{"id":21279,"date":"2021-05-06T09:52:06","date_gmt":"2021-05-06T13:52:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=21279"},"modified":"2021-05-07T09:54:06","modified_gmt":"2021-05-07T13:54:06","slug":"eight-irish-players-make-cut-for-lions-but-sextons-left-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=21279","title":{"rendered":"Eight Irish Players Make Cut For Lions, But Sexton’s Left Out"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Warren Gatland has left Johnny Sexton out of his Lions squad, with eight Irish players making the cut.<\/p>\n

The Ireland captain misses out while Gatland has selected Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Conor Murray, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson and Andrew Porter.<\/p>\n

Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones has been named British and Irish Lions captain for this summer\u2019s tour of South Africa.<\/p>\n

The 35-year-old Ospreys forward captained Wales to the Guinness Six Nations title in March.<\/p>\n

Jones, who embarks on a fourth successive Lions tour, has clocked up a world record 157 Tests for Wales and the Lions.<\/p>\n

He was the favorite to be appointed as Lions skipper by head coach Warren Gatland ahead of other potential contenders like England internationals Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell.<\/p>\n

And it headlines a stellar playing career that has seen him win five Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams and play in two World Cup semi-finals.<\/p>\n

Jones led the Lions to a Test series-clinching victory over Australia in Sydney eight years ago when fellow Welshman Sam Warburton was injured.<\/p>\n

And he will now be in charge from the start of the tour in July and August that is highlighted by three Tests against the world champion Springboks.<\/p>\n

Speaking on lionsrugby.com<\/a>, Jones said: \u201cObviously very proud, very privileged. To be selected in the squad is initially what you want to be hearing, and to have the armband as well is a privilege, with the names that have gone before and what those players have achieved.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked how he had found out, Jones said: \u201cI had a call from Gats on Sunday evening, actually a missed call. Thought better give him a call back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a quick chat and I accepted obviously. I\u2019ve just got a huge amount of pride to add this to the CV, but obviously there\u2019s a lot of work to do once we get out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

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