If it’s durability you’re after, Warren...

DURABILITY will be one of the most frequently spoken words by Warren Gatland between now and June. The Lions coach wants his men to be able to withstand seven weeks of training and a series of high-class warm-up matches at the end of a long season. His wishes in this regard have been expressed most publicly so far in connection to Johnny Sexton, but there are other players much more relevant to that debate.

One of them is Sean O’Brien (left) who, along with Jared Payne, is very fortunate to be an Irish Lion. The attraction of O’Brien at his best to Gatland is patently clear, given the hardcarrying game preferred by the coach.

However, it has been quite some time since O’Brien was consistently at his best. Frequent injuries have hollowed out the second half of his career, and news that a hamstring problem will prevent him playing in Leinster’s biggest match in years this afternoon was another reminder of his vulnerabilities.

Durability should also have been one of the reasons counting against Sam Warburton being named captain. The other relevant one is that Warburton is not currently good enough to get on the Test team.

A form back row to tackle New Zealand would have Maro Itoje at blindside flanker, Justin Tipuric at openside, and Billy Vunipola at No8, with Peter O’Mahony on the bench.