Post 6 Nations Lions Team

With the dust now settled on the 2015 RBS 6 Nations, we here at RBP decided to make what we think would be the squad if there was to be a 2015 Lions Tour.

Fullbacks:

There are a lot of really tough choices here, Leigh Halfpenny is still the outstanding kicker that made him player of the tour in 2013, but has become more injury prone, and the likes of Mike Brown and Stuart Hogg have improved dramatically since then. Rob Kearney has to be the odd man out after a relatively quiet tournament.

Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Mike Brown (England)

Wings:

Again, a lot of really good choices, and a lot of standout players. George North hasn’t missed a beat since his concussion against England, while Jack Nowell showed a lot of promise when he was included. Luke Fitzgerald’s versatility and excellent play against Scotland sneaks him into the team.

George North (Wales) Tommy Bowe (Ireland) Jack Nowell (England) Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland)

Centre:

This is a position brimming with talented options for the Lions. Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies led the charge in 2013 after the controversial dropping of O’Driscoll, while young players like Robbie Henshaw and Jonathan Joseph were thrilling for their respective nations. Mark Bennett of Scotland also had an outstanding tournament, and would certainly be in contention for a spot.

Jonathan Joseph (England) Jamie Roberts (Wales) Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) Jonathan Davies (Wales)

Fly-Halves:

Last time around, Warren Gatland selected an Irishman and an Englishman for his two fly halves on tour, and we’ve taken his notes. Scotland’s Finn Russell and Wales’ Dan Biggar just miss out after playing really well, but these two were the standout fly halves this season.

Jonathan Sexton (Ireland) George Ford (England)

Scrum Halves:

Things haven’t really changed here either. There were three standout candidates for the spots, but the decision of who will start, thats a different matter entirely.

Ben Youngs (England) Conor Murray (Ireland) Rhys Webb (Wales)

Props:

Some really tough choices here, lots of instability and changes, with a lot of players playing really well. Jack McGrath is unfortunately left out, as Cian Healy’s return to form means that he grabs a spot, while the retirement of Adam Jones opens up places that were never available before. The 6 Nations offers a wealth of tight head talent, which makes selection easy by no means. Dan Cole’s excellent return to the England shirt means he grabs a spot, while Samson Lee’s injury keeps him out of the side.

Gethin Jenkins (Wales) Joe Marler (England) Cian Healy (Ireland) Dan Cole (England) Euan Murray (Scotland) Mike Ross (Ireland)

Hookers:

Dylan Hartley gets a second chance to be a Lion, as long as he doesn’t start swearing at refs (again). His good play throughout the tournament cannot be ignored, but he will come under pressure from Rory Best and Scott Baldwin who have been very impressive. Even in his old age, Best will continues to shine for Ireland and will be pushing hard for a spot.

Second Rows:

It would seem that they just don’t make locks like they used to. Paul O’Connell and Alun Wyn Jones had remarkable tournaments despite amassing over 4,000 caps each and starting their careers around 800 B.C. Elsewhere the likes of Johnny Gray and Luke Charteris both proved themselves more than worthy of a shot in Lions colors.

Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) Paul O’Connell (Ireland) Jonny Gray (Scotland) Luke Charteris (Wales)

Loose Forwards:

Some really impressive candidates here. Chris Robshaw had an excellent defensive tournament, and Sean O’Brien gave us a reminder of how dangerous a fully healthy Tullow Tank can be. Jamie Heaslip got Ireland over the gain-line consistently, and only missed one match, despite suffering several broken vertebrae. Sam Warburton solidified himself as one of Europes best flankers, with his excellent play a key part of Wales’ resurrection after their round 1 debacle.

Sam Warburton (Wales) Jamie Heaslip (Ireland) Chris Robshaw (England) Sean O’Brien (Ireland) Peter O’Mahony (Ireland) Taulupe Faletau (Wales) Dan Lydiate (Wales)

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