Lions squad set to be smallest of recent years

WARREN Gatland is set to name the smallest Lions squad of the 21st century for the summer battle with South Africa, according to the Mail.

Gatland has set aside a date of May 6 for the big announcement and his streamlined party will mean a boost for versatile players who can play in different positions.

One of those named by the paper is George North, who played on the wing under Gatland with Wales but who shone at centre during the Six Nations triumph under Wayne Pivac.

He is the type of player Gatland will want on tour, with the Lions numbers reduced.

Former Scarlets star Tadhg Beirne, who can play lock or second-row, is another whose prospects will be enhanced.

The same applies to England’s Courtney Lawes, Irish star Iain Henderson and England back Elliot Daly, who can play at 15, wing or in the centre.

Players who can perform anywhere across the back three, such as Liam Williams, will also see their hopes rise.

The Mail say Gatland is planning on selecting 36 players, five fewer than for the 2017 trip to New Zealand.

He chose 37 players to go to Australia four years earlier, while previous Lions squads in 2009, 2005 and 2001 had numbered 37, 44 and 38 players respectively.

The May 6 announcement gives Lions hopefuls a handful of matches to make a case for inclusion, although Gatland will have made up his mind on most of the party from what he witnessed during the Six Nations.

Wales prop great Adam Jones, meanwhile, believes England outcast Danny Care will be Gatland’s Lions bolter.

Gatland was in the stands at Ashton Gate to watch Care deliver a scrum-half masterclass for Harlequins against Bristol at the weekend.

And although Care has not played Test rugby since Eddie Jones dropped him in 2018, at 34 he is said to be playing some of the best rugby of his career.

Scrum-half is a problem for the Lions, with no-one really standing out in the position during the Six Nations.

Wales duo Gareth Davies and Tomos Williams are hopeful of going, but Harlequins assistant coach Jones reckons Care is on Gatland’s radar.

“DC’S been brilliant,” Jones told the Telegraph. “He is controlling the game really well. There are a few good Welsh scrum-halves out there, but I’m sure he could sneak on the tour because he’s doing well.

“Gats goes pretty left field with some selections. He’s in with a shout. Gats will pick on form, I’m sure. If DC’S the form nine in the Britain and Ireland then he’ll go, regardless of his age. He will be fantastic.”