Lions squad confirmed for New Zealand tour as Sam Warburton is named captain

Tom Dutton19 April 2017

England captain Dylan Hartley has been overlooked for the Lions tour of New Zealand after Warren Gatland's squad was confirmed on Wednesday.

Wales skipper Sam Warburton will captain the Lions for the second time after leading them to a series victory over Australia in 2013.

Warburton, who has won 74 Wales caps and led his country in two World Cup campaigns, is currently injured.

He suffered a medial knee ligament strain during the Blues' Guinness PRO12 clash against Ulster earlier this month, but is only expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks.

Photo: Reuters
REUTERS

He could even return to action for Cardiff before the Lions depart to New Zealand on May 29, if they reach the European Champions Cup qualification play-offs.

Warburton will lead a Lions squad of 19 backs and 22 forwards, and he is among 12 Welshmen selected.

Reflecting on the appointment, Gatland said: "Sam is a great player, an outstanding leader and a winning Lions captain.

Lions squad in full

Backs: Dan Biggar (Wales, Ospreys), Elliot Daly (England, Wasps), Jonathan Davies (Wales, Scarlets), Owen Farrell (England, Saracens), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales, Toulon), Robbie Henshaw (Ireland, Leinster), Stuart Hogg (Scotland, Glasgow), Jonathan Joseph (England, Bath), Conor Murray (Ireland, Munster), George North (Wales, Northampton), Jack Nowell (England, Exeter), Jared Payne (Ireland, Ulster), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland, Leinster), Tommy Seymour (Scotland, Glasgow Warriors), Ben Te'o (England, Worcester), Anthony Watson (England, Bath), Rhys Webb (Wales, Ospreys), Liam Williams (Wales, Scarlets), Ben Youngs  (England, Leicester)

Forwards: Rory Best (Ireland, Ulster), Dan Cole (England, Leicester), Taulupe Faletau (Wales, Newport), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland, Leinster), Jamie George (England, Saracens), Iain Henderson (Ireland, Ulster), Maro Itoje (England, Saracens), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales, Ospreys), George Kruis (England, Saracens), Courtney Lawes (England, Northampton), Joe Marler (England, Harlequins), Jack McGrath (Ireland, Leinster), Ross Moriarty (Wales, Gloucester), Sean O'Brien (Ireland, Leinster), Peter O'Mahony (Ireland, Munster), Ken Owens (Wales, Scarlets), Kyle Sinckler (England, Harlequins), CJ Stander (Ireland, Munster), Justin Tipuric (Wales, Ospreys), Mako Vunipola (England, Saracens), Billy Vunipola (England, Saracens), Sam Warburton (Wales, Cardiff, capt).

"We believe that Sam's experience and leadership qualities make him an obvious choice as captain.

"He has earned the respect of his peers and coaches through his resilience, tenacity and hard work."

Hartley has lost out to international team-mate Jamie George, who has been selected as one of 16 England players despite acting as understudy at hooker under Eddie Jones.

Despite reports of his inclusion, there was no place for two-time tourist Jamie Roberts but Jonathan Joseph has made the cut as one of the centres.

There are two Scots present in wing Tommy Seymour and full-back Stuart Hogg, with the remainder of the squad made up of 11 players from Ireland.

The Lions face six warm-up fixtures before the first Test against the All Blacks on June 24, with the second meeting on July 1 before the tour concludes a week later on July 8.

The squad will jet out on May 29 ahead of their opening match against Provincial Union XV on June 3.

Lions tour of New Zealand fixtures

June 3: Provincial Union XV vs Lions (Toll Stadium, Whangarei)

June 7: Blues vs Lions (Eden Park, Auckland)

June 10: Crusaders vs Lions (AMI Stadium, Christchurch)

June 13: Highlanders vs Lions (Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin)

June 17: New Zealand Maori vs Lions (International Stadium, Rotorua)

June 20: Chiefs vs Lions (Waikato Stadium, Hamilton)

June 24: New Zealand vs Lions (First Test, Eden Park, Auckland)

June 27: Hurricanes vs Lions (Westpac Stadium, Wellington)

July 1: New Zealand vs Lions (Second Test, Westpac Stadium, Wellington)

July 8: New Zealand vs Lions (Third Test, Eden Park, Auckland)

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