From Brian Moore to Keith Wood and plenty more besides, players wearing the No.2 jersey have etched themselves into Lions folklore over the years.
There are plenty of hookers looking to follow in those esteemed footsteps this summer, including those who know all about a Lions Tour and others bidding to experience one for the first time.
Let’s take a look at the contenders…
PREVIOUS TOURISTS
Of the four hookers who were in South Africa four years ago, only the retired Ken Owens is not in contention to board the plane again.
England pair Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie went head-to-head on domestic duty last week when Saracens travelled to Sale Sharks and both have been in fine form for their clubs of late.
George even showed a winger’s finishing touch when dotting down against Gloucester in April and the vastly experienced operator earned his 100th England cap during this year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations.
The 34-year-old, who started all three Tests on the Tour of New Zealand in 2017, lost the England captaincy on the eve of the competition and shared hooking duties with Cowan-Dickie, who was handed the starting reins for four of his country’s five matches.
The Cornishman made his Lions Test debut in 2021, when George featured only in warm-up matches, and both will be eager to taste a Tour again.
Ronan Kelleher was called up as cover in 2021 but awaits a Lions debut, which could arrive this summer.
The 27-year-old has suffered injury problems this year but remains a potent weapon when fit and Lions head coach Andy Farrell is more than aware of his quality having spent years overseeing his progress with Ireland.
Which brings us to one of his rivals for a spot…
FIRST-TIME TOURISTS
Dan Sheehan has been battling it out with Kelleher at club and international level for several years having burst on to the scene since the last Lions Tour.
And there is every chance the pair will take that good-natured competitive rivalry into a summer Tour, with Sheehan having shone again in this year’s Six Nations.
Only recently back from a six-month lay-off with an ACL injury sustained last summer, Sheehan slotted seamlessly back into the Ireland set-up and scored five tries across the competition, including a hat-trick against Italy – only France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored more.
Dewi Lake has stepped into Ken Owens’ shoes for Wales and will hope to do likewise for the Lions.
The Ospreys star returned from a bicep injury to feature in the second half of his country’s final two Six Nations matches and has been a consistent performer in the URC since.
Lake’s compatriot Elliot Dee and Scotland stalwart Dave Cherry both offer experienced alternatives while Theo Dan is a more youthful option. The England hooker has been in fine form for Saracens, where he has learned plenty from elder statesman George, and the 24-year-old is a potential bolter.
