SM
Brighton vs. Chelsea: 17 hrs 43 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

A look at five outsiders hoping to make British and Irish Lions squad

:Headline: A look at five outsiders hoping to make British and Irish Lions squad:
Head coach Warren Gatland unveils his 36-man line-up on Thursday lunchtime.
Sports Mole

Players across the four home nations are on tenterhooks as the British Irish and Lions head coach Warren Gatland puts the final touches to his squad for the summer tour to South Africa.

Gatland unveils his 36 on Thursday lunchtime and, here, the PA news agency examines five bolters who could be involved.

Danny Care (scrum-half, England)

Danny Care is in outstanding form for Harlequins (Adam Davy/PA)

Overlooked by Eddie Jones but in contention for the Lions, Care's influence on Harlequins' dramatic mid-season revival has not gone unnoticed by Gatland. A 34-year-old veteran of 84 caps, Care's last international was three years ago but he is a dynamo of a scrum-half who could benefit from Ben Youngs ruling himself out of contention.

Marcus Smith (fly-half, England)

Another influential factor in Quins' climb into Gallagher Premiership title contention, Smith is on Gatland's radar despite being uncapped by England. On current form the 22-year-old is the standout English fly-half and has a box of tricks to unlock any defence, but it would be huge call for him to be included in a hotly contested position.

Chris Harris (centre, Scotland)

Chris Harris has been a force in defence for Scotland (David Davies/PA)

A vacancy has been created at outside centre by George North's knee injury and Harris could be the beneficiary. Only Ireland conceded fewer points in the Six Nations than Scotland and the bulwark of their back-line defence is the 30-year-old Gloucester star, whose work-rate and strength in the tackle could prove influential against the Springboks.

Kieran Hardy (scrum-half, Wales)

Like Care, Hardy could benefit from the lack of an established scrum-half hierarchy behind Conor Murray and the decision of Youngs not to tour. Despite seeing his Six Nations cut short early by a hamstring injury, he left a lasting impression with his try-scoring display against England. The 25-year-old offers pace and tempo.

Sam Simmonds (number eight, England)

Sam Simmonds is one of the most explosive players in Europe (David Davies/PA)

Another player out of favour with England but in strong contention for the Lions, Simmonds is one of Europe's stand-out performers because of his dynamic ball-carrying and stopping power in defence. The 26-year-old could be a major asset in the dry conditions of South Africa, where his speed and athleticism would come to the fore.

body check tags ::

amp_article__446133 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-06-25 12:13:55:
html db last update - 2021-06-25 12:13:55 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Share this article now:
WB
Read Next:
Lions reach agreement with Premiership clubs over player releases
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Danny Care Warren Gatland Chris Harris Sam Simmonds Kieran Hardy Marcus Smith Rugby Union
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories.
 
Recommended Next on SM
Lions reach agreement with Premiership clubs over player releases
Akanji ruled out of Real Madrid second leg! How many games could the Man City man miss?

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool24176158233557
2Arsenal24148249222750
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Chelsea24127547311643
5Manchester CityMan City24125748351341
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2494114242031
12Crystal Palace247982830-230
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
15Everton246992530-527
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2476112946-1727
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Team News: Brighton vs. Chelsea injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

1

TN

Preview: Man City vs. Newcastle - prediction, team news, lineups

2

PM

Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups

3

PM

Man City-linked Shamrock sensation breaks Conference League record

4

MC

Preview: Qatar Open: Jelena Ostapenko vs. Iga Swiatek - prediction, head-to-head, tournament so far

5

PQ

Thursday's Europa League predictions including Porto vs. Roma

6

TE

Preview: Aston Villa vs. Ipswich - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PA

Preview: Southampton vs. Bournemouth - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PS

Saliba alternative: Real Madrid 'interested in signing' £33m-rated centre-back

9

SA

Will Ancelotti make changes? How Real Madrid could line up against Osasuna

10

WA


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .