CLIVE OPTS FOR SCARLETS TRIO
ENGLAND’S World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward has named three Scarlets stars in his Lions side to face South Africa this summer.
Woodward believes Jonathan Davies should line up in midfield and Gareth Davies at No. 9.
He also says Ken Owens is now ahead of his rivals and should get the nod at hooker against the world champions.
Woodward also says Warren Gatland should make Alun Wyn Jones his Lions skipper despite Wales’s Grand Slam agony.
Woodward feels the veteran Welsh lock is a better option than the England duo of Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje to lead Gatland’s Lions into battle with the Springboks, basing his selection on what we saw in the Six Nations.
England’s faltering form during the tournament led to fierce criticism from Woodward, whereas he handed title-winning Wales widespread plaudits over the course of the championship.
He feels
Jones’s form in leading from the front means he has done enough to merit a place in Gatland’s starting XV and claim the captaincy.
Woodward names six Wales stars in total in his side, with try wonder Louis Reeszammit on the wing and Justin Tipuric moved from his normal position of openside to No. 8.
Woodward (circled, right) admits that would be a risk, but is a huge admirer of Tipuric and also wants to accommodate Tom Curry in the side at seven.
As well as the Welsh contingent he also chooses six England players – including Farrell and Itoje – plus two Scots and former Scarlets star Tadhg Beirne as a lone Irishman.
“Alun Wyn Jones may have missed out on the Grand Slam but the Wales captain is my choice to lead the Lions – and I would have five of his countrymen in my XV against the Springboks,” Woodward wrote in a column for the Mail.
“I haven’t gone entirely on Six Nations form, but I’ve tried not to ignore those who have shone over the past seven weeks or so.” He describes Owens as “the obvious choice at hooker”.
Of the Tipuric decision he says: “Tom Curry starts at seven, and I’m going to take a risk and start Justin Tipuric at No 8. I’m not prepared to leave Tadhg Beirne out, but want Jones and Itoje to form a second-row partnership, so I’m playing the Irishman at blindside flanker.” While Woodward goes for Rory Sutherland as his first-choice loosehead, Jeremy Guscott believes Wyn Jones should also be included in the touring party.
The Scarlets ace would have been seen as a Lions outsider at the start of the campaign, but a superb Six Nations has propelled the Llandovery man to the brink of Gatland’s squad.
And Guscott also says Hendy product Josh Adams should be the firstchoice left wing, with Anthony Watson on the other flank.
“Wyn Jones had a good tournament for Wales, likewise Rory Sutherland for Scotland, which leaves Mako Vunipola with ground to make up,” said the Lions and England hero.
“Taulupe Faletau has had a lot of injuries since joining Bath, but he is leading the charge at No. 8.”
■ Clive Woodward’s Lions XV: Stuart Hogg (Scotland); Louis Reeszammit (Wales), Henry Slade (England), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Anthony Watson (England); Owen Farrell (England), Gareth Davies (Wales); Rory Sutherland (Scotland), Ken Owens (Wales), Kyle Sinckler (England), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales, capt), Maro Itoje (England), Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Tom Curry (England), Justin Tipuric (Wales).