Ireland’s disappointing season ended in a first ever-defeat in the Six Nations to Italy, and our Lions representation could be slimmer than first thought.
By Declan Whooley
Wales emphatic win over England secured back-to-back titles as once again English Grand Slam hopes were dashed on the final day. Along with an ever-improving Scottish side, the Irish contingent on the plane to Australia looks like being fewer than we had thought at the start of the campaign.
We decided to pick our Lions team based on the Six Nations form. Some calls were very close, others were more straight-forward. While we hope that Jonny Sexton and Paul O’Connell recover from their injuries and challenge for a Test spot, this team is chosen from the star performers of the 2013 campaign.
15 – Leigh Halfpenny
A shoe-in for the full-back jersey barring injury. Calm under the high-ball, imperious from the boot and an ability to bring his backs into play, Rob Kearney and Ally Hogg look like battling for place on the bench.
14 – Alex Cuthbert
The hero of the day in Cardiff bagged two tries to add to his scores against Ireland and Italy. Will be more than a handful for the Aussies.
13 – Brian O’Driscoll
The yellow card against Italy aside, has again been a talisman for Ireland in what has been a difficult season. Could be the dream swansong.
12 – Manu Tuilagi
Based almost as much on potential as performance, the monster centre has perhaps been the best of the bunch. Could be an explosive midfield partnership.
11 – George North
Hard to argue against a Welsh back three. Another Welsh lad who always ate his dinner, could come under pressure from Tim Visser and whatever Irish wings are actually fit.
10 – Dan Biggar
With Jonny Sexton’s injury and Owen Farrell’s quieter end to the season, Biggar has emerged as the stand-out choice. The Ospreys man has stepped up to the plate and without being spectacular has kept the backline
9 – Mike Phillips
A tricky position to choose. Mike Phillips has been consistent this year without hitting the heights of previous campaigns. Conor Murray grew in stature with each game,Greig Laidlaw had his moments for Scotland while Ben Youngs impressed for England before the Cardiff collapse. Phillips by virtue of the Welsh win and previous experience.
1 – Cian Healy
Yes the stamp was a blot on the copybook and Gethin Jenkins came into good form but Healy has to be the starting loosehead. More carries than any other prop and more consistent scrimmaging would make him a handful for the Australian pack.
2 – Richard Hibbard
Another position that is not clear. Hibbard came into the side and has improved the lineout, while has shown himself to be a strong defender. Rory Best, like Ireland, began the campaign brightly before fading while Ross Ford will hope past experience will champion his cause.
3 – Adam Jones
Another banker on the team barring injury. The rock of the Welsh scrum, his previous Lions experience will be invaluable. Dan Cole and Euan Murray look likely to scrap it out for a place on the bench.
4 – Joe Launchbury
While he suffered like his colleagues in the cauldron that was Cardiff, he can look back on a stellar campaign. The 21-year-old made more tackles than any other second row and his work at the breakdown, as well as the line-out, was immense. Edges Donnacha Ryan after the disappointment in Rome.
5 – Jim Hamilton
The 6’ 8” lock has upstaged Richie Gray in the Scottish second row and has been one of the performers of the season. Just shades Alun Wyn-Jones for the number five jersey as he only stared the last two games, while Geoff Parling is also in the running.
6 – Sam Warburton
While he won’t admit it, losing the captaincy, and his favourite position, will have been a big blow to the Blues man. Will take any starting Lions jersey, but with the form of Tipuric, the number six looks more likely now.
7 – Justin Tipuric
Much hyped before the competition, he has lived up to his billing by forcing Welsh management to move their captain Sam Warburton. A true ‘fetcher’, his ball handling skills were clearly on show at the weekend.
8 – Sean O’Brien
In our last team we had him at six, and we have moved him to eight due to Welsh competition. He may be squeezed out of the team, but if Gatland wants a hard-running backrower to take the game to the Aussies, he has to be in the team somewhere. Only Louis Picamoles carried more ball than the Tullow Tank.
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