Brian Dick picks his British Lions Test XV
Mar 26 2009 by Brian Dick, Birmingham Post
I have to say as much as I enjoyed Ireland’s Grand Slam it’s not been a brilliant Six Nations in terms of the quality of the rugby or in providing British Lions coach Ian McGeechan with many outstanding candidates for his Test XV.
There has been a distinct lack of candidates at hooker and no fly half has really stood up and announced himself as a cast-iron certainty.
And McGeechan will not enjoy the irony that the one area in which the resources are deepest, the centres, there is effectively only one berth to play for with the inspirational Brian O’Driscoll a shoo-in.
Much will depend on his game plan, whether he wants to go toe-to-toe with the fearsome Springbok pack or whether he will look to keep away from close quarter fighting.
In some respects they will have to do both. The back row triumvirate of Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger and Juan Smith, if they are fit, will have to be met head on otherwise the Boks run riot.
But there’s probably not going to be much change out of the hosts’ forwards so the Lions will need an edge in the outside backs and a midfield capable of releasing them.
These are my men to do the job:
15 LEE BYRNE (Wales) Unlike the rest of the rugby world I still remain to be convinced by the man perceived to be Byrne’s biggest threat for the Lions berth, Ireland’s Rob Kearney. There can be no doubt about Byrne’s brilliance though. There are no weaknesses in his defensive of attacking game and his kicking is going to be monstrous on the high veldt.
14 DELON ARMITAGE (England) Technically out of position, although Armitage has played many games on the wing for London Irish, particularly early in his career. His Six Nations form edges him ahead of Tommy Bowe and Paul Sackey and his defensive solidity would serve him well against Bryan Habana.
13 BRIAN O’DRISCOLL (Ireland) There’s less cut and more thrust about Ireland’s captain these days but one things remains the same, when his country needs a try, a big tackle or a turnover he’s the one that finds it. Only Tom Shanklin runs him close in challenging for his shirt but even then the Grand Slam winner strolls into the side. An absolute certainty but he should not be burdened by the captaincy.
12 RIKI FLUTEY (England) In the last few matches he has shown his club form for his adopted country. Jamie Roberts is more powerful, Gavin Henson more creative and a better kicker but Flutey is the best overall package. If, however, Henson helps the Ospreys win the Heineken Cup there’d have to be a photo-finish as long as he can keep his hubris gland in check.
11 SHANE WILLIAMS (Wales) A pick more out of reputation than form. Williams has not enjoyed a stellar season but if that’s going to change anywhere it’s going to be on the hard grounds in South Africa. The Lions are going to need something unpredictable and while he concerns me with his defensive match up and the way he got rag-dolled in New Zealand, he has something over Habana and that could prove vital.
10 STEPHEN JONES (Wales) Not an outstanding crop it has to be said. None of the English contenders are anywhere near Lions standard, Danny Cipriani might be one day but don’t get me started on him, and Ronan O’Gara had an ordinary Six Nations. Which leaves Wales’ first choice Jones who is largely under-rated, an excellent kicker and defensively sound.
9 MIKE PHILLIPS (Wales) Another Welshman in on his name rather than his performances but there were signs against Ireland that the muscular Phillips is on his way back from injury. The crunching hand-off and break-away speed are returning and with that and his physical presence he’s going to be needed against the best back row in the world. Harry Ellis’ truculence would also be welcome.
1 GETHIN JENKINS (Wales) The Welsh front row has performed better than many expected this year with Scotland and Ireland put under massive pressure in the scrums. Jenkins has to take some credit for that though it is his work around the park that makes his an easy first choice loosehead. His nearest rival Andrew Sheridan really has to show more.
2 JERRY FLANNERY (Ireland) Not a vintage year for hookers either. Matthew Rees has played his part in a ropey Welsh lineout despite possessing quality jumpers, Scotland’s Ross Ford has not developed as some would have hoped and at international level Lee Mears does not have the dynamism around the park that he shows for Bath. Flannery gets in on account of his link with Paul O’Connell.
3 EUAN MURRAY (Scotland) His place is not as guaranteed as it should have been because he missed the start of the Six Nations campaign. Thankfully in his absence none of the other contenders did enough to jeopardise his place. Phil Vickery remains an option but his lack of discipline could hurt the Lions who cannot afford to have their tighthead in the bin. A career defining tour.
4 PAUL O’CONNELL (Ireland) Despite O’Driscoll’s heroics, my man of the Six Nations. O’Connell has everything a second row should plus he carries 50 per cent more than most other locks. His lineout battle with Victor Matfield will be one of the highlights, whoever wins it can claim to rule the world’s airways. I’d make him my skipper too because it’s less likely to compromise his performances than it would O’Driscoll’s.
5 SIMON SHAW (England) Still can’t quite believe I haven’t picked Alun Wyn Jones, the Welshman should play in every Test but from the bench when his handling skills will thrive in a more broken field. Shaw’s size and on-field presence give him the edge, however, in a tour that is going to be no beauty contest. The Lions’ pack needs a nasty edge and Shaw will bring part of that.
6 JOE WORSLEY (England) Will bring even more edge. Worsley’s renaissance on the international scene has been compelling. Time to stop messing around with him on the openside though, I can’t see the Lions winning with that sort of gameplan. But the Wasps’ man’s destructive power will be vital to neutralising the Springboks’ forwards and the thrusts from inside centre of Jean de Villiers. After that Tom Croft can come on and tear it up.
7 DAVID WALLACE (Ireland) Absolutely nothing between him and Martyn Williams except for the Irishman has quarter of a yard more pace. The battle between them at the Millennium Stadium ended even so – and I know this is woolly logic – the Grand Slam gets Wallace in. The situation should be reviewed before the Second Test in Pretoria if the Boks are dominating at the breakdown.
8 JAMIE HEASLIP (Ireland) His main rival Andy Powell faded badly, possibly due to injury. The Leinsterman brought outstanding pace to the direction of the Irish back row and was a willing support runner. Powell’s performances started to spiral downwards against England. Neither Nick Easter or Simon Taylor are close to Heaslip in terms of selection.
