Gavin Henson opened up on a wide range of subjects during an interview with WalesOnline rugby correspondent Yesterday, he outlined his reasons for returning to Wales. Today, he talks about the forthcoming Lions tour and who should be selected. Plus, he r

Q. Who’s the best player you have played alongside? A. Two, Shane Williams and England outside-half George Ford.

Shane got us out of trouble, whether it was with Wales or the Ospreys, so many times.

He would do something brilliant to turn a game.

And George, even though I didn’t play with him so much when I was with Bath, is a special player, another I enjoyed working with. Q. Who’s the best player you have played against? A. Dan Carter in 2005, in that second Test for the Lions when we got hammered by New Zealand in Wellington.

Carter had the game of his life that night. I have never watched it back! Q. How competitive can the Lions be against the All Blacks? A. New Zealand have got nowhere near the depth of the Lions.

This is the potentially the best Lions squad since they won in 1971, I suppose.

The Lions pack is going to be so strong, whoever Gatland picks, and the backs are so dangerous if they pick the right people.

It’s going to be an exciting series to watch and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the Lions batter New Zealand. You heard it here first! Q. Who would be your Lions Test back-line this time? A. Rhys Webb at scrum-half, Ford and Farrell at 10 and 12, Jonathan Joseph at outside-centre.

JJ was at Bath when I was there and is just brilliant.

He’s got all the skills, is so fast and is a beautifully-balanced runner.

He’s not the biggest but he’s got long arms and a great hand-off, which makes it so hard for tacklers to latch on to him.

Ford, Farrell and Joseph are so used to playing with each other and complement each other so well.

I would play another Bath boy in Anthony Watson on one wing. He’s been out injured but is pure class, as he again showed when he came on for England last weekend.

I think George North has done enough to get in on the other wing and would have a whale of a time playing in a back-line like that. He’d really enjoy it. I’ve got a lot of time for Liam Williams and I think full-back is the position to get the best out of him, but I’ve got to go with Stuart Hogg because he’s been so exciting to watch. Q. Who will be Lions outside-half against New Zealand? A. I hope it’s George Ford. I learnt so much off him, even though he was a youngster, when his father Mike took me to Bath to work with George.

George is so skilled and is ahead of his time. He’s the way forward I think, the way he ‘coaches’ the Bath team in the week leading up to a game and manages it is incredible for someone who is still pretty young.

I’m a little bit biased because I have trained and played with George, so know how good he is.

I’m assuming coach Warren Gatland is going to pick him in his squad and, when he begins to work with George in training, he will see what a talent he is. Q. How impressed having you been by the way Ford and Owen Farrell have been pulling the strings for England? A. It’s great to see two players at the top of their game. I believe they are the best in the world in their positions. I hope Wales can get to the same level.

Ford and Farrell would be my 10-12 for the Lions. I worked with Owen when I was at Saracens and he’s exactly the same as ‘Fordy’ in the way he operates in training and matches.

The way the game is going in England the players are taking ownership of it and preparations leading up to matches.

It would have been great for my career if I’d had a role model like that when I was a kid. Q. What about the Lions pack? A. Will ‘Toby’ Faletau or Ross Moriarty go. How many of the Welsh back-row will make it?

Don’t ask me about what pack I’d pick though... I’m leaving that to the forward experts but it’s going to be interesting to see the Lions squad. Q. Who would be your Lions’ captain? A. I like Alun Wyn Jones but the competition is roasting at lock. I don’t know how Gatland is going to settle on his locks or decide on a captain, it’s that hot.

Warburton could get it again, you know. I’m glad it’s Gatland and not me picking it! Q. You were in the Lions squad whitewashed by the All Blacks 12 years ago? Why will this time be different? A. Dan Carter was on fire against us and his successor Beauden Barrett is looking good. It will be tough. I expect the Lions will line up in the Tests with the majority of the England team and a sprinkling of players from the other nations.