Final Selection Calls

by Brendan Cole

It's decision time for the Lions - who should start? who will start? We run through the options in each position.

Prop: Euan Murray’s injury means Phil Vickery will definitely start at tight-head, while Andrew Sheridan’s presence in Port Elizabeth for the Southern Kings game – with Gethin Jenkins sent straight to Durban is a key indicator that Jenkins is in. Sheridan is the likely bench man. 

Hooker: Lee Mears will start. Ross Ford’s reasonable throwing in on Tuesday may just have done enough for him to take the bench spot, with Matthew Rees’s rucking among the issues for him. The Lions must cope in the contact area above all else. 

Second Row: Simon Shaw had a very big game against the Southern Kings, and might just have done enough to edge Alun-Wyn Jones but Jones is still in pole position having been among those sent to Durban a day early. Paul O'Connell will start but needs a big game to justify the faith shown in him when he was originally made captain.

Back-Row: Jamie Heaslip will almost certainly start at eight but the implications of Stephen Ferris’s injury are becoming ever greater for this Lions group and both wing-forward positions are still up in the air. Martyn Williams and David Wallace are probably the best individuals but can Ian McGeechan and his coaching staff play them both in the same team? It hasn’t been done so far – and so would represent a gamble that would definitely weaken the lineout. On the other hand, Lee Mears throwing in might just see the Lions through in that area. Tom Croft has not convinced everyone and is a little loose, but he is a one man lineout winning machine.

It may come down to whether the Lions see their issue as being the deck or the game out of touch. If it is decided to combat Heinrich Brussow and the chance of a repeat of the stunning breakdown performance by the Blue Bulls in the Super 14 final, there is a good argument to play with ‘double opensides’.  

As an aside, given the problems the Lions have had, top of the list of players who really ought to be on tour is surely Denis Leamy, who played some cracking minutes for Ireland towards the end of the Six Nations and is very good as a ‘stopper’ at six.

Half-Back: Stephen Jones will likely be forgiven some indifferent kicking in tough conditions with Ronan O’Gara also having endured some difficult times.

At scrum-half, Mike Phillips will get the nod with Harry Ellis on the bench. Mike Blair’s lack of handspeed at the base of the ruck having been a feature to date, and eclipses his often excellent defensive work.

Centre: Jamie Roberts has well and truly staked his claim with some outstanding displays while Brian O’Driscoll has proved yet again that he is simply a class above. Riki Flutey has not yet managed to use his stepping effectively but may get a bench spot due to his versatility.

Wing and Full-Back: On the right, Tommy Bowe is a certainty. On the left, Ugo Monye may just have done enough to hold off Luke Fitzgerald, with one big tackle on the Kings front rower standing out, though it is still a desperately tight call. For most Irish observers, Monye’s occasional errors stand out, as does Fitzgerald reliability. Fitzgerald’s play looks on the cusp of breaking through to his very best level but he may have to wait another week or two for his chance.

Lee Byrne will be picked at 15 after a series of brilliant displays and is worth his place, despite Rob Kearney’s obvious talents.

The Springboks team selection hints that they aim to kick their way to victory and it may be that the Lions will have a look at putting Kearney on one wing at some point in the series. Though he is not an out and out wide man, Kearney can attack well, is strong in possession and has a wonderful kicking game.