The Rugby Pod’s - Post June Internationals - Lions Starting Squad

As with any Lions tour, pundits, fans and players alike are speculating as to the make up of the squad. After much debate, The Rugby Pod has put together a team we feel should be taking the field for the 1st test in Auckland on the 24th June 2017.

1. Jack McGrath (Ireland)

After such a fine Six Nations, McGrath seemingly had one hand on a ticket to New Zealand for the Lions Tour. The 26-year-old Irishman is virtually un-droppable from Ireland’s team – providing not only scrummaging and ball carrying power, but also being their top tackler for two of the three tests. Mako Vunipola’s put in some fine performances for England this summer, and we think he will retain him the substitutes place that he ably filled in 2013.

Sub: Mako Vunipola (England)

2. Dylan Hartley (England)

The England hooker has gone from thinking his England career could be over in October, to leading his country to new heights and nine unbeaten games on the trot. Hartley is so valuable for his set piece work, with one of the most accurate throws in the world. Hartley is a proven leader for Northampton and England, and has put his demons to rest in the past year. His nearest challenger is Ireland captain Rory Best – who is the best hooker in Europe at getting over the ball at the breakdown and making himself a nuisance.

Sub: Rory Best (Ireland)

3. W P Nel (Scotland)

A close one with Dan Cole for the tighthead position – but WP Nel is a strong scrummager and had a fine 6 Nations in the front row. With Scotland only having two untelevised matches against Japan in June (within which Nel got limited game time), he will have struggled to put across his case to the masses at home. With Dan Cole destroying the Australian scrum and being a constant menace in the loose, he could also easily start at prop for the Lions although he is often seen to give away a lot of penalties.

Sub: Dan Cole (England)

4. Maro Itoje (England)

How could you not pick Maro Itoje? He is one of the best players in the northern hemisphere at the moment and arguably the only player who would make the All Blacks side. The England lock is 26 starts in a row unbeaten for club and country, and has been crucial to England’s success under Eddie Jones. Massive future ahead for the 21-year-old who has won European, Premiership and Six Nations titles this year along with a 3-0 series win in June. He is ever present at the line out, good over the ball, and can also play 6 if necessary.

5. Iain Henderson (Ireland)

A solid ball carrier and would add serious strength to the Lions pack. At 6ft 6 and over 18 stone, he adds big weight to the scrum and has proven himself to be up there with the best physically when he came up strong against South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth in June. Henderson brings the most physicality in the second row in our opinion, and coupled with the athleticism of Itoje, the Lions will look diverse and robust. George Kruis of England wasn’t as effective as he’d been in the 6 Nations during the June Internationals, but he has proven himself to be a valuable cog in a well oiled England pack and therefore gets a call on the bench.

Sub: George Kruis (England)

6. CJ Stander (Ireland)

A mighty ball carrier and reliable across the park, CJ Stander is one of Irelands finds of the season. He was perhaps not given the best platform to work off in June after a controversial red card in the 1st test may have doused his confidence in an already hostile environment, but after a fine Six Nations he was already up there with a chance of starting next June. Ross Moriarty and his huge ball carrying ability will be on his heels next summer after a massive start to a big international career, and Chris Robshaw’s form for England won’t go unnoticed either.

7. James Haskell (England)

If there is anyone who had the biggest tour of his life, it is James Haskell. Will it last until next summer? We will have to see, but somehow a man who looked down and out internationally has found new life in his career and has put in easily his finest few performances in an England despite being 31-years-old. Over 60 caps and a man who knows one mistake could be time up - there was no better stand out flanker from the June tests. As Haskell is not amazing over the ball, he faces big competition from John Hardie and Sam Warburton and will have to convince the coaches that there is still life in the old dog next year.

Sub: Sam Warburton (Wales)

8. Billy Vunipola

This is a position where the Lions will be licking their lips. Vunipola is the best ball carrying No. 8 in Europe, and has made some absolutely barn storming runs so far in 2016 for England. His newfound ability to play a full 80 minutes after trimming down has left him with huge confidence and either he or cousin Toby Faletau could start next summer with no complaints. We put it down to this: Vunipola is stronger, Faletau is more skillful – take your pick!

Sub: Toby Faletau (Wales)

9. Conor Murray

Scrumhalf is perhaps the most competitive positions for the Lions -with Rhys Webb, Greig Laidlaw, Ben Youngs or even substitutes Danny Care and Gareth Davies capable of starting. We’ve gone for consistency and although Rhys Webb looked like a shoe-in leading up to last year’s world cup, Murray scores tries, can kick, and has been Ireland’s number one for a while now and this does not look like changing.

Sub: Rhys Webb (Wales)

10. Owen Farrell (England)

This was a contentious one, but based on the June Internationals, we’ve gone for Farrell despite the fact that he played at 12. For a man who was under serious pressure following the early World Cup exit for England last season, Farrell has shown he has a seriously strong head on him to now be a certain starter for England. His goal kicking stats were 23/26 during the June series, and his superior kicking to Bernard Foley of Australia was a major difference in England’s series win. Dan Biggar is superb in this position, and considering the best of Farrell’s international form has come at 12, we could see them both on the pitch come next summer.

Sub: Dan Biggar (Wales)

11. George North (Wales)

After a series of concussions led the Wales winger to some questionable form, North was fantastic in the 6 Nations and had a fine 1st test in June before getting injured. He makes ground, big hits, scores tries and is so valuable to the current Wales side. His size and speed combined mean he is lethal, and he even bumped off Julian Savea, which is incredibly difficult to do! Any team in the world would take him in their match-day squad.

12. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)

A young man with a huge career ahead of him - his size and speed mean he can play both 12 and 13 and has been massively impressive in the first few years in an Irish jersey. If the Lions are looking for a traditional 12, then we would say Henshaw is the answer. Jamie Roberts doesn’t bring as much speed or skill to the team as Henshaw does – and against New Zealand the Lions cannot afford to be one-dimensional. Henshaw is physical, quick, equipped with great footballing skills and has a massive work rate – what’s not to love?

13. Jonathan Joseph (England)

Joseph has had an electric two years for England, and is now their first choice outside centre and he looks unlikely to budge even with Elliot Daly playing so well and Manu Tuilagi returning from injury. The England flyer has trademark quick feet, but during June it was his defence that showed he is a seriously good player. He rarely misses tackles and with Jonathan Davies missing so many against New Zealand, Joseph looks like the man to beat in his position. If he were to find his attacking form of 2015, coupled it with his defence, he could soon be a world-class player. Duncan Taylor also looks to be in contention after showing some seriously good form for Scotland.

Sub: Duncan Taylor (Scotland)

14. Liam Williams (Wales)

Injury problems have really been the bane of Liam Williams’ career in recent times, but when the man is playing, he is playing well. He ran the most metres with the ball in hand out of any Welsh player for all three of the June tests, and is solid under the high ball and incredibly quick on the counter attack. His commitment is second to none and if there were a stand out player for consistency during June, it would be him. Anthony Watson and his world-class finishing are unlucky to miss out, but following the summer tests you simply cannot leave Williams out.

15. Stuart Hogg

If you want some serious speed, then Stuart Hogg is your man. He had a massive Six Nations and has scored tries that only he could finish off due to his deadly pace and vision. Often if there is nothing on, Hogg can make something happen and he is a massive part of an improving Scotland side. Having already toured with the Lions once, his experience cannot be overlooked despite his youth.

Sub: Mike Brown (England)

Written by Ollie Shires for www.TheRugbyPod.com