Hopefuls... so how many plane for New Zealand?
Ken Owens The Scarlets man is probably thinking that, in or out, he could have done no more in the Six Nations to prove himself. And he would be right. Owens was the best hooker in the tournament, no question...so why is he not a certainty? Because of Dylan Hartley, Jamie George and Rory Best, that’s why. England captain Hartley wouldn’t make it on form, but Gatland is a confirmed admirer of his spiky personality. George has been outstanding at club level with Saracens and as Hartley’s Test replacement and Best, well, he’s said to be in the running for the captaincy. So Owens will be especially nervous on Wednesday, even though he truly could have done no more. Justin Tipuric His large band of diehard supporters will contend that leaving him out is unthinkable, but it’s not as if Gatland doesn’t have form for doing just that. Like Owens, Tipuric, finally given a run of starts, was magnificent for much of the Six Nations and has the experience of having toured in 2013. The question is whether Gatland views his undoubted ability in the wider channels as a luxury that has to be sacrificed on the altar of brute force. The back row is another fiendishly crowded area. If Tipuric makes it there will be no complaints, but there is no guarantee. OUTSIDERS Ross Moriarty With Billy Vunipola and Taulupe Faletau vying for the No.8 berth and a host of others like CJ Stander and James Haskell eyeing the blindside, youngster Moriarty would have to put some prominent noses out of joint to get in. But after a superb Six Nations which capped a year of terrific progress as an international player, he is not without hope. Dan Biggar Should Biggar be among the good shouts? Possibly, but when you consider the other contenders for the position and the fact that Gatland only took two specialist No.10s to Australia, the odds lengthen on Biggar’s involvement. He was the only one of the 2013 Six Nations team that trounced England to be overlooked. Jonathan Sexton and Owen Farrell are certainties, then you have George Ford and Scotland’s Finn Russell. Biggar also has a reputation for on-pitch verbals and you wonder whether Gatland views him as the sort of character best suited to a Lions tour. Tomas Francis The Exeter man wouldn’t appear to be the obvious candidate for the Lions, but he may yet sneak in if Gatland opts to take seven props because of the need to have four in each match-day squad. Francis has a solid Six Nations during which he seemed to usurp Samson Lee as first choice Wales tighthead. A Lions call-up would be a remarkable elevation for him. Scott Williams The Scarlets man had the opportunity he long craved when he ousted Jamie Roberts from the Wales midfield for the Six Nations, but there was a nagging sense he didn’t fully take it. There were glimpses of the vision and cleverness of which he is capable, but nothing that really demanded his Lions inclusion. The odds look more against than for him going to New Zealand and he is a potential captain of Wales’ tour to play Samoa and Tonga. Jamie Roberts The burly Harlequins man said last week he still harbours hopes of going to New Zealand and he shouldn’t be written off completely. Yes, Roberts lost his place to Scott Williams in the Six Nations, but it’s interesting that Williams isn’t being viewed as a strong contender by many pundits. What Roberts offers is unrivalled gain-line potential in midfield and a huge well of experience. He was Gatland’s go-to man for years. What price he will be again? Gethin Jenkins The 36-year-old loosehead missed the Six Nations with an arm injury, but he was back flying into the thick of things for the Blues in their Judgement Day win against the Ospreys. Given his age, Jenkins has no right to make this tour, but he is just the sort of character who may just do it. Gatland has continually backed him down the years and will value enormously his experience, his game-intelligence and his ongoing ability around the field, especially at the breakdown. Jenkins would love a Lions swansong after his 2013 tour was cut short by a calf problem. And far stranger things have happened. That said, Gatland also has Joe Marler, Mako Vunipola, Cian Healy and Jack McGrath to think about on the loosehead. Delme Parfitt’s Lions squad Backs: L Halfpenny, R Kearney, L Williams, A Watson, G North, T Seymour, S Zebo, E Daly, J Joseph, J Davies, O Farrell, R Henshaw, J Sexton, G Ford, C Murray, R Webb, B Youngs. Forwards: M Vunipola, J McGrath, G Jenkins, C Healy, D Hartley, K Owens, J George, T Furlong, D Cole, K Sinckler, AW Jones, M Itoje, J Launchbury, C Lawes, I Henderson, P O’Mahoney, CJ Stander, Sam Warburton (c), S O’Brien, T Faletau, B Vunipola.