Lions Contenders – Scrum Halves

Quite a competitive position actually! The Lions boast a number of options, each of which offers a different style of play. None can boast the same all round game as their opposite number Du Preez, but many of them would give him a good game.

Mike Blair is the leading candidate, consistently producing outstanding performances in an otherwise lacklustre Scottish outfit. He has the most complete all round game of the lot, and offers the added extra of being a strong leader. Plus it gives the jocks something to shout about in South Africa!

Mike Phillips is his leading competitor. His back row physique will be a huge benefit against the big springbok forwards. He too has a pretty good all round game, and has fended off the challenge of the last Lions 9, Dwayne Peel, to grab the welsh jersey with both hands. All of which he did when coming off the back of a lengthy injury. A good run of games I the next few months, which will likely included a 6 Nations decider in Cardiff and a Heineken Cup quarter final in Thomand Park will do him no harm (hopefully)!

Whilst these two are virtual certs to travel, the third seat is very much to play for. Danny Care is the most exciting option, with his electric pace, and awesome form for most of the this season. However, his silly penalty last week against Ireland may cost him a chance to play for England in the next two weeks, so he’d need Quins to beat Leinster in the H Cup and produce a few top class displays to travel.

Dwayne Peel too offers an outstanding all round game when on form, and is a superb breaker, and will undoubtedly be a leading candidate despite his indifferent form for Sale. Harry Ellis has enjoyed a return to form, and is quite experienced for his age. He’ll definitely be in the mix. Tomas O’Leary and Chris Cusiter could both challenge but they’re not in the same league as those mentioned above and I’d be very surprised if they managed to sneak on the tour.

As an outside bet, Ben Foden might be looked at. He hasn’t had a run of games at scrum half in ages, but he is probably the in form full back in the premiership, and we all know how versatility is a bonus for the Lions selectors.

On the plane: Mike Blair, Mike Phillips

Departures Lounge: Harry Ellis

Keep June Free: Danny Care, Dwayne Peel, Tomas O’Leary, Chris Cusiter
Outside Bet: Ben Foden

Lions Contenders – Back Row

Plenty of competition here!

At openside Martyn Williams is comfortable the best out and out 7 we have. His consistency of performance is phenomenal, and the best decision Gatland ever made was getting him out of retirement. David Wallace has been in world beating form this season and will definitely travel. He’s been outshone in the six nations by Ferris and Heaslip, but his ability to make hard yards is 2nd to none. Added to this, he can play anywhere across the back row so he’s a shoe in. With seven back rows likely to travel, it remains to be seen whether he’ll bring 2 or 3 opensides. Certainly Wallace’s inclusion would merit another out and out ground hog. Rees, Barclay and Worsley would be fighting for this. Barclay has been in impressive form of late, but can he stand toe to toe with Burger? He’s very inexperienced, but this never stopped McGeehan picking the likes of Eric Miller on previous tours. Joe Worsley is probably the best defender available but offers nothing in attack at all. Rees is probably the main candidate if he can get fit. He’d have to do something massive in premiership games with no international or European matches to play in but at least he’s playing under the nose of the boss at Wasps.

At blindside, Ryan Jones will almost certainly travel despite his very indifferent form. He was the best Lion on the terrible New Zealand tour, and leads his country admirably. Ferris has been exceptional this year for a recovering Ulster and Ireland. He’s an absolute beast of a man and will gladly put the body on the line against Smith and co. His inlusion would probably mean Haskells exclusion, which seems unlikely seeing as he is a Wasps player and probably England’s best forward this six nations. On for Ferris would get it, Haskell has played in far bigger games despite his young age. Neither will let us down. Stuart Barnes would probably cream himself if Tom Croft got in, but he doesn’t do anywhere near enough for me and his really inconsistent. He can light up a field with his pace, but he’s not a winger so unless he gets more physical he’s staying at home. There could be an argument he might travel as he can play lock as well, but its not a great reason.

At number 8, Powell is in pole position. He’s a monster of a carrier and tries as hard as anyone, but have you ever seen him offload. He’s the most head down number 8 I know. I’d say he’ll still go though. Heaslip started the Six Nations with a huge performance, but his form has been poor all year. His probably just in there at the moment but I reckon he’ll need one more big game to solidify his place. Simon Taylor has been in good form for Scotland, but is suffering a little from playing second row for his club. As per the Croft argument, this may help. He’s a good head up ball carrying number 8. I’d like to see him included.

They’re the main lads. Jonathon Thomas, Nick Easter, Jason White, Denis Leamy, Ali Hogg and Kelly Brown could all play their way in, and there are a host of options below them. It’s our strongest positions so we could debate it all day. As an outside bet, look out for Sean O’Brien of Leinster. He’s an absolute beast of a carrier, and great at the ground work. He’s almost no experience, but if McGeechan is going to throw out a wild card, why not the best open side prospect in Britain and Ireland?

On the Plane: Martyn Williams, David Wallace, Ryan Jones

Departures Lounge: Andy Powell, Jamie Heaslip, James Haskell, Simon Taylor

Keep June Free: Stephen Ferris, Tom Rees, John Barclay, Joe Worsley, Tom Croft

Lions Contenders – Locks

The merits of the talismanic Paul O’Connell have already been discussed, and it’s now a virtual certainty the big man will start the Lions series as the first man on the team sheet and captain. The man to lock the scrum with him is far less clear cut. A number of players are picking up a bit of form recently and with only four second rows likely to travel, there are some tight calls to be made.

Alan Wyn Jones is being talked about as the leading candidate to step in with big Paulie. He’s followed last years grand slam form with so sterling performances of late, and possess a sound all round game. It is his playing partner for Wales that has caught my eye most though. Ian Gough has hit some serious form in recent weeks. He’s more physical than his younger playing partner and in the last few years hasn’t really been talked about at a Lions level. He’s really impressed me with his work rate and tackling of late, and another big man to take on Bakkies would be very useful.

Donncha O’Callaghan has also picked up a bit of form recently. I never really got what he did to be honest. People always used to say he does all the unseen work, but as far as I was concerned it wasn’t seen because he was doing very little. I think he’s had a really good six nations so far and is as physical a lock as you’ll find in Britain at the moment. He’s a genuine contender, especially as he played Lions test on the last tour, and has locked the scrum with O’Connell for many a year now. Scotland’s two best locks, Hines and Murray, haven’t played this six nations so its hard to judge if they have a good shot at going to be honest. Both are hugely physical men, who would relish this side of the game against the Boks. Hopefully their club form is being watched by McGeechan.

From England, Borthwick has been so publicly ridiculed since accepting the captaincy he surely wont go. To be fair I actually thought he had a decent game against Ireland at the weekend, but he is a lineout specialist and that’s not whats needed against the boks. And to be honest, if it was, Kennedy is miles ahead. He is the best lineout forward Britain and Ireland have at their disposal. He’s been pretty active in the loose as well, but his problem is he’s a little light weight. He also has very little experience at this level. Simon Shaw has a decent shot as well, playing for McGeechan and Edwards club and being an absolute beast of a man. He’s getting on a bit though and is being ignored internationally so it’s unlikely.

That’s about it to be honest. Players like Charteris, Palmer, Kay, Hamilton, Kellock and Grewcock have outside bets if they get fit and playing well but any of their names included would be a massive shock. I can’t really see any outside bets. There’s no locks producing outstanding club form and not getting international recognition at the moment.

On the plane: Paul O’Connell

Departures Lounge: Alan Wyn Jones, Ian Gough, Donncha O’Callaghan

Keep June Free: Nick Kennedy, Nathan Hines, Steve Borthwick, Simon Shaw, Scott Murray

Lions Contenders – Front Row

With the Six Nations passing the half way mark, it’s about time we debate which warriors will attempt to reinstall pride into the Lions jersey. There aren’t many who can claim to be there “on form” but there are enough big game players producing decent performances to build on over the coming months. A good chunk of the candidates will have two internationals and a few Heineken Cup knock out games to stake their claim, so an improvement is badly needed. So far only O’Connell is guaranteed a place so it’s all to play for.

In the front row we are looking for 5 props and three hookers to take places in the touring party. Within this, there are already a few players who have booked their place. Gethin Jenkins has continued his effectiveness in the loose from the last time he toured, and a strong Welsh scrum is largely down to the loose head. The other loose head travelling will be Andy Sheridan. In recent weeks he has started to carry more, although still far less efficiently than a couple of years ago when he was one of the top carriers in the Guinness Premiership. The English scrum no longer has the same power it used to but Sheridan will more than hold his own against the big boks.

At tight head Euan Murray is being talked about as a shoe in. He is a good scummager and an expert in “the donkey work”. McGeechan will watch with interest over the next three weeks, as his club, Northampton, have no Heineken Cup for him to put forward his case post Six Nations. Two strong scrummaging performances against Ireland and England is a must. His main two challengers are Phil Vickery and Adam Jones. Whilst the former seems to be going backward in recent weeks, Jones has trimmed down and developed into a serious player this year. The Welsh scrum looks strong and Jones does a decent amount of work around the park. These five will likely travel, but don’t rule out Hayes, Horan, or White. Jacobson may well have figured but it looks like his injury at the weekend will out him out for 4 months. Also, with McGeechans proneness to select one or two dark horses, watch out for Yapp. If he can get game time before the end of the Six Nations, and with Cardiff going well in Europe, a man as effective in the loose as the big Welshman has a genuine shot at touring.

At hooker the options are far less salient. No one can safely say they are on the plane, and the seats in the departures lounge are sitting idle as well. Jerry Flannery is probably the leading candidate at present. The Irish set piece has been reasonably solid this season, and he has carried his usual share of ball with a decent return. Ross Ford is also playing recent rugby, but has less opportunities of test match intensity to fight for a spot with this club out of Europe. Lee Mears is the English incumbent, but may not have the size and power to take what will be an enormous South African tight five. This is where Dylan Hartley may benefit, but it could be he lacks the temperament to play at that level. When he came on against Ireland at the weekend, he gave a daft penalty away coming in the side of a maul through nothing more than lack of patients. Any hope of displacing Mears in two weeks time went with this act of lunacy. Matthews Rees is finding some form again, but I don’t think anyone can claim he would stand toe to toe with Smit and come out on top. There are a few others who may force their way into the squad with a bit of game time. Rory Best and Huw Bennett have something to offer midweek teams but not the test team. As my outside bet, I’ve chosen Bernard Jackman. There is no better ball carrying hooker in Britain or Ireland, and his consistency of performance is incredible. The tag of bad thrower is no longer appropriate, as any of the regular Leinster viewers will tell you. He would probably need Leinster to reach at least the Heineken Cup semi finals to stand a chance of travelling, but has the all round game to do some damage against the boks. He certainly offers more impact off the bench than any of his peers.

On the Plane: Gethin Jenkins, Andy Sheridan, Euan Murray

Departures Lounge: Adam Jones, Phil Vickery, Jerry Flannery, Ross Ford, Matthew Rees.

Keep June free: John Hayes, Marcus Horan, Julian White, Alan Jacobson, Lee Mears, Dylan Hartley, Rory Best, Huw Bennett.

Dark Horses: Darren Yapp, Bernard Jackman.

Lions Captain – One man head and shoulders above

In reality 95% of the Lions squad will be picked on 6 nations performances so we have only two more games to find the bulk of the squad. There aren’t many sticking up their hand, and the candidates for captain are even more limited.

From England, Borthwick is unlikely to even go on the tour, let alone start the test matches so we can rule him out. Vickery is the only other likely candidate and whilst his form leading into the tournament was outstanding, he isn’t covering himself in glory at the moment. Added to this, Sheridan and Jenkins are the likely starting props at present, and Adam Jones and Murray both playing better. Vickery leading the Lions out is not going to happen.

From Scotland Blair is the only realistic option, but McGeechan has already stated he wants his captain to be a forward. End of discussion. Wales offer a few options. Martyn Williams will probably start the tests but hasn’t captained his country. Ryan Jones is an outstanding leader, but would you have him in your Lions team ahead of a back row of Williams, Wallace, and either Heaslip, Powel or Taylor? He might be coming back into form but he isn’t guaranteed his place at present.
This brings us to the most realistic option. Whist O’Driscoll is playing brilliantly recently and has led his county’s most successful team ever, we must discount him for the same reason we discounted Blair. And so we are left with Paul O’Connell. The guy has been outstanding this season and has led Ireland as much as O’Driscoll out on the pitch. The players and fans love him, and at present he is the only man who is guaranteed a place in the Lions team. For me he is a virtual certainty to be appointed. You can get him at evens on Betfair. I have personally thrown a bit down on this, and the only reason I will lose it is if he gets injured. He will be captain. Fingers crossed a few others put their hand up in the next few weeks to fill the other 14 spots.