Lions squad 2013 announcement: live - Telegraph British and Irish Lions Rugby Lions squad 2013 announcement: live Follow the live announcement of the British and Irish Lions' squad for their tour of Australia from the Hilton London Syon Park on Tuesday April 30, 2013.

Mission: Warren Gatland and Sam Warbuton will lead the Lions in Australia Photo: GETTY IMAGES Image 1 of 2 Email Nick Pearce with your views on the squad Latest • Wilkinson invited by Gatland but turned down place • Stevens, Vunipola, Hartley shock selections LIONS SQUAD Full-backs: L Halfpenny, S Hogg, R Kearney Wings: G North, A Cuthbert, T Bowe, S Maitland Centres: B O'Driscoll, M Tuilagi, J Roberts, J Davies Fly-halves: J Sexton, O Farrell Scrum-halves: C Murray, M Phillips, B Youngs Props: G Jenkins, C Healy, M Vunipola, A Jones, D Cole, M Stevens Hookers: D Hartley, R Hibbard, T Youngs Locks: I Evans, R Gray, AW Jones, P O'Connell, G Parling Back row: T Croft, T Faletau, J Heaslip, D Lydiate, S O'Brien, J Tipuric, S Warburton (capt). 15.18 Right, Lions fans.

It's time for me to wrap up this liveblog. Thanks for all the polite and interesting emails and I hope you found the day, and the reaction, as interesting as I did. Let's all reconvene on June 1 for the Lions against Barbarians in Hong Kong. Until then..... 15.11 Biarritz flyer Ian Balshaw and Jonny Wilkinson played together the last time the Lions toured Australia and the former can't believe the latter declined this time round: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Iain Balshaw - If the rumours r true I'm shocked JW turned down a Lions spot! An incredible opportunity to be part of something special and make history!&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 15.08 Television's Martin Bashir mails to say: I think the omission of Rory Best is a serious mistake. He is the most underestimated hooker in world rugby, has a perfect handling game and never loses the ball when in possession. Hartley is unstable and Hibbard is untried.

14.58 Welsh back rower Ryan Jones was a late call-up to the Lions squad in 2005 and made such an impression he got into the Test team.

He's going to need to rely on similar fortune this time but at least he has a sense of humour about it all: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Ryan Jones - oh well!!&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 14.55 More from our rugby expert and three-time Lion Will Greenwood: The Irish will be cross no Best, The Scots no Brown, The English no Wilkinson or Robshaw, The Welsh that the entire 37 man party isn't Welsh 14.54 Decent bit of trivia, this: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: British&amp;amp;Irish Lions - Amazing to think that Warren Gatland once picked Sean Maitland for Waikato as a schoolboy and now he's taking him on a &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#LionsTour&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 14.40 Former All Black and current Ulster prop John Afoa enters the Plastic British Lion row: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: John Afoa - English man, Irish

 man, Maori man, Samon man and a Tongan man walk into a pub.......

&amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#lions2013&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;!!!! Lol&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 14.36 Some more heartwarming reaction from Dylan Hartley. Loving Jim Mallinder's work: I was very aware that the squad was being announced at 11 o'clock, which was the same time that training was starting, and Jim Mallinder came up and whispered it into my ear that I'd been selected. 14.31 Good photo-op work from all concerned here: 14.21 Ah, this is BRILLIANT from Mako Vunipola, who was a shock selection today: I was driving into London when I heard I was called up to the squad and to be quite honest, I screamed when I found out! I was so excited I just kept on screaming! 14.20 The Australian press has spoken! The Sydney Morning Herald headlines a piece 'Gatland opts for slabs of red meat' There will be no real surprise in the Wallabies camp to this 37-man British and Irish Lions squad.

Not even in the selection of Sean Maitland, the New Zealand winger given his debut at the Crusaders by a certain Robbie Deans. But it is a squad that, nonetheless, will have their respect.. It is a statement of the obvious that the Lions are going to take the Wallabies on up front, particularly in the middle row. The omission of the likes of the athletic, skilled youngster Joe Launchbury – who enjoyed a tremendous finish to 2012 for England but by all reports fatigued as the season went on – and the presence of O'Connell brings steel, experience and nous to that department. 14.10 Centre Jamie Roberts became a two-time Lion and qualified as a doctor in the same month: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Jamie Roberts - Pretty special feeling today....April 2013 has been unreal &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#Lions&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; Cheers for the messages&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 14.06 A valid point from Matt.

Armitage didn't play from the start against Saracens on Sunday but I remember him pinching a few balls on the deck and winning some penalties: Along the lines of Giteau’s tweet – how is nobody talking about Steffon Armitage here? I know he’s another Toulon player but to have that much talent and form that even the French voted him player of the year and constantly rave about him and yet still he gets overlooked and even forgotten from the debate is crazy. Surely? Maybe it would unsettle Sam W’s spot in the team, or bring out better in him… 14.02 The man who kicked the winning points the last time the Lions won a series, Jeremy Guscott, had this this to say: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Jeremy Guscott - congratulations to all those players selected to represent the 2013 Lions, it's a proud day for you all. Make the most of your opportunity&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 13.57 The omission of Ireland hooker Rory Best from the squad is a mystery , writes James Corrigan: It is difficult to know what more Best could have done.

He was most of the experts’ first choice at No 2. Yet somehow he has lost out. No other player should feel any more aggrieved than the Ulsterman. 13.41 Harlequins lock George Robson with an amusing tweet: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: George Robson - Never seen a &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;@SkySportsRugby&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; camera crew wheel spin out of a car park faster than at 11:05 this morning! &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#lions13&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 13.33 A mail from Tim, who hits back at Tom: Reader Tom should untangle his twisted knickers as, IMHO, Eng got off very lightly with the ratio of 15:10, Wales:Eng players. I'd have picked Hook, Paul James (Matt Stevens!?) and Ken Owens (Hartley, Youngs!?) and would have not have gone near the aforementioned English.

Farrell very lucky to be picked as well. Robshaw not good enough and Wilkinson didn't want to go, so why all the fuss? So 18:6 would have been a more meritorious ratio but perhaps Gats bowed to the politics of a Lions selection. 13.28 Local Leicester reporter Martin Crowson with some touching Ben Youngs quotes: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Martin Crowson - Ben Youngs: "It's still sinking in. It's a dream. I never thought I would even play for England.

My mum was crying down the phone!" &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#Lions&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 13.26 Here's some video of newly-anointed Lion King Sam Warburton: 13.25 Here's another overlooked Lions XV from Dáire: Andrew Sheridan, Rory Best, Mike Ross, Jim Hamilton, Donncha Ryan, Peter O'Mahony, Chris Robshaw, Ben Morgan, Danny Care, Jonny Wilkinson, Simon Zebo, Billy Twelvetrees, Scott Williams, Tim Visser, Mike Brown 13.21 Sky Sports News gleeful as Geoff Parling tells them that he watched the squad announcement on the Sky Sports app on his phone. He says Robshaw is "such a good bloke". He says he's "gutted" his England captain won't be on the tour. 13.18 If you would like to see pictures of all the squad players look no further than our galleries. We've split it up between forwards and backs .

13.13 Reader Tom lobs a grenade at Welsh Lions fans: Last time Wales beat Aus: 2005 Last time Wales beat Aus in Aus: 1987 Last time Wales beat Aus in Aus in a tour game: 1969 No of Wales players in Lions tour to Aus: 15 Last time England beat Aus: 2010 Last time England beat Aus in Aus: 2010 Last time England beat Aus in Aus in a tour game: 2010 No of England players in Lions tour to Aus: 10 Welsh players may be better in crunch games but it seems those games need to be at the Millennium Stadium against Northern hemisphere opponents! 13.09 Lions assistant coach Andy Farrell says it was "right and proper" that his son, Owen, suffered the same agony while waiting to learn of his selection. No leaks from dad to son, then. Might that be because Gatland wanted to pick Wilkinson and Farrell was only a last-minute afterthought, following Wilkinson's 'No'? 13.05 I've flagged it a couple of times but the central theme of this squad is clearly bulk.

That's what Steve James has blogged anyway: Gatland has gone largely for those he knows and, excuse the pun, for large men too. Gatland's game plan has always involved huge physicality upon the gain line and his selection reflects that. It will not be a tour for subtlety. The British and Irish Lions will look to smash Australia physically, just as Wales did to England in the Six Nations. 13.02 Now then! Toulon centre and former Wallaby Matt Giteau has had his say. His Toulon team-mates, of course, include: Sheridan, Kennedy, Shaw, S Armitage, D Armitage, Wilkinson to name a few. &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Matt Giteau - Congrats &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;@gethinjenkins1&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; on ur &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;@lionsofficial&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; selection..

I still feel a few more of my Toulon brothers should of been included&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 12.59 Given how much Nando's professional rugby players eat I think we can let off the restaurant chain for this frivolous tweet: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Nando's - Congrats to all the players named in the &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;@LionsOfficial&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#Lions2013&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; squad. We're pretty sure &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;@NandosAUS&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; is going to be savaged by &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#Lions&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;!&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 12.57 A mail from Marc. How cool would it have been if Christian Wade had been picked?

He's about three stone too light for this particular squad though: I would like to have seen more exciting players picked, it is a very safe selection. Like the addition of Robinson in 2001, I think Wade or Zebo would have been pretty unknown to the Wallabies. 12.54 The Australian players have been rocked by the news of this fearsome Lions selection: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: James O'Connor - Watching &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;@TheApprentice9&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; my money's on &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#TeamSupreme&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; thoughts?&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 12.50 Leicester Tigers' Lions contingent pose for a photograph (NB: off-camera Richard Cockerill is scowling at them and pointing at his watch): 12.47 Telegraph Sport's Steve James has attempted to name a possible test team. Twelve Welsh players!!

Possible Test team: Halfpenny; Cuthbert, O'Driscoll, Roberts, North; Sexton, Phillips; Jenkins, Hibbard, A Jones, O'Connell, A W Jones, Lydiate, Faletau, Warburton (capt). 12.43 Lions coach Warren Gatland, speaking to Sky Sports News: Jonny Wilkinson wasn't available - not from the start of the tour. I called him yesterday. I sounded him out and I offered him the chance to go. He said he's committed to Toulon and his body is held together by his fingernails. We left it open. If there is an injury later in the tour he said we can have a conversation if it pops up. I was impressed with the way we played and it's nice to have potentially him involved. We're hoping Stuart Hogg can cover at No 10. He's an absolutely quality player. 12.41 Gatland is talking to Sky Sports News. He singles out Robshaw and O'Mahony as players unlucky to miss out.

12.39 Prime Minister David Cameron has congratulated Sam Warburton: I can think of no better choice than Sam Warburton to lead the Lions. He'll give the same the passion and pride as when leading Wales 12.37 BREAKING: Lions manager Andy Irvine tells BBC Five Live that Jonny Wilkinson ruled himself out: The truth is Jonny wasn't up for it. He ruled himself out. He told Warren that...He feels his body isn't in right shape to complete a tour like this. I admire his honesty and integrity. He could be available as an injury replacement. 12.34 Some snap reaction from James Corrigan: Why hasn’t Jonny Wilkinson been given the chance? The logic says because he wont have been with the party for the opening two weeks. What tosh. Wilkinson is the ultimate professional, who knows exactly what is required. He would have been as likely to rock the apple cart or to threaten the unity as he would have been to arrive at team-camp in a Ferrari with a supermodel on his knee. For Wilkinson, it’s never been about him, but all about the squad.

So the answer must be to do with rugby, but what that could be is, quite frankly, bemusing to the point of being mind-achingly baffling. Jonathan Sexton is booked in as the Test outside-half and, notwithstanding injury, his back-up on the bench in that First Test will, at most, be expected to close out the game. There is nobody better at doing that in world rugby than Wilkinson. Certainly not Owen Farrell. Granted, the young Englishman is one for the future; but, more than any rugby collective in existence, the Lions team is all about the present. At the moment, his weaknesses are exactly the same as Wilkinson’s, revolving around his ability, or otherwise, to release the line. But Farrell’s strenghts are also the same as Wilkinson’s - except, as yet, they’re not nearly as strong. Wilkinson is the more accomplished kicker, both out of hand and off tee, while his decision-making is obviously that much more mature. It doesn’t make much sense.

12.31 Good on Daniel for giving the Overlooked Test XV a go: Overlooked test XV: Grant, Best, Ross, Hines, Ryan, Wood, Morgan, Robshaw, Care, Wilko, Zebo, Barritt, Earls, Visser, Brown. 12.29 Rumours and unconfirmed titbits rolling in about discussions between Wilkinson and Gatland. Will let you know the moment I have the confirmed news. 12.27 Here is the view of Ben Foden: Jonny W will definately be getting a late call, 2 tens for 10 tests??? Not fooling anyone! 12.22 BREAKING NEWS: Here's the answer to the big fly-half question: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Gavin Mairs - Stuart Hogg will be cover at fly-half for &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#Lions&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; if Sexton or Farrell are injured&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 12.21 Here's a challenge for you. Send me your starting XV of overlooked players.

Here's my suggestions for inclusion: Nathan Hines, Jonny Wilkinson, Andrew Sheridan, Chris Robshaw. Oh, and Simon Shaw (joke.....or was it?) 12.16 A mail from Richard, who lights the blue-touch paper on the great debate over how many Welsh players there are: I don’t get it; loads of out of form Irish players in but no Best who was the most consistent hooker in the 6 nations (if that isn’t damnation through faint praise). Also, Welsh formula has failed to beat Oz for ages, why would just changing the fly half and presumably one centre make the difference? It seems to me the squad was selected on the basis of what happens to Wales after the tour (and ensuring Gat holds on to his day job) 12.15 Oh, you beauty! 12.11 We have done some research, crunched the numbers and discovered that there are eight men born outside of Britain and Ireland in this squad. Does it matter?

12.06 1997 and 2001 Lions tourist and Telegraph Sport columnist Austin Healey says: Strange squad missing a spark and both 10's going to be in match squad for all tour games... tiring.. plenty on standby 12.04 Lots of question marks over Jonny Wilkinson. Did he turn down a place? Will he be on the standby list? How many hours of kicking practice has he done so far today? 12.02 A handy stat from Infostrada: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Infostrada Rugby - Warren Gatland has named the youngest Lions squad in 45 years (since 1968). This squad is on average 26 years and 172 days old (today).&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 11.59 A mail from Richard to which the answer is: Size, size, size. Gatland has gone for pure beef in this squad: Not a single player from the premiership champions. Bit odd? Gatland made it clear Robshaw wasn’t on his list but what about Danny Care?

11.56 We're hearing that the Leicester forwards are still in training, so the likes of Croft, Parling, and Cole are yet to know they're touring! 11.55 How do you see the Test series panning out? The stats say that Australia should be the 'easiest' (no Lions tours are easy) of the lot: &amp;lt;noframes&amp;gt;Interactive chart: Australia the easiest tour for Lions &amp;lt;/noframes&amp;gt; 11.51 Waltzing O’Driscoll dances towards Australia once again, then.... It’s difficult to believe that it was nearly 12 years ago that BOD first cut the Wallabies to shreds in the opening Test in Brisbane, and it is even harder to conceive that his body has managed to get him over the line to take his place in this squad. But this hasn’t happened by accident. O’Driscoll has taken every opportunity he can to rest the body that has endured 131 Test matches over 14 years, including a cheeky stamp against Italy that earned him a 10-minute break in the sin bin. 11.50 A mail from Adrian.

Keep the views coming: Surprising to see two English hookers seeing as they crumbled against Wales in 6 Nations, but best of a bad lot I spose. Think Zebo is unlucky, a player like him would have loved the pressure, hype and spotlight of the big games in OZ. Can see a few changes in coming weeks though through injury. 11.49 Ha. Quade Cooper has tweeted: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Quade Cooper - Hooooly omg my cousin made the lions!!!! I'm so damn proud of my lil cuz. Came along way from the back yard tokoroa boys with snotty noses!!&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 11.48 Scotland and Lions wing Sean Maitland is being interviewed by Sky. He's Quade Cooper's cousin, you know? "I might give him a bit of stick," says Maitland. "I'm sure we'll find time to have a chat. I hope he's in the Australian squad as well. It would be nice. We've had a rivalry from the age of five since he beat me in the long-distance race.

In the last few battles we've had he's had the wood over me. Hopefully I can get revenge." 11.45 A somewhat controversial view from Adam: Not sure of Warburton's selection as captain, will he get a game given that back row competition? Surely can't play him out of position. And for all his success, at times he's also struggled to inspire a very good Welsh team. 11.42 You've seen the squad, now remind yourselves of the tour calendar. Note the handy four-day gap between midweek games and Tests, which is fairly necessary when the flight takes 24 hours.

Tour schedule (all times BST) Sat 1 Jun 12:30 BARBARIANS Hong Kong Stadium (Hong Kong) Wed 5 Jun 11:00 WESTERN FORCE Patersons Stadium (Perth) Sat 8 Jun 10:30 QUEENSLAND REDS Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane) Tue 11 Jun 10:30 COMB NSW-QLD COUNTRY Hunter Stadium (Newcastle) Sat 15 Jun 10:30 NSW WARATAHS Allianz Stadium (Sydney) Tue 18 Jun 10:30 ACT BRUMBIES Canberra Stadium (Canberra) Sat 22 Jun 11:00 1st TEST v AUSTRALIA Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane) Tue 25 Jun 10:30 MELBOURNE AAMI Park (Melbourne) Sat 29 Jun 11:00 2nd TEST v AUSTRALIA Etihad Stadium (Melbourne) Sat 6 Jul 11:00 3rd TEST v AUSTRALIA ANZ Stadium (Sydney) 11.40 England head

 coach Stuart Lancaster must be fairly pleased to have contibuted 10 players to the squad.

To celebrate he has issued a statement: Being selected by the British & Irish Lions is a major honour and I know the England players named in the squad today will do the jersey proud. I’m sure they will contribute a great deal to the tour and coming into a new environment with the best players from Ireland, Scotland and Wales will only enhance their development as players and people. Taking on Australia away from home in three Tests is a great challenge but one I know they will relish. Everyone involved in England Rugby will be cheering them on. 11.38 Here's the verdict of our rugby writer Mick Cleary: All over. An hour of interviews to follow. Surprises? Matt Stevens. Mako less so. Terrific round field. No back-up no. 10. Gatland through shortly to be quizzed. All much more corporate than ever was but still gets the hairs prickling 11.37 A helpful graphic from Sky Sports News: 11.35 At the press conference earlier Sam Warburton revealed this nugget: Warren gave me a call, it's been nine or 10 days since I found out and the biggest secret I've had to keep.

It's unbelievable, an accolade very few people achieve and it's an unbelievable honour. 11.34 A mail-based question from Giles: Why only 1 inside centre, particularly Jamie Roberts who is a bit one dimensional. Think Twelvetrees can count himself unlucky! 11.32 Barnes says Wilkinson's ability to close out a game would have been crucial and it's a disappointment that he is not included. Although he adds the caveat that we do not know the true nature of his availability. 11.30 Sky's Stuart Barnes says he isn't surprised but would have made three or so changes to the squad. 11.29 More squad reaction from Daniel: Does look like he started with Wales (a full-back, two wings, two centres, a scrum half, two props, a hooker, two second rows and four back rows) and built from there but the weakness looks like our problem is going to be 10/12/13 – not too much creativity in the centres and if a scrum half gets injured, what then? 11.28 You couldn't make it up.....Sky Sports News have a reporter at the Harlequins training ground.

Number of Harlequins players in the squad? Zero. 11.28 Lions legend Simon Shaw tweets to say: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Simon Shaw - No &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;@JonnyWilkinson&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; in Lions Squad! I have a sneaky suspicion this story ain't over. One back goes down and he'll be there!&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 11.25 A mail from Chris: Very good squad, just a few interesting points to me: Matt Stevens - why? No Rory Best. Ben Morgan for Heaslip. Robshaw should be there, but I can understand that his injury may count against him. 11.24 Lions manager Andy Irvine says their players will need a "competitive spirit" but says the 37-man group possesses said spirit. Warren Gatland: "We've seen how dominant the Australian sides have been in Super Rugby. It's an example of how desperate they are to perform and get selected for the series." 11.22 Snap reaction from Will Greenwood: Only 2 fly halves...

5 English front row forwards... National captains missing...injured players timed run brilliantly!! Great centre combinations.... Brains in the second row....very quick back row.... Love the full backs.... Only 16 backs 21 forwards... 11.20 What do we make of the squad, guys? Lot of England front rowers there. Only two fly-halves. And some French-based players. Please mail me your thoughts. 11.18 The Gat says that Six Nations form, and how players handled the physicality and intensity of the tournament was the main basis of selection but stresses that club form of the last few weeks also played a part. 11.15 The Sky Sports News feed has cut out briefly. Oh wait, we're back....Here's the Gat: Last night was the seventh meeting we've had and it was a 'robust' debate. There was some really healthy discussions. 11.14 Sam Warburton was selected by Gatland because he was "the most successful captain of the four nations" in recent years, says the coach. 11.12 Captain, as expected, is Sam Warburton.

Squad below: Full-backs: Leigh Halfpenny, Stuart Hogg, Rob Kearney Wings: Tommy Bowe, Sean Maitland, George North, Alex Cuthbert Centres: Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Brian O'Driscoll, Manu Tuilagi Fly-halves: Owen Farrell, Jonathan Sexton Scrum-halves: Mike Phillips, Ben Youngs, Conor Murray Props: Cian Healy, Adam Jones, Dan Cole, Matt Stevens, Mako Vunipola, Gethin Jenkins Hookers: Dylan Hartley, Richard Hibbard, Tom Youngs Locks: Alun Wyn Jones, Paul O'Connell, Geoff Parling, Richie Gray, Ian Evans Back row: Toby Faletau, Jamie Heaslip, Dan Lydiate, Sean O'Brien, Justin Tipuric, Tom Croft, Sam Warburton 11.07 Irvine finishes his speech with a word to the players You are now the custodians of this famous red jersey. Wear it with pide and passion and honour its value 11.06 Irvine now thanking the Lions' "global partners". This is sport in 2013, people.

11.05 Irvine is giving a lengthy wedding toast just to prolong the agony: There were many who though the advent of professionalism would spoil the Lions. But it's continued and represents the last true institution of rugby touring and all its fine institutions 11.03 Lions tour manager Andy Irvine is up at the lectern. Here we go....... 11.01 Rugby Club presenter Alex Payne is our host at Syon Park. "It's.......not........long..........to.......go.......," he says in Dermot O'Leary-revealing-who's-won-X Factor tones. 10.58 Okay. Warren Gatland and Andy Irvine are ready to reveal the names: 10.57 Omg omg omg omg. It's coming. It's nearly time. 10.55 A mail from Simon: Ultimate Lions memory...Roff. Joe Roff... Nuff sedd. Maybe the brutal physicality of the SA series...

10.52 The scene has been set, as this picture from Gavin Mairs shows: 10.50 More from James Corrigan, who has a theory to share with us: The biggest thing Gatland has learned in his time with Wales is the beauty of youth. Don't be shocked if there's a bolter in there. The Kiwis saw the value in unleashing the unknown in the 2011 World Cup 10.49 Sky Sports News are doing a top job of going all rugby on us. But old habits die hard: 10.46 Now then! The rugby hacks are being ushered into that empty room that everyone has been tweeting pictures of. "All being ushered in. Good chat outside with former Lions Gerald Davies and John Spencer. ' we must preserve the ethos' says Gerald. Quite," says Mick Cleary. 10.45 Our Welsh rugby man Jamie Corrigan will be in the Valleys today to speak to the lucky Welshmen selected by The Gat. Here's his latest information: Just been told by somebody who should know that at least two of the squad "will astound". My bet is on Edwards and John.

10.43 Sky Sports News are chatting doping and cycling instead of talking to a reporter outside Sam Warburton's nan's house. What has the world come to? 10.41 Right. More memories. WHAT IS THE CAPTAIN DOING??? WHAT IS THE CAPTAIN DOING?: 10.37 Finally, a leak! Here's a text from Warren Gatland to Chris Ashton: Pic care of @brian2678 10.35 Gavin Mairs mails this photo from the announcement. Look like there's pretty blondes with laptops to try and counterbalance the high proportion of less than pretty journalists there: 10.33 If you want to understand the selection process of a Lions tour there is only one man to ask, Sir Ian McGeechan: I think the coaches will have taken a long look at the squad since Christmas, and from the end of the Six Nations they will have had the top 25 or so sorted. Four years ago I had four players pencilled in for each position before the start of the Six Nations and then made the odd adjustment according to form and injury.

The last month will have been about taking a really hard look about the last 10 to 12 players as in many ways those are the selections that can really make the tour.Warren will have been looking at how players react to the big pressure situations and the Heineken Cup matches this weekend will have given the players one last chance to press their claims. Selection is a personal thing for a coach and he will have his own feel about the different players and combinations he is after. 10.29 An Australian texts to ask: "When was the last time the Lions won a series? Were you born?". Grrrrr, the mind games have begun already! 10.26 This is the sort of thing I'm after when I talk about memories. What a pass from Matt Perry: 10.24 Our man Mick Cleary is ready and waiting: Big gathering of the clans at Syon House. Almost three hours of interviews planned. To think they used to just hand out a piece of paper 10.23 I'm asking for your favourite Lions memories to help us cope with the suspense of the next 40 minutes.

Mail me with your best and I'll publish them over the next few hours. This isn't a memory, it's just a wonderful hairstyle: 10.20 We have been running a poll on Jonny Wilkinson's Lions credentials over the last two days (see below). And a staggering 10,316 of you have voted on theis major issue. The verdict was as unanimous as it comes, with 8,541 of you saying that, yes, Wilko should tour. But that word on the street is that he won't be making his third trip with the Lions. What do you think? 10.15 I'm hearing that the Lions coaches have arrived at the Hilton. They're now checking into their rooms, ordering an £18 room service burger and watching Miss Congeniality on box office. 10.14 Sky Sports News know how to do big days like this. And they've gone with the tried and tested formula of posting reporters across the country, Transfer Deadline Day-style. No word yet as to whether Warren Gatland will be travelling to the announcement via helicopter.

10.11 And here's the scene at the Hilton for the announcement: Pic care of @rugbymedia 10.10 Sky's Rupert Cox reveals the order of play today: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Rupert Cox - Andy Irvine will announce, in alphabetical order, 17 backs followed by 21 forwards. Then, I presume, the &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#Lions&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; captain. 94 minutes to go!&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 10.00 Telegraph Sport's Rugby Correspondent Mick Cleary has written a scene-setter for today . Here's what Mick has to say: The manner of the Cardiff defeat, rather than the mere fact of it, has ensured that Wales will provide the bulk of the squad with up to 15 ­players, their largest representation since the tour to New Zealand in 1977. Ireland will have in the region of a dozen players, England seven or eight with Scotland providing four at most.

The players themselves will only discover who has made the cut when the names are read out by Lions manager Andy Irvine in a live satellite TV broadcast at 11am this morning. Only Warburton has advance knowledge of his appointment and he will be the only player present at the official unveiling at the Hilton London Syon Park near Heathrow. After the names have been declared, head coach Warren Gatland will step forward to reveal the captain. The management team – Gatland, Andy Farrell, Rob Howley, Graham Rowntree and Neil Jenkins – spent four hours poring over plans yesterday, the culmination of a process that began five months ago. No clubs have been told whether their players have been included, not even Jonny Wilkinson’s Toulon. 09.55 Good morning and thanks for joining me for live coverage of the British and Irish Lions tour squad announcement. I'm hearing that this is "the most highly anticipated announcement for years". But in truth we say that every four years because we just can't get enough of this wonderful rugby tradition. That said....there is a bit of extra spice and intrigue about today's press conference.

Warren Gatland and his media team have done a stand-up job of keeping schtum on the line-up and as such my colleagues on Fleet Street have struggled to get a proper lead on what the squad is going to be. This stems from the fact that this year the players have not been informed either. So, just like us, they went to work today with butterflies as they await the news of the summer holiday plans. With the nice sunny weather, in London at least, it may have given them a flashback of what it felt like when they went to school to collect their GCSE results. And for some of the members of this touring party that day wouldn't have actually been that long ago. The squad has been kept under wraps and this has ramped up the suspense levels. England's win over New Zealand, and Wales's subsequent humbling of said Red Rose side, has thrown up a number of selection questions and we are absolutely desperate to discover the answers. It's going to be an emotional day but we'll have the news you as soon as it breaks.

Hold on in there because, boys, this is our f------ Everest: 2013 Lions Tour - Australian | Rugby.com.au Test Debut: 2000 v New Zealand Andrew Walker has continued to delight Brumbies fans at Bruce Stadium this year with his ability to pick holes in opposition backlines and run straight through them. Again, he is one of the leading try scorers in the Vodafone Super 12. Andrew displayed his explosive acceleration, elusive step and sound defence throughout the Super 12 season. His ability to play almost anywhere in the backline at the top level has made him a natural Wallaby selection again this year. Making his first grade debut for Randwick as a 17 year-old in 1991, Andrew went on to represent Australia in the U19s and U21s rugby teams. He then converted to Rugby League for a stint with St George and Sydney City, and was selected in the Australian Rugby League team in 1996.

His return to rugby union in 2000 was nothing short of spectacular as he scored two tries on debut for the Brumbies and finished the Super 12 season as leading try-scorer with 13 tries from as many matches. Andrew made his Test debut when he came on as a replacement in “that match” against the All Blacks at Stadium Australia, making him the first dual international to move from the Kangaroos to the Wallabies. Test Debut: 1994 v Ireland Daniel Herbert has been a powerhouse at outside centre for the Wallabies since 1998, when he forced Jason Little onto the Wallaby bench. In the past 12 months he has also taken on greater responsibility on the field, assuming the Wallaby vice-captaincy in the absence of George Gregan on last year’s European tour. In this year’s Super 12 series, he also spent considerable time at the helm of the Queensland Reds with John Eales injured for much of the time.

His powerful physique and aggressive attitude have made him a dominant presence in both defence and attack for the Wallabies A former Australian U19 and U21 team member, Daniel debuted for Queensland against Border in 1993 but his path to a regular position was often blocked by the centre pairing of Tim Horan and Jason Little. However, Daniel’s impressive form on the Reds pre-season tour of Argentina in 1994, combined with injuries to Horan and Little, paved the way to Wallaby selection. His Wallaby debut against Ireland year was magical, when he scored a try with his very first touch of the ball, then played two matches in Australia’s 1995 World Cup campaign in South Africa. Daniel missed only one match for the Reds in 1997 but was restricted to one Wallaby appearance due to the dazzling form of Jason Little. From 1998, the tables had turned and he began forcing Little out of the Wallaby starting side. He now has the remarkable record of running on for the Wallabies in all bar two Tests over the last three seasons.

Test Debut: 1995 v Canada Joe Roff’s announcement that he would take a year off at the end of this season shocked the Australian rugby community, but it did not suppress his outstanding form and devastating attacks for the Brumbies this year. His speed and power with the ball in hand, combined with his deft handling, and strategic kicking makes him one of the world’s best wingers. Joe has continued to trouble defences this year, often switching to fullback from where he chimes into the attacking line. He has played representative rugby at all junior levels and was a standout performer during the 1994 Emerging Wallabies tour of South Africa, scoring 109 points in just five matches. Such point-scoring form won him selection in the Australian Sevens team for the Hong Kong Sevens in 1995 which was closely followed by his Test debut against Canada in the 1995 World Cup, scoring a try on debut. He played a crucial role in the Wallabies’ World Cup victory in 1999, the same year he won the Super 12 Player of the Year in Australia.

Joe won his 50th cap against South Africa in the World Cup semi final. Joe’s consistency and durability was highlighted last year when he played his 49th, 50th and 51st consecutive Test for the Wallabies during the end-of-season tour to the UK, a record for Australian rugby. Test Debut: Nathan (‘Crazy’) Grey epitomizes the modern professional rugby player, willing to move to better himself not only financially but also for greater representative opportunities. He would back himself, knowing he had the latent ability to shine in any company. Solid and straight running and rugged in defence , he was always dependable and threatening. A centre, perhaps better at inside centre because of his body build and lack of blinding speed , he would play for both Queensland and New South Wales, for Wests Club in Brisbane and Manly In Sydney, and Kyushu in Japan.

He is one of a number of graduates of The Southport School who have attained Australian representative status: Mark Catchpole, the son of the immortal Ken, Reg Foote, Lloyd Johansson, Barry Lea, Vaux Nicholson, Paul Perrin, Mat Rogers, Greg Shambrook, Nathan Sharpe, Ross Sheil and Max White. Nathan Grey’s first appearance against another country was in 1996 at Rockhampton, for Queensland ‘B’ against Canada. The ‘B’ team won 23 to 6 against a weak Canadian side. In 1997 he was in the Queensland side against France at Ballymore, the Reds losing by 24 to 34. In 1998 Nathan Grey had transferred to NSW, and he got his first Test cap at Ballymore against Scotland. Grey came on as a replacement for Tim Horan. It was an inauspicious initial entrance . As Howell, et al. reported in ‘They Came to Conquer’: “Nathan Grey came in for his Test debut when he replaced Tim Horan and immediately knocked on. However, a minute from time he cut inside Larkham close to the line and crashed over.

Burke converted. The final score was 33-11 to Australia.” He next played South Africa in Johannesburg, while his calendar for 1998 also included a Test against Fiji at Parramatta (won 66-20), Tonga at Canberra (won 74-0), France A, a non-Test match in France, then France in Paris (won 32-21) and England at Twickenham (won 12-11). As Grey came to the fore in 1998, it was in six Tests. He knew very well the replacement rule and what possibilities it opened up. The year 1999 once more had him acting as a replacement. Tim Horan and Daniel Herbert were the choice centres , and Jason Little and Joe Roff the wings. Each was among the world’s best. In 1999 he was in eleven Tests, he was a starter against South Africa at Ballymore, while Australia won by 32 to 6. Another thrill was his selection in the World Cup side led by John Eales, Australia winning. He more than did his part.

A replacement against Romania, Ireland, a starter against the USA, he did not get on the field against Wales and he was a replacement in the semi-final against South Africa. He unfortunately did not get a run in the final. In November of 2000 he toured Scotland and England with the Wallabies, playing in both Tests, and in 2001 added one more Australian representation against the Maori and three Tests against the British Isles, in all of which he started. He partnered Queensland’s Daniel Herbert. Australia won the series 2 to 1. Next on a crowded program were Tests against South Africa in Pretoria (lost 15-20) and a win over New Zealand in Dunedin (23 to 15). Then he was in the match against South Africa, the final Tri Nations of 2001. Howell, et al, wrote of this drawn match (14-14): “Nathan Grey managed to crash over in crowded broken play. He had been the most incisive Wallaby back.” He then started against New Zealand in their 29 to 26 victory.

A short tour of England and France followed, Nathan playing against an English National Division XV (won 34-22), Spain in Madrid (92-10), Oxford University (52-27), England (lost 15-21) and France in Marseilles (lost 13-14). His career rounded out in 2003, playing against Ireland, Wales, England, Namibia and New Zealand. A sojourn in club rugby in Japan followed. The career of Nathan Grey was a superb one. He finished with 34 Test caps and four non-Test caps, and these figures point out how the professional game has changed the code. Test Debut: 1996 v Wales Stephen Larkham has resumed his re-definition of the flyhalf role with another standout season for the ACT Brumbies in this year’s Vodafone Super 12. His ability to stall the defensive line has resulted in countless Brumby tries this year. Stephen has clearly shown the benefits of a lay-off at the end of last year when he was rested from the Wallaby tour to allow his fragile frame to recover from an intense season.

He regained his fitness but a niggling hamstring strain at the beginning of this year forced him to miss the first few rounds of the Vodafone Super 12. Stephen made a remarkable rise from a reserve grade club rugby to represent the ACT in 1995 and Australia in 1996. He made his Test debut against Wales in Sydney that year, then joined the Wallabies on their undefeated tour of Europe playing on the wing. In 1997, with injury sidelining Matt Burke, Stephen proved more than a capable replacement at fullback, with a two-try effort in the Wallabies’ final Test against Scotland at Murrayfield. His conversion from fullback to flyhalf was hailed as a Rod Macqueen masterstroke that put the Wallabies back on track in 1998. His talents have transformed the Australian backline play. Unfortunately, a mid-season knee injury cut short his 1999 Super 12 season, delaying his return to Test rugby until the World Cup itself. His history-making drop goal to seal victory over South Africa in overtime of the World Cup semifinal will never be forgotten. Stephen’s deft touches in attack are contrasted with an uncompromising attitude in defence.

Test Debut: 1994 v Italy George Gregan continues to take his game to new heights. This year he stepped up to the captaincy of the ACT Brumbies following the retirement of Brett Robinson, without losing any of his trademark aggression. Fatigued at the end of last season, he was rested for the Wallabies end-of-year tour to Europe and there’s no question he has benefited from the break. He has been at the top of his game during the 2001 Vodafone Super 12 season. Born in Zambia, George migrated to Australia with his parents, aged one. He began his rugby career at St Edmund’s College in Canberra and quickly rose through the ranks to represent ACT. He made his Test debut against Italy in early 1994 and was thrust into the spotlight in the Sydney Bledisloe Cup Test that year with the try-and-match-saving tackle on All Black Jeff Wilson. A superb Sevens player, George represented Australia at the 1994 Hong Kong Sevens and led the team to the 1995 tournament.

Representing the Brumbies in all their Super 12 clashes throughout 1996 and 1997, his exceptional form in the `97 series won him the Player of the Tournament. That year he played in all the Wallabies’ Tests, was elevated to the Wallaby vice-captaincy and picked up the Players’ Player of the Year award. An early season injury disrupted George’s 1998 Super 12 appearances, but he recovered to play a key role in the Wallabies’ 1998 Test campaign. He played in every Test in 1999, bar the World Cup pool match against the USA, was the form half of the 2000 Super 12 tournament, and a key player in Australia’s Bledisloe and Tri Nations victories. Test Debut: 1997 v South Africa Toutai Kefu has continued his reputation as a dynamic ball-carrying Number Eight into this year’s Vodafone Super 12 series with some devastating raids for the Queensland Reds. He started his rugby career as a centre and continues to display those deft touches along with the more traditional facets of backrow play.

Toutai has been in outstanding form in this year’s Super 12. His ability to get behind the advantage line and his unyielding defence has seen him miss only four Wallaby matches in the past two years. Toutai’s was named Queensland Colt of the Year in 1993 and also won selection in the Australian U19 side. He progressed to the Australian U21s the next year then made his debut for Queensland in 1995, scoring with his first touch of the ball. In 1996 Toutai was a member of the Wallabies’ undefeated tour of Europe, but had to wait until the second Tri Nations clash against South Africa in 1997 to make his Test debut. An excellent Super 12 series for the Reds in 1998 saw him in the No. 8 Wallaby jersey for the bulk of that year. That form continued in 1999 with a Man of the Match performance in Australia’s Bledisloe Cup victory. He was one of the stand-out players during RWC ’99, with three tries against Romania, a memorable stoush with Ireland’s Trevor Brennan and a big game in the Final.

Last year Toutai had to share national duties with the in-form Jim Williams and Mark Connors and was only able to grab a starting position for one match. Test Debut: 2000 v France George Smith’s form for the Brumbies in this year’s Vodafone Super 12 demonstrated why he made such a dynamic rise from the Manly Colts to the Brumbies, then to his first Test cap against France last year. The exit of veteran open-side flanker David Wilson last year left a hole in Australian rugby which George has quickly filled. His speed to the breakdown and ability to pilfer opposition ball quickly turns defence into attack. Last year he was frequently used off the bench by the Brumbies, but with the retirement of Brett Robinson, George has taken his game to another level in this year’s Super 12 campaign, named Man of the Match on numerous occasions. A product of Cromer High School, George will celebrate his 21st birthday on the day of the 3rd Test against the Lions. He is the youngster of the team, yet he has vast representative experience.

It was during a schoolboy match in 1996 that he caught the attention of his current Brumbies coach, Eddie Jones. That year he toured the UK with the Australian U16s and was named Player of the Tour. He went on to represent the Australian Schoolboys, U19s and U21s before being snapped up by the Brumbies in 1999. Test Debut: 1996 v Wales The big, bruising Brumby backrower is back to his best in 2001, featuring prominently in the Vodafone Super 12 try-scoring stakes. He missed a Wallaby jersey last year after an excellent Super 12 season ended abruptly in Round Ten with a knee injury. With 33 Test caps to his name, Owen Finegan is one of the most experienced forwards in the Wallaby pack. Before the 1999 World Cup he declared he would score a try in the final, a vow he fulfilled with a bustling run to the French line to put the World Cup within Australia’s grasp. Owen has the perfect mix of strength and strategy and often breaks through the advantage line running off the first receiver.

He was a foundation member of the 1996 Brumbies, making him an integral part of Coach Eddie Jones’ leadership team. Owen’s superb communication with teammate George Gregan to take sharp inside flick passes have been a feature of his game for the Wallabies and the Brumbies. Test Debut: 1991 v Wales Hailed as the most complete lock in international rugby, this year John Eales celebrates a decade of playing rugby for Australia. He is Australia’s most capped captain and has played a part in winning every international rugby trophy for Australia. The Lions remain the only team he has not played against. An achilles injury kept John out of the Queensland side for the first half of the Super 12 season, but his return sparked new confidence in the Reds who looked impressive in the final rounds. John’s calm leadership helped Australia achieve its first Tri Nations championship last year, with his penalty goal on the bell against the All Blacks in Wellington one of the season highlights for Australian rugby. John’s 1999 World Cup campaign was also a remarkable achievement, given he’d missed the entire Super 12 and domestic Test season through a shoulder injury.

John has been the Wallabies’ captain since 1996, and one of their most consistent performers. He is regarded as the archetype of the modern lock - tall and athletic, with wonderful ball skills and a goal kicking boot. John won the coveted Best and Fairest award in Brisbane club rugby in 1990 and made his Queensland debut that year. He made his debut for Australia against Wales as a 21 year old in 1991 then played every match of Australia’s World Cup victory. His astonishing rise continued in 1992 when he was selected to play for the World XV in the Centenary Series against New Zealand but a shoulder injury on the Wallabies’ season-end tour to Wales and Ireland forced him to miss the entire 1993 season. In 1994, John returned to the Australian side for their opening Test against Ireland, and has since played in 62 of the last 73 Tests. In 1997, he won his 50th Test cap against England at Twickenham and in 1999 he was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) for services to the community and rugby.

Few honours have eluded John, but surprisingly it wasn’t until 2000 that he was handed the captaincy of the Queensland Reds for the Super 12 season. Test Debut: 1996 v Wales David Giffin had a horror start to the Vodafone Super 12 season this year when a freak training accident put him on the sideline for the first seven rounds. However by the end of the season he was back at his best to help take the Brumbies to their third Super 12 finals series. David Giffin has collected 26 Test caps since his debut in 1996 and is set to add to that tally this year with his high work rate and lineout skills. David first wore an Australian jumper for the U21s against England and New Zealand in 1993. After making his debut for the Queensland Reds against Natal in 1995, he was later selected for the Australian XV versus England XV match. A dynamic 1996 season for the Brumbies saw him selected for the Wallabies’ European tour. He was judged Man of the Match in his debut against Wales that year.

In 1997, David played the opening Tests against France, but a training accident ended his international season. Ruled out of the opening Bledisloe Cup match with a broken foot, he later broke his hand in his comeback match in club rugby. 1998 was a write-off through injury, but he has now been at the top of his game for the past three years. He and Joe Roff are the only two Wallabies to have played in every Test since the start of the 1999 season. Test Debut: 1998 v South Africa Glenn Panoho was used as an impact player from the bench during the Wallabies’ 2000 Test campaign, missing only one of the 10 matches. His ability to cover both loose and tighthead makes him a valuable talent to have in the team. Glenn has also been a consistent performer for Queensland, playing in nearly every Vodafone Super 12 game in the last two seasons. Born in New Zealand, Glenn made his Test debut for Australia in 1998 and became a fixture in the Wallaby squad.

He won his first cap as a replacement against South Africa in Johannesburg, but fate struck a cruel blow when injury forced him to return home from the end-of-year tour to France and England. An outstanding loose forward at schoolboy level, Glenn moved to the front row to represent Australia at U19 and U21 levels. He is a powerful scrummager and very quick around the field. In 1993, he made his Queensland debut when sent on as a replacement on their short tour of the South Pacific but had to wait until 1997 to win regular selection in the Reds squad. Starting 1998 stronger and fitter than in previous years, Glenn was in outstanding form for Queensland which in turn paved the way for the start of his international caree Test Debut: 1998 v Scotland Jeremy Paul was a model of consistency in the 2001 Vodafone Super 12 season, again excelling in the hooker’s traditional roles of scrummaging, lineout throwing and the hard yards up front. Jeremy possesses exceptional ball skills and a fine running game, setting up Chris Latham’s crucial try against South Africa to clinch the Tri Nations series last year.

Rod Macqueen nominated it as his Try of the Year. Jeremy’s ongoing battle with Michael Foley has been a driving motivation. Although Michael was the run-on hooker for all 10 Tests last year, Jeremy replaced him in every match and scored two tries. Born in New Zealand, Jeremy moved to Queensland with his family as a youngster. He represented Queensland U19s before making the Australian U19s side in 1995 and 1996. The next year Jeremy had a successful year with the Australian U21s before joining the Brumbies as the second string hooker under Marco Caputo. It wasn’t long before the Wallaby selectors realised his potential, winning his first Test cap against Scotland in Sydney in 1998, before winning his first run-on cap against Tonga in front of his home crowd at Bruce Stadium. Test Debut: Uncapped Nick Stiles has become part of the furniture in Queensland’s front row, but he is no couch potato. He has great mobility and a high work rate, combining bullocking midfields bursts with crunching defence.

After captaining the Reds against Argentina last year, Nick cracked the Wallaby squad for the end-of-season tour to France and the UK, but was unable to win his first cap. If he takes the field for the Wallabies this year he will be looking to emulate his 1998 Queensland debut when he scored a try in the first two minutes. Nick started playing rugby at an early age and gained selection for the Queensland schoolboys in 1991. The next year he went one step further, playing with Wallaby Joe Roff in the Australian Schoolboys team. He propped in the Queensland U21s in 1993 and 1994 then finally secured a place with the Queensland Reds in 1998. Test Debut: 1993 v South Africa Matthew Burke has long been regarded as one of the finest fullbacks and goalkickers in world rugby. For many years an automatic pick in this position, Matt has faced a strong challenge from Queensland’s Chris , whose form forced Burke onto the wing for Australia’s 2000 tour to France and the UK. From that position he scored 57 of the 67 points for the Wallabies in the three Tests.

This year Matt has shouldered new responsibilities, taking over the captaincy of a young NSW Waratahs outfit. His form and poise have had a major influence on the team, who performances dipped sharply when injury forced him onto the sidelines. Matt’s long career in representative rugby began in 1990 when he toured the UK and Ireland with the Australian Schoolboys. He then graduated to the Australian U21s team in 1992 and 1993 at the same time as playing at the Hong Kong Sevens in 1992 and the World Cup Sevens in 1993. His Test debut was inevitable in 1993 when he played in the Third Test against the Springboks. In 1996 Matt scored a record 39 points in a Test against Canada, breaking Michael Lynagh’s previous record by 11 points, and finished the year with 189 points at an average of over 17 points per match. In 1998 he scored all 24 of the Wallabies points against New Zealand at the MCG, a world record against the All Blacks.

As the Wallaby fullback in 1999 he scored an amazing 23 points against the All Blacks at Stadium Australia, 24 points against South Africa in the RWC semi final and 25 points against France. At 47 Tests, Matt is Australia’s most capped fullback, and with 566 Test points at the start of this season, he is Australia’s second all-time record point scorer behind Michael Lynagh on 911. Test Debut: 1997 v England Elton Flatley made the most of the Wallaby end-of-season tour last year, coming on for his third cap in the Test against Scotland. His solid performance looked to have filled the gap left by Stephen Larkham ’s absence, but by the end of the match he had suffered a broken wrist and was ruled out for the final match against England. Solid performances for the Queensland Reds in this year’s Vodafone Super 12 season sees Elton firmly in the selector’s minds. His general play has been outstanding and his goalkicking very reliable.

Widely regarded as one of the finest schoolboy rugby players Australia has seen, he enjoyed a remarkable four years in the First XV at Nudgee College and in his final year of school captained the Australian Schoolboys side. In 1996 he made his Queensland debut, becoming the youngest player to do so since Michael Lynagh in 1982, then went on to become a valuable member of the undefeated Australian U21s squad that year and again in 1997. Elton was rewarded with selection on the Wallabies’ season-end tour in 1997, making his Test debut against England. The next two years saw him battling injuries and the impressive form of Shane Drahm, limiting his appearances for the Queensland Reds, but he has been in stunning form in this year’s Vodafone Super 12. Test Debut: 1995 v Canada Michael Foley is the most experienced player in the Queensland pack after John Eales. He played his 100th game for the Reds during this year’s Vodafone Super 12 season. Michael was the starting hooker in all ten Tests last year, but was replaced by Jeremy Paul in a tactical substitution in each match.

Michael has been a regular in Australian teams since 1996, is an excellent organiser in the scrum and an accurate lineout thrower. “Axel’s” experience was there for the Wallabies at the 1999 World Cup, guiding Australia to the final after Phil Kearns was injured. He made his Test debut in 1995, but had to wait until 1996 to cement his place in the side for the next two seasons. In 1998, Phil Kearns’ return from injury bumped him out of the regular team, but he played a big part in the World Cup build up. A product of St Patrick’s College in Sydney, Michael moved north and made his debut for the Reds against Saitama in Japan in 1991. In 1994, 14 impressive appearances for Queensland earned him the Reds’ Best and Fairest award. The following year he was selected as reserve hooker for both Tests against Argentina before winning his first cap as a replacement in the World Cup pool match against Canada.

Test Debut: Uncapped Ben Darwin has made the most of his opportunities with the ACT Brumbies following the departure of Patricio Noriega to France at the end of last season. The young tighthead has excelled for the Brumbies alongside Jeremy Paul and Bill Young. He has been training under the watchful eye of Brumbies scrum advisor Andrew Blades and at 24 he is likely to figure heavily in Australian rugby in the future. A product of Barker College in Sydney, Ben won selection in the Australian U21s in 1997 then the Australian Barbarians in 1998. He broke into the ACT Brumbies in 1998 and was set for a big year in 1999 until a collision with Jonah Lomu ended his season with a broken arm. A calf injury interrupted his season in 2000, but this year he has enjoyed an untroubled run with the Vodafone Super 12 frontrunners. Test Debut: 1997 v France A blindside flanker best known for his bone-jarring defence, Matt has been a regular feature of the Wallaby landscape since 1997.

He played in seven of the Wallabies’ Tests last year and was a key to Queensland’s excellent form in the latter part of this year’s Vodafone Super 12 series. His ability to excel anywhere in the back five of the scrum, and at lineout time, gives Coach Rod Macqueen a wealth of options. Schooled at Innisfail High School in Far North Queensland, Matt didn’t strap on a pair of rugby boots until he was 16 years old. It took him only two years to make the Queensland U19 team. He moved to Brisbane in 1994 and made his debut for Queensland in 1995 against an English XV, collecting the Reds’ Rookie of the Year award at the end of the season. Matt got his first taste of Super 12 rugby in 1997, then won his first cap as a replacement against France later that year. He featured heavily in the Bledisloe and Tri Nations series in 1998 and 1999, and played in four of the 1999 World Cup matches, including the final.

Test Debut: 2000 v Argentina David Lyons is a versatile young backrower whose strength and speed around the field for the Waratahs again has him in Test calculations . David’s rise to Waratah and Wallaby ranks last year were meteoric. He has played rugby for just six years, starting in Year 11 of high school where he quickly made a huge impact to win Australian Schoolboy selection. In 1998, he skippered the Australian Schoolboys on their undefeated tour of the UK. David’s rise continued in 1999 with selection in the NSW and Australian U19 teams, although injury cut short his season. His performances in those arenas were sufficient for him to be selected first for the Waratahs in 2000 and then the Wallabies, having never played a game of club rugby. David won his first two caps last year as a replacement in the two Tests against Argentina, then joined the season-end tour to France and the UK.

Test Debut: 1998 v South Africa (rep) Chris Whitaker managed to withstand heavy pressure this year from the tenacious Sam Payne to be the run-on halfback for the NSW Waratahs for the bulk of the Vodafone Super 12 season. Chris lost out to Sam Cordingley as the injured George Gregan’s replacement during last year’s end of season Wallaby tour. His form this year suggests he’ll throw out a strong challenge to regain the position behind Gregan. Chris is a “rugby lifer”, having taken up the game as a seven-year-old. He worked up through the ranks at Randwick Rugby Club before making the NSW U21s team in 1995. His strong pass and resolute defence helped him gain selection as a Waratah in 1997 where he was the back up halfback to Sam Payne. In 1998 Chris was voted the Rookie of the Year. His continued strong performances over the past four years have earned him 8 Test caps, including game time in the 1999 World Cup Final.

Question: What is the surname of the two English brothers selected in the British and Irish Lions Rugby Union tour squad in 2013?
Answer: Youngs