Charlie Elliott: The 21 forwards I would select for the British and Irish Lions squad

By Charlie Elliott

The British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia this summer is set to be announced on Thursday. 

Andy Farrell and his coaching staff have some huge decisions to make, as the wealth of talent at their disposal is very evenly matched and is a very high quality. 

There are so many players whom you could make a case for going, and it is so hard to narrow the squad down to the 37-player squad that is expected to go. 

Starting off with the forwards, Charlie Elliott goes through his Lions squad, as well as the squad that he thinks Farrell will pick. 

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Loosehead Prop (3) 

To start off, it is a relatively straightforward position in loosehead, with the three selections looking almost certain to be on the plane. 

The only player who may break into a shirt is Wales player Nicky Smith, who is an expert scrummager. 

These three are also excellent in the scrum and have a bit more about them around the park. 

Scotland‘s Pierre Schoeman is probably going to be the third choice, as Andrew Porter and Ellis Genge are slightly better overall. 

I would back Genge to start, but wouldn’t be surprised if Farrell gives Porter the nod. 

My selection: Schoeman, Genge, Porter  

Probable selection: Schoeman, Genge, Porter 

Hooker (3) 

I would have Luke Cowan-Dickie to start, as the Sale Sharks hooker has been the form player in his position recently and has been key in Sale’s renaissance that currently has them up to third in the Premiership. 

He is sometimes overlooked though, so for that reason I have a sneaking suspicion that Farrell may opt for Jamie George instead, it depends how much recent form is a priority. 

The two Ireland hookers, Ronan Kelleher and Dan Sheehan, are both quality and are almost nailed on to be picked. 

Sheehan seems to be more of an impact player off the bench, and I make Cowan-Dickie to be better than Kelleher, so if I was in Farrell’s shoes, I would start LCD and have Sheehan come off the bench. 

If George is to go, then he will likely be a third option and may not get a look-in for the Tests. 

My selection: Cowan-Dickie, Sheehan, Kelleher 

Probable selection: George, Sheehan, Kelleher 

Tighthead (3) 

All three tightheads look pretty nailed on, given that they are all starters for their nations and there isn’t much Lions quality in the position coming from Wales. 

It will be interesting to see who starts, though, as all three are pretty evenly matched and you could make a case for all of them. 

Personally, I would give Stuart the nod due to his recent form, but I would have no arguments about either of the other two starting. 

My selection: Furlong, Fagerson, Stuart 

Probable selection: Furlong, Fagerson, Stuart 

Second Row (5) 

The two starters for this position are pretty straightforward: Maro Itoje and Tadhg Beirne. 

Both are physical monsters who are incredible at the breakdown and have great athleticism and could form a really great partnership in the second row. 

Joe McCarthy has emerged as someone who may challenge Beirne to start, but it looks like the Munster man is still rated higher than him overall. 

Ollie Chessum would be a good versatility option and provides cover in the back row, which is always a valuable asset on tour. 

Finally, Dafydd Jenkins has really impressed me for Wales, and he stands out amongst a close group of players who are definitely up for contention. 

He has an unreal work rate and has produced despite a poor year for club side Exeter Chiefs and Wales. 

James Ryan would be the main competitor for Jenkins’ selection, and it depends on how favourable Farrell is to the Ireland lads. 

For me, Jenkins offers a bit more than Ryan, and I would rather see him on tour. 

These picks assume that George Martin will miss out due to injury, which looks likely. If he manages to recover, he should go. 

My selection: Itoje, Beirne, Chessum, McCarthy, Jenkins  

Probable selection: Itoje, Beirne, Chessum, McCarthy, Ryan 

Back Row (7) 

Back row is one of the most competitive positions with some of the best talents from the Home Nations all wearing either a number six, seven or eight. 

Caelan Doris is a certainty given how reliable he has been for Leinster and Ireland, and the fact that he was nominated for World Player of the Year last year. 

Josh van der Flier is pretty much guaranteed due to his unreal ability to win turnovers, as well as being able to make an influence around the pitch. 

Tom Curry has had a great season for Sale and has earned his place, with his brother Ben very unlucky to miss out. 

Jac Morgan was outstanding for Wales in the Six Nations despite his team being dominated, which shows a huge amount of spirit and grit that may help the Lions should they encounter some adversity. 

Meanwhile, Jack Willis is one of the standout players in a Toulouse side that is operating at a Test level, so his lack of recent England experience is balanced out. 

England’s Ben Earl stood out in the Six Nations and is a monstrous ball carrier who can really make things happen. 

Wales’ Taulupe Faletau is the man in form and has lots of previous Lions experience, and may be more trusted than Henry Pollock, but I would personally love to see Henry Pollock go. 

His confidence is infectious, he is in form, and he has been doing it against some of the best players in the world. 

 It may be a bit of a wildcard pick, but I think it would hugely benefit the team to have that kind of player around. 

My selection: Doris, T Curry, J Willis, van der Flier, Earl, Morgan, Pollock 

Probable selection: Doris, T Curry, J Willis, van der Flier, Earl, Morgan, Faletau