Marshall backs Sexton, Biggar for Lions
DAN Biggar vying with Johnny Sexton for the No.10 shirt, Leigh Halfpenny and Rob Kearney battling it out for the full-back slot and Jonathan Davies starting at outside centre.
Throw in Rory Best as Warren Gatland’s Lions skipper and possibly just one Englishman starting in the back division against the world champion All Blacks this summer and you have probably the most left field of selections seen so far for the mouthwatering three-Test series kicking off in New Zealand this June.
But that’s the bold predictions of former All Blacks and Ospreys star Justin Marshall and he looks ahead to one of the most eagerly-awaited Lions tours for some time.
Writing in the New Zealand Herald, Marshall, who played 81 times for the All Blacks between 1995-2005, said: “When you look at the depth and challenges coach Warren Gatland has, there are going to be a lot of disappointed players who won’t make the touring squad.
“To give a prime example, and in view of the recent speculation that England wanted to play the All Blacks at Twickenham in November, plus their Six Nations victory, I believe there may only be one Englishman in the Lions’ backline for the first Test.
“My argument is that Irishman Connor Murray is close to being the best No.9 in world and is definitely the best in the Northern Hemisphere. The two best first-fives are Ireland’s Johnny Sexton, who would be my choice, and Welshman Dan Biggar.
“England’s George Ford is a future Lions player but possibly not there yet.
“The one England back who could be selected is Owen Farrell at No.12 but he is up against pretty stiff competition against the likes of Robbie Henshaw, of Ireland, and Jamie Roberts, of Wales. Farrell’s England teammate Jonathan Joseph could also have claims here.
“Welshman Jonathan Davis at No.13 would be my preferred option, with the wings George North from Wales and Irishman Simon Zebo. There is a possible conundrum of full-back but you would think Ireland’s Rob Kearney would be a leading candidate ahead of Welshman Leigh Halfpenny.
“A case could also be made for Englishman Mike Brown to start there, so at best two, but probably one Englishman will be in the Test backline, a number which could surprise a few people.”
And Marshall, who joined the Ospreys in 2006 and played 49 times for the Liberty Stadium region over two seasons, has had his say on the Lions skipper.
Despite some bookmakers last week having stopped taking money on flanker Sam Warburton getting the top job, Marshall believes it would be the wrong choice to hand the Blues backrower the captaincy for a second successive tour having given up the Welsh armband for the start of the Six Nations Championship.
The former scrum-half added: “One of the most important decisions Gatland has before naming his squad on April 19 is his selection of captain; to have a man who sets the culture, brings the team together and is an approachable person who everyone can relate to.
“He also has to be first choice in his position and I can’t think of anyone better than Irish hooker Rory Best.
“The talk is that Sam Warburton is one of the front runners but he will have enough challenges just making the test team. He has also relinquished the captaincy of Wales and looks better for it.
“Dylan Hartley is another one but, for me, there’s just too much controversy that comes with him. Ireland have had a hell of a season under Best. They beat the All Blacks for the first time ever, stopped England’s winning run and in my mind that points to a good captain the players like and respect.
“He’s a great hooker as well. At the basics of scrums and lineouts, he’s probably the best in the world.
“Best doesn’t seem to get flustered and there will be pressure on the Lions throughout the tour, referees, adversity and different conditions.
“That coolness is what you need on a tour here. Beating the All Blacks in New Zealand is the hardest thing to do in rugby, in my opinion, and Best will relish the challenge.”