Lions captain Paul O'Connell flanked by Gerald Davies and Ian McGeechan
A few tight calls in the outside backs and back-row, but overall it is a squad that was selected predominantly on form, although Delon Armitage and Mike Blair might dispute that. Spare a thought for Ryan Jones who plummeted from much-touted captain to Sky analyst in the space of a Six Nations cycle and rejoice at the wizened selection of Alan Quinlan.
Every team needs a fair blend of youth and experience. They also need direction, and the selection of only two 10’s gives them that. This ensures that every team session will see O’Gara and Jones running the backline, day in, day out. They are also guaranteed maximum playing time. Taking Wilkinson, Flood, Cipriani or Hook would cut down both and just generate tension. Now its only a 50/50 call. Clever.
As Jim Telfer says, “the easy part is getting selected.”
It is on.
Backs :
Lee Byrne (Wales), Rob Kearney (Ireland), Shane Williams (Wales), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Ugo Monye (England), Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland), Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Tom Shanklin (Wales), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland), Keith Earls (Ireland), Riki Flutey (England), Ronan O’Gara (Ireland), Stephen Jones (Wales), Mike Phillips (Wales), Harry Ellis (England), Tomas O’Leary (Ireland).
Forwards :
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), Andy Powell (Wales), David Wallace (Ireland), Stephen Ferris (Ireland),Alan Quinlan (Ireland), Joe Worsley (England), Martyn Williams (Wales), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O’Connell (Ireland) (captain), Donncha O’Callaghan (Ireland), Simon Shaw (England), Nathan Hines (Scotland), Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Adam Jones (Wales), Andrew Sheridan (England), Phil Vickery (England), Euan Murray (Scotland), Jerry Flannery (Ireland), Lee Mears (England), Matthew Rees (Wales).
