THERE IS NOTHING more futile than trying to predict the Lions squad a few years in advance… but there is also nothing more fun for rugby fans to do. We are coming up towards the halfway point between the last Lions tour and the next trip to New Zealand, so we decided to take a look at what a potential touring squad might look like.
There were some great displays throughout the Six Nations and it is pretty tough to select at some positions, but we gave it our best shot.
Also, we omitted Paul O’Connell due to the fact that he is almost certainly going to be retired by then. Warren Gatland brought 37 players to Australia so we picked our squad with the same amount of guys at each position.
Props (6)
Cian Healy (Ireland), Jack McGrath (Ireland), Joe Marler (England), Dan Cole (England), Samson Lee (Wales) and David Wilson (England).
(That third tighthead spot was VERY tough to fill.)
Hookers (3)
Rory Best (Ireland), Dylan Hartley (England) and Scott Baldwin (Wales).
Second Rows (5)
Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), Luke Charteris (Wales), Jonny Gray (Scotland), Richie Gray (Scotland) and Courtney Lawes (England).
Back Row (7)
Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Sam Warburton (Wales), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), Sean O’Brien (Ireland), Chris Robshaw (England), James Haskell (England) and Peter O’Mahony (Ireland).
Scrum-halves (3)
Conor Murray (Ireland), Rhys Webb (Wales) and Ben Youngs (England).
Out-halves (2)
Johnny Sexton (Ireland) and George Ford (England).
Centres (4)
Jonathan Joseph (England), Robbie Henshaw (Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Wales) and Jonathan Davies (Wales).
Wings (4)
George North (Wales), Liam Williams (Wales), Tommy Bowe (Ireland) and Jack Nowell (England).
Fullback
Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Mike Brown (England) and Stuart Hogg (Scotland).
Head Coach: Joe Schmidt.
Captain: Alun Wyn Jones.
What changes would you make if you were picking the squad?
