He will be the only representative of the Top 14. Racing 92 opening half Finn Russell has been selected for the British and Irish Lions for the 2021 tour of South Africa, according to the list communicated Thursday by Warren Gatland, in responsible for this selection of the best English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh players.
The 28-year-old Scot is part of a list of 37 players where the former opener of the Ile-de-France club, the Irishman Jonathan Sexton, does not appear.
The Lions travel to South Africa for a series of matches organized between July 3 and August 7, including three confrontations against the reigning world champion Springboks, on July 24 and August 7 in Johannesburg as well as on July 31 in Cap.
Their captain will be Welshman Alun Wyn Jones, 35.
Little ➡️ Lion ➡️ Legend
The chosen few - meet the 2021 British & Irish Lions squad for South Africa.
#LionsRugby #CastleLionsSeries pic.twitter.com/5R0wp3oRxu
- British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 6, 2021
Russell first appears in the Lions' first list.
In 2017, he had been called in as a backup during the previous tour of New Zealand, but had not appeared on the lawn.
He will compete with Welsh opener Dan Biggar and England opener or center Owen Farrell.
“With the World Cup, that's what's best for a player.
It would be recognition to be selected for the tour, ”explained the Racing player at the end of April.
Removed from the XV du Chardon in early 2020 after behavioral problems, the opener had been selected again in the fall.
He had received a red card in his last match with the Scots, a victory against France (27-23) at the Stade de France in the Six Nations Tournament.