Having seen Andy Howells selection via Wales online I’ve decided to pick a lions team that I would like to see play against South Africa next year. I’ll be including players who are currently injured as well as players who have been in form recently.

15 Liam Williams- Started all three tests in New Zealand in 2017 and looks set to be the test Full Back again in 2021. He has enjoyed a stellar three seasons at Saracens and has returned to the Scarlets the region who took a chance on him after he was not picked up by the Ospreys during his younger years. Williams is fantastic under a high ball and provides a counter attacking instinct as well as stability in defence. He has matured into being able to harness his aggression and passion and is a world class player when fully fit.
14 Anthony Watson- Straight back into Try scoring form against Wales in the recent Six Nations match. Watson scared New Zealand in 2017 and plays the game like a super rugby wing. Immensely talented and has underrated strength and speed. He has had some bad luck with injuries but would be one of Warren Gatlands first names on the teamsheet.

13 Jonathan Davies – He will be 33 next year and on his third Lions tour, but he is still world class. His defence is excellent and his turn of pace to get into the outside channel is still elite. Davies had to turn on the class in the World Cup group game against Fiji and in creating a try for Josh Adams he suffered a season ending knee injury, but he showed his commitment to the cause by playing in the semi final and 3rd place play off on one leg. Provides a left footed kicking option to ease the pressure in the backline. Thrives on the big stage.

12 Owen Farrell (C)- Plays his best Rugby at 12, becoming a talismanic leader and is a coach on the field. Has an incredible will to win and is ferocious if not always legal in defence. Elite level goal kicker and distributor.

11 Josh Adams- I’m torn between Johnny May and Josh Adams here. Both have been in top form for the last 18 months. But Adams has been a master finisher in both the Gallagher premiership and Test Rugby. Way more physical than he is given credit for, an effervescent presence on the wing. May will push him close as will Jacob Stockdale.

10 Dan Biggar- Has taken his game to another level recently and enjoyed a fantastic Six Nations. Another with a sheer will to win. Fantastic goal kicker and organiser who has played more creative rugby for Northampton than we have seen him produce in the past for ospreys and Wales. Tourist in 2017 but a Test starter for me in 2021. Come a long way from the boy Neil Jenkins used to take kicking on Gowerton school pitches.

9- Conor Murray- Will relish the dogfight against South Africa and Faf De Klerk. Has been off form since before the World Cup but he will be another who will look to hit top form following the enforced break due to the Corona virus. Murray will be another third time tourist and has an astute tactical kicking game which should see him claiming the test jersey. Garland will then be able to unleash Tomos Williams off the bench to change the pace of a game if required.
8 Billy Vunipola- If fit Vunipola is a test starter for me, his childhood friend Talupe Faletau was a star in the series in 2017 but will have to battle for a finishers spot. Vunipola is a man mountain whose workrate has increased significantly through his career.

7 Justin Tipuric- A place on a third tour beckons for the Trebanos man. This time he will be without Sam Warburton as competition in the back row. Tipuric has been set free by Wales finding a balance in their back row. He scored two tries at Twickenham to show his attacking intent and enjoyed a stellar world cup. Will be pushed all the way by former ospreys team mate Sam Underhill but Tipuric has more in the tank at this level at the moment.

6 Tom Curry- The Sale man has been immense for the last 18 months. He is physical in attack and defence, can jump in a lineout and also carries well above his weight. A true dog of war for Eddie Jones men and he will relish a rematch with South Africa in their backyard.

5 James Ryan- Another Irishman searching for top form but he is a dynamic player who has emerged through the impressive Leinster academy system. I feel like a traitor for picking Ryan over Alun Wyn Jones but the all action pairing of Ryan and Itoje will pose a lot of problems for South Africa.

4 Maro Itoje- An absolute nuisance at every breakdown and although he is often pushing the boundaries of the offside line is a huge asset to any team he plays in. Itoje has a great blend of nasty aggression and athletiscm which will be essential in battling the south African behemoths.

3 Tadgh Furlong- He has played a hell of a lot of Rugby over the last 4 years. Has stiff competition from Kyle Sinckler but I fancy Furlong to find his top form before the tour to South Africa.

2 Jamie George- A key player for Saracens and England. Has stated his desire to stay with Saracens in the championship and will benefit from his game time being managed for a season leading into a lions tour. Consistent levels at set piece and gets around the field more than people realise. A true student of the game.

1Mako Vunipola- Missed out on game time in the six nations due to injury, a family emergency in Tonga and the Coronavirus. But when he’s fit the Saracens man is a force of nature. He carries and tackles like a back row and is able to more than hold his own in the set piece.

Replacements
16 Luke Cowan Dickie- Try scoring machine and clever player who plays a magnificent role as a finisher for Eddie Jones.
17 Ellis Genge – You can take the boy out of Knowle West but you can’t take Knowle West out of the boy. Won’t back down to anyone and relishes confrontation. Genge could become a world star on this tour. Plus I imagine he will feature heavily in the post tour documentary.
18 Kyle Sinckler- Bristol bound for next season, Sinckler has balanced himself emotionally and has seen his performances improve considerably. Cruelly knocked out in the opening stages of the world cup final, sinkler will want to right that wrong against the springboks.

19 Alun Wyn Jones – By next season he will be the most capped test player of all time, and will be on his fourth Lions tour. If he starts he’s the test captain, but father time is chasing him hard as he will be 35 on this tour. Wales best ever rugby player and a giant on the world stage, the strength in depth at second row could see Alun Wyn start the first test on the bench, but do not be surprised if he plays himself into the starting test team as the series continues.

20 Josh Navidi- an absolute unsung hero for Wales. So strong and tenacious he soaks up tackles and always makes yards with the ball. No coincidence Tipurics best rugby has come when Navidi is back in the team. Ideal player to cover all of the back row and bringing him on with 20 mins left would pose problems for the south Africans.

21 Tomos Williams – breakthrough 2019 has been followed by an inconsistent 2020. The Blues 9 is spiky and confident and knows his way to the tryline. I can see Gatland wanting Williams to replicate the impact Mike Phillips had in 2009 with his attitude and aggressive play.
22 Manu Tuilagi- powerhouse who has got some consistent rugby under his belt recently. Tuilagi was named in the test 23 for the final test in 2013 but missed the 2017 tour through injury. Is not as hot headed any more and plays with a menacing level of phsyciality.
23 Elliot Daly- Covers wing or full back and can also play 13. Very quick and elusive, Daly will be able to kick a goal from close to 60 metres at altitude and will be vital as a finisher.

I am fully aware that the test team will change as every game is played, but this is the team I would go with at the moment. Appreciate new followers and any feedback.