WARREN GATLAND WILL name his team for the first Test against the All Blacks at 8pm Irish time this evening, and the Lions head coach will no doubt have made some tough calls in selecting his matchday squad.
After yesterday’s victory over the Chiefs in Hamilton, Gatland and his coaches will have sat down and had a couple of interesting meetings before deciding on a final XV for Saturday’s clash at Eden Park.
While the selection picture has become a lot clearer in the last 10 days or so, Gatland could still go a number of ways in several positions including second row, back row, midfield and the left wing.
On yesterday’s The42 Rugby Show, Murray Kinsella and Ryan Bailey picked the teams they expect Gatland to name and now we’re looking for you to have your say.
Owen Farrell or Johnny Sexton? George North or Elliot Daly? Maro Itoje or Alun Wyn Jones?
Let us know your Lions team for Saturday’s first Test against the All Blacks in the comments section below.
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1 Vunipola
2 George
3 Furlong
4 Itoje
5 Kruis
6 O’Mahony (capt.)
7 O’Brien
8 Faletau
9 Murray
10 Sexton
11 Daly
12 Farrell
13 T’eo
14 Watson
15 Halfpenny
16 Owens
17 McGrath
18 Sinckler
19 Henderson
20 Stander
21 Webb
22 Payne
23 Williams
Warburton is neither in form or fully fit. Joe Schmidt wanted 23 fully fit players to take on NZ in Chicago. POM and SOB were both roughly 75-80% fit and neither were taken. Remember what happened Jordi Murphy early on?
@sean byrne: I would be tempted to start both sexton and Farrell but what if they both got injured in the first half with no real 10 option off the bench? I know it’s unlikely but it could happen. So if you start the both of them surely biggar has to be on the bench in case that indeed does happen? Your not the only one btw to have both of them in your team with no 10 option on the bench, btw and your team is a great one.
@Ian Verdon: in that case what if Farrell got injured, Sexton came on and then he also got injured? You going to keep 3 out halfs in the 23?
@Ian Verdon: what makes you think sexton could get injured ?
@Daniel Casey: fair point, each to their own but for the first test I wouldn’t start them both if things aren’t working at half time then sexton is there to bring on.
Any player could get injured but 10′s are the most at risk because it’s the most pivotal position on the pitch. They’ll target sexton and Owen because they fear them the most and I can see sonny bill boshing into sexton early in the standing tackle which could result in a head/neck injury. Not saying it will happen but it could happen. They’ll target Farrell’s recently healed injury too and test it, it’s just common sense. I have nothing against johnny, I went to school with the man and rate hike highly I was merely pointing out my fears of starting both of them together.
1. Mako
2 George
3 Furlong
4 Itoje
5 Kruis
6 Pom(C)
7 Sob
8 Falateau
9 Murray
10 Farrell
11 Daly
12 T’eo
13 Jd
14 Watson
15 Halfpenny
16 Owens
17 McGrath
18 Sinclair
19 Lawes
20 Cj
21 Webb
22 Sexton
23 Williams
Was a toss up between Farrell and sexton at 10, I just feel Farrell has been more consistent leading up to and during the tour. Went for Daly because he has blinding pace, good strength and is versatile. Rest of the starting 15 picks itself really. Have gone with Lawes on the bench, I have been really impressed with him and he could make a big impact coming on for the last 20-25min. Cj all day ahead of warburton because of his tenacity and carrying threat, lions could need it if they’re behind after 55-60min. Williams because he’s pacy and versatile
@Ian Verdon: 100% agree
Sure they are practically the same side. Id start Sexton with Farrell at 12 or on the bench. That wont happen though. Id have Daly or Nowell ahead of North.
Liam. Williams was unreal the last day , I’d nearly start him ahead of half P ..
1) Vunipola
2) George
3) Furlong
4) Itoje
5) Kruis
6) O’ Mahony
7) O’ Brien
8) Faletau
9) Murray
10) Sexton
11) North
12) Farrell
13) Davies
14) Watson
15) Halfpenny
16) Owens
17) McGrath
18) Sinckler
19) Henderson
20) Stander
21) Webb
22) T’ Eo
23) Daly
@Sean Lynch: Thats the team id pick too. Farrell deserves his centre spot with davies.
@Sean Lynch: Why have Halfpenny in the team with Farrell and Sexton both starting? He offers us nothing going forward. Surely Watson or Williams would a better job. You haven’t a clue mate.
@Sean Lynch: Why have Halfpenny in the team with Farrell and Sexton both starting? He offers us nothing going forward. Surely Watson or Williams would do a better job. You haven’t a clue mate. Stick to the round ball.
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Jamie George
3 Tadgh Furlong
4 Maro Itoje
5 George Kruis
6 Peter O Mahony (captain)
7 Sean O Brien
8 Talupe Falateau
9 Conor Murray
10 Johnny Sexton
11 Liam Williams
12 Ben Teo
13 Owen Farrell (if fit)
14 Anthony Watson
15 Jared Payne (offers more than Halfpenny in attack)
Certainly not the team Gatland will pick,but they are the most in form players in eaxh position in my opinion.
1)Vunipola
2)George
3)Furlong
4)Itoje
5)Kruis
6)O’Mahony (Captain)
7)O’Brien
8)Faletau
9)Murray
10)Sexton
11)Daly
12)Farrell
13)Davies
14)North
15)Halfpenny
16)Best
17)McGrath
18)Sinckler
19)Henderson
20)Stander
21)Webb
22)Teo
23)Payne
Think Murray has it spot on starting 15
1)Vunipola
2)George
3)Furlong
4)AWJ Capt
5)Kruis
6)Itoje
7)O’Brien
8)Faletau
9)Murray
10)Farrell
11)Daly
12)Teo
13)Davies
14)North
15)Halfpenny
16)Owens
17)McGrath
18)Sinckler
19)Hendo
20)Stander
21)Webb
22)Williams
23)Payne
1. Vuniopla
2. Owens
3. Furlong
4. Itoje
5. Kruis
6. O’Mahony (Capt)
7. O’Brien
8. Stander
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Daly
12. Farrell
13. Te’o
14. Watson
15. Halfpenny
Subs
16. George
17. McGrath
18. Sinckler
19. Lawes
20. Faletau
21. Webb
22. Biggar
23. North
It has to be Sexton. Farrell has had a great season but not as out half at the top level. The fact that Jones keeps him at 12 speaks volumes and club level just won’t cut it on Saturday. Sexton has done it, he has the t-shirt, the ABs know, on song, he’s better than their man, and he’s getting stronger with every match. Last time the Lions won at Eden Park (1959), there were six Irishmen on the team. The last time this particular AB team lost, there were 15 Irishmen on the field.
Ryan with the hero pick of AWN as captain
Vunipola
George
Furlong
Kruis
Itoje
O Mahoney
O brien
Faletau
Murray
Sexton
Daly
Farrell
Teo
Watson
1/2penny
Owens
McGrath
Sinckler
Henderson/lawes
Cj
Webb
Joseph
Williams
1: Vunipola
2: Owens
3: Furlong
4: Kruis
5: Itoje
6: O’Mahony (c)
7: O’Brien
8: Faletau
9: Murray
10: Farrell (if fit)
11: Daly
12 : Te’o
13 : Davies
14: North
15: Halfpenny
16: George
17: McGrath
18: Sinckler
19: Lawes
20: Warburton (Stander played full game on Tuesday )
21: Webb
22: Sexton (Biggar if Farrell injured)
23: Watson
1)Vunipola
2)George
3)Furlong
4)Itoje
5)Kruis
6)O’Mahony (Captain)
7)O’Brien
8)Faletau
9)Murray
10)Farrell
11)Daly
12)Henshaw
13)Davies
14)North
15)Halfpenny
16)Owens
17)McGrath
18)Sinckler
19)Henderson
20)Sam Warburton
21)Webb
22)Sexton
23)Williams
Pack picks itself
1. Vunipola
2. George
3. Furlong
4. Itoje
5. Kruis
6. O’Mahony (C)
7. O’Brien
8. Faletau
Gets a bit more difficult for the backs
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Daly
12. Farrell
13. Te’o
14. Watson
15. Williams
Having both Sexton & Farrell starting negates the need for Halfpenny. Liam Williams is strongest at fullback, caused NZ nightmares last summer playing there.
This is what I’d pick, I know Gatland’s XV won’t be the exact same.
Same as Murray Kinsella but with stander on bench instead of Warburton
1. Vunipola
2. Best
3. Furlong
4. Kruis
5. Itoje
6. O’Mahony
7. SOB
8. Faletau
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Daly
12. Farrell
13. Henshaw
14. Williams
15. Halfpenny
16. McGrath
17. George
18. Marler
19. Henderson
20. Stander
21. Webb
22. Joseph
23. Payne
North doesn’t bring much except size. He’s clumsy. Jonathan Davies is useless and usually makes around two significant mistakes per game. I wouldn’t have even brought him on the tour. His break last week was the first decent thing I’ve seen him do in about five years.
Mako
George
Furlong
Kruis
Itoje
POM
SOB
Faletau
Murray
Sexton
Daly
Farrell
Davies
Watson
Williams
Bench: Best, Sinkler, McGrath, Henderson, Stander, Webb, North, Payne
Mcgrath Owens Furlong Itoje Kruis O Mahony O Brien Faletau Murray Sexton Daly Farrell Davies Watson Halfpenny Bench George Vunipola Sinckler Jones Tipuric Webb Teoo North
1: Vunipola
2: Owens
3: Furlong
4: Itoje
5: Kruis
6: O’Mahony
7: O’Brien
8: Faletau
9: Murray
10: Farrell (if fit)
11: Daly
12: Te’o
13: Davies
14: North
15: Halfpenny
16: George
17: McGrath
18: Sinckler
19: Lawes
20:Warburton (stander played full 80)
21: Webb
22: Sexton
23: Watson