Telegraph Sport's Lions squad day two: hookers - do you agree with our writers' selections?

Lions head coach Warren Gatland will announce his squad for the tour to South Africa on May 6 - and in advance of the big selection announcement Telegraph Sport's rugby writers have nominated their own picks to take on the world champions.

The spotlight fell first on the props, with the focus now shifting to the hookers.

Mick Cleary

My three hookers: Luke Cowan-Dickie (England), Jamie George (England), Ken Owens (Wales)

Ronan Kelleher of Leinster and Ireland, have we done wrong by you in leaving you at home? It was such a tough call but George did the Lions proud in 2017 when coming through to take the test spot and Cowan-Dickie is threatening to do the same. As for Owens, he just keeps on keeping on. That experience is vital on a Lions tour.

Gavin Mairs

My three hookers: Jamie George (England), Ken Owens (Wales), Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)

Probably one of the more straightforward selections for Gatland. George was the starting hooker in 2017 and despite a dip in form during the Six Nations when his lack of game time with his club appeared to affect him, he remains world class. Gatland will no doubt also want the gnarled experience of Ken Owens, who came off the bench twice in New Zealand while Luke Cowan-Dickie has the explosive power and bulk perfectly suited for the Springboks. Ireland’s rookie Ronan Kelleher is the dark horse. Big, physical and dynamic but still lacking big-game experience. Leinster’s European semi-final against La Rochelle on Sunday will be his chance to show Gatland what he can do when the pressure is on.

Daniel Schofield

My three hookers: Ken Owens (Wales), Jamie George (England), Alfie Barbeary (England)

It's bolter time. I cannot remember the last young player I saw who possessed as much explosiveness as Alfie Barbeary. He is struggling with injuries at the moment but if he is fit I would gamble on him with the third hooker slot to be the cannonball the Lions need to puncture the Springboks’ heavy armoury. Ken Owens is the clear form hooker from the Six Nations while Jamie George is towards the other end of the spectrum his experience of starting all three Tests in 2017 gives him the nod over George Turner.

Charles Richardson

My three hookers: Luke Cowan-Dickie (England), Ken Owens (Wales), George Turner (Scotland)

Only the toughest will triumph in South Africa and this is one tough trio. All three were excellent in this year's Six Nations - with Turner the surprise package - and they will confront the Springboks head on. After pilfering the England jersey from Jamie George, who would be my standby, Cowan-Dickie has been outstanding for Exeter. George is one of rugby's shrewdest forwards, and his skills and lineout expertise are almost unrivalled, but the first step to beating South Africa is matching their ferocity and their physicality, and this trio would do just that.

Tom Cary

My three hookers: Ken Owens (Wales), Jamie George (England), George Turner (Scotland)

Ken Owens is a dead cert. Jamie George is just about hanging in there. Some may prefer Luke Cowan-Dickie’s dynamism around the field, but if you’re picking one English hooker I think George’s experience and accuracy at the lineout edge it. Turner had a storming Six Nations.

Ben Coles

My three hookers: Jamie George (England), Ken Owens (Wales), Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)

Probably one of the easier positions for Gatland to pick. Owens revived Wales lineout in the Six Nations and could start, while George was a favourite four years ago, making his first Test starts for the Lions rather than England.

Cowan-Dickie’s physical ball-carrying both in the loose and from short range is a big asset too.

James Corrigan

My three hookers: Ken Owens (Wales), George Turner (Scotland), Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)

Owens will be one of Gatland's leaders on the pitch. Nailed on to start. Turner gets in ahead of Jamie George purely on his excellent line-out throwing.

Richard Bath

My three hookers: Ken Owens (Wales), Luke Cowan-Dickie (England), Fraser Brown (Scotland)

Hooker is one of the three problem positions, along with scrum-half and No 8. Owens performed well in the Six Nations, while Cowan-Dickie is the best of the rest. Brown is a rugged competitor who has also played plenty of Test rugby on the openside.