Expectations that Ireland are going to have around 10 players in the Lions squad are starting to look a little conservative.
On Sunday, The Telegraph's Gavin Mairs reported that Iain Henderson will be included when Warren Gatland names his squad on Wednesday afternoon.
In the squad could also be Donnacha Ryan, the man who partnered Henderson in the second row for Ireland's Six Nations win against England.
Several reports in the UK media suggest that Ryan is in with a strong chance of making the 37 or 38-man squad.
BBC Five Live's Chis Jones reports that 'Gatland is also understood to be keen' regarding the 33-year-old Munster forward. Owen Slot of The Times also reports that Ryan could make the squad.
If both Henderson and Ryan are named by Gatland, it could put Irish numbers up to around 12.
Ryan's inclusion would likely come at the expense of Joe Launchbury. Several reports today suggest that the Wasps man will be left out by Gatland.
It would be a major surprise - Launchbury started all of England's games in this year's Six Nations.
Jonathan Joseph, who would have been in the starting team for many, is also reportedly going to be left at home by the New Zealander.
Ben Te'o, who made his England debut in November and is from New Zealand, is likely to be chosen ahead of Joseph.
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