It is no mean feat trying to plot the downfall of the world champions on their own patch with only 8 weeks preparation time, so the composition of the squad needs to be spot on. There will be surprises, bolters, players that play their way into the test team on tour and surely a cry of Wasps bias to throw into the mix.

The Six Nations brought an exciting climax, some flashes of brilliance along the way, but was tarnished by a host of mediocrity across the board. On the back of an historic Irish Grand Slam, a large proportion of Irish players could be expected. Not only have they just won a Slam, but the majority of the Irish players are now hugely experienced many with well over 50 caps, 2 Heineken Cups and 2 World Cups under their belts. Wales struggled to live up to their 2008 vintage, but still showed glimpses of excellence and whilst some of the players’ form has dipped alarmingly, others have maintained excellence. England started to show more towards the end of the championship but their almost criminal penalty count and relative inexperience will see some players left to play Argentina. Scotland has struggled, despite some of the most talented players at their disposal for years. There are undoubtedly some players north of the border who could thrive in a more competitive environment.

To get to the final 35, it may be expected that there will be roughly 2 players to fight out every position, with some additional players. For example, there is likely to be 3 hookers, 3 scrum halves, a fifth prop, an extra back rower and fly half. Let’s go through the squad from 1 to 15 and detail the contenders before selecting the tourists.

Props

Hooker

This is undoubtedly the position where the Lions look the weakest, especially considering the strength in depth for the Springboks in John Smit and Bismarck DuPlessis heading the queue. Jerry Flannery has been irrepressible for Ireland and Munster this season and his throwing has tightened up. He is an important cog in a strong Irish lineout. Matthew Rees has finally cemented the Welsh position and is a very capable, if unspectacular operator. Throwing can become jittery, but he is a very strong carrier. Lee Mears has got better every game for England and his running game is stunning, often picking lines that Greenwood would be proud of. His throwing is the best of the contenders but sometimes his excitement gets the better of him and he forces an offload. Indeed, it was his forced offload and turnover that gave Leicester the position to win their Heineken Cup quarter final. Ross Ford has struggled this season for Scotland but he is certainly the most imposing of the home nation hookers. His pace and ability on the ball could be crucial on the hard grounds of South Africa and he may thrive on tour. His throwing may be his Achilles heel but he remains the most physically imposing. A lot has been said of Dylan Hartley but he has yet to be given an opportunity from the start for England. He would be better served going on the England tour. Huw Bennett has been poor for the Ospreys recently and showed little for Wales when he came off the bench.

Second Row

Paul O’Connell had a supreme 6 nations and is a superb lineout operator. He is always willing to offer himself as a runner and is vicious at the breakdown. His form could be critical to the success of the tour. His Ireland and Munster colleague, Donnacha O’Callaghan, had a less impressive 6 nations but his importance to the Ireland team should not be underestimated. Not the most inspiring front jumper, but a player that will hit rucks and tackle all day. Allows O’Connell to do the more eye-catching work and has proven to be an outstanding tourist. Alun Wyn Jones has been one of the stand-out players for Wales this season, fulfilling a similar role to that O’Connell does for Ireland. Strong lineout operator and has thrived with extra responsibility for Wales. One of the few players not to be tarnished by recent Ospreys performances. Ian Gough is a willing work horse for Wales but his relative inability at the lineout will surely count against him. Simon Shaw is undoubtedly one of the most talented footballing locks around and can prove a complete irritant to the opposition. One of the few players still around with the experience of a winning Lions tour, only being able to get to 60 minutes may be an issue with a streamlined squad. Steve Borthwick has come under a truck load of pressure this season and had a woeful start to the 6 nations. However, when charged with simply hitting rucks, making tackles and securing restarts, he looked a much better player. His inability to make any metres carrying the ball will count against him. A better lineout operator than O’Callaghan and Gough but will struggle to make the tour. Nick Kennedy is undoubtedly the finest lineout operator in Europe at present and his athleticism could see him make the tour – especially against the likes of Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha. It could be the making of him as an international. Nathan Hines missed the entire 6 nations and, although he has all the attributes to play the ‘enforcer’ role successfully, his lack of game time will count against him. Both Simon Taylor and Jason White have failed to look impressive in the second row this season and should remain as back row contenders.

Back Row

Perhaps the most important part of the squad to get right, the South African back row is an outstanding mix. The likely combination of Smith, Burger and Spies should not be taken lightly and will require a certain combination for the Lions to succeed. To start on the blindside, Ryan Jones has had a poor 2009 so far. He has appeared off the pace for both Wales and the Ospreys. He has lacked authority and has struggled to get any go-forward. Tom Croft had an outstanding climax to the 6 Nations and his speed and strength in the lineout could be critical. He also offers a second row option. James Haskell as struggled to impose himself this season both for England and Wasps. He has undoubtedly missed a golden opportunity to take up Dallaglio’s mantle for both and has set himself as a 6. Has fantastic ability but sometimes plays with the blinkers on and can be prone to giving stupid penalties away. He may prove a prickly tourist as well. Stephen Ferris had a very strong 6 Nations and is an imposing physical presence both in the tackle and at the breakdown. Alasdair Strokosch is a similar player to Ferris – a strong player who rarely misses a tackle. His ability with ball in hand, however, is weaker than the other contenders. Alan Quinlan deserves a mention due to his consistency for Munster. He is a constant irritant to opposition defences and gets through all the donkey work. Joe Worsley had an outstanding championship at 7 and has finally shown his Wasps form on the international stage. His defensive ability is world class and he can be a forceful presence in the loose. He can also cover all three back row positions. Moving across to Number 8, the standout player this season has been Jamie Heaslip. A strong carrier, a destructive tackler and a soft pair of hands, he is quickly becoming a world class operator. Elsewhere, Simon Taylor is the ultimate work horse and gets through a mountain of work. Nick Easter has improved but he remains prone to giving away needless penalties and getting turned over in contact. He consistently looks sluggish over the ground. Andy Powell had an outstanding start to the season and is a very strong ball carrier. Needs to add another dimension to his game, however, and this tour may just be out of his reach. Denis Leamy has missed a lot of the season, but he remains an outside contender for a weak position. On the openside, the two leading candidates are David Wallace and Martyn Williams. Wallace is perhaps the most complete back row forward in Europe currently. He is an outstanding carrier, strong on the floor and is often the link to the backs. Williams has a fantastic rugby brain and is the prime operator on the floor. His ability with ball in hand is superb. John Barclay has the potential to be a world class 7, as was shown in Glasgow’s stunning victory in Toulouse, but he may just be too raw for this tour. Tom Rees is the closest likeness across the home nations to David Wallace and despite his recent injuries he could still make the squad.

Scrum Half

A position of relative strength for the Lions, it may have proved the liveliest debate for the management. Mike Blair has struggled for Scotland this season, but he remains an outstanding scrum half who has a strong passing and running game. Also has the ability to set the tempo of the game. Another who can provide a useful conduit for the captain. Mike Phillips has the strength and running game to keep the South African back row on their toes and offers a different style of game to Blair. Both Tomas O’Leary and Peter Stringer have strong passing games but are lacking in other areas of their game and are unlikely to tour. Danny Care again offers searing pace and another dimension to the other scrum halves but his passing does require some polish. Harry Ellis has the tenacity and experience that could be vital in South Africa. Dwayne Peel has struggled this season but on form is the best in the business. However, he is so far from showing that form that it would be a huge gamble to take him.

Fly Half

The two outstanding candidates are O’Gara and Jones. O’Gara this season appears to have finally put some demons to bed and a player with his experience could be vital to the Lions, especially without Jonny Wilkinson. Jones has a stronger defensive game but his tactical kicking is probably behind O’Gara’s. James Hook has talent, and the versatility to play 12. However, he has failed to usurp the less talented Jones and has been woeful recently for the Ospreys. Phil Godman is another with undoubted talent but his kicking game is nowhere near good enough to get him onto the plane. Toby Flood lacks the authority and ability to turn a game. Whilst he is currently England’s first choice, he is not the best fly half in England. Danny Cipriani has all the talent in the world and can cover full back. He has struggled for form this season, but there have been glimpses recently of what he can do, most notably at Vicarage Road against Saracens. A lot has been talked about the metal in his ankle and this could yet restrict his tour. He can conjure things from nothing and offers a different style to both O’Gara and Jones. His personality, however, may not fit. Although the heavy Wasps presence may still see him make the tour.

Centre

The outstanding centre this season has been Brian O’Driscoll. He dragged Ireland to victory against England virtually single handed and, despite lacking the pace of his youth, is still a stunning all round rugby player. He is another player whose experience of leading teams may prove invaluable. Riki Flutey slowly got better and better for England this season and was the other outstanding centre in this season’s 6 Nations. His defence is solid, he can bust tackles and force turnovers and couples this with fine distribution. He can also cover 10, which could be vital defensively with O’Gara in the team. Tom Shanklin has been an important cog in the machine for Wales for a number of years now and his running lines can get behind the defence regularly. Provides a good target for his forwards and his ability to stay on his feet in the tackle is invaluable. Mike Tindall has proved an important player for England this season and offers a similar game to Shanklin. However, his poor distribution skills compared to the Welshman may see him miss out. Gordon D’Arcy has come back from an horrific broken arm at a good time. An outstanding defensive contribution for Leinster in the Heineken Cup against Harlequins, along with fantastic feet and footballing ability, he is definitely in with a shout. Jamie Roberts is a strong runner and could be vital in getting the team moving forward but struggled in the back end of the 6 Nations. He can cover wing and full back as well which could prove important. James Hook should also come into contention for a centre spot. Less responsibility could unshackle his game in South Africa. The footwork and speed of Max Evans shouldn’t be discounted, but his surge may have come too late to displace the experience of the other contenders. Keith Earls is another who’s speed and low centre of gravity are reminiscent of a young Brian O’Driscoll and will see him come under consideration. He can also cover wing and full back and could be this season’s bolter. He has thrived in the Heineken Cup with Munster and looks like a serious threat every time he has his hands on the ball.

Wing

One of the strongest areas of the squad, there are a number of players who have played themselves into the squad this season. The cutting angles and bravery of Luke Fitzgerald, the strength and safety of Tommy Bowe are outstanding options. Both players can cover other positions across the backline – a vital ingredient to a successful tourist. The trickery and unpredictability of Shane Williams, despite a quiet 6 Nations, will be critical in South Africa. Mark Cueto’s footballing ability and eye for the try line have come back with a bang in this season’s 6 Nations. The searing speed of Thom Evans and Ugo Monye may be the closest to Habana in Europe, but their deficiencies in positional play and going backwards may hinder their chances. Paul Sackey’s injury blighted 6 Nations may harm his chances but he has been outstanding for a couple of years and the management’s proximity to him at Wasps could just push him onto the plane. Josh Lewsey has been criminally overlooked by England this season and his imminent retirement would see him leaving everything on the fields of South Africa is picked. His ability to cut a line, make yards going forward and his versatility could see him on the plane.

Full Back

The two stand out players have been Lee Byrne and Rob Kearney. Both are as safe as you could wish for under the high ball and both enter the line with stunning pace and timing. On top of this, they both possess booming left boots and can put an end to the aerial ping pong that has blighted ELVs rugby. Chris Paterson offers a metronomic boot and a dangerous running game, whilst Delon Armitage has been outstanding for England this season. Olly Morgan has had outstanding games for Gloucester but has struggled with injuries, whilst Ben Foden’s rapier-like incisions into the line could see him as the bolter in this year’s squad.

So there you have it – a 36 man squad (one extra due to supreme indecision) to take on the World Champions. No doubt there will be cries of favouritism and there will be different opinions. What is unanimous, however, is the excitement that is being generated by this year’s tour. It promises to be a hugely physical and confrontational series and the Lions will need to be at the top of their game to repeat the feats of the 1997 tour.

• Gethin Jenkins
• Andrew Sheridan
• Euan Murray
• Phil Vickery
• John Hayes
• Jerry Flannery
• Lee Mears
• Ross Ford
• Paul O’Connell (C)
• Donnacha O’Callaghan
• Alun Wyn Jones
• Simon Shaw
• Tom Croft
• Joe Worsley
• Stephen Ferris
• Jamie Heaslip
• David Wallace
• Martyn Williams
• Tom Rees
• Mike Blair
• Mike Phillips
• Harry Ellis
• Ronan O’Gara
• Stephen Jones
• Danny Cipriani
• Riki Flutey
• Brian O’Driscoll
• Jamie Roberts
• Tom Shanklin
• Paul Sackey
• Shane Williams
• Josh Lewsey
• Tommy Bowe
• Rob Kearney
• Lee Byrne
• Delon Armitage

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