Fifteen Irish players were named this morning on a list of 67 asked by Lions team management to confirm their availability for the upcoming tour to Australia.
Eight Irish forwards and seven backs were picked for the provisional list which will be cut to 37 for this summer’s tour.
As expected, Keith Wood and Brian O’Driscoll were among those named and the injured trio of Kieron Dawson, Eric Miller and Jeremy Davidson were also named.
But there is no place for former Lions hero Mick Galwey and Scotland captain and scrum-half Andy Nicol is also not named.
Lions tour manager Donal Lenihan has insisted players not named to take on the world champions should not be too concerned as the selection process was ongoing.
"The main purpose of the publication of the initial list is to ensure that players have an opportunity to examine the tour contract," said Lenihan.
"This is by no means the definitive list of players being considered; the process of selection is never exhausted."
The list consists of 37 forwards and 30 backs. As well as the Irish named, there are 22 English players, 18 Welsh players and 12 Scotland players.
Irish Forwards:
Clohessy, Peter
Davidson, Jeremy
Dawson, Kieron
Hayes, John
Miller, Eric
O'Kelly, Malcolm
Wallace, David
Wood, Keith
Irish Backs:
Henderson, Rob
Hickie, Denis
Horgan, Shane
Howe, Tyrone
O'Driscoll, Brian
O'Gara, Ronan
Stringer, Peter
For full list click here