We're over halfway through the 6 Nations, so I guess a fair idea of how the Lions team will line up in SA should be forming. I think it's safe to say the Springboks aren't exactly going to be soiling themselves about what they've seen so far, but this would be my team:
15. Lee Byrne - No question about this. One of, if not the form player in World Rugby for the past 18 months.
14. Paul Sackey - Just edges it, with Bowe, Halfpenny and particularly Mark Jones going close. I think Jones is more of a pure rugby player and has a superb work ethic, but Sackey's pace and power will come in very handy out in SA.
13. Brian O'Driscoll - Seems to have recovered from quite a lengthy blip in form, but any hint that he may be able to reach the levels he is capable of make him an automatic selection, perhaps even as Captain.
12. Gavin Henson - No particularly outstanding candidates at inside-centre: Jamie Roberts has done pretty well for Wales, Tindall would be an experienced and solid choice. But I think Henson has the quality to take a game by the balls, with the ball in hand and with the boot; plus he is very strong in the tackle. Even if he is a massive prick.
11. Shane Williams - his small stature might get exploited, but he is too much of a dangerous player to even consider dropping.
10. Stephen Jones - If he can only get his goalkicking to a consistently high level, he is miles ahead of any other options. Maybe not the most exciting choice for some, but his organization of the back line in defence and in attack, plus his top class ability to pick a pass make him a pretty strong choice at 10.
9. Dwayne Peel - I really hope he gets his chance to cement his place in the Wales team between now and the end of the 6 Nations, because he is such a more exciting and dynamic choice at 9 than Mike Phillips or Harry Ellis. The physicality of the SA back row might see Phillips get the nod for his size and aggression, but they just wouldn't get a hand on an on-form Peel.
1. Gethin Jenkins - Is now miles ahead of Sheridan after Wales outscrummaged England.
2. Matthew Rees - Jerry Flannery might get the nod, but Rees is more dynamic in the loose, and neither are particularly outstanding lineout throwers.
3. Euan Murray - I won't pretend to know very much about props, but Murray seems to be pretty highly rated and we've got to squeeze a Scot in there somewhere.
4. Paul O'Connell - A proper warrior at 4, he'll scrap with the best of them and won't be scared of getting in the South Africans' faces.
5. Alun Wyn Jones - Is developing into one of the best second rows in the world, and will compliment O'Connell perfectly
6. Ryan Jones - Despite being dropped by Wales for this round of 6 Nations games, I still think he will be considered a big player for the Lions, and another contender for captain. I would still prefer to see him at 8, but Gatland obvious likes him as a flanker and I think that is where he will slot into the Lions team.
7. Martyn Williams - Has been consistently excellent at international level for some time now, and has the intelligence and the experience to take advantages of any rare turnover opportunities offered by South Africa.
8. Jamie Heaslip - It seems a bit odd to have none of the highly-rated Irish back row in my line-up, but for me Heaslip edges out Andy Powell, who can be pretty hit and miss.
So there we go ... quite the lengthy post. I can't see the team above taking a series victory out there, although there is a lot of ability at Gatland and McGeechan's disposal and, injuries permitting, we could really test the World Champions.
I know there aren't that many rugby fans on the forum, but surely a couple of people fancy telling me how wrong I am?
15. Lee Byrne - No question about this. One of, if not the form player in World Rugby for the past 18 months.
14. Paul Sackey - Just edges it, with Bowe, Halfpenny and particularly Mark Jones going close. I think Jones is more of a pure rugby player and has a superb work ethic, but Sackey's pace and power will come in very handy out in SA.
13. Brian O'Driscoll - Seems to have recovered from quite a lengthy blip in form, but any hint that he may be able to reach the levels he is capable of make him an automatic selection, perhaps even as Captain.
12. Gavin Henson - No particularly outstanding candidates at inside-centre: Jamie Roberts has done pretty well for Wales, Tindall would be an experienced and solid choice. But I think Henson has the quality to take a game by the balls, with the ball in hand and with the boot; plus he is very strong in the tackle. Even if he is a massive prick.
11. Shane Williams - his small stature might get exploited, but he is too much of a dangerous player to even consider dropping.
10. Stephen Jones - If he can only get his goalkicking to a consistently high level, he is miles ahead of any other options. Maybe not the most exciting choice for some, but his organization of the back line in defence and in attack, plus his top class ability to pick a pass make him a pretty strong choice at 10.
9. Dwayne Peel - I really hope he gets his chance to cement his place in the Wales team between now and the end of the 6 Nations, because he is such a more exciting and dynamic choice at 9 than Mike Phillips or Harry Ellis. The physicality of the SA back row might see Phillips get the nod for his size and aggression, but they just wouldn't get a hand on an on-form Peel.
1. Gethin Jenkins - Is now miles ahead of Sheridan after Wales outscrummaged England.
2. Matthew Rees - Jerry Flannery might get the nod, but Rees is more dynamic in the loose, and neither are particularly outstanding lineout throwers.
3. Euan Murray - I won't pretend to know very much about props, but Murray seems to be pretty highly rated and we've got to squeeze a Scot in there somewhere.
4. Paul O'Connell - A proper warrior at 4, he'll scrap with the best of them and won't be scared of getting in the South Africans' faces.
5. Alun Wyn Jones - Is developing into one of the best second rows in the world, and will compliment O'Connell perfectly
6. Ryan Jones - Despite being dropped by Wales for this round of 6 Nations games, I still think he will be considered a big player for the Lions, and another contender for captain. I would still prefer to see him at 8, but Gatland obvious likes him as a flanker and I think that is where he will slot into the Lions team.
7. Martyn Williams - Has been consistently excellent at international level for some time now, and has the intelligence and the experience to take advantages of any rare turnover opportunities offered by South Africa.
8. Jamie Heaslip - It seems a bit odd to have none of the highly-rated Irish back row in my line-up, but for me Heaslip edges out Andy Powell, who can be pretty hit and miss.
So there we go ... quite the lengthy post. I can't see the team above taking a series victory out there, although there is a lot of ability at Gatland and McGeechan's disposal and, injuries permitting, we could really test the World Champions.
I know there aren't that many rugby fans on the forum, but surely a couple of people fancy telling me how wrong I am?
