Stephen Jones makes surprising Ireland call in his Lions squad

"Osborne is a real talent"

Sunday Times writer Stephen Jones is known for his controversial takes, and his ability to rile up fans on social media is still unmatched.

Many feel that he often has a bias against Ireland, but his recent Lions squad includes a youngster that not many see as someone who will make the summer tour to Australia.

In total, he has selected ten Irish in his "likely Lions after three rounds of the Six Nations", with Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, and Caelan Doris all selected.

Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, and Bundee Aki are the glaring omissions, but the Welsh writer has made a surprise call with the inclusion of Osborne.

On his centre selections, Jones wrote: "An area of strength though Lawrence would love more chances to shine with England’s strategy, with Max Llewellyn and Robbie Henshaw pressing. Osborne is a real talent".

Given his ability to cover centre, fullback, and wing to a high level, the Leinster man could certainly be a dark horse to make the squad.

Stephen Jones' full squad:

Blair Kinghorn (Sco), Hugo Keenan (Ire) James Lowe (Ire), Duhan van der Merwe (Sco), Tommy Freeman (Eng), Darcy Graham (Sco) Sione Tuipulotu (Sco), Garry Ringrose (Ire), Huw Jones (Sco), Ollie Lawrence (Eng), Jamie Osborne (Ire) Finn Russell (Sco), Fin Smith (Eng), Jack Crowley (Ire) Tomos Williams (Wal), Jamison Gibson-Park (Ire), Ben White (Sco) Dewi Lake (Wal), Jamie George (Eng), Rónan Kelleher (Ire) Nicky Smith (Wal), Ellis Genge (Eng), Pierre Schoeman (Sco), Tadhg Furlong (Ire), Afolabi Fasogbon (Eng), Zander Fagerson (Sco) Maro Itoje (Eng, capt), Joe McCarthy (Ire), Will Rowlands (Wal), Ollie Chessum (Eng), George Martin (Eng) Tadhg Beirne (Ire), Tom Curry (Eng), Jack Willis (Toulouse), Jamie Ritchie (Sco), Jac Morgan (Wal) Caelan Doris (Ire), Taulupe Faletau (Wal).