Comment: With the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa coming up, assuming Covid-19 doesn't have an impact on the tour, this is a potential squad made up of players who played in
Rugby: A New Zealand Lions XV – players to represent British and Irish nations
![Jesse Wood](https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/nzme/71aed132-a073-4a56-9eb9-d32dc4e6023f.png)
Jesse Wood
Lions centre Jared Payne, during the 2017 Lions tour match against his old team the Chiefs at FMG Stadium, Hamilton. Photo / File
All are selected from the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, to present.
NEW ZEALAND LIONS XV:
1. MICHAEL BENT (IRELAND 2012-2015: 4 CAPS)
Born: 1986 in Hāwera, Taranaki
New Zealand teams: Taranaki – 48 caps, Hurricanes – 11 caps
![Michael Bent from Taranaki is sent off as Hikawera Elliot from the magpies watches on during the ITM Cup Rugby game at McLean Park Napier. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/EN75SOPKZFFXGYRJB2AG2B3HYQ.jpg?auth=5a4189d4e78ac59d4f650500a7a1c737655ad09802a50b8461222332452956e1&width=16&height=13&quality=70&smart=true)
2. DYLAN HARTLEY (ENGLAND 2008-2018: 97 CAPS)
Born: 1986 in Rotorua
New Zealand teams: N/A
![Rotorua Boys' High School 1st XV player Dylan Hartley is well wrapped up by two Hastings Boys' High School players in the Super 8 inter-school match at Rotorua in 2003. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/DJFQZFBK3TQ37HNM3OTHOAZO7Q.jpg?auth=fe09e0e5a640762ad446d258d4a01f57b89237ad3fc95cac5e4b5ab4e25bf175&width=16&height=18&quality=70&smart=true)
3. NATHAN WHITE (IRELAND 2015-2016: 13 CAPS)
Born: 1981 in Hāwera, Taranaki
New Zealand teams: Waikato – 77 caps, Chiefs – 41 caps
![Chiefs' Nathan White against the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby match at Westpac Stadium in 2011. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/AEW56M5ITZQDJ2UJBRYTMOO6TY.jpg?auth=f19e4f7513ed63d0209c30e2d8c76bbdea6db11bff7189e0377c3a5ed36a7356&width=16&height=13&quality=70&smart=true)
4. MARTIN JOHNSON (ENGLAND 1993-2003: 84 CAPS; BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS 1993-2001: 8 CAPS)
Born: 1970 in Solihull, Warwickshire, England
New Zealand teams: King Country – 25 caps
![2011 England World Cup Rugby squad visit to Woolston School, Christchurch - England Manager and former player Martin Johnson with Captain Lewis Moody. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/Y7QKKN3CFFWXPEVP65HZRBMVSY.jpg?auth=7e8f774f1dfcaa4b53ccdbd9cca2f8df6d79ab721216379eefc8e6be721fafd0&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
5. BLADE THOMSON (SCOTLAND 2019: 5 CAPS)
Born: 1990 in Auckland
New Zealand teams: Taranaki – 47 caps, Hurricanes – 51 caps, New Zealand Māori – 6 games
![Hurricanes' Blade Thomson pushes off Chiefs' Rhys Marshall during round 9 of the 2016 Investec Super Rugby at Westpac Stadium, Wellington. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/CZITRU4DDJSPTJPWVMEKJO2GVE.jpg?auth=4f67e7242c75233797c48ecada593d0c3a60945fe2ca2a2dca06ca4cee92a6b2&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
6. MARTY LESLIE (SCOTLAND 1998-2003: 37 CAPS)
Born: 1971 in Wellington
New Zealand teams: Wellington – 75 caps, Hurricanes – 21 caps
![Scotland's New Zealand born Martin Leslie makes a break into the All Black defence during their sides clash at Eden Park in 2000. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/K7PKCG3UHQNMMFAVR56P245CEQ.jpg?auth=2a3461f4fa72caf3f4fa4e1599352e74237732217c62f972c19e2cf689642847&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
7. JOHN HARDIE (SCOTLAND 2015-2017: 16 CAPS)
Born: 1988 in Lumsden, Southland
New Zealand teams: Southland – 65 caps, Highlanders – 53 caps
![Southland's John Hardie in action against Manawatu in the Air New Zealand Cup rugby match at Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill during 2009. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/ZWMW3PGGXU744MI3BST4A6G3LI.jpg?auth=13fb22e20e71c8698a2af734db6e2727f62a2349db2c18e1a6036d99eda25899&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
8. BRAD SHIELDS (ENGLAND 2018-2019: 8 CAPS)
Born: 1991 in Masterton, Wairarapa
New Zealand teams: Wellington – 60 caps, Hurricanes – 104 caps
![Brad Shields steps his way pass Jaguares' Rodrigo Baez with Matt Proctor in tow during round 7 of the 2016 Investec Super Rugby at Westpac Stadium. Photo File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/HNO6AN3G3ZTC2WYXCNOW3SEWCI.jpg?auth=5f46573e659dbce69017f1b0e5d1da6bb930011b9f48829bf0be035db451b8ff&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
9. WILLI HEINZ (ENGLAND 2019-PRESENT: 13 CAPS)
Born: 1986 in Christchurch
Canterbury – 54 caps, Crusaders – 58 caps
![Willi Heinz at Crusaders training at Rugby Park, Christchurch. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/X3XZ7ONL6JI24ND4ZDXQNHOTNM.jpg?auth=f1073cddd3195833a67f93af7266a2010f4f465248669a6d5d321aca5c24a12b&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
10. GARETH ANSCOMBE (WALES 2015-2019: 27 CAPS)
Born: 1991 in Auckland
Auckland – 41 caps , Blues – 10 caps, Chiefs – 27 caps
![Former Kiwi Gareth Anscombe playing for Wales during the All Blacks' opening test against Wales at Eden Park in 2016. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/IHKPGBIGPVYAS7JG6DS4JDEEAA.jpg?auth=c6092bf9db1bebcabd7d816fcd8af376ada433f75e0fd0e7a5255fb194358ccf&width=16&height=10&quality=70&smart=true)
11. SEAN MAITLAND (SCOTLAND 2013-PRESENT: 48 CAPS; BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS 2013)
Born: 1988 in Tokoroa, Waikato
New Zealand teams: Waikato – 1 cap, Canterbury – 46 caps, Crusaders – 54 caps, New Zealand Māori – 3 games
![New Zealand Māori's Sean Maitland makes a break against the New Zealand Barbarians in the Sealord New Zealand Māori Centenary Series at Toll Stadium, Whangārei in 2010. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/KOT3K2JNK2MIKAXL4T27XMY65M.jpg?auth=c0f64de04a6c17c0d3c674d4e5845d8c8af8e076c1546fa025177df2a4420cf4&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
12. RIKI FLUTEY (ENGLAND 2008-2011: 14 CAPS; BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS 2009: 1 CAP)
Born: 1980 in Wairarapa
New Zealand teams: Hawkes Bay – 1 cap, Wellington – 57 caps, Hurricanes – 38 caps, New Zealand Māori – 2 games
![Wellington's Riki Flutey gets away from Daniel Carter of Canterbury during the NPC final at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, 2004. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/TUMMEY4R7PCJ7UVPTCKFFLAEZY.jpg?auth=5338fea4588402a288146c62419ffb9875f7270fb835b8bb87de1613ab609e8f&width=16&height=19&quality=70&smart=true)
13. JOHN LESLIE (SCOTLAND 1998-2002: 23 CAPS)
Born: 1970 in Lower Hutt, Wellington
New Zealand teams: Otago – 123 caps, Highlanders – 32 caps
![Former Highlander John Leslie conducts a junior rugby coaching workshop at Anderson Park, Havelock North in 2018. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/VGMRIV4HNF5MWHS7GZYY6OW444.jpg?auth=68149e9205eac805244b50a3aa8dcd39062137b91bbbb655e9997407ef208f6a&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
14. BRENDAN LANEY (SCOTLAND 2001-2004: 20 CAPS)
Born: 1973 in Invercargill
New Zealand teams: South Canterbury – 41 caps, Otago – 82 caps, Highlanders – 44 caps
![Northland centre Eric Abraham chases a loose ball with Otago's Brendan Laney in hot pursuit during the NPC first division rugby clash at the Northland Rugby Stadium in 2001. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/BRFMREVUJMFV5EMCNAZ2P5DBHM.jpg?auth=1b0595ecd39718d5e5ba2205fe5b1a42cef1488851ed4b5d82bff195b26447c8&width=16&height=21&quality=70&smart=true)
15. JARED PAYNE (IRELAND 2014-2017: 20 CAPS; BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS 2017)
Born: 1985 in Tauranga
New Zealand teams: Waikato – 13 caps, Northland – 45 caps, Chiefs – 3 caps, Crusaders – 22 caps, Blues – 18 caps
![Northland's Jared Payne in the ITM Cup Championship match between the Manawatū Turbos and Northland Taniwha in Palmerston North during 2011. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/VY767OTUZJGHD4WNE3UH5RBPME.jpg?auth=478512e583bc0ec5b2c8be8c5ea459be0191e7a44d22508236e7f9b3559fae54&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
RESERVES:
16. SIMON BERGHAN (SCOTLAND 2017-PRESENT: 25 CAPS)
Born: 1990 in Christchurch
New Zealand teams: N/A
![Simon Berghan playing Canterbury club rugby for Sydenham. Photo / Photosport](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/DXGIYO6XSUJHA6LX36NHZHZ2WI.jpg?auth=1a62dc534a754a6b3297f2bec81d6fd77c2871a7dc95f7811d678cf0242cb0be&width=16&height=10&quality=70&smart=true)
17. RODNEY AH YOU (IRELAND 2014: 3 CAPS)
Born: 1988 in Wellington
New Zealand teams: Canterbury – 3 caps
![Rodney Ah You in the 2008 New Zealand Under 20 rugby team. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/MBVHZQMIO6AJFVQWJTZ657MYWA.jpg?auth=0a2b4ac9bcd2a57680785a21e30926cf1c21c427b2c637b0ff98924a755e7ce1&width=16&height=24&quality=70&smart=true)
18. THOMAS WALDROM (ENGLAND 2012-2013: 5 CAPS)
Born: 1983 in Lower Hutt, Wellington
New Zealand teams: Wellington – 84 caps, Hawkes Bay – 14 caps, Hurricanes – 30 caps, Crusaders – 26 caps, New Zealand Māori – 12 games
![New Zealand Māori player Thomas Waldrom against Japan in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup rugby match at McLean Park, Napier in 2008. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/57GPEGGEUP4GGIGD7QDBV2XAJI.jpg?auth=0152cde1b44aae4c431a8ed6fd52f585f4d835cf0202afbc63fd4a665bd12c62&width=16&height=15&quality=70&smart=true)
19. ISAAC BOSS (IRELAND 2006-2015: 22 CAPS)
Born: 1980 in Tokoroa, Waikato
Waikato – 58 caps, Chiefs – 21 caps, Hurricanes – 11 caps
![Waikato's Isaac Boss, slides through Taranaki's defence during their NPC clash at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton during 2005. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/XMI5YOSGNK4U6G644FTDDF3KAE.jpg?auth=48856b835be0ed98b50494b5628972a2a2384694174e10c55a0abe3ca7d8d234&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
20. MIKE MULLINS (IRELAND 1999-2003: 16 CAPS)
Born: 1970 in Auckland
New Zealand teams: North Harbour – 19 caps, North Otago – 17 caps
![North Otago fullback and coach Mike Mullins tries to step his South Canterbury opposite, Mark Tutton, during North Otago's 36-6 win in the 2006 Heartland Championship. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/OC3TMXI6A42KCK3E3SWUT5QA5E.jpg?auth=7e00d7296abf5de6a9880c7f6bf5654e943c5268877db9d47df0359fa5004d0e&width=16&height=22&quality=70&smart=true)
21. HADLEIGH PARKES (WALES 2017-PRESENT: 29 CAPS)
Born: 1987 in Hunterville, Rangitīkei
New Zealand teams: Manawatū – 13 caps, Auckland – 41 caps, Blues – 13 caps, Hurricanes – 6 caps
![Auckland's Hadleigh Parkes makes a break against Southland during an ITM Cup rugby match, Eden Park, Auckland in 2011. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/VZI4FDAZ2VDLFENYHWSSLBIJN4.jpg?auth=4c9fd27bfd764ef2438721e4b6bd7fab1e8b5ca4f8d7df54853790a668a3a82b&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
22. BUNDEE AKI (IRELAND 2017-PRESENT: 26 CAPS)
Born: 1990 in Auckland
New Zealand teams: Counties Manukau – 43 caps, Chiefs – 25 caps
![Bundee Aki during an interview at Chiefs training at their base in Ruakura, Hamilton in 2014. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/QL5GDBXLSQ3WKEH3JL7HE2RHNU.jpg?auth=1562c522d1095e3ef0597afbb3c1d12dbda7f9c0d273932ecc339ee580afe836&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
23. SHANE HOWARTH (WALES 1998-2000: 19 CAPS)
Born: 1968 in Auckland
New Zealand teams: Auckland – 62 caps, Blues – 3 caps, New Zealand Māori – 7 games, All Blacks – 4 tests (6 games)
![Auckland rugby coach Shane Howarth talks to the media about his team's match against the British and Irish Lions in 2005. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/SUYVZX5II7QC5Z45BESXXFGDKE.jpg?auth=98c9a8d8dac2647b19d5f110d32ce3c5ff8276feb223f4c01fb6ce7c464c6a4d&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
.