My Lions XV

On March 10th I picked my Lions XV and posted it on twitter @parsley76. Despite some big performances since then I'm sticking by the fifteen I picked.
Here are some thoughts on my selections.

15. Hogg. Has been catching the eye since he burst onto the International scene. Halfpenny is unlucky to miss out but I feel Hogg has the edge in attack.

 14. Bowe. I'm a big fan of Bowe. He may not be the fastest winger in the World but he's big, strong, intelligent, skillful and has Lions experience. Just made his return to action against the Dragons at the weekend, and should be able to show enough form in the next 2 weeks to book his place in the squad. 

  13. Brian O'Driscoll.  If there's one player who can inspire a team it's BOD. 

  12. Billy Twelvetrees.  There's star quality about this guy. He's got the full package you'd want for an International inside centre.  Can pass, run, kick, tackle and has the rugby intelligence to fill in at 10, should the stand-off be out of position.  A partnership with BOD is something I'm really looking forward to and I'm share Gatland will try it out early in the tour.

  11. Tim Visser. What no George North I hear you saying.  Well as a good a player as North is I feel he has been over-hyped since he burst onto the scene as a teenager.  And theres also Alex Cuthbert.  To be fair I think Visser, North and Cuthbert are all very similar.  I've gone for Visser simply because I believe he has the edge in pace and skill.

10. Sexton.  The most complete number 10 in the Home Nations. Plus the experience. A cert to start?

9. Greg Laidlaw. Bit of a left-field selection but just look at his performances for Scotland during the 6 Nations. Very consistent and an excellent goal kicker as back-up should Sexton have an off-day.  I haven't gone with Phillips because despite what he brings to the game I get so frustrated with his link play with the backs.  Alot of the time he arrives too slowly to the breakdown and also can take an age to pass the ball out.  A traditional scrum-half like Laidlaw will keep the game flowing at a good pace and I think that's the way to beat Australia. 

8. Heaslip.  Not his best 6 Nations.  I think the burden of Ireland captaincy affected his play.  I would still pick him as I expect him to recover form and he has that crucial experience as well.  Toby Faletau is slightly unlucky to miss out.

7. Robshaw. He would be my Captain.  I was initially thinking of BOD for the role but I feel the Captain needs to play the whole game and Brian probably won't last the full 80. The end of the 6 Nations saw Justin Tipruic have a stormer against England. That's done enough for Justin to get in the squad for sure.  And Warburton?  Similar in many ways to George North as regards over-hyping.  Will make the squad but I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make the Lions Test match day 22 squad.
Chris Robshaw has shown with the England captaincy that he can still play his best rugby despite the added responsibility. 

6. Sean O'Brien.  I've gone for the ball carrying impact of O'Brien over someone such as Dan Lydiate, who is more of a defensive specialist. 

5. Geoff Parling.  The second row is a highly competitive position and you could make a case for virtually all the starting locks of the Home Nations, plus choices such as Nathan Hines and Paul O'Connell.  Parling gets my nod because he quietly goes about doing his job to a high standard.  He'll be the backbone that the Lions pack is built on. 

4. Alun Wyn Jones. A true leader and rugby warrior.  Some people think he may get the nod for Lion's captain.  I'm not so sure, though in my eyes he's a cert to start the Test.

3. Adam Jones.  Say no more.

2. Rory Best.  Hard to ignore the great 6 Nations that Richard Hibberd had, although I'm sticking with Best.

1. Cian Healy. Good scrummager. Dynamic in the loose. A key ball carrier for the Lions.