Key Players who can swing it for the British and Irish Lions

The All Blacks are a phenomenal side and Warren Gatland’s British Lions squad will find it tough going in their three tests later this summer.

As the tourists begin their preparations with a series of warm up matches, they will ultimately face a team with an incredible record - but, as some of these Lions proved at the end of 2016, New Zealand are not unbeatable.

The Unstoppable Force

In 23 Internationals stretching back to August 2015, the All Blacks have lost just once. In that time they have dispatched Australia five times while overcoming both South Africa and Wales on three separate occasions. They can therefore cope with all nations from both hemisphere’s but within that proud record, the solitary defeat stands out.

On November 5 2016, on neutral territory in Chicago, Ireland recorded their first-ever victory over New Zealand with a 40-29 scoreline. It was a historic occasion and one that should certainly give Gatland’s men hope that they can upset a market where online bookmakers have the All Blacks as a short 1/5 to win the series. That’s a fair indication of where the two sides are with the tourists at odds of 8/11 to lose 3-0 - but, can these key men help to overturn those odds?

Conor Murray: Ireland

Had it not been for the unfortunate withdrawal of LV= ambassador Ben Youngs due to family reasons, scrum half Murray may have spent the entire series on the bench but he may well be Gatland’s first choice when the test series gets underway at Eden Park Auckland.

There is competition from Youngs’ replacement Greg Laidlaw, while Wales’ Rhys Webb is already familiar to the Lions coach but there are a number of stats in Murray’s favour. The 28-year-old is now the only scrum half with previous Lions’ experience, having toured and featured in the side’s successful trip to Australia in 2013.

Murray was outstanding in the 64-0 warm up win over a combined NSW and Queensland side and later came off the bench in the second and third tests against the Wallabies. He scored two tries on tour and would have impressed Coach Gatland sufficiently throughout. In 57 caps for Ireland, the number 9 has scored 53 points and was one of those to cross the line for his country in that 40-29 victory last November. He therefore has experience in a side that can beat the All Blacks and, having returned to full fitness following a recent injury, he could prove crucial as the tour develops.

Owen Farrell: England

Against a side as strong as the All Blacks, every point is going to be vital. The Lions will want a kicker that they can rely on to slot over the two and three pointers from anywhere in the opposition half. Like his potential scrum half partner Conor Murray, Owen Farrell is on his second tour but has so far made just the one appearance, coming off the bench in the 41-16 third test decider in 2013.

This time around, Gatland will surely rely on the Saracens man far more after a four-year period in which his value to England has become evident. The Fly Half currently has 603 points from 52 full internationals and all but 25 of those have come from the boot. 85 conversions, 134 penalties and two drop goals underline his importance and in the recent Six Nations, Farrell had a healthy kicking success rate of 78.1% with 25 kicks landed out of 32.

Farrell, a nominee for Player of the 2017 Six Nations Championship, faces competition from Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton but is expected to get the nod for the 2017 tour where every point will count.

Alun Wyn Jones: Wales

Coach Warren Gatland was forced to defend much of his squad selection but few, if any, questions were raised over the inclusion of Alun Wyn Jones. A veteran of the last two Lions tours, the Ospreys’ lock was an ever present in 2009 and again in 2013 and it’s therefore fair to assume that Gatland will be looking to start the 31 year old for the third tour in succession.

Having overcome a recent injury scare, Wyn Jones’ stats show just how vital he will be in New Zealand. Strong in the tackle, he was Wales’ most prolific ball carrier with 13 carries in a disappointing Six Nations and that will be important in counter attacking the All Blacks forwards. Beyond that, the player’s experience will be key and with 110 full appearances for Wales to date, Alun Wyn Jones is simply the most capped man in this 2017 British Lions squad.