The Lions - 2 sides to beat the Aussies

So, returning back from skiing having watched only a few minutes of rugby in the last two weeks, all the talk has moved on from the Six Nations, (which on reflection i think was a pretty decent one) to the British & Irish Lions of 2013.

Having chatted about it in the office we realised that there are at least 2 full lions XV’s that would smash the Aussies on their day. The strength of the home nations packs are at their peak at the moment, (Irish fans may disagree). The quality of back rowers is exceptional, with the Welsh leading the way on this front. The emergence of a couple of fantastic fly halves in Rhys Priestland & Owen Farrell as well as some powerful and athletic centre and wing combos is mouth-watering.

As well as this, we saw some real front foot running rugby across the board which hopefully the right coaching team can replicate down under.

If there was a Lions test next week, i would be pretty happy to pick either of the teams below and be fairly confident.

‘A’ XV:

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Matthew Rees
3. Dan Cole
4. Paul O'Connell
5. Richie Gray
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Sam Warburton
8. Toby Faletau

9. Mike Phillips
10. Owen Farrell
11. George North
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Rob Kearney

‘B’ XV:

1. Alex Corbisiero
2. Rory Best
3. Adam Jones
4. Courtney Lawes
5. Alun Wynn Jones
6. Tom Croft
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Ben Morgan

9. Connor Murray
10. Rhys Priestland
11. Leigh Halfpenny
12. Gordon D'Arcy
13. Jonathan Davies
14. Chris Ashton
15. Ben Foden

Not to mention back up front rowers such as Mike Ross, Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford, Dylan Hartley & Euan Murray. Locks that could go such as Donnacha Ryan, Mauritz Botha and Jim Hamilton. An outstanding third choice back row picked out of Ross Rennie, Chris Robshaw, Tom Wood, David Denton, Jamie Heaslip & Stephen Ferris. Ben Youngs, Danny Care, Jonathon Sexton and Toby Flood would all feel aggrieved to not make the plane as world class half backs. Gordon D’Arcy, Fergus McFadden & Brad Barritt as well as Charlie Sharples, Max Evans and Stuart Hogg have all got reasons to suggest they could go.

This is without taking into consideration players that are likely to make serious progress in the next year and will undoubtedly trouble the selectors. Jonny May, Henry Trinder and Joe Marler are three English youngsters who given their chance could push into either of these sides. There are players pushing through across the board who could add their names to the hat. I guess my point would be that there are NO excuses for the 2013 Lions side to tour Australia and come back with anything less than 3 test victories.

The Lions haven't won a test series since Geech and Jonno's pride of 1997. Wouldn't it be great to have a 2013 living with the lions video (iTunes download more likely) that we still watched 16 years on from now...

What would your side be?


Until next week,

Andy