Tuipulotu and Suaalii set for re-match after two Aussies named in Lions squad
Tuipulotu and former Brumby-turned-Ireland winger Mack Hansen became the seventh and eighth Australian-raised players to be selected as Lions on Thursday night at a grandiose team naming event in London.
With coach Andy Farrell watching on at the 02 Arena, his 37-man squad was read out by Wales legend and Lions chairman Iuean Evans. The squad – which will be captained by England lock Maro Itoje – will next month embark on a nine-game tour of Australia, which is preceded by a clash with Argentina in Dublin.
Players discovered the news of their Lions selections as they gathered at the clubs, with tradition dictating they don't get a phone call with the news beforehand.
Ireland had the most players selected with 15, followed by England (13), Scotland (8) and Wales, who paid a price for their recent slump with just two players. That equalled the smallest ever representation, after Ireland in 1993 and Scotland in 2009 and 2017.
The squad contained plenty of surprises, after months of speculation. There was no Owen Farrell and Ireland captain Caelen Doris was also left out after picking up a shoulder injury. Twenty-year-old Henry Pollock, who only has one Test cap for England, was the bolter of the squad after turning in storming for Northhampton.
Marcus Smith and Elliot Daly also made the cut, but there were no spots for contenders Jamie George, Sam Prendergast, Dewi Lake, Jack Willis and George Ford.
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