In the frame McGeechan’s Lions longlist
Back three Stuart Hogg, Liam Williams, Elliot Daly, George North, Anthony Watson, Tommy Seymour, Jack Nowell, Leigh Halfpenny and Rob Kearney A mixture of experience and new talent is needed in any Lions squad, which is why I think guys like Kearney and Halfpenny must be in the frame. Halfpenny’s goal-kicking is also a serious weapon. I think Gats will go for seven or eight of these nine.
Centres Jonathan Davies, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Roberts and Owen Farrell A mix of experience and in-form talent, so important in the positions between back row and back three.
Fly-halves Jonathan Sexton, Dan Biggar Farrell, of course, can play 10 or 12 which means I have only picked two other fly-halves. But I think there will be serious discussion about Finn Russell, my wild card. This is a player I sense could grow with the challenge and support of the Lions environment.
Scrum-halves Ben Youngs, Danny Care, Rhys Webb, Conor Murray I think Gats will go for three of these four. The one he will leave out will depend on the game plan he decides to go with, and who he picks at fly-half.
Looseheads Mako Vunipola, Joe Marler, Jack McGrath, Cian Healy Again it is three from four. Ballcarrying in this group could be an important asset, and influence the final call.
Tightheads Tadhg Furlong, Dan Cole, Samson Lee
Hookers Rory Best, Dylan Hartley, Ken Owens, Jamie George Which three hookers will Gats take? Big decisions here. Throwing in is the key, as well as ballcarrying. The final choices could come down to ‘chemistry’.
Second row Alun Wyn Jones, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Iain Henderson, Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, Richie Gray I see this as the most competitive area in the squad, and the key to beating New Zealand, whose partnership of Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock is fearsome. Whoever Warren goes with will have to match them blow for blow. I think he will take five of these.
Back row Sam Warburton, Billy Vunipola, Ross Moriarty, Taulupe Faletau, CJ Stander, Peter O’Mahony, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien, Justin Tipuric It is eight from nine and I would not want to be in Warren’s shoes. You can make a case for any or all of them. This area is an exciting part for the Lions, trying to judge the effect of the combinations of players who will be coming together for the first time, and could produce devastating rugby.