Four Irishmen in Alan Quinlan's British & Irish Lions Test XV

May 31, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

Two months out from the first British and Irish Lions test against South Africa, Alan Quinlan has picked his British and Irish Lions Test XV.

The former Ireland flanker has picked an interesting team with four Irishmen making the starting team.

One of the most surprising selections from Quinlan is that of Elliot Daly who starts at outside centre in his team.

Speaking to Off The Ball Sport, Quinlan explained the selection of Daly.

“You could argue that this isn’t a form selection with Elliot Daly at 13,” Quinlan said. “He also plays fullback and wing; he is very versatile.

“I just think the pace he gives you at outside centre offers you a real attacking threat. He is a brilliant footballer, he is physical as well, and he has been on a Lions tour before.”

Quinlan sees Robbie Henshaw as the nailed-on starter in the midfield regardless of whether he is at #12 or #13 and who his partner is.

“You could move things around and put Robbie Henshaw at 13 and Bundee Aki at 12. And if Farrell goes to 12, Henshaw goes to 13; he is starting at the moment, definitely."

The other big call Quinlan made was in the second row as he left Maro Itoje out of the squad with Jonny Hill and Alun Wyn starting.

“I am picking Jonny Hill in the second row because I think he is a great player,” Quinlan said.

“Some of the English players have been judged harshly.

“They were poor in the Six Nations, but there is mitigation around that with a lot of Saracens players not having played matches.”

He noted that Itoje might be the better player currently but opted to start the tour captain.

“If Alun Wyn Jones isn’t captain, then it is Itoje and Jonny Hill in the second row,” Quinlan said.

“Obviously Wyn Jones is captain, so he has got to start. That may change, Warren Gatland said that at the beginning when he announced the captaincy as well, but ideally you want your captain starting all three tests.

“The reason I am going for Jonny Hill is because Itoje’s form in the Six Nations wasn’t great. He is a superb player, he is world class, and he is someone who will inevitably play well in the warmup games before the first test.”