Just one more week of speculation.
Warren Gatland will announce the 2017 Lions squad for the tour to New Zealand on April 19.
The 53-year-old has likely settled on his squad right now, even with the latest news surrounding Sam Warburton’s injury.
Not ideal https://t.co/GbcEmt4LnY
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 11, 2017
Warburton is ruled out for six weeks after suffering medial ligament damage in the Cardiff Blues’ draw with Ulster at the weekend but according to widespread reports, he will still remain Gatland’s man to lead the Lions.
Another man who is also guaranteed to be named in the squad is Ireland’s Conor Murray.
The 27-year-old is arguably the most in-form scrum-half in world rugby at the moment and even with the worrisome shoulder injury which has ruled him out for the last couple of weeks, his name will be called out next Wednesday.
Murray was recently interviewed about his thoughts on this year’s Lions tour and he revealed who he thinks definitely deserves a place on the plane.
“I think the three players, in my opinion, who have made the biggest claim to deserving a seat on the plane are Alun Wyn Jones, Johnny Sexton and Stuart Hogg…but there is still a lot of rugby to be played,” Murray said according to Talking Rugby Union.
It’s hard to disagree with Murray here.
Jones, Sexton and Hogg will definitely make the squad and are in most peoples’ picks when it comes to the starting XV to face the All Blacks.
The Limerick man also outlined who he believes were the standout performers from this year’s Six Nations and it is good news for his Irish international colleagues.
“I think the outstanding players have got to be CJ Stander and Tadgh Furlong.
“CJ also stands out to me as one of the home nation’s best performers alongside Stuart Hogg and my opposite number Rhys Webb, who is always a tough opponent!”
You can be sure that Stander and Furlong will be named in the squad.
Furlong will likely start against the All Blacks while the back-row positions are so competitive it is difficult to predict whether Stander can force himself into Gatland’s plans.
Thankfully, we only have one week to go until the announcement so at least then, we can concentrate on the small matter of the starting XV!
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