British & Irish Lions reveal their shirt sponsor for 2021 tour

Fans will be able to immerse themselves in the action through a dedicated app, interactive games, and exclusive content. Vodafone will be creating innovative fan experiences through experiential activations both at home and in South Africa.

odafone customers will also be eligible to enter competitions to win much-coveted tour tickets and merchandise giveaways through Vodafone’s VeryMe loyalty programme.

Ben Calveley, Managing Director of the British & Irish Lions, said: “Today’s announcement represents two iconic brands coming together. Along with supporting Warren and the team, Vodafone will also help to enhance the experience of Lions supporters through the very best technology and innovation.

“The fans are a crucial aspect of any Lions tour and we will need to ensure they feel part of the team, to ignite their incredible support, if we are to overcome the World Champions.

“In Vodafone we have found a partner who shares our passion for connectivity, and we are delighted to have them on board to enhance the experience of the Lions fans across the world.”

Warren Gatland, head coach for the British & Irish Lions, commented: “I am excited to welcome aboard Vodafone as team sponsor for the Tour next summer.

“The key to a successful Lions Tour is about players coming together quickly and staying united behind one common goal – to win a Test series against the World Champions in South Africa. I cannot think of a brand that knows more about bringing people together than Vodafone.

“I am sure they will play an important role in supporting the team on and off the pitch, as well as ensuring the Tour is a unique experience for all Lions supporters.”

Max Taylor, Commercial Director of Vodafone, added: “Nothing in sport unites us quite like the Lions. The team bonds nations that normally compete, unites families and friends and brings generations closer together. At a time when connection, unity and community are more important than ever, the Lions 2021 Tour gives us a great opportunity to bring people together in a way that no other sporting event can. The build up to this incredible touring event starts now.”

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Looking back in these critical positions there is much talent (I common theme throughout all selections), so to narrow it down is very difficult. But the players I have selected are:

JPR Williams, Gavin Hastings, Gerald Davies, Tony O’Reilly, Jason Robinson and Andy Irvine. 

These selections give you sufficient cover at full-back with four players in Williams, Hastings, Robinson and Irvine all played internationally at 15. In terms of try threats, then Davies, O’Reilly, Robinson and Irvine gives you that as well from the wings and also you have some good kicking options there. 

I am looking for partnerships and also players who can give you a physical edge to be able to carry the ball. Also footballers who can spot opportunities in defensive lines. My choices are:

Brian O’Driscoll, Jonathan Davies, Bleddyn Williams, Mike Gibson and Will Greenwood

These selections give me three centres in O’Driscoll, Davies and Williams who are more comfortable in the outside-centre position but can be adaptable. Still. with Gibson, I have a football option at inside-centre. Greenwood was a fabulous centre, who can play at 12 or 13 comfortably, great hands and always a try threat.

This position has arguably given me the biggest selection headache. So many great tens for the Lions. If JPR is to be my test full-back which he would start, then I need a ten who is a consistent place kicker or look at other options. With that in mind, have selected the following:

Barry John, Jonny Wilkinson and Jackie Kyle

John and Kyle were just magicians in their time on a rugby field. Both were competent goal kickers but could be inconsistent. My safety net is the selection of Wilkinson. A prolific goal kicker, and also can slot in if required, at inside-centre. A nice option to have.

Again, been many outstanding nines for the Lions. I am looking for players who can provide exceptional service to the backs. Also, has a great relationship with his forwards and also the individual ability to keep the opposition guessing at all times. My choices are:

Gareth Edwards, Terry Holmes and Robert Howley

I make no excuses selecting three Welshman as my choices for scrum-half. Each of them in their respective careers at some stage was the best player in the world in their position. For those of you who never saw Holmes at his best then you missed out, he was immense.

Going to South Africa, you have to have a good base and be able to scrummage. Of course, this is the job of the whole pack of forwards, but it does start in the front five. My selections are:

Fran Cotton, Ian McLauchlan, Gethin Jenkins, Sandy Carmichael, Graham Price and Jason Leonard

All fantastic players as you would expect. Cotton and Leonard can play both sides of the scrum more than proficiently, so barring injuries, I have adequate cover in this position.

Looking for players who are good in the set-piece but also good ball carriers who can get a try or two on tour. My selections are:

Bryn Meredith, Keith Wood and Bobby Windsor.

Three tough, uncompromising, durable players who were the standout players of their generation in Britain and Irish rugby.

Need a combination of toughness and athletes in this position to compete with South Africa, so going with the following:

Willie John McBride (capt), Martin Johnson, Gordon Brown, Alun Wyn Jones and Paul O’Connell

I think I have a good blend with these selections which should secure good lineout ball and also have the doggedness for a battle with their South African counterparts.

Balance is the key here, don’t want to select too many specialist open-side flankers or too many ball carriers as a need to compete at the breakdown as well. Bearing all that in mind, I have come up with the following:

Roger Uttley, Richard Hill, Mervyn Davies, Lawrence Dallaglio, Fergus Slattery and Sam Warburton

Some really tough choices here. But, I feel I have a good balance with players who can compete in the key areas I mentioned. Also, be able to carry physically into contact against the Springboks.

So there you have my squad, some outstanding players missing out, as you would expect with the long history of the British and Irish Lions. It would be wrong of me after selecting that squad not to choose my 23 for a fictitious test match, and here it is:

Hastings, B Williams, Holmes, Jenkins, Meredith, Carmichael, Jones, Dallaglio.

Please let us know your thoughts at Ruck Rugby!