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 Scottish panellist Kirsten Bruce.
Hi, I’m Kirsten. Some who read this may follow me on twitter (@kirstenbruce_02). I’m a big Scotland supporter, so apologies if I am a little bit biased. Also, big thanks to Jeff (@HarpinOnRugby) for allowing me to be involved – it’s sure to be challenging but a great experience!
So, I’ll crack on with my Lions XV now. I’ll tell you this much – it was tricky!
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Cian Healy
For a prop of only age 24, he is a very good all round player. Very good scrummager who can hold his own against the very best e.g. the Franks brothers. He gets stuck in about the rucks, winning penalties here, there and everywhere. Healy does not let the occasion get to him – he has shown that many a time whilst playing for Leinster in numerous finals. He is a big, bulky lad who won Man of the Match against Australia when Ireland beat them in 2011 Rugby World Cup. Heres hoping he can do the same for the Lions in 2013. Those not picked – Ryan Grant, purely because he has not enough experience as yet on the international front. Same goes for Corbisiero with 10 caps for his country. Gethin Jenkins would be my very experienced bench warmer, having 5 caps for the British and Irish Lions already; his experience could come in handy.
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Ross Ford
Probably the best hooker in the Northern Hemisphere right now. Had a great season with Edinburgh, which paid of for Scotland. He always gets over the gain line, as his ball carrying is very strong. Scotlands lineout is superb with Fords link with Richie Gray securing the ball almost every time. I feel he wasn’t the right choice for captain but unfortunately the right choice was injured (Kelly Brown). However, he leads from the front which is why I feel he is the best hooker for the job. Rory Best would definitely be on the bench as he has a similar attitude as he also leads from the front. Dylan Hartley is quite an angry player therefore I feel he gets too frustrated during games to let his form do the talking. Matthew Rees has been riddled with injuries so he is a risk I wouldn’t be willing to take.
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Euan Murray
By far the strongest tight head in the world. The position picks itself. Murray showed he could compete with the big guns (and win) with Scotlands historic win over Australia in the summer by winning the penalty in the scrum to win us the game. He went to South Africa with the Lions in 2009 but an ankle injury kept him out of the test side. He may not have the biggest supporters in rugby due to his decision not to play on Sundays. But, fortunately none of the games are on Sundays so Murray is available. Adam Jones is past his best unfortunately as he was brilliant in his day. Dan Cole’s strength is nowhere near as strong as both Murray and Jones. Also, his scrummaging is questionable.
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Richie Gray
This 6ft10 blonde bombshell is a no brainer – it’s impossible to think of reasons not to pick him. First name on the team sheet for Scotland. Works very well in the lineout and his 19 stone frame gives the scrum bulk and extra strength. Can sidestep and carry the ball effectively (anyone that can sidestep Rob Kearney is pretty much god of the rugby world). Unfortunately I feel all 3 other locks pale in comparison to Gray. Although I have a feeling this may change over the next few months.
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Alun Wyn Jones
This was by far the hardest pick. Mainly because they are all equally good at their job, but no one stood out. Alun Wyn Jones seemed the most sensible pick as he is an all round good rugby player and hard working. I felt there being no point in picking the likes of Paul O’Connell who has unfortunately been riddled with injury. Although I will be watching e.g. Ian Evans and Donnacha Ryan very closely in the first few rounds of Rabo Direct Pro 12.
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Dan Lydiate
Easiest pick of the forwards. One of the best flankers I’ve seen play. Does his job perfectly. Nothing but full of praise for this Welsh lad. Played a key part of Wales 2012 Grand Slam win in the Six Nations, and Wales successful Rugby World Cup. Not much else to say about this young talent, except he better watch his back. Sean O’Brien is an excellent flanker. Tom Wood is coming back from a long-term injury and has a lot of potential. Ally Strokotsch had a decent summer tour with Scotland but I just don’t think he is Lions material.
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Ross Rennie
I know what everyone is thinking. Why not Sam Warburton? Well in my opinion Ross Rennie has a far better technical ability. A phenomenal season with Edinburgh has seen him nail the number 7 shirt of Scotland to his back. With Sam Warburton captain of Wales he needs a kick up a behind as Justin Tipuric is well on his way to being first choice for Wales.
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Jamie Heaslip
Heaslip was an obvious choice for me. He is a warrior. Very good at picking the ball up at the scrum. Has a good amount of experience as he played all 3 tests in South Africa for the British and Irish Lions in 2009 and despite Irelands 3-0 defeat in New Zealand, Heaslip was Irelands stand out player. There is a lot of competition for this spot. Thomas ‘the Tank Engine’ Waldrom is a high impact player who is perfect to have coming of the bench to give the game a little boost. Toby Faletau and Kelly Brown/David Denton are also excellent players. I don’t envy the selection panel in the slightest!
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Eoin Reddan
I may have picked Reddan slightly controversially. He is a very talented scrum half. However I feel Kidney has been making the wrong decision picking Conor Murray over Eoin Reddan. His passing is slick and has been very successful with Leinster and Ireland. Ben Young’s is another I feel has been wrongfully chosen over Danny Care for England. Both are good scrumhalfs but Care is faster at rucks and at passing. Mike Phillips used to be an excellent scrum half but to be honest he just isn’t cutting it these days. Mike Blair is past his best.
10. Jonathon Sexton
Very good all round player. Place kicking, kicking for goal, passing is all of high quality. Plus if he can give the Lions one of his famous half time talks its highly unlikely we will lose. Owen Farrell is too young yet as you can feel himself getting frustrated when things don’t go his way. Rhys Priestlands ability isn’t up to scratch, although a good season with Scarlets may change that. Greig Laidlaw I would have on the bench as he knows what he is doing and has the ability to play scrum half and fly half.
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Tim Visser
The Flying Dutchman. Tim McVisser. What a player. His ability is outstanding. Top try scorer in the Rabo Direct Pro 12 for two seasons in a row. Plus he scored 2 tries for Scotland on his debut against Fiji. Not much else you could want from a winger!
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Manu-Samoa Tuilagi
A big, hulking centre, with the skills to go along with his size. Would run through walls to get to the try line, and succeed. Knows when it is the best time to pass or run through his opponents. I’m getting excited just thinking about Tuilagi running through the Aussies next year! Jamie Roberts is similar to Tuilagi in size but has been injured so I can’t really comment on his form. Nick De Luca makes too may silly decisions whilst playing so I would not be taking him to Australia.
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Jonathon Davies
Another big beast of rugby player in the centre. Him and Tuilagi will swat the Aussie centres away like flies. Davies is a very skilful centre, has a good sidestep on him. He connects well with other players and I cannot see him having any competition anytime soon.
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George North
This young lad can play rugby! Powerful, skilful with the strength of a body builder does not make him any slower. At only 20 years old he has a long and successful career ahead of him. The other contender for this spot would obviously be Chris Ashton, and I am not his biggest fan. I feel he is too cocky and talks himself up and the swallow dive should just be banned.
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Leigh Halfpenny
A big Welsh contingent in this Lions XV. Goes to show how well they have done over the last year. Leigh Halfpenny is a regular in the side. Does the kicking for goal and is excellent at it. His placekicking is admirable as well as his general play. A definite starter. Stuart Hogg is similar to Leigh Halfpenny in that he is young and has had an outstanding season. He would be perfect for the bench as he can play fullback and centre both very well. Rob Kearney and Ben Foden both very worthy of a spot in the team as well.
Click here for last week’s selection.
Kirsten will be back to us in 4 weeks to let us know if she has seen anything to change her mind. Next week, we meet our Irish panellist and announce our first composite XV from the panel as a whole.
If you wish to join the debate, by all means include your opinion by way of a comment. I’d like to think most people know how to disagree respectfully.
