Yes, I know there isn’t a British Irish Lions tour this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have abit of fun selecting our hypothetical squads from the early rounds of Six Nations matches.
In this edition, we will look at the forwards, and as an ex fly half, I expect many people may disagree with my selections, on the basis of a lack of knowledge, owing to my reluctance to go anywhere near rucks or mauls during my playing career!
The original 37 man Lions squad contained 21 forwards and 16 backs, although it was acknowledged that an extra back should have been taken so we will go with 17 backs.
Props (6)
Given that Alex Corbisiero has missed the tournament with injury, he cannot be included, although he would almost certainly have been otherwise.
The scrummages of England, Wales and Scotland have all been questioned at various times during this Six Nations with only Ireland being generally solid at all times. Cian Healy has developed into a solid scrummager and his strong all round carrying game gets him the nod, along with the late developing but under rated Mike Ross, who enjoyed a strong scrummaging game against England.
Gethin Jenkins was everywhere against France, and generally held up scrummage wise against France, so his all round game gets him into the squad along side his Welsh colleague Adam Jones. The hair bear bunch tight head has struggled somewhat with the new scrummage engagement but seems to be adapting, and a solid tight head is the bedrock of any team, so he gets in.
The previous Lions tour threw up a wildcard selection in the front row in the form of Matt Stevens, but I don’t really see any bolters, young or old this time, although the Irish props Martin Moore and Jack McGrath have made good impressions when they’ve replaced he starters in the second half. England’s Henry Thomas also has potential but needs to gain experience which he may struggle to get behind Dan Cole (when restored to fitness) and the under rated David Wilson.
The aforementioned Dan Cole would make this squad, although questions remain over his scrummaging. He’s dynamic around the park and prominent at the breakdown so gets in. That leaves one more position, and neither of the Scottish props have done anything to merit consideration which leaves Joe Marler and Mako Vunipola. Like the Lions and England coaches, I love the idea of using Vunipola off the bench in the second half, so he would round out my selection of props.
Hookers
The form hooker of the tournament so far has been Dylan Hartley, who finally appears to have decided to concentrate on his game rather than get distracted or sent off. He is a shoe in, and would be Test hooker at this stage.
Not far behind comes Richard Hibbard, who was as strong and mobile as ever against France, after the disappointment in Dublin. He is a battering ram of a man and will give plenty of go forward to this squad.
Despite a disastrous Lions tour last year, Rory Best seems to have refound his form and gets the nod over Tom Youngs, whose lineout throwing is still too much of a concern as he falls behind Hartley in the England pecking order.
Second Row
The outstanding second row of the tournament so far has been Courtney Lawes, whose magnificent lineout work and thunderous presence around the park make him a certainty. Likewise the work rate and sheer doggedness of his partner Joe Launchbury is the perfect complement to Lawes and he has matured significantly as a player this year.
Both Paul O’Connell and Alan Wyn Jones have missed games through injury this year, and there replacements Dan Tuohy and Jake Ball showed great potential, but you’d be hard pressed not to include the old stagers. In O’Connell’s case he was heroic against Wales and Wyn Jones’s work rate against Italy, and even Ireland was outstanding, aligned to his leadership abilities.
The final locking berth is a close call as Ireland’s Devin Toner has been solid and Jim Hamilton continues to try and rise above the mire in Scotland, but I like Luke Charteris who always seems to play well for Wales and his athleticism would be an ideal complement to the strengths of the other locks in the party.
Back Row
The best blind side by a country mile so far has been Peter O’Mahony of Ireland who has been a turnover machine and is a beast in the contact areas. He would walk into the Test team at the moment. Â Dan Lydiate returned to something approaching his best last weekend, but England’s Tom Wood is an unsung hero with his work in the dark arts and his versatility gets him the nod over the Welshman.
Although not a classic ’7′, Chris Robshaw has been outstanding for England and he has grown as a player, highlighted by his lovely inside ball to Mike Brown in the Ireland game, so he gets in. Last years Lions skipper Sam Warburton was anonymous against Ireland but was everywhere against France and he deserves his place, as he comes back to form and fitness.
The competition for places at number 8 is intense and I’m going to include all three of Taulupe Faletau, Jamie Heaslip and the mountainous Billy Vunipola. All 3 have hit the heights at times, particularly Vunipola and Faletau whose combination of brains and brawn is an irresistible mix.
So, that’s the forwards picked and the squad is:
G Jenkins (Wales), A Jones (Wales), D Cole (England), M Ross (Ireland), C Healy (Ireland), M Vunipola (England), D Hartley (England), R Hibbard (Wales), R Best (Ireland), C Lawes (England), P O’Connell (Ireland), J Launchbury (England), A Wyn Jones (Wales), L Charteris (Wales), P O’Mahony (Ireland), T Wood (England), C Robshaw (England), S Warburton (Wales), T Faletau (Wales), J Heaslip (Ireland), B Vunipola (England)
So there we go. 8 English, 7 Welsh, 6 Irish and no Scots (who can’t really complain about that). Next time, it’s the backs!
Written By: Tony Wheat, former player and Director of Rugby, Longton RUFC
Follow Tony: Twitter @TonyJWheatÂ
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