Sinckler left stunned by Lions snub as Gatland rejects Jones’ England vision

Bristol prop the big omission on a day of selection shocks Sexton is left out over fitness fears but Hill wins surprise call

A “gutted” Kyle Sinckler was the stunning omission from Warren Gatland’s 37-man British and Irish Lions squad that will call into question many of England head coach Eddie Jones’s selections this year.

As Lions attack coach Gregor Townsend revealed that he had not consulted any England coaches in the build-up to the announcement of his party for the South Africa tour, head coach Gatland:

hoverlooked England prop Sinckler, who had been considered by many as a nailed-on squad selection.

h Did not select Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton and lock James Ryan.

h Picked Exeter No 8 Sam Simmonds, who Jones has not selected in three years, over England stalwart Billy Vunipola.

hinsisted Elliot Daly would play at centre rather than full-back, where he has been Jones’s first choice since 2018.

h Suggested he could “create an environment” for a five-strong Sarond acens contingent to recapture their best after underperforming for England in the Six Nations.

Gatland revealed the brutality of the 2009 South Africa series had weighed heavily on his mind in selection. He promised his squad, led by Wales second row Alun Wyn Jones, would need to be prepared to “get in the trenches” against the world champions. Fitness and durability proved to be two key criteria in the most surprising Lions squad of recent times.

The effects of those bombshells reverberated across the British Isles. They were perhaps most keenly felt in Ireland, with the omissions of captain Sexton, who had started five of the last six Lions Tests, and secrow Ryan, who was mentioned as a possible captaincy contender last year. On Sexton, Gatland said: “When we looked at where we were going, to South Africa, probably the thing that kept coming back to us was Johnny’s durability. It’s going to be a tough, physical tour.”

The coach showed no favouritism towards Wales, whom he coached for 12 years, and centre Jonathan Davies was also omitted. Despite England’s desperate fifth-place finish in the Six Nations, they still boast the greatest representation with 11 players, although that is a long way short of the target of 20-plus players set by Jones last year.

Scotland, meanwhile, have eight players, their highest total in 32 years. It is believed that, in a late change of heart, Northampton loose forward Courtney Lawes was added to the original squad as the 37th player. Exeter lock Jonny Hill was another shock inclusion, having been dropped by England in the Six Nations, while the selection of centres Bundee Aki and Chris Harris caught many by surprise. Yet it was

the list of absentees that drew most attention. As well as Sinckler and Vunipola, many of England’s leading performers at the 2019 World Cup, including flanker Sam Underhill, centre Henry Slade, wing Jonny

May, fly-half George Ford and centre Manu Tuilagi, who is recovering from injury, missed out.

Bristol prop Sinckler last night tweeted: “Honestly gutted not to be involved. Appreciate the messages of support. Not a time to feel sorry for myself and blame others. Let’s get behind the squad, wishing the boys all the best.” Gatland explained Sinckler was overlooked because of Tadhg Furlong and Zander Fagerson’s form in the Six Nations for Ireland and Scotland, along with Andrew Porter’s ability to cover loosehead.

A clear lack of form cost Billy Vunipola, the Saracens No8, a place.

“We looked at No8s being explosive in the way they carry, with footwork, and with Billy at the moment he is probably not quite there,” Gatland

said. “I didn’t see from him in the Six Nations the same sort of impact that he has had in the past – getting across the gain line, busting tackles.”

Yet, while Vunipola misses out, his Saracens team-mates Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola and Elliot Daly, who is listed at centre, have all been included. All were starters in the 2017 tour to New Zealand but struggled to hit their usual heights in this year’s Six Nations, which Gatland believes he can address. “I look back on that [Six Nations] and go ‘that doesn’t mean they have become bad players overnight’,” Gatland said. “I have got to be conscious that we can create an environment where they are going to get some of their form back or thrive and be successful.”

In Vunipola’s place, Gatland turned to Ireland’s Jack Conan and Exeter’s Simmonds. “He’s got a real point of difference and that point of difference is something we appreciate,” Townsend said.