Warren Gatland will finalise his Lions squad selection two weeks from today, so we knocked our heads together and selected the XV that would make the test team if it were picked on form today.
By Declan Whooley
When we picked our last team after the final round of the Six Nations we had nine Welshmen in the team, and there could well have been another couple. Now that the dust has settled on that competition and we are at the semi-final stage of the Heineken Cup, we have made four changes to our team.
Out go Manu Tuilagi, Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips, Joe Launchbury and Jim Hamilton as we feel that others in their positions have come to the fore.
Here is the team we have chosen (based on form remember!) and let us know what you think.
15. Leigh Halfpenny
Rob Kearney has been playing well for Leinster but there is no getting away from the fact that the Welshman has been one of the outstanding performers in the Northern Hemisphere over the past six months. Realistically only injury will deprive him of the number 15 jersey.
14. Alex Cuthbert
While his profile has dipped since the Six Nations, that is a reflection of the current state of the Cardiff Blues. Chris Ashton has shown a glimmer of form for Saracens (not enough and we never said you had to like him!) and Tommy Bowe is back from injury, but the Welshman is in pole position.
13. Brian O’Driscoll
Whatever concerns there are about his age, the reality is that no one comes close to challenging him for the outside centre position. Jonathan Davies improved as the Six Nations progressed but when they went head-to-head in Cardiff, there was only one winner.
12. Jamie Roberts
Manu Tuilagi drops out and in comes BOD’s 2009 partner in crime and Lions star performer in South Africa, Jamie Roberts. He offers the perfect foil to the Irishman and is coming back to form at the right time. Also now a qualified doctor, so things are on the up and up for the Blues man.
11. George North
Like Cuthbert, has had little top action rugby since the Six Nations decider at the Millennium, with most of his headlines stemming from his move to Northampton. Simon Zebo will push him close you imagine, particularly if Munster reach the European final, but North should prevail when they head south.
10. Owen Farrell
Dan Biggar can justifiably say he has done little wrong, but Owen Farrell has been performing well at the higher level of the Heineken Cup. Sarries are about as entertaining as watching paint dry, but Farrell is playing his role to perfection. Jonathan Sexton has the proven pedigree and quality, and few would argue he isn’t the most talented number 10 available, but injury has left him on the sidelines, and we wonder just how much rugby he will play between now and the end of the season.
9. Conor Murray
Mike Phillips is playing well for Bayonne, but considering they sit in 11th position in the Top 14, things aren’t going great on the club scene. Conor Murray had his best season in an Irish jersey and was outstanding at the Stoop when Munster toppled highly fancied Harlequins. The Limerick man edges Phillips for now, but along with Ben Youngs, this will be an intriguing battle.
1. Cian Healy
A moment of madness aside against England, still looks the best bet at loose-head, with his ball carrying crucial in Australia. The Aussie scrum will also not be as testing you’d imagine as it would be in New Zealand and South Africa so he could really flourish in an open game.
2. Richard Hibbard
The dodgiest hooker scenario since Hugh Grant and Divine Brown in 1995. England were chopping and changing throughout, Rory Best has had a severe case of the wobbles recently and even Scott Hastings has not been too impressed by Ross Ford. Matthew Rees was dropped for Hibbard who took his opportunity and just about keeps the jersey.
3. Adam Jones
This is a no-brainer. His injury in 2009 had a serious impact in South Africa and is arguably the best scrummager in the Six Nations. It may not help his match sharpness, but should be wrapped in a large amount of cotton wool between now and the First Test.
4. Alun-Wyn Jones
Many people’s tip for the captaincy grew into the Six Nations after injury curtailed his involvement. He was imperious against England, and after a disappointing first Test against South Africa four years ago (dropped for the subsequent tests after a below par display), will be gunning to make amends.
5. Paul O’Connell
With Jim Hamilton injured and Paulie coming back into form we had to include him in our side. The careless boot to the head of Dave Kearney could have had serious implications, but he escaped and is undoubtedly the form lock in Europe.
6. Sam Warburton
An up-and-down Six Nations, but ultimately more ups and a strong finish. Man of the match against the Scots and then a barnstorming display against England, he deserves his place, even if it is at the less familiar blindside position.
7. Justin Tipuric
A ground hog, an out-an-out seven, a traditional openside, whatever you want to call him, Justin Tipuric has played himself onto the Lions side. David Pocock will miss the Tour, but in Michael Hooper they have a brilliant replacement.
8. Sean O’Brien
Some might argue that the backrow is slightly unbalanced with Warburton at six and O’Brien at eight, but for us he has to start. Tipuric has seven sewn up and eight allows the Tullow Tank to go galloping on the dry Aussie sod and it’s not like he isn’t familiar with operating at the back of the scrum. Ben Morgan, Jamie Heaslip, Toby Faletau and even John Beattie will also challenge.
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