Gatland’s million dollar question: Is it Sexton or Farrell?

AT LAST, after months and months of speculation Warren Gatland is poised to announce his Lions squad for New Zealand... what a relief.

Debates over which player deserves a crack over another is all well and good at the beginning of the season and throughout the Six Nations.

But it’s all gotten rather boring in recent weeks and I can’t wait for Gatland to announce his squad so that debate can move on to who the actual starting XV should be!

It was not so long ago that everyone was singing the praises of Ross Moriarty and how the Welsh back rower was surely a shoo-in to tour. Now his name is hardly mentioned in back row debates.

For me, the key selection is at No.12. You can make a case for at least two players in every position and it usually comes down to national bias, or which player you have a soft spot for.

But in the centres it must come down to how the Lions want to play, which tactics and what will be most effective for the team. And there is the rather large question of Sonny Bill Williams in the picture.

For me, a 10-12 axis of Jonathan Sexton and Owen Farrell offers little threat.

Gatland must choose one or the other – with Robbie Henshaw at 12 and a gas man like Elliot Daly outside him. So is Sexton up to it? Will he be able to withstand the heavy artillery coming his way and still keep a clear head for shots at goal? We know Farrell can. CHRIS WINDASS via email