The five matches that decided the big Lions selections

Warren Gatland has never been one to play down the importance of the big crunch games heading into a British and Irish Lions tour, and the importance they play in his final selection.

The head coach announced his 37-man squad to face South Africa this summer on Thursday, springing plenty of surprises by leaving out the likes of England prop Kyle Sinckler, No 8 Billy Vunipola and Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton.

But it was the shock inclusions that really grabbed the eye and will be all the more important in fewer than two months’ time when the Test series against the Springboks gets under way. Some were names who were on the radar yet regarded as the opposite of what we regard as a ‘Gatland player’, while others had barely been mentioned in the build up to selection, despite Lions squad predictions everywhere you looked.

But what were the key games that Gatland cited as influencing his final selections?

Bundee Aki, Ireland centre

Ireland 32 England 18 - March 20

Very rarely will a player be sent off and still cement their place as a Lions tourist, but this appears to be the case with Bundee Aki. The Connacht centre was shown a red card in the 64th minute at the Aviva Stadium for a high tackle to the head of England No 8 Billy Vunipola.

But prior to that incident, Aki, in his first start of the Six Nations, had been immense in shutting down England’s attack together with centre partner Robbie Henshaw while providing some muscular penetration with his carries. With Manu Tuilagi deemed too much of a risk with his fitness, that powerhouse carrying role was handed to Aki.

Whenever he was asked about Aki’s selection, Gatland pointedly referenced the England match and his partnership with Henshaw. "The combination of Bundee and Robbie Henshaw was outstanding for Ireland against England and we have to have that balance between the physicality they bring and the ability to play rugby," Gatland said. "Both of them have that. They can roll their sleeves up when it does get tough, but they can also play positive rugby also."

Finn Russell, Scotland fly-half

France 23 Scotland 27 - March 26

Before this Six Nations, many people considered Warren Gatland a Russell sceptic. Overlooked in 2017 until he became part of the ‘Geography Six’, Russell seemed to be the antithesis of a Gatland fly-half which is based on control and consistency - he can blow hot and cold in the same game with the style and skill often threatening to outweigh the substance.

All that changed in this year’s Six Nations as first Scotland went to Twickenham and beat England for the first time since 1983. Then came a trip to Paris against a French team gunning for the Six Nations. Russell put away his box of tricks and delivered a mature performance guiding Scotland around the pitch for another famous victory.

With Johnny Sexton struggling for fitness, Gatland had no qualms about turning to Russell and made clear that he considered him a potential Test starter. "I thought Finn’s best game in the Six Nations was against France," Gatland said. "What impressed me about the game was he’s got so much more of a balanced game now in terms of when to run and when to turn teams around with a kick."

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Sam Simmonds, England No 8, and Jonny Hill, England lock

Bristol 12 Exeter 20 - April 23

Final impressions matter. They leave an imprint on the mind that is hard to shift. So it was Gatland’s decision to attend the top of the table Premiership clash between Exeter and Bristol decisively shifted the balance towards two unlikely picks.

Sam Simmonds has not played for England for three years while Jonny Hill was dropped during the Six Nations. Against Bristol, both were outstanding. Simmonds played through a rolled ankle to carve open Bristol’s defence while Hill ensured Exeter’s physical domination and even produced a 50-metre spiral kick for good measure.

Referencing Hill’s selection, Gatland said: "He is a big man and what pleased me was that he wouldn’t have thought he had a brilliant Six Nations but he’s gone back for Exeter and he’s started to play some really good rugby. In particular against Bristol he was outstanding."

Gregor Townsend, the attack coach who was also in attendance at Ashton Gate, also referenced Simmonds’ performance on Thursday. "His last game was a pretty good one against Bristol," Townsend said. "Exeter have played some big games where he stood out against international players. He’s got a real point of difference and that point of difference is something we appreciate."

James Ryan, Ireland lock

La Rochelle 32 Leinster 23 - May 2

If that final impression theory worked to Simmonds and Hill’s advantage then it may have cost James Ryan his place on the plane. There is no doubt that Ryan has not been at the peak of his powers this year as he has struggled with injuries. Even so, most pundits still had him in their Lions squad.

However, Gatland’s decision was influenced by La Rochelle steamrollering Leinster in last weekend’s Champions Cup semi-final. The giant Australian lock Will Skelton set the physical tone against Ryan, who looked a shadow of himself.

"There are a lot of tough calls and James is unlucky," Gatland said. "An example for me was last weekend in Leinster v La Rochelle. La Rochelle reminded me of what we'll face in South Africa – big physical men.

"We saw that with Skelton and how direct they were coming off nine. In the last couple of years in those big games for Leinster, like against Saracens 12 months ago, people have gone pretty hard at him physically."

Elliot Daly, England utility back

Nottingham 0 Saracens 56 - May 2

From the Champions Cup semi-final to Nottingham’s Lady Bay ground in English rugby’s second tier. Paying particular interest to this one-sided thrashing was Lions attack coach Townsend and the subject of his attention was Elliot Daly. A Lions starter in 2017, Daly was poor in the Six Nations for England at full-back where Eddie Jones insists on playing him.

Townsend, though, has watched Daly frequently at outside centre for Saracens this season. Although he was starting at full-back in Nottingham, his classy performance seems to have swung Townsend’s opinion. "To see him in the flesh and see what a class player he is on form and confident, really got me excited," Townsend said. "I watched him last weekend against Nottingham and even though he was at full-back, he was second receiver, and worked really hard.

"I do believe it could be a positive these Saracens guys playing in the Championship. From my own experience playing a season in the Championship with Northampton, I was full of confidence, getting a lot of ball in hand, taking that on to the international stage. These guys look to be playing with ambition, getting a lot of touches, getting match fit."