George Kruis to be fast-tracked into British and Irish Lions squad but some England stars may be disappointed
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George Kruis is primed for a date with the British & Irish Lions and Saracens’ biggest game of the season – despite playing just 80 minutes since December.
The big lock returned to action on Sunday as Sarries beat Northampton 27-25, in the nick of time before the Lions squad is announced on Wednesday.
Kruis is odds-on to make the trip to New Zealand but he may be without England team-mates Joe Launchbury and Jonathan Joseph.
Head coach Warren Gatland will today nail down his squad to face the All Blacks with lock Launchbury and centre Joseph set to miss out.
(Photo: Rex Features)
Kruis had not played since Christmas Eve after suffering cheek, ankle and knee injuries but the fit-again 27-year-old will now face Munster in the Champions Cup semi-final on Saturday before Lions’ duty.
And Kruis insists his lack of game time is not an issue.
Kruis said: “Fitness is one of my strong points. It is just the confidence to go out and play. I was happy with my 80 minutes.”
(Photo: Getty Images Europe)
FULL BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND ITINERARY
Sat, June 3 - New Zealand Provincial Barbarians (Toll Stadium, Whangarei)
Wed, June 7 - Blues (Eden Park, Auckland)
Sat, June 10 - Crusaders (AMI Stadium, Christchurch)
Tue, June 13 - Highlanders (Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin)
Sat, June 17 - Maori All Blacks (Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua)
Tue, June 20 - Chiefs (Waikato Stadium, Hamilton)
Sat, June 24 - NEW ZEALAND (Eden Park, Auckland)
Tue, June 27 - Hurricanes (Westpac Stadium, Wellington)
Sat, July 1 - NEW ZEALAND (Westpac Stadium, Wellington)
Sat, July 8 - NEW ZEALAND (Eden Park, Auckland)
(all kick-offs 0835 BST)