Shock Lions omissions give serious hope to FIVE Irish players who deserve their place

Conan Doherty

The bad news being reported from Britain is fantastic news.

The Guardian, the Telegraph, the BBC, all three of them are reporting that some fine English talents are set to miss out on a place in Warren Gatland’s Lions squad much to the surprise of the rugby fraternity all over these isles.

It total, the trifecta have listed five Six Nations champions between them who will apparently be snubbed when the British and Irish Lions are officially announced on Wednesday.

Those names said to be missing out are as follows:

BBC

Joe Launchbury
Jonathan Joseph

The Guardian

Joe Launchbury
Jonathan Joseph

Telegraph

Joe Launchbury
Jonathan Joseph
Mike Brown
James Haskell
George Ford

It might sting for the English considering they dominated the Six Nations tournament again and, despite falling at the Aviva on the final day, still took the trophy home with them.

But you know what they say: every cloud has a silver lining and every upset Englishman has a smiling Irish native taking joy in his misery.

If those decisions to drop each of those players went ahead, it would open a number of doors for a number of Irish men not yet guaranteed a ticket to New Zealand.

Joe Launchbury and James Haskell

If the English second row is omitted, Iain Henderson will look almost certain to go on the tour. Donnacha Ryan likewise will look good to be included in Warren Gatland’s plans.

Launchbury was shortlisted for Six Nations player of the tournament but the Irish pair look to be further up the pecking order and, with James Haskell rumoured to be left out, Peter O’Mahony might fancy a bolt too.

“Gatland is understood to be keen on Ireland’s Donnacha Ryan,” the BBC report.

Jonathan Joseph

If the England centre is ignored – as the English are widely reporting he will be – it will leave a spot vacant that Garry Ringrose could possibly fill.

Rob Henshaw is expected to be a shoe-in for a spot in the squad and combinations will be crucial in New Zealand. With Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton also on their way, Ringrose could be a wise inclusion.

Ben Te’o could still be the chosen one however.

Mike Brown

The full back spot.

Not bringing Brown on tour might raise some eyebrows considering he has been ever-present at number 15 under Eddie Jones’ revolution at Twickenham.

Stuart Hogg is a guaranteed option at full back for the Lions whilst Gatland is expected to take Leigh Halfpenny with him too, who he knows well from Wales.

That could potentially leave two Irish men, Simon Zebo and Rob Kearney battling it out for one more place but the Munster man’s versatility could have him just ahead – that’s if Gatland is keen on either.