Hopefuls.

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland is set to name his squad next week as excitement builds ahead of the tour of South Africa this summer.

Gatland is expected to pick a squad of around 36 players with Wales and Ireland leading the way in terms of potential tourists.

Obviously, we’re more concerned about the Irish contingent here so we’ve decided to take a look at fourteen Ireland players we reckon have a chance of being on the plane this summer.

Some are nailed on, some are dependent on Gatland’s plans and some are outside shots – but either way, we reckon plenty of Irishmen will travel with a number of them in the running for Test selection too.

Tadhg Furlong
Pretty much guaranteed to travel and will likely be a Test starter.

Robbie Henshaw
Another played nailed-on to make the squad and leading the way in terms of Test selection too.

Johnny Sexton
A few months ago it didn’t look like he’d be in the squad but his form this season has been good and he will likely make the squad.

Conor Murray
Another man that has found form at the right time. Can’t see why he wouldn’t travel.

James Ryan
Hasn’t been in his best form this season but Gatland would be crazy to not bring him to South Africa.

Iain Henderson
One of Ireland’s best players in the Six Nations, the 2017 tourist has a big chance of selection.

Tadhg Beirne
One of the best players in Europe at the moment. It’s safe to say we’d all be shocked if he wasn’t selected by Gatland.

CJ Stander
Set to retire at the end of the season but is available for the tour of South Africa. It would be an amazing way for Stander to bow out of the game but there’s plenty of competition in the back-row.

Ronan Kelleher
His lineout needs work but the youngster has excelled in pretty much every other facet of his game. Perhaps an outside shot but his inclusion wouldn’t raise too many eyebrows.

Keith Earls
Competition in the back-three is pretty fierce but Earls has proved time and time again he’s the man for the big occasion. Probably won’t make the squad but he’ll definitely be in discussions and could be a late call-up.

Garry Ringrose
Has struggled for form this season and has gone from a nailed-on pick to more of a maybe right now.

Hugo Keenan
The Ireland and Leinster fullback has burst onto the scene in recent months with some incredible performances for club and country. In with a shot but once again – huge competition in the back-three. Likely to just miss out.

Caelan Doris
An unfortunate head injury at the worst possible time ruled him out of the entire Six Nations and has probably ruined his chances of touring.

Andrew Porter
An interesting one here with Porter really coming into his own at tighthead in Tadhg Furlong’s absence and having an extra string to his bow in that he was originally a loosehead prop. This might sway Gatland.

Peter O’Mahony
Captained the Lions in their first Test against the All Blacks back in 2017 but probably hasn’t played enough to get selected. A very slim chance.

Do you think any other Irish players could potentially be selected next week? Let us know in the comments.