LIONS stars will be flanked by BODYGUARDS in South Africa to keep them safe.

Warren Gatland's squad will have a team of minders for when they want to leave their Covid bio-secure bubble.

The 37-man squad will be staying in luxurious, five-star hotels in Johannesburg and Cape Town when they take on the Springboks this summer.

But off the pitch, they will also have to be on red alert in some of the world's most dangerous cities.

And to help them, they will be protected by bouncers making sure there is no trouble.

Even if they want to go to a restaurant, because of the raging pandemic in South Africa, Gatland's boys will have to phone ahead and try and book out the whole joint.

Full-back Liam Williams said: "We'll have to book out places for us to eat or if it's just going to the beach then obviously our security guards will be there and we'll have to be socially distanced.

"There are only a certain amount of things we'll be allowed to do."

Despite the strict rules, which also prevent Lions stars going into each others rooms, Wales ace Williams believes they have enabled the squad to bond tighter in Jersey.

Boss Gatland has even slapped a HUGGING ban on the players after seeing what happened with England footballers Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell at Euro 2020.

But Williams, a 2017 tourist, who starts against Japan on Saturday doesn't reckon the Covid rules have effected team bonding.

He said: "I think it's a bit easier because we spend a lot of time in and around the hotel.

"We're not allowed in each other's room, but the team room is a place where you can have a game of cards, have a coffee and chat with the boys.

"I think it's a bit easier than normal. They don't tend to go out in their own groups, there are loads of people here so you tend to spend a lot of time here."

Williams, 30, won three Lions caps against New Zealand and even helped set-up one of the greatest tries in Lions history.

His blistering and jinking run in his own 22 against the All Blacks in the First Test at Eden Park set-up the move finished by flanker Sean O'Brien.

And he added: "It keeps popping up on Instagram! So I'm like: 'Oh not again! oh go on then!'.

"I have alook every now and then, but I don't want to live in the past. I've been picked by the Lions which is an honour and a privilege.

"It all happened so quick. Anthony Watson passes me the ball and I see Kieran Read out of the corner of my eye. It's just instinct I guess.

"There's a bit of space, I thought I'm going to need to go. Step in and then – palm on Aaron Cruden.

"Ben Te'o put in a good block on Sonny Bill Williams. Then my legs went a little bit and I had to wait for Jonathan Fox to come up and help.

"Then the boys were just great to finish it off. Sean O'Brien over the line."

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