The 6, 7 & 8 positions should provide Warren’s toughest decisions, writes Ryan Cullen…
It generally goes without saying that any man pulling on a Lions test jersey has earned it. From the beginning of the season right through to the prep games and vicious training sessions on tour, each individual has their desire, ability and determination tested to the max in order to ensure they are worthy of a place.
This year, however, it seems that one area in particular is likely to see a battle royal before the sides’ line out in Brisbane on 22 June. It is certainly unlikely there will be many who have earned their shirts more than the men who line up in the 6, 7 and 8 jerseys. The achievement of just making the tour is borne out when you look at the list of quality players who didn’t make the squad - Chris Robshaw, Tom Wood, Ben Morgan, Ryan Jones, Peter O’Mahony, Johnnie Beattie and Kelly Brown. You certainly wouldn’t be afraid to take on the Aussies with a back row of Wood, Robshaw and Beattie.
So the men who have made the squad deserve enormous credit and congratulation. Yet the major battle is yet to begin.
Tom Croft, Toby Faletau, Jamie Heaslip, Dan Lydiate, Sean O’Brien, Justin Tipuric and Sam Warburton are the men who will vie for the three test jerseys on tour. We already know though that captain Sam Warburton will take up one of those jerseys, probably 7, so the question is who will join him?
Tom Croft’s recent performances for Leicester suggest he stands a very good chance of taking the 6 shirt. Croft’s primary attributes are his pace, his lineout work and his knack of being in the right place at the right time to get over the line. That Croft has already been on a Lions tour surely plays in his favour also given the potential for a fairly inexperienced 15 to take the field in Brisbane.
Croft’s contenders for the six jersey seem to be Dan Lydiate and Sean O’Brien. Lydiate was voted the player of the tournament in the 2012 Six Nations but has suffered an injury blighted year and it is hard not to think he is one of the luckiest men to have made the squad. There is no doubting Lydiate’s quality; he is a tackling machine who brings intensity to defence not many can match, yet that is what we know from last year rather than anything we have seen this season. When the Dragons visited Ravenhill several weeks ago, Lydiate looked but a pale imitation of himself. He will certainly need to progress quickly to challenge Croft.
O’Brien is the most difficult member of the backrow to peg down. Since emerging as a blindside flanker, O’Brien has successfully moved to openside for both club and country and has also played a significant amount of rugby at number 8. His ability to play all three positions may guarantee him a place in the 22 but may hinder his chances of starting. His qualities have been fairly well established now but the most underestimated aspect of the ‘Tullow Tank’s’ play has to be his work rate. O’Brien put in a herculean effort for a below-par Irish Six Nations team and that aligned with his ball carrying ability makes him a unique tourist.
Gatland also has the option of adopting the same tactics as Rob Howley did when Wales demolished England in the Six Nations decider. On that day Justin Tipuric and Sam Warburton played for Wales, bringing extra mobility and breakdown expertise which England simply could handle. Tipuric is perhaps a better link between the backline and the pack than Warburton and possesses very strong breakdown skills also. It is for that reason many have suggested he should be Wales’ starting 7 rather than Warburton. Warburton though, has a strong carrying game, an exceptional leg drive and explosion of pace as well as being superb over the ball when on form. He is deserving of a starting place even though I would echo some of the warnings regarding his captaincy.
On the face of it, the number 8 position seems to be a straight shootout between Jamie Heaslip and Toby Faletau. The Leinster man has returned to some form after a fairly poor Six Nations by his high standards. He has rediscovered the ability to beat defenders that marked him out in 2009 and his hands are terrific for a number 8. He also provides some leadership in a fairly young group.
Faletau is quite different to Heaslip in that he is more of a game breaker but less proficient at the ‘basics’ of the game than the Irish captain. Faletau has the potential to beat several defenders and go in from 60 metres. He is also a strong tackler and dependable in defence but perhaps isn’t as likely to make the hard yards as Heaslip. Or, indeed, Sean O’Brien. Although perhaps not naturally thought of as a number 8, O’Brien strikes me as the most rounded player of the three to anchor the scrum and could provide the extra go forward the others in backrow may not be able to.
The pack Australia is likely to field will have a large bearing on which selections Warren Gatland will make also. The Australian pack is notable for its ability to get round the field and contribute with ball in hand as well as doing the basics. The makeup of the Australian back row is as yet unknown but one thing can be taken as gospel, it will be a high quality, energy packed trio. Although the loss of David Pocock is a significant one, the likes of Michael Hooper, George Smith, Scott Higginbothom and Wycliff Palu are perfectly capable of holding their own regardless of what combination Gatland picks.
For me, as you have probably guessed, I would start with Croft, Warburton and O’Brien. This trio would give the Lions a genuine additional lineout option, a strong carrying game and two 7s to compete against the breakdown savvy Wallaby backrow. It also has plenty of pace as well as a bit of ballast. Truthfully though, I don’t expect to see these three start the first test. I expect Jamie Heaslip will get the 8 jersey and there is a realistic chance any of the contenders for the blindside berth could start given their quality.
Warren Gatland has some huge choices to make. Alongside the halfbacks, the back row is the most important position in the modern game. Should Gatland get his selection wrong, his chances of success will be significantly limited whereas success in this area could swing the balance in the Lions favour. He certainly has the raw materials to work with, now it’s up to him to get the right blend.
My name is Ryan Cullen and I am a 25 year old Ulster season ticket holder. I was introduced to the game around 15 years ago and have loved it ever since. I have an interest in pretty much all sports though so don’t be surprised to see a few football (Liverpool), Golfing and Racing interests (to name but a few) thrown in from time to time.
