WELSH STARS FACE CHOP AS GATLAND PICKS TEST XV

WARREN Gatland is today facing one of the most difficult selection decisions of his career with three of his senior Wales players facing the chop for the Lions’ first Test against New Zealand.

Gatland is due to confirm his 23 for Saturday’s Eden Park showdown at 8pm (BST) with tour captain Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones, skipper in the victorious third Test against Australia four years ago, both tipped to miss out on starting places.

There is also speculation that wing George North is vulnerable, even though he didn’t play in yesterday’s final warm-up match against the Chiefs in Hamilton, an encounter the Lions won convincingly 34-6.

North has done little on tour to justify inclusion in the Test XV and pressure on him increased in light of fine displays by each of the back three who faced the Chiefs – Jack Nowell, Elliot Daly and Liam Williams.

North may yet still make the cut, but if Gatland decides otherwise it is Wasps man Daly who is likely to be the alternative.

As for the rest of the Welsh contingent in the Test mix, Taulupe Faletau, Leigh Halfpenny and Jonathan Davies are all expected to be selected.

Meanwhile, the other fascinating call will be at outside-half.

Pre-tour favourite for the Test berth, England’s Owen Farrell, has seen his particpation curtailed by a thigh injury and there are some concerns over whether he will be pitched in against the world champions.

Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton, one of the heroes of the 2013 series win against Australia, is pushing Farrell very hard for the nod having rediscovered his best in the win against the NZ Maori last weekend.

Elsewhere the pack is fancied to be the same that battered the Maori into submission, with Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Tadhg Furlong forming the front row, English duo Maro Itoje and George Kruis linking up at lock and Irish pair Peter O’Mahony – potentially the captain if Warburton doesn’t make it – and Sean O’Brien either side of Faletau in the back row.

In other areas of the back-line, Anthony Watson looks to have the right wing slot secured, Ben Te’o will partner Davies in midfield and Conor Murray appears to have beaten Rhys Webb to the scrum-half role. Chiefs v Lions: Pages 40-43 All change for Wales: Page 40