British and Irish Lions Tour - Chance Would Be a Good Thing

The British and Irish Lions have confirmed that their 2021 tour of South Africa will go ahead as planned. Whilst the news has been met with joy in England, Wales and Ireland, the atmosphere in Scotland is somewhat more sombre. Rugby lovers can book their South Africa A Vs British And Irish Lions Tickets on discounted prices easily.

It is perhaps an understatement to say that Scottish rugby fans have become disillusioned with the Lions in recent years, particularly under the stewardship of Warren Gatland. Gatland, who returns as coach next year, has only selected five Scottish players into his two original squads.

British and Irish Lions Tour - Chance Would Be a Good Thing

Further four players joining as injury/withdrawal replacements. Of the 44 players he has handed Test caps to, Richie Gray was the only Scot, and he only played for 13 minutes. It is understandable why so few Scottish players were included in the 2013 tour but in the run-up to the 2017 tour.

Scotland had beaten Gatland’s Wales and Ireland in the Six Nations almost made the semi-final of the World Cup two years prior and went on to beat Australia in Sydney. Yet Gatland picked fewer Scots in his original squad than in 2013. All things considered, there may be pressure on Gatland to increase support in Scotland for the Lions brand.

This has been struggling to find its place in the professional game and could be under further threat if a global rugby calendar is adopted. The simplest way to do this: pick more Scottish players. With that in mind, here are my favourites to tour with the Lions next year and their chance of touring.

Add caption

Dead Certs

Stuart Hogg

The only way Hogg will not be picked is if he is injured. On recent form, he is the best Full Back option at Gatland’s disposal. Moving swiftly along.

Hamish Watson

Gatland picked eight Back Row players in his original 2017 squad. Whilst this is an area of immense depth, Watson is probably the second-best Openside after Justin Tipuric. James Haskell and Mike Tindall selected him in their Test team on House of Rugby, showing how highly thought of he is.

High Chance

Rory Sutherland

Sutherland was the form Loosehead from the Six Nations. If I were picking the squad today I have no doubts that he would go. However, we are a year out and Sutherland has had his problems with injury. His chance rests on keeping his form high and injuries at bay.

Stuart McInally/Fraser Brown

I have had to group these two as they so often are for Scotland. Gatland picked three Hookers in his original 2017 squad. I believe Jamie George and Ken Owens are already on the plane.

This leaves one space free. The Irish Hookers are too young and inexperienced for me so I think it will be a shootout between these two but at least one of them is very likely to go.

50/50s

Finn Russell

It pains me to give Finn such a low chance. Maybe I am being too cynical but I think Gatland will stick with the three Fly Halves from 2017. Farrell and Sexton are highly likely to go and Gatland knows Biggar inside out. Russell’s falling out with Townsend won’t help much either.

Leaving Russell at home could be the final nail in the coffin for the Lions in Scotland so perhaps this may swing the balance in his favour.

Darcy Graham

The Prince of Hawick could easily join the King if he rebounds from his injury troubles and finds top form. Gatland took seven Back Three players in 2017. Three outright Wingers, one outright Full Back and Three players who can cover all three positions. Graham’s time covering Full Back for Edinburgh may give him the edge over players like Stockdale or Nowell should he hit top form.

Zander Fagerson

Tadgh Furlong and Kyle Sinckler are certainties to tour. This leaves one space open at Tighthead. Fagerson was quality during the Six Nations with the Scottish scrum matching up to the opposition. If Fagerson can keep this up he has every chance.

Outside Bets

Jonny Gray

Gray Jr. has been an excellent servant for Scotland over recent years, always putting a shift in defence. However, Second Row is the Lions strongest area and his lack of edge in the attack may not be enough to see him on the plane. Playing in Exeter could change this so watch this space.

Ali Price

Three scrum-halves were originally taken in 2017. Two places are likely to be filled by Tomos Williams and Connor Murray. Price has a fight on his hands with Gareth Davies, Ben Youngs and John Cooney but he has a chance to sneak in.

Jamie Ritchie

Unfortunately for Ritchie, who is an exceptional talent with an aggressive edge suited to playing the Springboks, the back row may just have to much depth. His inexperience at the top level will likely count against him and he may have to bide his time till 2025.

Dark Horses

Sam Johnson

With Hadleigh Parkes leaving Wales for Japan, there are few specialists Inside Centres to pick from. With Owen Farrell likely to be deployed at 10, only Bundee Aki remains as a specialist 12. Sam Johnson could find his way on to the tour if he hits form.

Duhan van der Merwe

Who better to take on a team of huge, hulking South Africans than your very own huge, hulking South African. Duhan has been immense for Edinburgh over the past three seasons and if he carries that form into a Scotland shirt, he has the potential to be a Test starter.

We are offering British And Irish Lions Tickets so Rugby fans can get British And Irish Lions Tour Tickets through our trusted online ticketing market place. SportTicketExchange.com is the most reliable source to book British And Irish Lions Tour Tickets.