Easter Lions Watch Update

Article Published: Thursday 9 April 2009

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Front Row

The combination of Gethin Jenkins at loose head and Euan Murray at tight gets the nod from most people "if those two aren't nailed on in our front row this summer then there's something wrong”.diarm

However, if you believe all those who are harping on about the Ian McGeechan-Wasps connection, you’ll put your money on Phil Vickery to start.

We think that Geech has been around for long enough and is wise enough to avoid falling into the trap of simply favouring players because he knows them best. Here is what he had to say about the matter.

Hooker is one of the positions that Ian McGeechan is likely to be agonising over as it is widely acknowledged as a potential weak spot. Jerry Flannery, Ross Ford are possibly Lee Mears are likely to travel but the test spot is "still wide open and whoever impresses on tour could well get the test start..."Shevkio

Second Row

Paul O’Connell’s test start is virtually guaranteed with Alun Wyn Jones the popular choice to partner him. However, with the awesome Springbok second row being one of their main strengths, perhaps selection of the more experienced Simon Shaw will be favoured.

"If the Lions locks can somehow get under the skin of Matfield and Botha, arguably 2 of the most badassed players in the world, it’s gonna go a long way in disrupting the Boks, it’s an area where they will take for granted their domination."Zinny.

But will Shaw even travel? Popular choices ahead of him are Donncha O’Callaghan, Nathan Hines and Nick Kennedy.

Back Row

The talk here is just as much about who will miss out as it is about who will be included in the squad. Jamie Heaslip and Andy Powell appear to be the front runners for no.8 with Denis Leamy an outsider who may be unlucky to miss out. Nick Easter is also making a late charge for selection and is certainly one to watch.

Tom Croft and James Haskell are in the frame on the blindside, but perhaps the tactic of selecting two opensides would serve the Lions better? The experience of Martyn Williams and David Wallace may be what is required to unsettle the Springboks.

Ryan Jones will definitely travel, and we would also like to see Alisdair Strokosch, Joe Worsley and Stephen Ferris included but unfortunately some players have to miss out. If Worsley travels, the Wasps connection theorists will say it’s only because he’s a Wasp.

Scrum Half

Scrum half Most pundits seem to favour Mike Phillips as favourite to be the Test starter, but we still favour Mike Blair to excel in the Lions setting. There is also lot of support for Dwayne Peel who is "the best scrum half in Britain... but he needs to be fit"Shevkio

Scrum half is one of the positions which is very much up for grabs this tour. Who do you think should start?

Fly Half

Whilst Stephen Jones and Ronan O'Gara are the leading contenders many people, including the likes of Jeremy Guscott and Jonathan Davies, believe that Jonny Wilkinson should be included in the squad. The potential inclusion of Wilkinson has raised plenty of hackles and sparked much lively debate, however injury appears to have reared its nasty head again as he is not named on the Newcastle team sheet this weekend. James Hook, Toby Flood or controversial choice Danny Cipriani look the most likely to fill the third fly half berth.

Centres

Following his great 6 Nations form there is almost 100% agreement that Brian O’Driscoll will start at outside centre.

There is much more indecision at inside centre and selection is looking tricky with Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Gordon D'Arcy and Riki Flutey all in the mix. If Flutey travels there might well be a good deal of bad feeling about his eligibility, especially as he played against the Lions in 2005. "I will not watch any game that Flutey is involved in, either starting or on the bench. He does not represent me as I am not Maori."TaffinEastbourne2

Gavin Henson’s chances of touring now appear very slim following an injury sustained in the Ospreys recent Anglo-Welsh Cup semi-final match against Gloucester.

Back Three

At fullback our three predicted squad members of Lee Byrne, Rob Kearney and Delon Armitage seem to be agreed on by pretty much everyone. At the moment Lee Byrne looks most likely to bag the test spot, but Lions test selection is all about form on tour.

In contrast, the jury is still out tourists who will appear on the wing. Whilst Tommy Bowe and Shane Williams are almost certain to tour, the Spingboks great strength in broken play suggests perhaps "throwing it wide would not be a good tactic”leighton

Therefore perhaps Mark Cueto and Luke Fitzgerald might be pushed forward. Who else should tour? We think it will come down to a choice between Thom Evans, Josh Lewsey and Leigh Halfpenny.