Lions

The question on everyone’s lips this week - did the English players do enough to force themselves into the Rugby Rugby 2009 British and Irish Lions team. The answer, simply, is no. See who our selectors have picked to do the job in South Africa this summer.

After a week off, the panel sat down on Monday morning and, after three hours of debate, emerged with their XV. Needless to say this lot take their role far too seriously but one could never accuse our coaching staff of lacking commitment to the cause. 

The reason for the great debate was obvious - England. Having completely outplayed France over the weekend a number of their stars put their hands up for selection and suddenly look like contenders for the tour. 

Can one performance though really be enough to earn your way into the Lions team? Well history would suggest it probably could. Our selectors however are not as easily moved.

Despite his fantastic efforts this weekend, Delon Armitage only forces his way into our thoughts, no more. Lee Byrne, Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe, a trio of Ospreys stars, retain their places in the back three and, in the selectors opinion, are still the best option to provide the threat against the Springboks.

As many predicted, looking to what we expect will be the choice come June 20th, Brian O’Driscoll is joined in the midfield by his long-time teammate Gordon D’Arcy. The two Irishmen are just too strong a combo to be toyed with. Jamie Roberts, the Welsh powerhouse, is the man who gives way.

Experienced Munster man Ronan O’Gara slips into the No.10 slot. Having battled for dominance with Stephen Jones so far this campaign, this weekend, when they go head-to-head, might just answer all our remaining questions for us.

Mike Blair, a Rugby Rugby favourite, retains his spot despite the remarkable return of Peter Stringer. The Ireland No.9 does though take his place on the bench.

The loose forward trio sees just one change. Having replaced him in the England team, Tom Croft now takes James Haskell’s spot in the Lions side as well. It is Croft’s first appearance in the test side but few would have thought the Leicester man would not have been involved in the extended touring party from the start.

His performances over the last couple of weeks, for both club and country, see him leapfrog the likes of Stephen Ferris and Ryan Jones into the starting side.

The front five, consisting of three Welshman, one Scot and one Irishmen, remains in place. Competition is fierce up front but this force of five retains the faith of the selectors and look to have more than enough quality amongst them to provide a test for the formidable Springbok tight forwards.

The Team:

Lions: 15 Lee Byrne (WAL), 14 Tommy Bowe (IRE), 13 Brian O’Driscoll (captain) (IRE), 12 Gordon D’Arcy (IRE), 11 Shane Williams (WAL), 10 Ronan O’Gara (IRE), 9 Mike Blair (SCO), 8 Jamie Heaslip (IRE), 7 Martyn Williams (WAL), 6 Tom Croft (ENG), 5 Paul O’Connell (IRE), 4 Alun-Wyn Jones (WAL), 3 Euan Murray (SCO), 2 Matthew Rees (WAL), 1 Gethin Jenkins (WAL)
Replacements: 16 Lee Mears (ENG), 17 Phil Vickery(ENG), 18 Donncha O’Callaghan (IRE), 19 Ryan Jones (WAL), 20 Peter Stringer (IRE), 21 Stephen Jones (WAL), 22 Rob Kearney(IRE)

Number of Players in the Starting XV:

Wales: Six
Ireland: Six
Scotland: Two
England: One

Still in our thoughts… Delon Armitage, Joe Worsley, Geordan Murphy, Gavin Henson, Danny Care, Simon Taylor, Marcus Horan, Luke Fitzgerald, Mike Phillips, Leigh Halfpenny, Stephen Ferris, Riki Flutey, Mark Cueto