Andy Farrell has unveiled his 38-man British & Irish Lions squad for this summer’s tour of Australia, with Wales' representation hitting its lowest point in the post-war era.
Only two Welsh players — scrum-half Tomos Williams and flanker Jac Morgan — have been selected for the trip Down Under, marking an all-time low for Welsh inclusion in a Lions touring party.
The omission of key figures such as Taulupe Faletau, Dewi Lake, Nicky Smith, Dafydd Jenkins, and Blair Murray — who had been touted as a possible surprise selection — underscores a tough selection climate for Welsh hopefuls.
Ireland leads the way in terms of representation, contributing 15 players to the squad, bolstered by a dominant Leinster contingent with 12 inclusions — more than any other club.
England provide 13 players, while Scotland, with eight representatives, is also well-represented.
There was a blow for Ireland, though, as captain Caelan Doris misses out due to a shoulder injury sustained during Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final loss to Northampton.
Doris had been widely tipped both as a tour certainty and a potential Lions captain.
Instead, England lock Maro Itoje has been handed the honour of leading the squad, capping his evolution into a senior figure on the international stage.
“It’s a massive honour and a dream come true to lead the Lions,” Itoje said following the announcement.
Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn, now with Toulouse, is the only player from a French club to make the cut, while eight Scots in total — including Sione Tuipulotu and Scott Cummings — earn selection.
READ MORE: Wales’ Heavenly Seven Jac Morgan Is Tipped To Prove His Lions Class Against England
Farrell’s choices at hooker saw two-time tourist Jamie George and Welsh co-captain Dewi Lake left out, with Dan Sheehan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, and Ronan Kelleher preferred.
Among other notable omissions are England fly-half George Ford, Scotland wing Darcy Graham, and Ireland’s experienced centre Robbie Henshaw.
England skipper Maro Itoje was confirmed as captain of the 38-strong party, completing a late-career rise as a leader.
Toulouse's Blair Kinghorn, the versatile Scotland back, is the only France-based player to be picked.
Centre Sione Tuipulotu and second row Scott Cummings are two of eight Scotland players to be included.
Two-time tourist Jamie George and Wales co-captain Dewi Lake miss out at hooker with Dan Sheehan, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Ronan Kelleher preferred.
England's George Ford, Scotland's Ben White, Tom Jordan and Darcy Graham, and Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw also fail to make the squad.
Leinster have 12 players in the squad, the most of any club side. Ireland are best represented with 15 players, England will supply 13.
READ MORE: Tomos Williams Ready To Turn The Other Cheek For Wales
Lions squad to tour Australia
Backs
Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
Elliot Daly (Saracens/England)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland)
James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)
Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England)
Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales)
Forwards
Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland)
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England)
Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England)
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England)
Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)
Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) (capt)
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England)
Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
