It has been far too long since my last post here at Sports Lens.
Apologies one and all.
However, following the big climax to the RBS Six Nations this weekend, what better time to get back into the swing of things.
We could wax lyrical for some time about the Welsh recovery or the Italian Job which ended a lacklustre Irish campaign.
Yet it is with a forward thinking mindset this blog is written as I cast my eye over the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.
Warren Gatland will head the selection process for the tour which gets underway in June, but for the coming moments as you read on I lace up in Gatland’s boots to pick my Lions XV.
Full Back:
Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
Full back is one of the fifteen starting roles which needs little debate. Halfpenny put in some brave shifts in defence whilst topping the points scoring tally for the tournament with 74 to his name. A glimmer of weakness escapes me when looking back on his Six Nations campaign and his performance in the Welsh mauling of England was fantastic.
Right Wing:
George North (Wales)
Anyone stood in a defensive capacity would be justified a little quaking in their boot at hearing North’s name on the team sheet. A pivotal part of an omnipotent Welsh back trio, North has show a combination of agility and brute force to make him a sure fire candidate for a staring jersey come June.
Inside Centre
Manu Tuilagi (England)
A man mountain. No better way to describe this bulldozing centre who is a terror to opposition defences on his day. The midfield is certainly an area which will keep Warren Gatland awake at night by the selection of Tuilagi is definitely a strong option. At the heart of the attack he will attract players, even if he isn’t breaking g through tackles he will create openings for his teammates to seize upon.
Outside Centre:
Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
Maybe there is no statistical adjudication for this selection. However, I find it impossible to omit the great Irish stalwart. We have seen him make his final appearance in the emerald green but if partnered with Tuilagi in the centre for the Lions the combination could be lethal. Following Saturday’s Rome misery O’Driscoll has been cited for stamping but there is no escaping the talent this man has displayed year in, year out.
Left Wing:
Tim Visser (Scotland)
Having become the first Dutchman to play professional rugby and pledging his allegiances to the Flower of Scotland Visser is rapidly making himself part of the furniture on the international scene. The winger scored two tries including the one which awarded France the dreaded wooden spoon.
Fly Half:
Jonathan Sexton (Ireland)
The Irish number ten spent only 111 minutes in action, yet the quality of performance will almost certainly ensure Sexton appears on Gatland’s drawing board. During his short time on the field Sexton contributed 15 points including three conversions and three penalties. This man sure has the credentials to cause terror down under.
Scrum Half:
Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)
Prior the Six Nations it would have been Mike Phillips taking this slot. However, in an almost unseen fashion Laidlaw has emerged a favourable candidate for the Lions starting XV. When casting eye over the Scottish highlights Laidlaw is ever present. He could well be a Lions number nine after Ben Youngs and Danny Care in England colours have fallen short of supremacy.
Tighthead Prop:
Adam Jones (Wales)
The Welsh scrum has been outstanding in the majority. Jones has been essential to that. His work in controlling the scrummage has been exceptional as Jones continues to develop in a flourishing Welsh outfit. Injury has dampened recent times for Jones but it appears they may well be a distant memory.
Hooker:
Richard Hibbard (Wales)
As mentioned, the Welsh scrum was key to the nation’s eventual defence of the Six Nations. Many would have named Ireland’s Rory Best ahead of the tournament by Hibbard has benefitted from being a part of a championship winning movement. Also produces well in the line out.
Loosehead Prop:
Ryan Grant (Scotland)
Having completed the campaign with a 94.95% tackle ratio Grant is a serious contender for the Lions defence. However the Scot may have black marked his own chances of selection after being sin binned against Ireland when a lack of discipline saw him fail to retreat after a free kick was awarded.
Locks:
Geoff Parling (England)
Now this one could be seen as a wildcard selection but I fancy the work of Parling featuring in the Lions campaign. Throughout the Six Nations he proved the be a controlling and dominant force in the England line out. Meanwhile, off the ball he exhibited a truly dogged work ethic making tackle after tackle when England were under attack.
Jim Hamilton (Scotland)
In the line out Hamilton as unstoppable. He won 11. Stole another four on top of that. If the Lions want assurance and consistency in set piece play them Hamilton could well be the man for the job. The Scot also received the man of the match accolade for his contribution during a 12-8 victory over Ireland at Murrayfield.
Blindisde Flanker:
Tom Wood (England)
Another difficult selection for Gatland here. Kelly Brown and Sean O’Brien run this one to the wire. The latter is possibly superior with ball in hand but Wood’s willingness to cover the hard yards gets him the nod. Wood appears to relish the floor work while his selection would provide extra options in the line out. O’Brien would definitely be an impact coming from the sideline.
Openside Flanker:
Sam Warburton (Wales)
Warburton’s compatriot and England skipper Chris Robshaw will be given due thought by Gatland here. It is however the Welsh captain who takes the position after a consistent tournament proved his demons are well and truly behind him. Almost impeccable at the breakdown and making good territory with ball in hand makes Warburton the stand out favourite to start at number seven.
Number 8:
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
The Irishman takes the nod ahead of Welsh newcomer Toby Faletau simply on experience at the top level. Heaslip has caps in the locker and has been a constant influence in the Irish set up for a number of years. While Ireland have been far from championship contention Heaslip has done his utmost to drive his nation forward and would be a force at the heart of a Lions XV. The relief of not having captaincy would also free the number eight to concentrate on his game.
On the bench:
Rory Best (Ireland), Dan Cole (England), Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Joe Launchbury (England), Sean O’Brien (ireland), Ben Youngs (England), Owen Farrell (England), Stuart Hogg (Scotland).
There you have my opinion on who should make the cut.
Now it’s your turn, please feel free to get involved with your version of the team below…
Through the sports lens 