British & Irish Lions 2017 squad predicted: Bookies reveal XV to play New Zealand
GETTY British & Irish Lions 2017: Rory Best is expected to start at hooker while Dylan Hartley might not
Centre Jonathan Joseph and lock Joe Launchbury are understood to be two of the most high-profile names expected to miss out on the British & Irish Lions squad which will be announced tomorrow at 12pm. Warren Gatland has previously led Lions tours of South Africa (2009) and Australia (2013) but will now return to his home country of New Zealand for one of rugby's toughest challenges.
Lions XV: Who is most likely to start, according to the bookies? Tue, April 18, 2017 Who is likely to make up the Lions’ starting XV, based on the latest odds from William Hill? Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 16 Who will make up the Lions’ starting XV, based on odds from William Hill?
With England having won two consecutive Six Nations titles and lost just once since their exit from the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Eddie Jones' men are expected to dominate the squad of around 38 players. However, captain Dylan Hartley is only rated as 50:50 to make the squad and the bookmakers are backing Ireland's Rory Best to start at hooker in his place.
Stuart Hogg is expected to be the only Scot in the starting XV despite Scotland's impressive Six Nations when they won three out of their five matches. Former Wales coach Gatland has had heavy Welsh representation in previous squads but is only expected to name three of Rob Howley's players in his starting line-up.
GETTY Maro Itoje looks set to make his British & Irish Lions debut this summer