How nice of them…
Warren Gatland names his British & Irish Lions matchday squad to face New Zealand on Thursday evening [8pm] and there are expected to be a healthy smattering of English, Irish and Welsh names. Sorry Scotland.
The Kiwi held his final selection meeting with his coaching staff on Wednesday evening [NZ time] and there are three key areas of debate that will have been extensively covered – back row, back three and ‘Maro Itoje or Alun Wyn Jones?’
In settling on his back row, Gatland will likely settle on the man to lead the Lions out at Eden Park on Saturday.
Munster captain Peter O’Mahony has been tipped, backed and reported heavily to be named Test captain [Betway, for instance, have him at 5/6]. CJ Stander all but sealed the deal when he told reporters O’Mahony ‘will make us all proud’.
It's hard to argue with him https://t.co/oMUIQ6dEsb
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 17, 2017
Were O’Mahony to get the nod at blindside, and Itoje start in the second row, the Irishman will lead the Lions.
There is one other viable candidate though and he is the favourite of Sky Sports viewers to lead the Lions. He was ruled out of last weekend’s win over the Maori All Blacks but England fans [and Sky Sports viewers] have not forgotten how much of a clinch player and on-field general he is.
Asked ‘Who should captain the Lion?’, Farrell topped the poll with 33% with Warburton next and O’Mahony back in third.
All will be revealed by Gatland later on.
Once he has made his call, it will time to row in behind the man honoured with the Test captaincy ahead of one mother of a challenge.
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