Martin Johnson Breaks Silence After Effort to Save Neighbour’s Life

"Scotland and Toulouse ace Kinghorn is nursing a knee injury and will likely miss the start of the tour anyway due to club commitments. However, he’s still my first-choice full-back."

"Keenan... selects himself given [his] Six Nations form."

"Freeman’s ability to cover No 13 means that’s not a concern."

"Lowe... selects [himself] given [his] Six Nations form."

"Van der Merwe... selects [himself] given [his] Six Nations form."

"If he is fit I think he has a point of difference that is worth gambling on. If not, I’d go with Ireland’s Mack Hansen who gets on so well with Farrell he has a tattoo of his face on his leg!"

"Aki... bring[s] raw power and aggression."

"Tuipulotu... bring[s] raw power and aggression. The latter also missed the Six Nations, but I’m sure he’ll be selected."

"Had a great Six Nations."

"Playing well for Leinster."

"I don’t think you can ignore Russell..."

"Prendergast’s battle against Smith for Leinster v Northampton this weekend could go a long way to deciding who gets the starting No 10 shirt."

"I don't think you can ignore Fin Smith, who can also play at inside centre if needed."

"You might say Marcus Smith is fortunate to make my party, but I think he’s been harshly done by and a Lions tour might be exactly what he needs to get back firing."

"Sadly for Owen Farrell, I don't think he has done enough this season to justify his place in the touring squad."

"Gibson-Park is a certain starter..."

"Mitchell’s importance to Northampton and England is undisputed."

"He’s one of only two Welshmen in my squad. Sadly, that reflects their demise as a nation. But Williams is undoubtedly deserving of his spot."

"It’s going to be a fascinating battle between Porter and Genge for the starting spot."

"Genge looks back to his best to me. He’s a player I would have loved to have coached."

(No quote, selected in list.)

"Free-scoring front-rower Dan Sheehan is my pick to be the Lions starting hooker."

(Selected behind Sheehan; mentioned as backup.)

"Sale’s Cowan-Dickie is the third hooker and back-up to first-choice Sheehan and his Irish compatriot Kelleher."

"Tighthead prop Furlong hasn’t played much at all this season due to calf injuries. But he should be fit to tour and his class means... he simply must travel."

(No direct quote; selected as part of core tighthead options.)

"He’s my starter as things stand."

"I would go with Itoje as tour captain. He is in regal form and being promoted to England skipper for the Six Nations took his game to a whole new level entirely."

(In starting XV, but no individual quote.)

(No direct quote, but selected on form.)

(Included without specific comment.)

"I hope George Martin is fit to travel. He brings a brute force that any team needs."

"Brilliant player... comfortable both sides of the flank."

"Willis is the best player in Europe for me. His form for Toulouse has been outrageous."

"Brilliant player."

"Comfortable both sides of the flank... versatility is a priceless commodity."

"Probably the only out-and-out No 8 and will be disappointed to miss out on the captaincy to Itoje."

(Named in final back row, part of most competitive selection.)

"Henry Pollock has been sensational... But I think the Lions is still a bit too soon for him."