Take a look at some of the big names who were surprisingly overlooked for the 37-man British & Irish Lions squad for their tour to South Africa.
Coach Warren Gatland made several bold selections, including that of Irish centre Bundee Aki and Scotland centre Chris Harris, Wales star Louis Rees-Zammit, as well as England loose forward Sam Simmonds, to name a few.
England have the most representatives with 11 in total, Wales are second with 10, while Ireland and Scotland split the remaining 16 players.
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Meanwhile, in a breakdown of club selections, Saracens came in hot with five players despite competing in the English second division, PRO14 champions Leinster, defending Premiership champs Exeter Chiefs and Welsh club Scarlets have four each, Scottish powerhouse Edinburgh have three representatives, with Munster, Ospreys, Bath, Gloucester, Glasgow Warriors and Northampton Saints all level on two Lions squad members. The Sale Sharks, Ulster, Connacht, Cardiff Blues and Racing 92 have one each.
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But, who are the unfortunate ones to have missed out on selection? Here is a comprehensive list of the top players who didn’t make the cut, shock omissions among them!
Backs:
Jonathan Davies (Wales, centre)
Johnny Sexton (Ireland, flyhalf)
Garry Ringrose (Ireland, centre)
Jack Nowell (England, utility back)
Jonny May (England, wing)
George Ford (England, centre/flyhalf)
Manu Tuilagi (England, centre)
Henry Slade (England, centre)
Danny Care (England, scrumhalf)
James Lowe (Ireland, wing)
Jordan Larmour (Ireland, wing/fullback)
Jacob Stockdale (Ireland, wing)
Hugo Keenan (Ireland, fullback)
Forwards:
Billy Vunipola (England, No 8)
CJ Stander (Ireland, loose forward)
Kyle Sinckler (England, tighthead prop)
Josh Navidi (Wales, flank)
James Ryan (Ireland, lock)
Joe Marler (England, loosehead prop)
Ellis Genge (England, loosehead prop)
Jonny Gray (Scotland, lock)
Sam Underhill (England, flank)
Jamie Ritchie (Scotland, flank)
Cian Healy (Ireland, prop)
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Photo: INPHO/Billy Stickland
