Marshall sees Sexton and Biggar vying

DAN Biggar vying with Johnny Sexton for the No.10 shirt, Leigh Halfpenny and Rob Kearney battling it out for the full-back slot and Jonathan Davies starting at outside centre, writes Anthony Woolford.

Throw in Rory Best as Warren Gatland’s Lions skipper and possibly just one Englishman starting in the back division against the world champion All Blacks this summer and you have probably the most left field of selections seen so far for the mouth-watering three-Test series kicking off in New Zealand this June.

But that’s the bold predictions of former All Blacks and Ospreys star Justin Marshall and he looks ahead to one of the most eagerly-awaited Lions tours for some time.

Writing in the New Zealand Herald, Marshall, who played 81 times for the All Blacks between 19952005, said: “When you look at the depth and challenges coach Warren Gatland has, there are going to be a lot of disappointed players who won’t make the touring squad.

“To give a prime example, and in view of the recent speculation that England wanted to play the All Blacks at Twickenham in November, plus their Six Nations victory, I believe there may only be one Englishman in the Lions’ backline for the first Test.

“My argument is that Irishman Connor Murray is close to being the best No.9 in world and is definitely the best in the Northern Hemisphere. The two best first-fives are Ireland’s Johnny Sexton, who would be my choice, and Welshman Dan Biggar.

“England’s George Ford is a future Lions player but possibly not there yet.

“The one England back who could be selected is Owen Farrell at No.12 but he is up against pretty stiff competition against the likes of Robbie Henshaw, of Ireland, and Jamie Roberts, of Wales. Farrell’s England teammate Jonathan Joseph could also have claims here.

“Welshman Jonathan Davies at No.13 would be my preferred option, with the wings George North from Wales and Irishman Simon Zebo. There is a possible conundrum of full-back but you would think Ireland’s Rob Kearney would be a leading candidate ahead of Welshman Leigh Halfpenny.

“A case could also be made for Englishman Mike Brown to start there, so at best two, but probably one Englishman will be in the Test backline, a number which could surprise a few people.”

And Marshall, who joined the Ospreys in 2006 and played 49 times