Mid 6nations is the classic time to start picking a lions squad. Only it's never that simple. England will be expected to make up a large section of the squad but Gatland will no doubt pick plenty from Wales. Scotland have been better than expected this season and the iris are missing plenty who'd expect to make the plane. So my squad:
Front row
Last tour the Welsh lads made all the headlines, but they've not been In the same format this year. That said you can't discount their class. Dan Cole and cian healey look nailed on, and from scotland I always like Ross ford and euan murray. Dylan Hartley and tom youngs both make a case. For me murray Cole healey jenkins Jones ford Hartley Rees. Youngs unlucky but just too soon. Might bolt
Second row
English and scottish both look strong here. The players missing from ireland and Wales want in too based on class. Launchbury lawes and gray look to be the future, but you ignore hines parling oconnell and wyn Jones at your peril. For me the 3 young guns, oconnell if fit and hines. Tough on parling
Back row
This is interesting. Key for me is balance. I know gatland wants a fetcher to combat pocock, which points to Warburton. I think the best 2 back rowers have both been injured recently - croft and ferris. Robshaw wood heaslip obrien Lydiate and faletau are all good players too but this a lot of players that more look like 6.5s I'd go with croft ferris and faletau, taking wood heaslip obrien and Lydiate. Robshaw too if space allows
Front row
Last tour the Welsh lads made all the headlines, but they've not been In the same format this year. That said you can't discount their class. Dan Cole and cian healey look nailed on, and from scotland I always like Ross ford and euan murray. Dylan Hartley and tom youngs both make a case. For me murray Cole healey jenkins Jones ford Hartley Rees. Youngs unlucky but just too soon. Might bolt
Second row
English and scottish both look strong here. The players missing from ireland and Wales want in too based on class. Launchbury lawes and gray look to be the future, but you ignore hines parling oconnell and wyn Jones at your peril. For me the 3 young guns, oconnell if fit and hines. Tough on parling
Back row
This is interesting. Key for me is balance. I know gatland wants a fetcher to combat pocock, which points to Warburton. I think the best 2 back rowers have both been injured recently - croft and ferris. Robshaw wood heaslip obrien Lydiate and faletau are all good players too but this a lot of players that more look like 6.5s I'd go with croft ferris and faletau, taking wood heaslip obrien and Lydiate. Robshaw too if space allows
9s
Youngs and care. Next10s
Farell and sexton are the favourites. I'd take hook for versatility and would be interested to see if there's any new ones wilkinson
12
Roberts would be favourite but not playing great this year. Barritt will lead the defence, Marshall may find it too soon. No scottish candidates and D'Arcy is not the player he was
13
Old master and young pretender. Odriscoll and tuilagi. Bod possible (probable?) captain. Tough on Davies who is looking better and better.
Back 3
Cuthbert north and bowel will almost definitely make the trip. Ashton needs to up his defence. Halfpenny and kearney are probable and I'd take foden. Hogg and the Scottish wings look nice too. Nice problem to have!
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