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.