"Selection is an art, not a science" - Woodward picks interesting Lions pack

Friday, 30 April 2021 at 08:08

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byRugby Rucker

Sir Clive Woodward has selected his British & Irish Lions pack to dominate the Springboks with Tadhg Furlong and Taulupe Faletau both left out.

Check out his full Lions pack selection below:

FRONT-ROW:

1. Rory Sutherland (Scotland)
2. Ken Owens (Wales)
3. Kyle Sinckler (England)

"In the front row, Ken Owens is the obvious choice at hooker, Kyle Sinckler is picking up speed, and at loose head I’m going with Scot Rory Sutherland. A bit of a punt? Possibly, but selection is an art, not a science."

DID YOU KNOW? On 5 August 2019, Ken Owens was inducted into the Gorsedd of Bards at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Llanrwst

SECOND-ROW:

4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) - Captain
5. Maro Itoje (England)

Woodward said: "Jones may have missed out on the Grand Slam but the Wales captain is my choice to lead the Lions against South Africa in the summer."

DID YOU KNOW? Alun Wyn Jones was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to rugby union football in Wales

BACK-ROW:

6. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
7. Tom Curry (England)
8. Justin Tipuric (Wales)

Woodward said: "I’m not prepared to leave Tadhg Beirne out, but want Wyn Jones and Maro Itoje to form a second row partnership, so I’m playing the Irishman at blindside flanker.

"Tom Curry starts at seven, and I’m going to take a risk and start Justin Tipuric at No 8."