Audacious Warren picks back three to rival All Blacks

THAT IS a very clever and exciting Lions selection, with Warren Gatland and his coaches pulling a few rabbits out of the hat. Hand on heart, how many fans or pundits got the exact composition of the back three correct? I will hazard a guess that the Kiwis were not expecting that, either. First, the captaincy. I called Peter O’Mahony as captain last week and he is exactly the right man for the job. He had to start because the back row of Taulupe Faletau, Sean O’Brien and himself is the form combination and the one to cause the All Blacks the most problems. Having secured that starting role he was the obvious captain. He is tough, inspirational and savvy and has the total respect of all four nations. That is no slight on Alun Wyn Jones, an illustrious Lion whose experience will be invaluable. The Wales lock will have the task of emptying the tanks and coming off after 50 minutes to be replaced by Maro Itoje. O’Mahony, barring injury, will play the whole game. Up front Gatland is going into battle with his powerful ‘warriors’, but I am convinced the appearance of the ‘greyhounds’ such as Itoje, Sam Warburton, Ken Owens and Kyle

Sinckler on 50 minutes are part of a well thought-out plan. The All Blacks always go into overdrive in the last 20-30 minutes of a match and the Lions need their quickest forwards on the park during that vital phase. The back three is fascinating and although I have championed all three players at various times I did not think Gatland would be so bold as to pick them together. Liam Williams, Elliot Daly and Anthony Watson are all-rounders of the highest order. All three are strike runners and as a unit they give the Lions an extra card to play. Opposite them will be a back three of outstanding talent but I believe the Lions trio can match them. Williams and Daly played their way into the team against the Chiefs on Tuesday when they more than hinted at the extra dimension and gear this Lions team can reach. I’m struggling to remember when that happened before, two players marching into the starting Test XV not for injury-related reasons. But all power to Gatland. Yet again he has had the courage of his convictions.