Bristol Bears star interested in returning to New Zealand
Rugby NewsWednesday, 29 April 2020 at 08:57
Bristol Bears flanker Steve Luatua has admitted that he'd like to return to the Blues in New Zealand before his career is over.
The 28-year-old, who won 15 caps for the All Blacks between 2013 and 2016, wants to return to his old stomping ground to complete one of his career aims.
“One of my goals was always to come back and play 100 games for the Blues – I think I’m 20 or 30-odd short so that’s a couple of seasons,” he said.
“If they’ll take an old-timer, or someone off the bench, then I’d be happy to come and fill that role; locker-room banter, I’m there for it.”
However, a return home is at least one season away for the back-rower, who re-signed with Bristol in late 2018 through to the end of the 2021 English Premiership season.
British & Irish Lions predicted 2021 starting XV according to the bookies
Although it's about a year until Warren Gatland picks his Lions squad, the public has already started talking about who will make it onto the plane and who will line-up in the first Test against South Africa.
Gatland has spoken publicly about his team but has given little away as he continues to ponder over big selection decisions.
That doesn’t stop the bookies offering odds on who will make the squad.
Here is how the XV would shape up based on the favourites to be selected from each position.
You can view the full odds from Paddy Power HERE.
Odds are accurate on Wednesday, 22nd April 2020, 8am, and are subject to change.
Fullback: LIAM WILLIAMS (Wales 4/7)
Other contenders: Stuart Hogg (Scotland 4/6), Jordan Larmour (Ireland EVS), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales 5/1), George Furbank (England 7/2)
Left wing: JONNY MAY (England 1/25)
Other contenders: Jacob Stockdale (Ireland 1/3), Adam Radwan (England 40/1), Jack Nowell (England 11/4), Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales 13/8)
Outside-centre: JONATHAN DAVIES (Wales 1/3)
Other contenders: Henry Slade (England 5/6), Garry Ringshow (Ireland 4/6), Jonathan Joseph (England 13/8), Chris Harris (Scotland 20/1), Huw Jones (Scotland 6/1)
Inside-centre: MANU TUILAGI (England 1/3)
Other contenders: Robbie Henshaw (Ireland 5/6), Hadleigh Parkes (Wales 5/4), Sam Johnson (Scotland 9/2)
Right wing: JOSH ADAMS (Wales 1/18)
Other contenders: Anthony Watson (England 4/6), George North (Wales 2/1), Elliot Daly (England 10/11), Joe Cokanasiga (England 3/1), Keith Earls (Ireland 9/2)
Fly-half: OWEN FARRELL (England 1/25)
Other contenders: Johnny Sexton (Ireland 1/2), Dan Biggar (Wales 8/15), Finn Russell (Scotland 3/1), Marcus Smith (England 8/1)
Scrum-half: CONOR MURRAY (Ireland 4/6)
Other contenders: Tomos Williams (Wales 5/4), Ben Youngs (England 6/4), Ali Price (Scotland 2/1)
Looshead-prop: MAKO VUNIPOLA (England 4/6)
Other contenders: Ellis Genge (England 1/3), Cian Healy (Ireland 5/6), Joe Marler (England 5/2)
Hooker: JAMIE GEORGE (England 1/10)
Other contenders: Luke Cowan-Dickie (England 4/6), Ken Owens (Wales 7/4), Stuart McInally (Scotland 7/2)
Tighthead-prop: Tadhg Furlong (Ireland 1/15)
Other contenders: Kyle Sinckler (England 1/5), Tomas Francis (Wales 11/8), Harry Williams (England 5/1)
Lock: MATO ITOJE (England 1/10)
Other contenders: James Ryan (Ireland 1/5), Jonny Gray (Scotland 8/11)
Lock: ALUN WYN JONES (Wales 1/5)
Other contenders: Iain Henderson (Ireland 4/6), Courtney Lawes (England 5/4), George Kruis (England 7/2), Jean Kleyn (Ireland 33/1), Richie Gray (Scotland 5/1)
Blindside-flanker: TOM CURRY (England 1/7)
Other contenders: Peter O'Mahony (Ireland 7/4), Lewis Ludlam (England 11/4), Jamie Ritchie (Scotland 10/1)
Openside-flanker: SAM UNDERHILL (England 1/4)
Other contenders: Hamish Watson (Scotland 8/11), James Davies (Wales 10/1)
Number 8: BILLY VUNIPOLA (England 1/4)
Other contenders: CJ Stander (Ireland 1/3), Taulupe Faletau (Wales 11/10), Ross Moriarty (Wales 5/1)
Pick your Lions team to face the Springboks
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