Every four years, it is the same ritual, the same fervor across the Channel when it comes to knowing the elected officials in the red jersey of the British and Irish Lions.
A formidable honor for these players, and an immense privilege for their captain.
Who will be the one from Wales, Alun Wyn Jones.
The second row of 35 years, and 157 selections (including 148 for the XV of Leek), succeeds his compatriot Sam Warburton.
This will be his fourth Lions tour after 2009, 2013 and 2017, where he competed in each of the nine test matches.
It's time to update our Captains' Roll of Honor with another modern great ...
1997, 2001 - Martin Johnson
2005 - Brian O'Driscoll
2009 - Paul O'Connell
2013, 2017 - Sam Warburton
2021 -? # LionsRugbypic.twitter.com / U2eAITIsjm
- British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 6, 2021
11 English, 10 Welsh, 8 Scottish and 8 Irish
New Zealand coach Warren Gatland has unveiled the names of the 37 players selected for this historic tour this summer among the South African world champions.
Where, from July 3 to August 7, the Lions will play eight games, including three tests against the Springboks.
A surprisingly balanced list in terms of nationalities with 11 English, 10 Welsh, 8 Scots and 8 Irish.
The Englishman Owen Farrell, who was said to be threatened, is present there, as is the Scotsman of Racing 92 Finn Russel, one of the two openers of the list with the Welshman Dan Biggar (Farrell can also occupy this position) .
The English third-line center Billy Vunipola was not retained, however, Gatland having preferred the number 8 of Exeter, Sam Simmonds, largely forgotten by Eddie Jones, the coach of the XV of England.
Among the notable absentees, we can also mention the Irishman and future retiree CJ Stander, the Welshman Jonathan Davies, the Englishmen Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Kyle Sinckler and Henry Slade or even the Irishman Jonathan Sexton, in failing health after repeated concussions.
The Originals, 1888
The Invincibles, 1974
The heroes of 1997
The Unbeaten Tours of 2013, 2017
Over to you Class of 2021 - Time to write a new chapter in our history
Meet our #LionsRugby 2021 squad ... pic.twitter.com/ T5ujqOB0Lr
- British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 6, 2021
The English scrum-half Ben Youngs, he had announced his renunciation to spend more time with family this summer.
The English Joe Launchbury and Sam Underhill, the Welshman George North, injured, were also forfeited.
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Alun Wyn Jones, the stainless colossus of the XV of Leek
