Eye on Sport: Looking Ahead:- Lions in Australia 2013

In around 16 months’ time, rugby's finest players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales will not be pitting their wits against one another, but instead they will be joining forces. Yes, you've guessed it, in June 2013 the British and Irish Lions will be heading across the world to Australia for their latest tour.

With the international rugby scene in full flow as the 2012 Six Nations take place, I got thinking: how will the Lions be lining up come their first test match against the Wallabies next year? A wealth of young British talent appears to be bursting onto the rugby scene; so just which players will be boarding to plane in 16 months’ time? Here is my position by position guide on how the Lions may well look.

PROPS:

Through the current Six Nations we have seen a wealth of excellent scrummaging on display. For England, Alex Corbisiero has been impressive, and appears to be improving all the time. At the tender age of just 23, Corbisiero is likely to be challenging for a spot on the Lions tour across the next year, whilst teammate Dan Coles is also a very capable scrummager. Meanwhile, 24 year old Ireland prop Cian Healy is a player who I rate highly, and I am sure he will be one of the first names on the Lions team sheet by the time 2013 comes around. Irish teammate Mike Ross has also looked good in the Six Nations so far and is sure to stake a claim for Lions selection. Wales man Gethin Jenkins is a very well regarded front row man, and if he can put his bad run of injuries behind him he will be another favourite to travel Down Under. Adam Jones will be aiming to go on his second Lions tour, whilst 25 year old compatriot Rhys Gill could be an outside shot for the tour after breaking into the Welsh side.

Starting Loose Head

Gethin Jenkins:- Just edges in ahead of the England duo mainly to because of his experience.

Starting Tight Head

Cian Healy:- A bright talent, excellent in scrums and at the breakdown.

Squad Member(s):- Alex Corbisiero and Dan Coles

HOOKER:

Hooker is another position which is likely to see fierce competition. Wales man Matthew Rees, who toured with the Lions in 2009, is an excellent player, but after a shocking run of injuries it remains to be seen whether Rees will be able to make a return to his past form once he comes back from injury. Ireland are a team who excellent in the line out, with hooker Rory Best, who is also superb in open play for a hooker, playing a major role in their success. Best is sure to be a favourite for the Lions starting spot. Meanwhile, Scotland’s Mike Ross has toured with Lions before and is certainly capable of being selected again. Dylan Hartley has now cemented a spot in the England line-up and will also fancy his chances of getting a call-up should he maintain his performance levels for another year.

Starting Hooker

Rory Best:- His skills in open play give him the edge as they will add a different dimension to the Lions’ play.

Squad Member(s):- Dylan Hartley

SECOND ROW

Where better to start the second row analysis than with Ireland duo Donncha O’Callaghan and 2009 Lions skipper Paul O’Connell. Both have a wealth of experience and their formidable line out skills have been invaluable to Ireland in recent years. Wales lock Alun-Wyn Jones is also a superb line-out jumper, and he will be aiming to be selected for the Lions again this time around. Compatriot Bradley Davies is a player I rate very highly, and his powerful ball carrying could give the Lions a different dimension to their forward play. Meanwhile, 6ft 10inch giant Richie Gray has burst onto the scene for Scotland, and will be almost certain to make his Lions bow in Australia should he remain fit. Courtney Lawes of England is also a supremely talented youngster who may well be able to do enough to earn a place on the plane over the next 16 months.

Starting Second Rows

Richie Gray:- Outstanding talent, powerful runner and superb lineout jumper.

Paul O'Connell:- Great leader on the pitch and unbeatable when going up for line-outs. Also my tip to captain the Lions once again.

Squad Member(s):- Donncha O’Callaghan and Alun Wyn Jones

FLANKERS

At the back row of the scrum the British and Irish Lions also have a wealth of talent at their disposal. Ireland back row pairing Sean O’Brien and Stephen Ferris are very talented and could definitely do a job for the Lions if called upon. England captain Chris Robshaw is also an excellent flanker and at the age of only 25 he will only get better. Meanwhile, Wales possess arguably the best back row in world rugby at the moment. Sam Warburton must be a shoe in for the line-up, with his sublime tackling ability making him one of the greatest players in the world at the age of just 23 I am backing Warburton to carve out a reputation as one of the best players ever to grace the sport. Wales back row partner Dan Lydiate is also proving to be more than capable on the international stage, and his reliable tackling will see him certainly in the thoughts of the Lions selectors.

Starting Openside Flanker

Sam Warburton:- Quite incredible rugby player. Makes try saving tackles and probably the best in the world at the break down. Will bring numerous turnovers to the team.

Starting Blindside Flanker

Dan Lydiate:- Another who is a very consistent tackler and is good at the breakdown. Also powerful runner.

Squad Member(s):- Chris Robshaw and Sean O’Brien

NUMBER EIGHT

Completing the forward pack for the British and Irish Lions will be the number 8, and it looks likely to me to be a two man fight for the starting jersey. Ireland’s Jamie Heaslip offers powerful hand offs and offloads with ball in hand, and would be an excellent player. Meanwhile, Tongan born Welsh 8 Toby Faletau has made a huge impression on the international stage over the past year. Faletau is possibly the most reliable tackler in the world at the moment, whilst his ability to pull off defence-splitting offloads would make him a key man for the Lions. At the age of just 21, Faletau is only going to get better as well.

Starting Number 8

Toby Faletau:- Wonderful tackler and offers valuable carries for short gain over the game line. Completes an all Wales back row.

Squad Member(s):- Jamie Heaslip

SCRUM HALF

Who will be the half back linking together all of the Lions play come the Australia tour in 2013? A host of names will be fighting for the number 9 jersey, and where better to start than Wales man Mike Phillips. Phillips’ strong ball carrying and quick play has seen him cemented in the Wales side for some time, and after impressing with the Lions in South Africa in 2009 he will be likely to travel Down Under in 2013. New Ireland scrum half Conor Murray is another who has impressed me greatly over the Six Nations so far, and if he can sustain this form over the coming year I would certainly back him to be travelling to Oz. However, England man Ben Youngs offers good, quick ball and is showing great potential which could see him catch the eyes of the selectors for the tour.

Starting Scrum Half

Mike Phillips:- Strong runner and gets good quick ball. Able to spot small gaps and power through but also makes good decisions.

Squad Member(s):- Conor Murray

FLY HALF

There is arguably more talent battling for that elusive number 10 jersey than for any other position, with a number of players aiming to be on the plane to Australia next summer. Saracens youngster Owen Farrell has just broken into the England squad, and if he can continue to transfer his impress club form he may be able to force his way into Lions contention. Wales’ Rhys Priestland is also an excellent talent, especially with ball in hand, although poor goal kicking does let him down. Meanwhile, Jonathan Sexton appears to be winning the battle to beat Ronan O’Gara to the Ireland 10 jersey, and with more game time under his belt Sexton is likely to be a real star by the time 2013 arrives. An outside shot for the Lions tour could be Scotland’s Ruaridh Jackson, who is likely to improve greatly once he returns from injury now Dan Parks has retired from international duty.

Starting Fly-Half

Jonathan Sexton:- Superb with ball in hand but also an excellent kicker both tactically and when going for goal.

Squad Member(s):- Rhys Priestland and Owen Farrell

CENTRE:

There is also likely to be tough decisions for the Lions selectors in the Midfield, with about 8 players vying for the 12 and 13 jerseys. 2009 Lions player of the tour Jamie Roberts remains a crucial part of the Wales team and is likely to be a part of the Lions setup again, whilst Welsh partner Jonathan Davies could also be in contention. Ireland youngster Fergus McFadden is a player I highly rate and who I back to at least travel to Australia, but veteran compatriot Brian O’Driscoll will probably be a year too old to go on his 4^th Lions tour. Giant England centre Manu Tuilagi could form a daunting centre partnership with Jamie Roberts, whilst if Saracens Brad Barritt can maintain the form he has shown in this year’s Six Nations then he could be a surprise Lions inclusion. Finally, Scotland’s Joe Ansboro, although absent from the current Six Nations campaign, is a huge talent who will also be in contention if he gets a good run of international games under his belt and remains injury-free.

Starting Inside Centre

Jamie Roberts:- Magnificent at crash ball. Powers through tacklers and offers brilliant angles of running.

Starting Outside Centre

Manu Tuilagi:- Will form a formidable partnership with Roberts to strike fear into any defence. Along with his power, also very quick and can offload well to allow his wingers to burst through.

Squad Member(s):- Fergus McFadden and Jonathan Davies

WING

When it comes down to winning games in Australia next summer, tries will be key, and a number of players will be competing to be the finishers out wide for the Lions side. Where better to start the rundown of British wingers than with Welsh teenage sensation George North. At the age of just 19, North has burst onto the international scene with his powerful line breaks and clinical finishing, and after another year of experience before the Lions tour, Australia could be the beginning of a journey that will culminate in North becoming one of the Lions’ greats. England’s Rugby League convert Chris Ashton is another who will be looking to book a place on his first Lions tour, and his try-scoring abilities are likely to see him get the nod. Ireland have possibly the best pair of wingers of all the British teams, and both will be challenging for places on the tour. Tommy Bowe excelled in South Africa and offers superb angles of running, whilst young compatriot Keith Earls is another great talent. One player who could mount a late challenge for a Lions place is Welsh wing Alex Cuthbert, although I fear 2013 may come a year or two too early.

Starting Left Wing

Tommy Bowe:- Knows how to score tries and that is so valuable. Can skip past tacklers and offload well if needed.

Starting Right Wing

George North:- Powerhouse winger who will batter his way over many trylines Down Under. Also a strong tackler in defence.

Squad Member(s):- Keith Earls and Chris Ashton

FULL BACK

The final Lions spot will be the full-back, but there is still a large queue of players waiting to prove their worth. Wales’ Leigh Halfpenny now seems to have been converted to full-back, where he has been outstanding in the Six Nations so far, whilst his versatility in the back line would make him a perfect candidate for the Lions tour. England man Ben Foden has also established himself in the England set up and is a very good player who will want to feature for the Lions for the first time. Meanwhile, Ireland full-back Rob Kearney is also a superb player with brilliant breakaway skills, and he will also want to travel with the Lions again as he did in 2009.