My Lions touring party.

Sat on the couch this evening i got thinking about what my Lions touring Party would be following the opening round of the 6Ns. This doesn't mean i'll only be using players from that round.

First and formost i'd want certain characteristics to met in my team such as the following

• Balance in key positions such as 2 , 5, 8,9,10 and 15
  
• Real group of core leaders in the tour
  
• A bit of dog to grab the aussies by the neck to pull them into a arm wrestle when times call for it
  
• I don't see the need in taking dirt trackers everyone should be able to start a test
  

So on these basis here is my touring Squad


Hookers;

I'v gone for a mixture of stability and solidarity at the set piece combined with 2 dynamic options in the loose.

• Rory Best - Exceptional Line out work and loose work is pretty good for someone with such good basics in the set piece
  
• Tom Youngs - The thug who'll get under the Aussies skin and bring that aggressive edge to the front row
  
• Richardt Strauss - Strauss is dynamite in the loose and plays like a 6 whilst being solid enough throwing to 2 and 4 in the lineout.

Loosehead;

I'v decided once again to go for the balance with a loose demon and animal in the scrum and someone to cover the 3 shirt as well.

• Cian Healy - The Ireland LH is know for his dynamics in the loose and Aus don't have a 3 capable of causing him any great difficulties at the scrum.
  
• Andrew Sheridan - A revalation in France and is eating THs for breakfast over there and is pushing hard for a starting berth , Ryan Grant comes very close.
  
• Alex Corbisero - The best LH in the Northern Hemesphere for all round game and being able to cover TH sees him tour

Tighthead

I'v gone for another big scrummager at TH followed by another and will only be taking 2 in this position due to Corbs covering both sides.

• Adam Jones - Jones is renowned for his beastly scrummaging techniques and big game performances
  
• Dan Cole - Form TH on the British and Irish isles his work on the floor is a big plus along with his scrummage.
  

Number 4

For my Number 4 i'v gone for 2 , one for sheer athleticism and ball carrying ability another one is someone to bully the Aus pack and really have a go at them.

• Joe Launchbury - Star of Englands pack of late , a monster in the loose and if the game is wide open could be the star of the tour.
  
• Jim Hamilton - This was a tough one , Was spliting hairs between him and Mike Mcarthy but as i said i want a bit of thuggery and there is no one better in the BI at this than big Jim.

Number 5

Set Piece is everything and i'v gone for 2 blokes who will bank there own ball and disrupt the Aus throw.

• Donnacha Ryan - Most improved player in the NH over the last 12 months and could be a Lions star with his lineout work
  
• Geoff Parling - A solid lineout operator who enables quick ball from the line and could be key to releasing the backs.
  

Blindside

The 6 needs to be a physical dynamic player and i'v gone for 3 players here with one capable of covering lock.

• Stephen Ferris - A monster in the loose and a massive presence in the tight a real creator of quick ball through smashing rucks.
  
• Tom Wood - When the game gets tough and the work in the tight needs doing there is no one better than him.
  
• Iain Henderson - Absolute monster , more than happy for him to start a test a beast of a speciman.
  

Openside

I'v gone for 3 diffrent types of player here , one a rockstar on the deck , one link man and a monster ball carrier

• Justin Tipuric - Can win a game from turnouvers alone and any sniff of a turn over this man will be there securing vital ball for the Lions
  
• Chris Robshaw - in a open game having a link man at 7 is key for any side and Robshaws ability to run round and like the backs to the forwards is key.
  
• Sean O'Brian - If we're goiing to look to dominate the contact , we need a beast of a ball carrier at 7 , and there is none better then Sean O'Brian.
  

Number 8

I'v gone for a 3 man split with a controller , Powerhouse and Utility man.

• Jamie Heaslip - Experience , Leader and a calm head. Does the hard yards and cleans up plenty of poor ball.
  
• Toby Falatau - The Power house from the base , gives any side real go forth.
  
• Peter O'Mahoney - Super star who can play all positions and take the ball on as well as compete on the deck.
  

Those are the forwards for my Lions team and i will do the backs tomorrow. Please feel free to offer any feedback on them!

Peace out.

Will have a bash myself.

A Lions squad should have a blend of experience and youth and a core of players who have seen in all before. But most importantly it needs to bbe the best players without worrying about whether England have too many on tour or the Scots not enough. That shouldn't come into selection.

A pack visiting Australia needs to be able to hold its own in a dog fight, as well as have a versatility to it whilst also being capable in the loose on harder ground.

The breakdown of my party would be 6 props, 3 hookers, 5 locks, 7 backrowers, 3 scrum halves, 3 fly halves, 5 centres, 4 wingers, 2 full backs and two utility backs making it a party of 40. I would much rather have players there already than have to call up players to join the tour.

So here are the players I'd take and why.

Loosehead

Props have to be picked on their ability to scrumage and what they add in the loose is a bonus.

Cian Healy - A fine all-round prop who seems to have put his days of getting a pasting behind him. Rarely goes backwards at the scrumage or in the loose. One of very few who is almost certain to be on the plane.

Alex Corbisiero - Very talented loose head prop who I fear isn't going to fulfil his true potential due to a degenerative knee problem. If fit and firing he is a Lion on merit. I worry he won't see enough game time this season to get on the plane, but hopefully he will do.

Gethin Jenkins - A Lions tour needs those who have been there and done it in a test jersey. Gethin was a star of the 2005 tour and a key player in 2009. I expect him to rediscover his best and play a part in the tests.

Hooker

Has to be able to hit there man in the line more often than not and needs to have an aggressive streak in his game. Key position in any side and loose work is now part of the role of the number 2.

Rory Best - Work in the loose is immense and he is someone you'd want behind you going into battle. A natural leader which I think is important as a hooker. Has to improve his throwing in. Too often it goes wayward.

Dylan Hartley - A big, abbrasive hooker who will get stuck in. Something every squad requires. His throwing is top class and this is required as it can be considered the weaknesses of my other choices in this position. Another leader.

Tom Youngs - The closest thing the northern hemisphere has to Schalk Brits. He is a pocket rocket who is a strong carrier and is improving at the set piece week by week. Worth the gamble I feel. He and Ken Owens to fight it out for the 3rd spot I suspect.

Tighthead Prop

Dan Cole - A man mountain who has a fine ability at the breakdown as well as anchoring a scrum. Likely to start as 3 fitness permitting and another who is close to securing his place on the plane.

Adam Jones - It was following the last Lions tour when the wider rugby public realised what the Welsh had known for years. Adam Jones is a might fine tighthead prop. His loose work isn't the best but his scrummaging makes up for this as tales of him taking a step backwards at scrum time are few and far between

Mike Ross - Much like Cole for England, Ireland simply cannot afford to lose this man to injury for any extended period. He is a very good prop forward who is a key part of any success which has been enjoyed by Ireland or Leinster over the recent seasons. Deserves his place on tour and should get it.

Locks

Locks are becoming more and more atheltic specimens as the years pass, but having the right combination in the four and five shirt is key to a good second row combination. The two best players will not necessarily be the best combination, and boxes which need to be ticked by one or both second rows is work rate, lineout prowess, carrying and rucking. Here are my 5 choices.

Joe Launchbury - Taken like a duck to water to international rugby and progresses every game he plays. A very talented rugby player who is like a 4th backrower on the pitch. Work rate is excellent and has a fine rugby brain. Has real potential to become one of the best in the world.

Nathan Hines - The only french based player I will pick in this squad, but I don't feel there is anyone better in Britain and Ireland when it comes to enforcer locks. He has experienced the very top level and toured in 2009. availibility might be limited due to Top 14, but he chose the Lions ahead of Perpignan in 2009 so who says he wouldn't again. I would take him even if he misses the first game or two.

Richie Gray - An excellent all round rugby player who will come good in the shirt of Scotland in this Six Nations tournament. he can play as a 4 or a 5 and should tour and play a key role in the tour.

Donnacha Ryan - Came on leaps and bounds over the last season and appears to be the heir apparent to Paul O'Connell for both Munster and the Lions. A great athlete at the lineout who adds a lot in the loose with his work rate.

Geoff Parling - A strong lineout forward who is another who can throw his weight around in the loose. I don't think he will start a test match due to the competition in this position but he would let no one down if he had to.

Blindside

Tom Wood - a real workhorse who just doesn't stop. He offers a lot at the lineout whilst being everywhere around the pitch. Seems to find international rugby easier than he does the domestic game. Showed his true class against the All Blacks.

Dan Lydiate - A tackling machine who has much more to his game than most think. Fitness permitting he should tour and provide the coaches with a different option.

Openside

Chris Robshaw - Developed his game hugely and has adapted it to the international stage. He can do a bit of everything and is a bit of a 6.5 type of flanker. Potential tour captain? Maybe but he wouldn't be guaranteed of his shirt.

Sam Warburton - Form is temporary, class in permanent. He needs to tour as he is the best openside Britain and Ireland have to offer at his best. A great leader as well.

Sean O'Brien - A very strong carrier who to me has added a strong work ethic to his game. Probably the front runner for the 7 shirt as we stand and he has the all round game to be a Lions great.

Number 8

Jamie Heaslip - Been there done it before with the Lions.He is finding his form again and is a big match player with big match experience. Has a bit of everything.

Toby Faletau - Youngster with the potential to reach the top of this game. He will carry all day and is an intelligent rugby player. Has to tour.


Will also do backs tomorrow. Tough to leave out O'Mahony and Hamilton inparticular.

Still a bit soon but:

Looseheads-

Cian Healey- must tour, great in the loose and solid in the scrum, has been on top form for the past 2 seasons and will be able to play an offloading Quins-Leinster style that I think will help negate Pocock and Hooper- the Lions should have 2-3 gameplans, one main one and 2 backups and this should be one approach.

Ryan Grant- has looked great for Scotland and will trouble the Aussie front row in the scrum as well as in the loose. Harsh on Corbs but until he's fit he can't be in my squad as one cannot make assumptions about form or "class" post injury.

Andrew Sheridan- has regained form, smashing props in France for Toulon who frankly rely on their set piece and pack despite their glitzy backs. He can also make massive carries and analysis of the Aussie gameplan shows that big carries by the pack has led to 50% (I think) of tries against Australia.

Hookers- Rory Best- can play tight or loose in terms of carrying and is strong in every area of hooking play. He has a great partnership with Healey and is an option for captain.

Tom Youngs- looks to be a bit of a liability in terms of penalties but his aggression and carrying fits both plan Offload and plan Smash Aussie Pack

Dylan Hartley- good at the set piece and feisty, has flaws but makes my team anyway.

Tighthead- Dan Cole- has to go for scrummaging (best available) and breakdown work. The Aussie scrum is better than it was but with Cole and Best and Healey/Sheridan in a front row I still think they could break the Aussies.

Adam Jones- a bit off form last match but deserves to be here on his scrummaging prowess, low set height to contest with Cole's if the Aussies try to negate the scrum with blatant cheating alla The Beast in 2009, good Lions experience and the effect he has on improving the Wales scrum.

Second Row- Donnacha Ryan- leadership qualities, the loose skills of a flanker and a great lineout merchant. What we need, especially to attack the Aussie lineout.

Geoff Parling- another lineout specialist, also really carrying well at Int level now. Tempted to take Lauchbury for breakdown skills and carrying/offloading but need to see him keep up his form this 6N first

Nathan Hines- an enforcer in great form and Scottish at heart despite the fact that he'd be going against his birthland (an incentive for him, surely). Also capable of a strong offloading or carrying game.

Gray- just about still makes it on his game in the loose and ability to win and steal lineout ball, barely though. Others knocking on the door- POC needs to recover from injury, Shaw is a lump who could have a last hurrah.

Backrow- Faletau- great tackler, didn't impress me last 6N but is now one of few Welsh players constantly playing well. Good at the base. Tempted by Billy V to cause havoc running at the Aussie 10 but he's not ready yet. Beattie might get there on Club form, and Morgan is close too, plus I like R Jones as an option. Very close at 8 actually. Might genuinely take Billy as my bolter on second thoughts, so raw but so devastating

Heaslip- hitting form at the right time, leadership qualities and an out and out 8. Will relish the challenge of the Lions as he has in the past.

On the flanks, I'm not splitting into Blind and Open. I'm also not considering injured players like Ferris, Lydiate, Rennie and Croft.

Robshaw- as a linkman, captain potential, and allrounder. Can work the floor too. Great L and R option. Also a chopping machine

Tipuric- great form, fast, fetcher. Great different option to have

SOB- like Robshaw, a great allrounder, but slightly less omnipresent and more physical. Would be an awesome L-R combo with Robshaw, like on form big Mo but even more savage power!


I can't decide between the ultimate chopper with breakdown skills, Brown and the lineout option with breakdown and aggressive game, Wood. Coin flip there. I'll say- Brown today. Might change tomorrow

Then that leaves a forward space - think I'll give it to - Launchbury

Maybe I need another TH.

Lots of options with that pack depending on what specific gameplan we go with, particularly with Ryan and Launchbury capable of being blindsided too if we want a lineout focus

Sorry but Jenkinsshouldn't be anywhere near the Lions squad he sholdn't be anywhere near rh Welsh squad.

All other options I agree with though if fit Lydiate tours

Jenkins & Warburton wouldn't tour for me. The only Welsh back 5 in any kind of form currently is Faletau.

Well Tipuric is in form he just isn't allowed to start for Wales!

Hooker:

Best
Youngs
Rees

TH:

Jones
Cole
Ross

LH:

Healy
Grant
Corbs (James if unfit)

Lock:

Launchbury
Ryan
Gray
Hamilton
Hines

Backrow:

Ferris
SOB
Denton

Robshaw
Tipuric
POM

Faletau
Heaslip

Nearly forgot about Tipuric!

Tight Head
Cole
Jones
Ross

Hooker
Best
Hartley
Youngs

Loose Head
Healy
Sheridan
Corbs if Fit

Second Row
Launchbury
Gray
Ryan
Parling
Hines

Flankers
SOB
Ferris or Lydiate ( whoever is fitter)
Wood
Robshaw
Warburton
Brown

No 8
Faletau
Heaslip

Starters in Bold However this changes on a weekly basis..