Over the coming season, our Lions Selector Panellists will be taking turns to pick their ideal Lions 2013 starting XV so we can see how they evolve based on form throughout the campaign. This week, it’s the turn of our Welsh panellist Hywel Davies.
The “pick your Lions XV” game is a staple pastime of all true rugby fans on these islands. As fun as they are futile, the pre-season selection must be the most thankless of thankless tasks. I am fully aware as I type this that a record for posterity (or until the actual XV for the first test is announced) is being created as a source of future ridicule.
Mine I think though will be different. Firstly I can be an awkward like that and secondly my XV will actually be a match day squad as the starting XV does not have nearly as much relevance now as it once had. Also I am not listing my favourite or best players, I aim to select a balanced side.
So, if you've stopped laughing, here goes; the squad based on last season's performances and a little crystal ball gazing:
15 Halfpenny. Without question his place kicking is vital, especially from distance and as with Jenkins in '97 a berth will be found for him. There is a strong argument that Kearney is a better full back, but personally I don't think what he adds outweighs what would be lost in not playing Halfpenny, or in playing him on the wing.
14 Strettle. Much as would love to say North, he is injury prone. I also believe his game has already been 'picked'. I suspect young George needs to have things created for him and that is not a luxury the Lions can afford. Strettle has explosive pace and a killer instinct for the line.
13 Roberts. The fabled 'good big one'. A tour too far for Mr O'Driscoll. This could be the zenith of Robert's career.
12 Tuilagi. A huge talent being mismanaged at national level, much like his centre partner before the '09 tour...
11 Earls. Left field choice I know. Not done anything since '09 I know. I just have the feeling that he is bursting with ambition and is more suited to the hard Australian pitches than the bigger men. I would love to see Fitzgerald in contention but can' t possibly go with him now. McVisser will be found out at international level. Now if you're going to tempt fate, do it in style I say!
10 Sexton. Without the kicking duties and with an attacking brief he should shine. Has the grit and and HC winner's medals to show that the mental toughness that Priestland lacks. Edges Farrell on experience.
9 Phillips. Not my favourite scrum half, but then neither was Terry Holmes. They were both excellent players though. The other players will love to have Big Mike on the field. Anyone who saw him lift Wales in the last minutes in the Aviva in the spring will know what I mean.
1 Jenkins. This tour is custom made for him. The second easiest choice of the lot.
2 Cronin. Would be first choice for any other nation. Hooker is a weak position for this tour. His speed around the park will be vital.
3 Jones.
4 Gray. (c) Token Scot...joking. He has the athletic ability and pace needed down under in buckets. Just the man you want to look the other captain in the eye when the ref is tossing the coin.
5 Evans. The man of the Six Nations for me. Has lost his head in domestic rugby many times, but I now think that was because 'normal' rugby isn't enough of a challenge for him. With Grey will take a lot of pressure of the back row in their battle with Pocock.
6 Lydiate. Tackle machine. Berated by other nations fans in that they think the 'unseen work' spoken of by Welsh fans is actually undone work. However his ability to tackle ball carriers well behind the gain line is not measured by any stat I have yet seen.
8 O'Brien. Why pick a player out of position in one of the most competitive positions? Because number 8 is his position. I think he can do what all of his challengers can do, and if properly motivated more.
7 Tipuric. Better than Warburton and more likely to be fit. More rounded than Rennie as he is also a decent ball carrier.
16 Healy - able understudy to Jenkins.
17 Best - ahem, best of a poor lot.
18 Ryan Jones - Mr Reliable or Mr Adaptable, take your pick.
19 Ferris - Impact crater sub.
20 Webb - an option for a more attacking gameplan later on.
21 Farrell - covers 10,12,13.
22 Kearney - just too good not to be involved at all.
So that's a start. I would love to find places for Alun Wyn, O'Connell, Rennie, Wood, Jonathan Davies etc and who knows it's still early days. There are always surprising players that end up in the team. It may be JJ Hanrahan or Liam Davies, Milton Yarde or Colin Gregor. It's going to be fun finding out.
Hywel (@HywelV2) is head Rugby writer on the v2 Journal. He will never tire of telling you he was in school with one Shane Williams. One of those people who listened to his parents, he got a 'proper job' and is now a Partner in a firm of Solicitors. He also finds time to be a part time farmer and is married with a young daughter. He is a product of the Rugby tradition of the West Wales coalfield. If you don't know what that means, rest assured, he'll tell you!
Hywel will be back to us in 4 weeks to let us know if he has seen anything to change his mind. Next week, we meet our Scottish panellist.
Click here for last week’s preseason selection from our English panellist.
