HE’S YOUR MANE MAN, SAYS CLIVE
Woodward backs AWJ for top Lions role
ENGLAND’S World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward has told Warren Gatland to make Alun Wyn Jones his Lions skipper against South Africa this summer despite Wales’ Grand Slam agony.
Woodward feels the Welsh lock is a better option than the England duo of Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje to lead Gatland’s Lions into battle with the Springboks, basing his selection on what we have just seen in the Six Nations.
England’s faltering form during the tournament has led to fierce criticism from Woodward, whereas he has handed Wales widespread plaudits over recent weeks.
He feels Jones’ form in leading from the front means he has done enough to merit a place in Gatland’s starting XV and claim the captaincy.
Woodward names six Wales stars in his side, with Louis Rees-Zammit on the wing and Justin Tipuric moved from his normal position of openside to No. 8.
He also chooses six England players – including Farrell and Itoje – plus two Scots and former Scarlets star Tadhg Beirne as a lone Irishman.
“Alun Wyn Jones may have missed out on the Grand Slam but the Wales captain is my choice to lead the Lions – and I would have five of his countrymen in my XV against the Springboks,” Woodward writes in a column for the Mail.
“I haven’t gone entirely on Six Nations form, but I’ve tried not to ignore those who have shone over the past seven weeks or so.”
In the back division Woodward picks Rees-Zammit and Anthony Watson on the wings, saying they “have been on fire.”
He selects Jonathan Davies in his new role at 12, with England’s Henry Slade outside him, while Gareth Davies gets the nod at scrum-half.
In the pack he has Ken Owens eclipsing Jamie George as hooker, Jones at lock and Tipuric at the base of the scrum.
Of the Tipuric decision he says: “Tom Curry starts at seven, and I’m going to take a risk and start Justin Tipuric at No 8.”
■ Woodward’s Lions XV: Stuart Hogg; Louis Rees-Zammit, Henry Slade, Jonathan Davies, Anthony Watson; Owen Farrell, Gareth Davies; Rory Sutherland, Ken Owens, Kyle Sinckler, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Maro Itoje, Tadhg Beirne, Justin Tipuric, Tom Curry.