It’s impossible not to talk about Leinster’s dominance because, even without Doris and Prendergast, they are comfortably the most well-represented club in Farrell’s squad.
With 12 players, the Dublin-based province make up almost a third of Farrell’s squad. They will be the ‘Leinster Dozen Down Under’. The next best represented clubs are Glasgow and Northampton with four apiece.
For context, Leinster had four players (Porter, Furlong, Conan and Robbie Henshaw) in Warren Gatland’s initial squad in 2021.
It means Joe McCarthy, Dan Sheehan, James Lowe, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, James Ryan, Hugo Keenan and Garry Ringrose are Leinster’s first-time Lions.
Van der Flier, Ryan and Ringrose all missed out in 2021, so it is especially satisfying for them especially after a disappointing Six Nations.
Beyond Leinster, the three other Ireland players are Munster’s Tadhg Beirne – the first name read out by Lions chair and tour manager Ieuan Evans on Thursday – and Connacht duo Mack Hansen and Bundee Aki.
Given their recent troubles, the lack of Ulster representation is not surprising. It is still worth noting, however, that it is the first Lions squad without an Ulster player since 2005.
