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.
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.
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