After months of speculation and pundits arguing over who they would bring to South Africa, Lions coach Warren Gatland put us all out of our misery this morning, as he named his squad for the 2021 Lions Tour.
You'd think that, with the world watching, they would have gotten straight down to business with the squad announcement, but no - instead, the stream meandered through interviews with different Lions "legends", as well as Springbok Bryan Habana. It was nearly an hour into the stream before we found out who the Lions captain would be - as expected, it was Welshman Alun Wyn Jones.
Just announce the f****** squad! #Lions2021 #LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/PpbcmBw1Zo
— Rory Flanigan (@Flan8) May 6, 2021
It’s remarkable how they’ve managed to make something so exciting so dull #Lions2021 pic.twitter.com/LoBElkURs6
— Matt (@MattySarrie) May 6, 2021
When they finally did announce Alun Wyn Jones' captaincy, it was done in the most bizarre fashion. The Wales captain appeared out of thin hair as a hologram, in a scene reminiscent of Star Trek. The reveal was maybe the most exciting thing that happened during the entire announcement.
Just when you thought you had seen everything @AlunWynJones could do, he fucking teleports on to Sky Sports, what a man. #LionsRugby #Lions2021 @SquidgeRugby pic.twitter.com/HJ7Q3NJaGF
— Alex (@alex_street3) May 6, 2021
Alun-Wyn Jones becomes the first hologram captain of the Lions
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) May 6, 2021
Big https://t.co/UDGOCuWTk2 energy from the Lions captain pic.twitter.com/YM9nJPmqFZ
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) May 6, 2021
At long last, the squad was revealed, with plenty of surprises - both good and bad - from an Irish perspective.
Maddest Lions squad ever pic.twitter.com/Pe8RQl2kzZ
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) May 6, 2021
No one predicted this squad. I doubt anyone even came close.
— Alex Shaw (@alexshawsport) May 6, 2021
Maybe the biggest news was of Johnny Sexton's omission. Given the players he was up against, it was always going to be tight, and news leaked on Thursday morning that the Leinster man would be left at home. There was an air of sad acceptance about the news more so than outrage, given it wasn't much of a surprise. There was also surprise at the omission of Kyle Sinckler, Henry Slade and Josh Navidi.
Sexton's omission an inevitable talking point. But it's no huge surprise to me. He has been used pretty sparingly by Leinster in recent seasons, let's face it. His attritional threshold has significantly diminished.
— Dermot Keyes (@DermotKeyes) May 6, 2021
No Sinckler a shock. No Billy Vunipola not such a shock but still a big call. Ditto leaving out Sexton. Jon Davies absence another surprise. Navidi, Slade unlucky. Thought they’d pick Tuilagi despite long absence.
— Chris Foy (@FoyChris) May 6, 2021
But on a more positive note, there were 8 Irishmen named in Gatland's squad, with a few surprise inclusions. As expected, Tadhgs Beirne and Furlong were included, along with Robbie Henshaw. Conor Murray's selection never seemed in doubt, especially after Ben Youngs' withdrawal - but nobody could have seen Bundee Aki's place in the squad coming.
Aki wasn't even an Ireland regular during the Six Nations, but his inclusion was a welcome surprise for Irish fans. It was a particularly emotional day for Connacht fans, who have a representative in a Lions squad for the first time in 38 years.
Bundee Aki will become @connachtrugby’s fourth ever Lions representative and the first since 1983.
Some achievement. pic.twitter.com/cXyZfO0DgS— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) May 6, 2021
BUNDEE IS A LION! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/3OnWO0zPUz
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) May 6, 2021
Mate Bundee Aki was the second player named and all I remember him doing in the Six Nations was jog into touch off first phase
— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) May 6, 2021
Leinster's James Ryan was a sad victim of his recent injury issues, with his fellow Irish second-rows Iain Henderson and Tadhg Beirne making the squad ahead of him.
Johnny Hill and Courtney Lawes over James Ryan #Lions2021 pic.twitter.com/Yzmy2o0zvg
— Darren Kilkelly (@darrenkilkelly5) May 6, 2021
Delighted that Tadhg is a 🦁.
He's been absolutely magnificent in red and green. #SUAF https://t.co/xpejmvDhwK— Munster Rugby SC (@MRSC16) May 6, 2021
𝙊𝙐𝙍 𝙇𝙄𝙊𝙉 🦁
Congratulations to @HendersonIain (Lion Squad No. #808) on his selection for the 2021 @lionsofficial Tour to South Africa! #LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/UjzEqYZFPc— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) May 6, 2021
Jack Conan and Andrew Porter were both on the fringes in lots of predicted squads, so their inclusion was also a welcome surprise for Irish rugby fans.
TFW when you bolt!⚡️
Delighted for Jack Conan. He earned it. pic.twitter.com/U8PEx4Nai3— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) May 6, 2021
What do we make of it???! Huge for Conan & Bundee... pic.twitter.com/5EpQL6TaY0
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) May 6, 2021
It’s clear from that selection that the Lions are going with a specific gameplan. They want to physically match the springboks. Harsh on the likes of Ryan, Slade and Davies. Absolutely delighted for Andrew Porter too. He really deserved it
— Ciaron Noble (@CiaronNoble98) May 6, 2021
The squad was generally met with some surprise and excitement, with all focus turning now to the squad's preparation for the summer tour. Congratulations are due for all of the Irish Lions, and commiserations to those who were left out.
If you made it through the first hour of the livestream, we commend you.
SEE ALSO: Eight Irish Included As Lions Squad For South Africa Tour Named
