Sinckler omitted from Lions squad

Wales legend Jones to skipper tourists in South Africa, but no place for Bristol prop

SAM Simmonds has been named in a British & Irish Lions squad that is captained by Alun Wyn Jones, but Bristol prop Kyle Sinckler, pictured, and Ireland playmaker Johnny Sexton are among several high-profile omissions from Warren Gatland’s 37-man squad.

Simmonds, the Exeter number eight and current European player of the year, has been picked by Gatland despite being consistently overlooked by England boss Eddie Jones since winning the last of his seven caps in 2018.

He is joined in the Lions squad bound for South Africa this summer by fellow bolters Bundee Aki, of Ireland, and Gloucester and Scotland’s Chris Harris, with Manu Tuilagi also left out as he approaches his comeback from an achilles injury.

The group is led by Jones, the 35-year-old Ospreys forward who captained Wales to the Six Nations title in March. Jones, who embarks on a fourth successive Lions tour, has clocked up a world record 157 Tests for Wales and the Lions.

He was the favourite for the role ahead of other potential contenders including England internationals Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell.

The Wales legend said: “Obviously very proud, very privileged. To be selected in the squad is initially what you want to be hearing, and to have the armband as well is a privilege, with the names that have gone before and what those players have achieved.”

While other home union captains feature – Farrell and Scotland’s Stuart Hogg are included as well as Jones – Ireland skipper Sexton has