LIONS SQUAD

RORY BEST

Position: Hooker Age: 34 Height: 5ft 11in Weight: 16st 7lbs Caps: 104 Lions Caps: 0 ULSTER/IRELAND Still waiting for his first Test cap, the Ireland skipper will head to New Zealand as the oldest member looking to go one better than in 2013 when he captained the midweek side.

ELLIOT DALY

Position: Wing Age: 24 Height: 5ft 10in Weight: 13st 1lbs Caps: 13 Lions Caps: 0 WASPS/ENGLAND Hugely exciting talent who offers versatility across the back line, potent gas and a 60m boot that will keep the opposition honest. Has also improved on his defence this season.

OWEN FARRELL

Position: Centre Age: 25 Height: 5ft 11in Weight: 14st 11lbs Caps: 52 Lions Caps: 1 SARACENS/ENGLAND Adapted to the No.12 role with ease under Eddie Jones and could resume that position outside Sexton - or oust him completely. World class kicker who thrives under pressure.

LEIGH HALFPENNY

Position: Full-back Age: 28 Height: 5ft 10in Weight: 13st 9lbs Caps: 71 Lions Caps: 3 TOULON/WALES Man of the Series in 2013 after putting 49 points past the Wallabies in three Tests. Form has dipped over the past year, but Gatland trusts the Toulon star - and his trusty boot.

STUART HOGG

Position: Full-back Age: 24 Height: 6ft Weight: 13st 12lbs Caps: 53 Lions Caps: 0 GLASGOW/SCOTLAND A dazzling runner who can produce miracles if given a yard of space. Will be tested in the air, and has questions over defence, but can inflict fear. Toured in 2013 but didn’t get a Test start.

DAN BIGGAR

Position: Fly-half Age: 27 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 14st 9lbs Caps: 56 Lions Caps: 0 OSPREYS/WALES Perhaps a surprise inclusion ahead of George Ford and Finn Russell, Biggar gets the nod for his big-game temperament, solid defence and his reliability with the boot.

JONATHAN DAVIES

Position: Centre Age: 29 Height: 6ft 1in Weight: 16st 3lbs Caps: 64 Lions Caps: 3 SCARLETS/WALES Has not hit his usual heights this season and can count himself lucky to be on the plane thanks to his credit in the bank. Still a powerful unit that can be a handful for any defence.

TADHG FURLONG

Position: Tighthead Age: 24 Height: 6ft Weight: 18st 10lbs Caps: 16 Lions Caps: 0 LEINSTER/IRELAND Enjoyed a brilliant Six Nations tournament and stepped up for the Dublin showdown with England. A big rock of a man who the All Blacks will find difficult to budge.

IAIN HENDERSON

Position: Lock Age: 25 Height: 6ft 5in Weight: 18st 7lbs Caps: 32 Lions Caps: 0 ULSTER/IRELAND Versatility proved key for the Irish hero who helped plot the downfall of England to push out Joe Launchbury and the Gray brother. Can cover blindside as well as second row.

MARO ITOJE

Position: Lock Age: 22 Height: 6ft 6in Weight: 17st 4lbs Caps: 12 Lions Caps: 0 SARACENS/ENGLAND Came of age in England colours over the past 18 months and will head to New Zealand with a target on his back. Supremely talented with freakish athleticism, who can cover blindside.

DAN COLE

Position: Tighthead Age: 30 Height: 6ft Weight: 18st 12lbs Caps: 74 Lions Caps: 3 LEICESTER/ENGLAND Back-up to Adam Jones in 2013, Cole is the most experienced and consistent tighthead in the squad. Has worked on his fitness and looks certain to add to his Test caps.

TAULUPE FALETAU

Position: No.8 Age: 26 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 17st 4lbs Caps: 66 Lions Caps: 1 BATH/WALES Injury-hit campaign but when fully fit, Faletau is a force to be reckoned with i world rugby and will put heat on Billy Vunipola for the No.8 shirt. Also has pedigree at blindside.

JAMIE GEORGE

Position: Hooker Age: 26 Height: 5ft 11in Weight: 17st Caps: 17 Lions Caps: 0 SARACENS/ENGLAND The form hooker in Europe this season who has been chomping at the bit for a start with England. His only weakness will be that he has never played the All Blacks’ senior side.

ROBBIE HENSHAW

Position: Centre Age: 23 Height: 6ft 3in Weight: 14st 13lbs Caps: 24 Lions Caps: 0 LEINSTER/IRELAND Has quickly developed into a leader for Ireland and was instrumental in their defeat of the All Blacks in November. Brings defensive doggedness and carries hard. In the kix for a Test start.

ALUN WYN JONES

Position: Lock Age: 31 Height: 6ft 6in Weight: 18st 8lbs Caps: 110 Lions Caps: 6 OSPREYS/WALES Embarking on his third tour, the veteran offers everything in terms of leadership and aggression. Skippered the third Test win in 2013 and will provide support for captain Sam Warburton.

JONATHAN JOSEPH

Position: Centre Age: 26 Height: 6ft Weight: 14st 13lbs Caps: 33 Lions Caps: 0 BATH/ENGLAND Has X-factor that no other centres on the tour have and has been a real success story under Eddie Jones. Was on the cusp of selection and will have to go some to make the Test squad.

ROSS MORIARTY

Position: Flanker Age: 23 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 16st 11lbs Caps: 17 Lions Caps: 0 GLOUCESTER/WALES His Six Nations form was so good he kept Faletau out of the Wales side. Ferocious carrier who hits just as hard in the tackle, completes an incredibly powerful back row selection.

PETER O’MAHONY

Position: Flanker Age: 27 Height: 6ft 3in Weight: 16st 9lbs Caps: 40 Lions Caps: 0 MUNSTER/IRELAND Cemented his position in the squad with a man of the match performance against England at the Aviva. Has also been a shining light for Munster this campaign.

KYLE SINCKLER

Position: Tighthead Age: 24 Height: 5ft 11in Weight: 19st 2lbs Caps: 8 Lions Caps: 0 HARLEQUINS/ENGLAND Yet to start a Test for England but the young Quin has benefitted from Graham Rowntree’s wisdom to become the complete player. Will add carrying power and strong set-piece.

MAKO VUNIPOLA

Position: Loosehead Age: 26 Height: 6ft Weight: 19st Caps: 42 Lions Caps: 3 SARACENS/ENGLAND Spearheading Saracens’ bid for European and domestic glory after recovering well from his knee injury. Strong carrier but is also often used as first receiver with his slick hands.

GEORGE KRUIS

Position: Lock Age: 27 Height: 6ft 6in Weight: 18st 5lbs Caps: 33 Lions Caps: 0 SARACENS/ENGLAND Did not feature in the Six Nations due to inury but Gatland gave him every chance to prove his fitness after such towering performances for club and country. Pushing for Test start.

CONNOR MURRAY

Position: Scrum-half Age: 28 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 14st 13lbs Caps: 58 Lions Caps: 2 MUNSTER/IRELAND In line to start the Tests alongside Ireland halfback partner Sexton. A big, strong unit with an accurate pass, intelligent box-kicks are also a smart runner with an eye for a gap.

KEN OWENS

Position: Hooker Age: 30 Height: 6ft Weight: 17st Caps: 50 Lions Caps: 0 SCARLETS/WALES The Scarlets hooker enjoyed a consistently strong Six Nations despite his nation’s struggles. His physicality at the breakdown will be a huge asset in New Zealand.

CJ STANDER

Position: Flanker Age: 27 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 17st 13lbs Caps: 15 Lions Caps: 0 MUNSTER/IRELAND The South African-born back row is one of the form players in Europe and enjoyed a stellar Six Nations. Strong contender for a Test start at blindside and can cover No.8.

ANTHONY WATSON

Position: Wing Age: 23 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 14 st 9lbs Caps: 26 Lions Caps: 0 BATH/ENGLAND Looked to be a likely Test starter at the start of the season but injuries have hampered him. Returned against Scotland and scored two tries for Bath against Leicester to show he’s back.

COURTNEY LAWES

Position: Lock Age: 28 Height: 6ft 7in Weight: 17st 11lbs Caps: 58 Lions Caps: 0 NORTHAMPTON/ENGLAND Has brought a new dimension to his game this season with more close-quarter carrying. Can cover blindside and beat England colleague Joe Launchbury to a place in the squad.

GEORGE NORTH

Position: Wing Age: 25 Height: 6ft 4in Weight: 17st 2lbs Caps: 69 Lions Caps: 3 NORTHAMPTON/WALES One of the real heroes of 2013, North recently rediscovered his form for Wales in the Six Nations and loks close to his best. Big, strong runner who is a threat from anywhere.

JARED PAYNE

Position: Centre Age: 31 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 14st 13lbs Caps: 20 Lions Caps: 0 ULSTER/IRELAND Big surprise but the versatililty of the Kiwi-born centre/full-back gets him in. He was also part of the group of Irish players who has a Test victory over New Zealand under their belts.

BEN TE’O

Position: Centre Age: 30 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 16st 9lbs Caps: 8 Lions Caps: 0 WORCESTER/ENGLAND Surprise pick but the New Zealand-born Samoan rugby league international has shown his ‘finisher’ ability in the Six Nations. Offers powerful, direct running and neat offloads.

RHYS WEBB

Position: Scrum-half Age: 28 Height: 6ft Weight: 14st 6lbs Caps: 28 Lions Caps: 0 OSPREYS/WALES Real livewire No.9 who has the ability to change a game in a heartbeat. Excelled during the Six Nations and should be a useful impact off the bench if he doesn’t give away stupid penalties.

JOE MARLER

Position: Loosehead Age: 26 Height: 6ft Weight: 17st 13lbs Caps: 51 Lions Caps: 0 HARLEQUINS/ENGLAND Having sat out England’s tour to Australia, Marler flourished in Mako Vunipola’s absence in the Six Nations and kept the Saracen out of the England side once he had returned to fitness.

JACK NOWELL

Position: Wing Age: 24 Height: 5ft 11in Weight: 13st 9lbs Caps: 23 Lions Caps: 0 EXETER/ENGLAND Pushed out Scotland’s Sean Maitland after impressing in the Six Nations. A tough linebreaker with an eye for the line who never fails to deliver for Exeter or England.

JONATHAN SEXTON

Position: Fly-half Age: 31 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 14st 6lbs Caps: 66 Lions Caps: 3 LEINSTER/IRELAND One of the Lions’ stars of 2013 who has proved again all season why he is in pole for the No.10 jersey. Key man for Ireland and Leinster who always gets his side ticking.

JUSTIN TIPURIC

Position: Flanker Age: 27 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 15st 10lbs Caps: 51 Lions Caps: 1 OSPREYS/WALES Started at No.7 for Wales in the Six Nations and is the Lions’ closest thing to a natural openside. Has pace of a centre to help him to the breakdown and could well force Warburton to No.6.

LIAM WILLIAMS

Position: Full-back Age: 26 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 13st 9lbs Caps: 38 Lions Caps: 0 SCARLETS/WALES Rapid speed and wiry strength, Williams has forced his way into the Wales side on the wing pushing out former Lion Alex Cuthbert. Likely to be used more as a full-back in New Zealand.

JACK McGRATH

Position: Loosehead Age: 27 Height: 6ft Weight: 18st 12lbs Caps: 41 Lions Caps: 0 LEINSTER/IRELAND McGrath ousted Cian Healy in the Irish No.1 jersey and was crucial in disrupting the English scrum in the Six Nations encounter in Dublin. Also been in a rock for Leinster this season.

SEAN O’BRIEN

Position: Flanker Age: 30 Height: 6ft 2in Weight: 17st Caps: 49 Lions Caps: 2 LEINSTER/IRELAND An immensely powerful flanker who can be a nuisance at the breakdown. Could well be an impact replacement in the Tests and will relish going toe-to-toe with the All Blacks.

TOMMY SEYMOUR

Position: Wing Age: 28 Height: 6ft 1in Weight: 14st 13lbs Caps: 36 Lions Caps: 0 GLASGOW/SCOTLAND Lethal finisher for Glasgow and Scotland who still seems to fly under the radar despite having made his Test debut in 2013. Gets the nod over team-mate Tim Visser and Simon Zebo.

BILLY VUNIPOLA

Position: No.8 Age: 24 Height: 6ft 3in Weight: 20st 2lbs Caps: 34 Lions Caps: 0 SARACENS/ENGLAND Up against All Blacks’ skipper Kieran Read, Vunipola will be crucial to the Lions’ hopes. At his best, he can be unstoppable and looks to be back to full fitness after a knee injury.

BEN YOUNGS

Position: Scrum-half Age: 27 Height: 5ft 10in Weight: 14st 7lbs Caps: 70 Lions Caps: 2 LEICESTER/ENGLAND Returning Lion has bags of experience after featuring in two of the three Tests in 2013. Has matured into a real leader for England and at his best is another who change a game.