Adam Jones picks his British & Lions Test XV

May 12, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

Welsh rugby legend Adam Jones has made some big calls in his Lions XV to face South Africa this summer.

The former Lions tighthead prop is a big fan of Scotland's Stuart Hogg and Hamish Watson but he didn't find space for either in his strongest Lions XV.

The two-time British and Irish Lion picked seven Welshman, five Irishman and three Englishman in his XV with the former Connacht combination of Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw starting in midfield.

"I'd go with Robbie Henshaw at 13 and Bundee Aki at 12." Jones said on the House of Rugby Podcast.

"My reasoning behind this is, South Africa are going to come with an absolutely gigantic inside centre, whether it's Damian De Allende or Andre Esterhuizen if he gets picked. He's pretty good.

"So they'll want to go fire with fire, with South Africa. You go Bundee Aki - big lump gets over the gain-line, which Gats loves.

"If Ringrose is there, you would go Henshaw as first receiver but Aki being there means you move him back over one. They've played 12 and 13 for Ireland, so I feel that is going to be the pairing."

Jones picked Conor Murray at scrumhalf with Dan Biggar at flyhalf commenting on Biggar saying: "I’ve known him since he was a 17-year-old chopsy, little whingy kid at the Ospreys when he was bossing our forwards around, when he was a pup. He deserves it for me. With form at the moment, Daniel has to be the starting 10."

In the back three, the former tighthead has left out Stuart Hogg, with Liam Williams his choice at full-back and Anthony Watson and Josh Adams on the wings.

"Liam has to play full-back," he said.

"I think he’s a brilliant player. Not that Hogg’s not — he’s a great player — but him and Anthony Watson will start. I see Watson in the Premiership every week and he is fantastic.

"And Josh Adams, too. He’s a natural try-scorer who has great work rate around the field, popping up in and around rucks."

Speaking about his picks in the pack, Jones hailed Tadhg Furlong as "the best tight-head in the world."

Jones picked Maro Itoje to partner Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones with Ken Owens and Wyn Jones packing down in the front row with Wyn Jones.

Tadhg Beirne makes the cut in the back row along with Tom Curry and Taulupe Faletau.

Adam Jones' British and Irish Lions Test XV:

15. Liam Williams

14. Anthony Watson

13. Robbie Henshaw

12. Bundee Aki

11. Josh Adams

10. Dan Biggar

9.Conor Murray