5 Winners & 5 Losers From Today’s British & Irish Lions Squad Announcement

The wait is finally over.

After months of speculation Warren Gatland named an extended 41-man British & Irish Lions squad this afternoon.

A lot of the rumours that filtered through turned out to be untrue, but some were proved right such as the inclusion of England centre Ben Te’o.

Let’s take a look at five winners and five losers from today’s announcement.

Winners.

Ben Te’o

This time last year Ben Te’o was getting ready for a B&I Cup final, now he’s an England international that’s just been named in the Lions 2017 squad.

Ross Moriarty

Who saw this coming? The Welsh back-row was one of his national side’s standout players at the Six Nations, but no one foresaw this. Probably won’t get a sniff at the Test team, but will definitely do a job midweek.

Kyle Sinckler

The young England and Harlquins prop is yet to start under Eddie Jones but now finds himself in the Lions squad due to WP Nel’s injury.

Jared Payne

The biggest shock of them all. The Ireland and Ulster centre has only recently returned to full fitness but can operate in the centre, on the wing or at fullback. A defensive leader that will bring a lot to the midweek games.

Peter O’Mahony

Proof that Warren Gatland and his team will leave it right until the very end before they decided on the final squad. Missed the start of the Six Nations and then struggled to get back into the starting line-up for Ireland. His MOTM performance against England basically booked his ticket for the plane. Hugely deserving of his spot.

Losers.

Dylan Hartley

Once again an England captain has been overlooked. To be honest this was always coming. Jamie George is a better player and Hartley’s disciplinary record was always going to work against him.

Scotland

Just two players from Scotland have been named in the squad in the form of Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour, despite the Scots beating both Ireland and Wales at this year’s Six Nations. You have to feel for the likes of Hamish Watson and Jonny Gray.

Joe Launchbury

The England lock was immense at this year’s Six Nations and probably the most in-form player to be left out.

Donnacha Ryan

We really thought this would be the Munster lock’s year. Could have done an excellent job midweek, hopefully he gets his chance later in the tour.

Simon Zebo

The 2013 tourist must have thought he had done enough. Unlucky to lose out to the likes of Halfpenny and Nowell. Will likely earn a late call-up as he did on the Australian tour.