches and was voted as the Lions’ Player of the Series in South Africa, 2021.
The British & Irish Lions Squad
Forwards: (21)
- Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) #838
- Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England)
- Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #839
- Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England) #851
- Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland)
- Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) #853
- Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
- Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #848
- Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #818
- Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)
- Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) #825 (C)
- Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
- Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England)
- Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
- Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England)
- Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Backs: (17)
- Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #837
- Elliot Daly (Saracens/England) #822
- Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
- Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
- Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
- Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland)
- James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)
- Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland) #835
- Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England)
- Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
- Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
- Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841
- Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales)
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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/british-irish-lions/two-sa-born-players-in-british-irish-lions-squad/
