The British & Irish Lions side to play Western Province
15. Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland)14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)13. Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland)12. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)11. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)10. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)9. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
8. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales)7. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)6. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)5. Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland)4. Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster/Ireland)3. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England) captain2. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)1. Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England)
Replacements:16. Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland)17. Euan Murray (Northampton/Scotland)18. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)19. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England)20. Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland)21. James Hook (Ospreys/Wales)22. Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster/Ireland)
Apologies for the delay in adding comments.
ReplyDeleteFirst I think this selection actually tells more about the potential Test team then the Lions management believe.
I think it is clear both D'Arcy and Murray will struggle to get into the 22 without starting today.
D'Arcy may get a shot, if Flutey has a nightmare, but if Riki plays a good game it will solidify his place in the Test 22.
The second wing spot is still up for grabs. Even with only one game the live wire Luke Fitzgerald has put his name in the hat. Monye is under pressure to perform today. If he has a medicore game expect to see Luke Fitz start on Tues and if he performs be taken off after 50 mins having won the second wing berth.
After the last game and his tackling machine performance I still think Simon Shaw can make it into the Test 15. The same as Luke, if Shaw gets another good cameo today, a strong 50mins on Tues could convince McGeechan and Co.
IF Shaw is picked, that will leave room for various combinations in the backrow. In my mind today is a fitness test for Williams shoulder. If he pulls through it would be a mad man to bet against him starting this day week.
If he does start 7 then who will play 6 (given Heaslip has proven he can sustain a high level of performance at 8).
I personally don't think Croft is up to the standard of the 'Boks backrow, much as Stuart Barnes would have me shot for saying it. One crazy idea, start a backrow of Wallace, Williams and Heaslip?
Perhaps Joe Worsely could be at 6, with a game plan much like Englands against Wales in the 6 Nations - STOP Spies (nee Powell), which would free up Williams to slow down/speed up ruck ball and Heaslip to roam free and use his athlethcism around the park.