Lions Team for 1st Test

Everyone it putting forward their ideas has to who they think should take the field for the first test against the All Blacks on the 24th of June. So why should this blog be any different? Below is the 15 (+ substitutes) that I would pick for the first test, based on 6 Nations form, consistent talent, and assuming everyone is fit.

Hogg was voted Player of the Championship for the second year running, clearly showing his class.

Fullback - Stuart Hogg

Who else? One of the best attacking fullbacks in world rugby, and that sort of eye for a try will be needed against the Kiwi's, who possess the greatest fullback in the game in Ben Smith. Hogg offers brilliantly balanced running, with the ball in two hands, causing defenders endless problems. Combine that with his lethal acceleration which can see him scorch past international wingers if needed and he is likely to be the Lion's main threat outwide.

He has his defensive frailty which is well discussed, however the nature of All Black's rugby if they've got the point where the fullback is making a "last-line" tackle, they probably have support runners anyway. Hogg's defence shouldn' be discarded however, he saved two tries with superb cover work against the Italians on the final weekend, he has the ability and maybe working with Andy Farrell could see him really flourish.

Wings - George North & Simon Zebo

Zebo has been on a
Lions tour before.

I will start off saying this was an incredibly difficult choice, with the likes of Nowell, Liam Williams, Elliot Daly, Anthony Watson and Tommy Seymour all being very close. Anthony Watson is probably closest to making in with his pure finishing ability a key asset the Lions will require, however he needs game time first.

Instead, Simon Zebo gets in on the left wing, with his ability to beat defenders with ease, and in full flow can make cover defences look like they're moving in slow motion. Teamed with his uncanny ability to win high balls - which he proved against the All Blacks in Chicago - and to launch counter attacks he will be a key player in the back three for the Lions. His ability to pull off the magical is also a big check in his column, sometimes it takes one spark of brilliance to beat the All Blacks.

Will North be reproducing heroics like this against NZ?

North is a 50:50 call. If he plays like he did against Scotland he'll never see the Lions jersey, if he plays like he did against Ireland there is no better winger in world rugby. On form North is an unstoppable wrecking machine capable of flinging even the stoutest of defenders around, allied with dancing feet that big wingers aren't supposed to possess and a speed which see's him out pacing opponents even with a dead leg. If the Lions gets that George North they have the weapon that is required to beat the All Blacks, add him alongside the rest of this backline (Hogg especially) and he is bound to rack up some tries - just look at his first try against Ireland this year.

Outside Centre - Jonathan Joseph

Outside centre isn't the richest area for Warren Gatland to pick from. The four options from the home nations each having their high points in the 6 Nations. Jonathan Davies looked to be nearing his best again, but his passing is still suspect; Huw Jones struggled to impose himself early on, and just as he was finding form has obtained a long term injury; Gary Ringrose didn't have the impact in the big games, while still looking good with the ball in hand. Therefore we've gone with Joseph.

Joseph tore Scotland apart with his running.

Joseph will be another play which the likes of North and Zebo can thrive off, his ability to beat a defender and open up a gap for himself or others around him his unmatched among his peers. Another who keeps the ball in two-hands which means the defence is never entirely sure what he is planning. He's begun to form a solid partnership with Farrell too and that is what edges it in his favour. Not exactly a big player though, so the Lions will be required on North to a lot of physical carries in the backline.

Inside Centre - Owen Farrell

World class kicker, sublime passer, hard as nails defender. What more do you want from your inside centre? He will be the cog about which the Lions backline will function, he will have to develop a partnership with Sexton quickly, but both are such sublime talents that I fully expect it work. The option of a second play-maker is something that is becoming a major talking point in rugby these days. The Kiwi's use the likes of Ben Smith and Israel Dagg in this fashion, and England have had obvious success.

Farrell's kicking accuracy will be sorely tested against one of the best back-three units in the world, and he will have to be on song along with Sexton and Hogg, but there will be no doubts about his goal kicking. Without a doubt the first choice kicker for the Lions, a real area of strength that the British team has over the Kiwi's.

Fly Half - Johnny Sexton

Sexton is a classy operator.

As discussed will have to quickly form a test level quality parternship with Owen Farrell, the link between the playmakers has to be smooth for it to run properly. Sexton showed exactly why he was first choice four years ago during the 6 Nations, together with Conor Murray putting together a archtiect of England's first defeat in over a year. Kicking accuracy unmatched in world rugby, combined with a running game many forget about he really does offer the whol package.
master class against the French and then was the

That game against England showcased his other talent, sheer unbridled resiliance. His importance is noted by every team he plays against, and as such he is usually in for an extremely rough ride. His ability to take utterly ferocious hits and get back up is unbelievable, plus he doesn't mind getting stuck in defensively or at the breakdown either. He is a do-or-die player and will put himself on the line for the Lions, especially with the knowledge that someone like Farrell remains in the backline to control things if he ends up buried at the bottom of a ruck.

Scrum Half - Conor Murray

Some players crumble under the expectation of being 1st choice Lions, others go out and there and prove the idea again and again. Murray is one of the latter, didn't have a bad game all tournament, even against Wales when he played 10 minutes injured his passing was still crisp and accurate. His decision making around the breakdown is second to none, he knows what the right pass is each time, knows when to go himself and when he needs to put boot to ball. He will be going up against Aaron Smith, another who is considered "best in the world", and Murray will have to be on top of his game to nullify the threat that Smith presents.

Murray's kicking game will play a crucial role in any success the Lions hope to have, giving the likes of Zebo and North the chance to compete with the defender for any box kicks. You simply cannot give the All Blacks any easy ball, their counter-attack is beyond lethal and they will punish the Lions for any loose kicks. If anyone can dominate the kicking battle it is Murray though who alongside Sexton can throttle the life out of a team with pinpoint accuracy.

Murray was imperious against New Zealand in Chicago, putting one over Aaron Smith in the process.

Number 8 - Taulupe Faletau

This is probably going to throw up some disagreements, with Billy Vunipola an exceptional ball carrier and man mountain. Will always make yardage with the ball in hand, excellent kick returner, and now an 80 minute player. However for the sole purpose of balancing the back row Faletau just gets ahead. 

Faletau offers more generic work-load, a super human defender who will make tackles you won't see, excellent with ball in hand using footwork over bulk and usually beats the first tackler. The main reason he is selected though is his willingess to dive into the breakdown on the back of his team mate, his work to make sure his team secure the ball in a trait not often considered. The likes of Robshaw and O'Mahony are the pinnacle of this unseen gritty work, but Faletau offers it from the back of the scrum. Vunipola acts as a human wrecking ball "finisher" to attack tiring defenders.

Warburton & Faletau have worked together for years.

Openside Flanker - Sam Warburton

The difficult decisions keep coming, with the likes of Justin Tipuric, Hamish Watson, and Sean O'Brien all missing out. All of them would do a superb job for the Lions, but Warburton edges it for a number of reasons. Firstly his experience as captain, on the last tour, that kind of level head will be required in the heat of the test match. His breakdown ability is - at his best - unmatched in the British Isles. Watson is a close second for tenacity, but Warburton is practically immovable when he swoops in on an unprotected ball, but it his decision making that puts him a cut above. Warburton has an innate ability to know what breakdowns are worth attacking and which aren't, waiting like a hawk for the right moment to strike.

The All Blacks are the best breakdown operators in the world, and Warburton is going to have to be at his best to give the Lions a chance. If not O'Brien, Watson or Tipuric will put forward their talents during the warm up matches for sure.

Blindside Flanker - CJ Stander

How did South Africa let this guy go, an unstoppable ball carrier who can mix it up in the tight carries as well as the wide ones. If the Lions need someone to get them over the gain line Stander is going to be that man, it is a shock if he fails to make it over the gain line. Defensively he is as effective a player as you'll find, and is capable of putting in the big game changing hits that are needed at times. 

He rounds out the balance of the back-row, adding the ball carrying element every back row needs, as well as an invaluable lifter at the lineouts with both Faletau & Warburton capable of getting put in the air.

Itoje is a supreme athlete who will thrive against the
All Blacks.

Locks - Maro Itoje & Alun Wyn Jones

Another position with a wealth of riches, the likes of Launchbury, Gray, Henderson, and Lawes all missing out of this team, but once again I've gone with balance. Alun Wyn Jones brings that grit, determination, and leadership that every Lions teams can unite around. Jones will simply refuse to take a backward step and will drag the Lions out of any danger that they get themselves into. He's been there and done it.

Itoje is an automatic pick, his athleticism is something that has no parallel in professional rugby, there is simply nothing that this guy doesn't seem capable of doing. He has a tackle count near the 20's each game, he wins turnovers despite his body shape, he steals lineouts almost without lifters, and he chases kicks with terrifying regularity. The All Blacks possess widely regarded as the best lock partnership in the world - Retallick & Whitelock - however the Lions have the chance to put together something that will actually rival it.

Tight Head - Tadhg Furlong

No other tight-head offers the kind of all-court game that Furlong brings, he can pass, he can run, and he can break tackles, people still remember his 20-yard break against the Kiwi's last autumn. However while those attributes are fast becoming useful in international rugby, the purpose of a tight head prop is to secure the scrum and provide possession on the front foot. 

Furlong does this with consistency, he is still a young player and will only get better, under the tutelage of England great Graham Rowntree he could take his technique up another notch just in time to compete with the world champions. The Lions will hope he remains injury free, because scrum time will be an area they will look to gain an advantage.

Hooker - Ken Owens

Ken Owens was dynamic all tournament.

Owens has come from no-where to be the front runner in this position, his stats alone put him above every single one of his competitors, missing only a couple of lineouts in five matches, played more game time than anyone else in the 2-shirt, and his tackle count was higher than them too. He offers set-piece solidity, massive open field work rate and an engine that can see him last 80 minutes. 

Rory Best is the closest rival to Owens currently, offering a lot more at the breakdown with his ability to win turnovers, however Best has a tendency to lose his way at the lineout, and with the threat the All Black's counter-jumps have that is a risk the Lions can ill afford to take.

Loose Head - Mako Vunipola

A toss up between McGrath and Vunipola, see's Vunipola just edge it for me. The Irishman may offer a slightly stronger scrummaging presence, but Vunipola's influence around the pitch makes a massive difference. Another player who will put together a tremendous tackle statistic, along with impressive ball carrying efforts too. That's before you consider his trump card, which is his ability to use the ball, offloading out of the tackle is an asset which could give the Lions an edge.

He can exhaust his tank in the first 50 minutes, putting everything he can into the black shirts, before being replaced by McGrath who will not reduce the talent.

Vunipola will play a huge part for the Lions, from the bench he could prove a true "super-sub".

Substitutes

Rory Best, Jack McGrath, Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, Billy Vunipola, Rhys Webb, Robbie Henshaw, Elliot Daly

Daly is truly a utility back, able to add class anywhere
on the pitch.

The bench covers the basics of being able to replace any injuries which would occur in a high octane Test match. The front row are there to do a job of maintaining dominance at the scrum, while adding their own attributes. Launchbury is a supreme athlete who will raise energy levels around the breakdown and keep the opposition on their toes. Billy Vunipola acts as a bowling ball brought on to scatter defenders who have been dealing with Stander for 50 minutes, and his extra weight in the scrum will help the Lions turn the screw.

Rhys Webb is a live-wire who will up the tempo of play when he comes on and could provide a spark of magic to extend a lead or turn the game. Henshaw is a dependable player who will provide a physical dominant presence if he comes on, dominating the gainline with his physicality and agressive tackling. Lastly Elliot Daly after his performances all 6 Nations gets in, he is capable of slotting in across the backline and can thrive in any of them.