Who is popular today?

 
Backs
 

Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Position: Fullback Age: 28 Club: Exeter Caps: 85 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Scotland captain will challenge strongly to make the Lions Test team.

Liam Williams (Wales)
Position: Fullback/wing Age: 30 Region: Scarlets Caps: 71 Lions Tests: 3 Form guide: Huge success on the Lions’ 2017 New Zealand tour, and his form has not waned.

Anthony Watson (England)
Position: Fullback/wing Age: 27 Club: Bath Caps: 51 Lions Tests: 3 Form guide: Outstanding and consistent form makes a Test team place highly likely.

Josh Adams (Wales)
Position: Wing Age: 26 Region: Cardiff Blues Caps: 32 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Top try-scorer at the 2019 World Cup, his finishing ability is unquestioned.

Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
Position: Wing Age: 20 Club: Gloucester Caps: 9 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Burst on to the Test scene this season and made a blistering try-scoring impact.

Duhan Van Der Merwe (Scotland)
Position: Wing Age: 25 Club: Edinburgh Caps: 10 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Eight tries in 10 Tests underlines the finishing ability of the South Africa-born wing, who qualifies for Scotland on residency.

Bundee Aki (Ireland)
Position: Centre Age: 31 Province: Connacht Caps: 31 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: A real left-field selection by Lions boss Gatland, but the Ireland centre is an experienced campaigner.

Elliot Daly (England)
Position: Centre Age: 28 Club: Saracens Caps: 52 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Another surprising selection, given his poor form in the recent Six Nations, but he has Lions experience.

Chris Harris (Scotland)
Position: Centre Age: 30 Club: Gloucester Caps: 28 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Outstanding for Scotland in the Six Nations this season, and deserves his Lions chance.

Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
Position: Centre Age: 27 Province: Leinster Caps: 52 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: The form centre in this season’s Six Nations is on course for a Lions Test spot.

Owen Farrell (England)
Position: Outhalf/centre Age: 29 Club: Saracens Caps: 93 Lions Tests: 4 Form guide: Proven Lions pedigree in 2017, but struggled for form during this season’s Six Nations.

Dan Biggar (Wales)
Position: Outhalf Age: 31 Club: Northampton Caps: 92 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Favourite for the Lions Test outhalf role after starring for Wales in their Six Nations title-winning campaign.

Finn Russell (Scotland)
Position: Outhalf Age: 28 Club: Racing 92 Caps: 55 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Playmaker who shone for Scotland in the Six Nations. Magical on his day.

Conor Murray (Ireland)
Position: Scrumhalf Age: 32 Province: Munster Caps: 89 Lions Tests: 5 Form guide: Hugely-experienced player who was key for the Lions in New Zealand four years ago. Test place likely.

Ali Price (Scotland)
Position: Scrumhalf Age: 27 Club: Glasgow Caps: 42 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Has landed one of the Lions scrumhalf roles following a solid season with Scotland.

Gareth Davies (Wales)
Position: Scrumhalf Age: 30 Region: Scarlets Caps: 62 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Possesses searing pace and an eye for tries, he can change games in an instant.
Forwards

Wyn Jones (Wales)
Position: Prop Age: 29 Region: Scarlets Caps: 35 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Impressive during Wales’ Six Nations title campaign this year. Strong Test team claims.

Mako Vunipola (England)
Position: Prop Age: 30 Club: Saracens Caps: 67 Lions Tests: 6 Form guide: Had his share of injuries, but offers an enormous amount of quality and experience.

Rory Sutherland (Scotland)
Position: Prop Age: 28 Caps: 16 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Impressed for Scotland this season through admirable consistency. Deserves his Lions chance.
 

Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
Position: Prop Age: 25 Club: Glasgow Caps: 38 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Solid performer for Scotland this season, who is part of a strong Lions frontrow contingent.

Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Position: Prop Age: 28 Province: Leinster Caps: 49 Lions Tests: 3 Form guide: Currently shades the contest for a Test team place.

Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Position: Prop Age: 25 Province: Leinster Caps: 37 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Behind Furlong in the pecking order for Ireland and Leinster, but a player who consistently impresses.

Ken Owens (Wales)
Position: Hooker Age: 34 Region: Scarlets Caps: 82 Lions Tests: 2 Form guide: Returned from injury to shine in this season’s Six Nations. An experienced leader.

Jamie George (England)
Position: Hooker Age: 30 Club: Saracens Caps: 59 Lions Tests: 3 Form guide: Key Lions Test team performer in 2017, and will have a thirst for more action in South Africa.

Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)
Position: Hooker Age: 27 Club: Exeter Caps: 31 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: A destructive forward who is a handful for any opponent. Will relish his Lions chance.

Maro Itoje (England)
Position: Secondrow Age: 26 Club: Saracens Caps: 48 Lions Tests: 3 Form guide: Likely to be among the first names on Gatland’s Test team-sheet. World-class.

Jonny Hill (England)
Position: Secondrow Age: 26 Club: Exeter Caps: 9 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Continues his rapid emergence on the international scene with his Lions selection. All-action performer.

Courtney Lawes (England)
Position: Secondrow Age: 32 Club: Northampton Caps: 87 Lions Tests: 2 Form guide: Currently sidelined through injury, but should be back in action soon. Could make a major Lions contribution.

Alun Wyn Jones (Wales, captain)
Position: Secondrow Age: 35 Region: Ospreys Caps: 148 Lions Tests: 9 Form guide: Gatland’s choice as captain is the squad’s most experienced player. Fourth Lions tour, and remains in peak form.

Iain Henderson (Ireland)
Position: Secondrow Age: 29 Province: Ulster Caps: 63 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Will be an important part of the squad. Vastly-experienced and a possible midweek team captain.
 

Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
Position: Secondrow/backrow Age: 29 Province: Munster Caps: 22 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Consistency personified for Munster and Ireland. Will be in Test team shake-up.

Jack Conan (Ireland)
Position: Number eight Age: 28 Province: Leinster Caps: 28 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Outstanding in Leinster colours over an extended period. Strong performer.

Tom Curry (England)
Position: Flanker Age: 22 Club: Sale Sharks Caps: 33 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: One of the world’s finest players on current form. Appears a Test team certainty.

Justin Tipuric (Wales)
Position: Flanker Age: 31 Region: Ospreys Caps: 85 Lions Tests: 1 Form guide: One of the most naturally-gifted forwards in world rugby. Strong in all departments.

Hamish Watson (Scotland)
Position: Flanker Age: 29 Club: Edinburgh Caps: 41 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: This season’s Six Nations player of the tournament who is rightly among Gatland’s backrow riches.

Sam Simmonds (England)
Position: Number eight/flanker Age: 26 Club: Exeter Caps: 7 Lions Tests: 0 Form guide: Overlooked by England boss Eddie Jones since 2018, but is arguably the Premiership’s most consistent player.

Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Position: Number eight/flanker Age: 30 Club: Bath Caps: 86 Lions Tests: 4 Form guide: Test team certainty. Back to his very best, which will be a concern for the Springboks.