Lions team for the weekend.

[Danthefan]

British & Irish Lions v Royal XV
15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Wales)
13. Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)
10. Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland)
9. Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland)
8. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
7. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
6. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
5. Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland) captain
4. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
3. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
2. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
1. Andrew Sheridan (Sales Sharks/England)

Replacements
16. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
17. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
18. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
19. Stephen Ferris (Ulster/Ireland)
20. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)
21. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
22. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)

[Darce]

Likely tight 5 and possible test half backs right there

[thecoolfreak]

Would be very surprised if Jenkins wasn't loosehead for the test matches

[Danthefan]

Likely tight 5 and possible test half backs right there

I do not agree.

[Darce]

He might throw in Vickery to Tighthead, but Geech is a massive Shawsie fan.

Do not be surprised if he goes with him

[crisco10]

Bowe is Welsh now. :lol

[boiboy]

Likely tight 5 and possible test half backs right there

I do not agree.

I also do not agree. Phillips will be test scrummie and Jones should be test outhalf. Does anyone actually fancy south african players running the 10 channel and finiding a flake there to run over? They need someone who can tackle. As far as the tight 5 are concerned itll be Jenkins at 1 anyway with a toss up between Rees and mears for hooker and probably Murray and tight head. The locks will be Wyn Jones and O'Connell. Thats the best combination they have

[thecoolfreak]

While we all may love trying to predict the test side i honestly think it'll be very difficult to predict. I reckon McGeechan will be true to his word and pick the form players. So we won't really have an idea of the side until we see how the first few fixtures go

[suisse]

It's all opinion lads, at this stage.

But I'd be more inclined to go with Darce, expect I reckon Jenkins will be in there somewhere. It's a big pack, but when you look at those names on the sheet (6, 7 and , there is something very ordinary to them, in comparison to the Bok back row. Only Martyn Williams looks like having a reasonable chance of starting there. Worsely is pure tackle, but the pace of the Bok game must be quicker than what we saw in the 6 Nations, so moving him around the field will bring it's rewards. Heaslip definitely offers more than Powell, and Ferris' or Croft's pace and physicality should see them nudge Worsely out of that team.

That could be the Lions starting back 3 too, not that Kearney is struggling a bit here. It all depends on how tough this King's XV is, but there are three 'small' guys in that team, and a lot of traffic will head towards ROG. You feel it's games like this that Earls will look a Test starter, or tourist. Should be good!

[ronk]

That's a strong bench. They'll get an early run.

I'd be inclined that this selection isn't really indicative of the tests. They're just mixing and matching the teams. With matches close together they'll have time to look at people.

We'll know a lot more after Golden Lions on Wednesday.

It should also pointed out that this is a very Wales heavy selection. Only Hook (too new and surplus) and Jenkins (likely starter anyway) aren't in the 22. Jones and Phillips are a known combination and will get a run together. Putting Jenkins in the front row would have just been an all Wales front row (a waste of development time).

Be interesting to see the young centre combination with a seriously good back 3 to give them a bit of space (and hopefully rake up a decent score)

[garr17]

all i can say is why in gods name is earls in there????

[Danthefan]

all i can say is why in gods name is earls in there????

Why wouldn't he be?

[ronk]

all i can say is why in gods name is earls in there????

I just read on the Guardian that there'll be 15 changes for the team on Wednesday.

They obviously have to have the captain starting the first game. Aside from that and the backline affected by missing the Leinster players it could well be their slightly weaker team for weaker opposition.

Besides, what other option did they have for 13? No BOD or Fitz, no Halfpenny, Roberts and Bowe getting a run elsewhere. Quick chance to impress for the lad.

Next match they call in Monye on the wing.

[ronk]

all i can say is why in gods name is earls in there????

Why wouldn't it be?

Now, now. He, please.

[Danthefan]

all i can say is why in gods name is earls in there????

Why wouldn't it be?

Now, now. He, please.

Doh, read it as "why is Earls name there".

[garr17]

Doh, read it as "why is Earls name there".[/quote]

we'll never hear the end of this now that he gets a cap to be honest johnno should be or darcy should be on that tour not earls !

[Danthefan]

we'll never hear the end of this now that he gets a cap to be honest johnno should be or darcy should be on that tour not earls !

Earls is one of the most talented young players in Ireland. I have no idea why you wouldn't want him getting caps. I agree on D'Arcy, I think he's a better player, but he's not there, Earls is, and I hope he plays well on Saturday.

[thecoolfreak]

we'll never hear the end of this now that he gets a cap to be honest johnno should be or darcy should be on that tour not earls !

Sexton should be there ahead of Earls?? You are joking? Earls is a real talent and I hope he has a great Lions tour. First and foremost he's Irish and I always want Irish players to succeed.

[jhc99]

I agree the back three look like the likely starting back three and I wouldn't be surprised if POC and Shaw were the starting second row. At the moment I'd be surprised if out of form ROG started the tests and since the inclusion of Hook, if he was even on the bench for the test series. The thought of Spies running at O'Gara is truly frightening. O'Gara on the bench behind Jones only offers more of the same where as Hook at least offers some game breaking ability. If he has any chance to make the test team ROG cannot miss or flounder in ever a single tackle.

Pleased to see Earles in there, I think he an Roberts could do well on Saturday.

[Dublinner]

we'll never hear the end of this now that he gets a cap to be honest johnno should be or darcy should be on that tour not earls !

Earls is one of the most talented young players in Ireland. I have no idea why you wouldn't want him getting caps. I agree on D'Arcy, I think he's a better player, but he's not there, Earls is, and I hope he plays well on Saturday.

Agree with you Dan. Earls deserves his place on the tour and deserves everyones support. Darcy was only coming right when the squad was announced. As for Sexton he was just back from playing with Marys in the AIL at the time of the announcement. He is hugely talented and I think he has a huge year ahead of him, but I think we need to see him deliver real consistency before deifying him and pronouncing him as the next BOD.