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Published 18:02 14 Apr 2021 BST
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"There will definitely be more Scots this time because they have fronted up in the Six Nations. Winning away in Paris and at Twickenham is significant because when you are playing for the Lions you are not playing at home. "Four years ago what was probably damaging to the Scottish players and the Scottish team is that you go down to Twickenham and you get [61] points put on you. That’s not a good look. "They have had a great tournament. In the past 12 months, a number of players have put their hands up. It is not about having excuses, it is about picking a squad of players who you think can perform in a Lions jersey away from home on the biggest stage against the world champions. There’s no doubt there are a number of Scottish players who have impressed us."[caption id="attachment_225764" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Stuart Hogg of Scotland is tackled by Ireland's Keith Earls and Garry Ringrose. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)[/caption]
With Gregor Townsend [Scotland head coach] and Steve Tandy [Scotland defence coach] now confirmed on the Lions coaching ticket, many Scots will be anticipating much more call-ups for their players. In our estimation, their best hope would be eight players getting called up.
There will be several close calls, though. In six cases, the final slots may be a straight shoot-out between Irish and Scottish players.
Assuming that Stuart Hogg and Hamish Watson are the two nailed-on Scotland selections, here are the other positions up for debate.
This one all rests of squad numbers and if Gatland sees Owen Farrell as a 10 or 12 for this tour. Dan Biggar has done all he can to get selected, so Gatland may be left with a tough choice. If he can take both, he will. If he must choose, the more accurate Sexton surely goes. VERDICT: SEXTON
Ref mic picks up risky backchat from annoyed Munster captain Beirne
He was not at all pleased…. As expected, a strong Munster outfit put a big score against a seriously depleted Ulster team, beating them 41-14 at Thomond Park on Saturday. The result puts Munster up to fifth in the URC, after a hugely tumultuous few weeks, while Ulster are down to eighth, and just three […]
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