A Wallabies squad to face Gatland's 37 British and Irish Lions

Well it’s official, we know who we’re up against. 37 names from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will head down under on a ten-match safari including three tests against our beloved Wallabies.

Now that we know who’s coming, I’d like to throw my bucket of water into the two-week tidal wave of articles from expert selectors before Robbie makes his ‘Lion Tamers’ official.

In slipping my ‘dingo cap’ on, I’ve beefed up my squad numbers to 38 to closely mirror the amount of Lions coming with Gatland.

This is in an attempt to acknowledge all those I believe are legitimately deserved of a Wallaby call-up and are more than up to getting the job done against our tough opposition should they be called upon.

So let’s get into it:

Starting props

Benn Robinson and Ben Alexander – it’s a case of going with our incumbents on each side of the front row.

Both showed they were up to the job on last year’s end of year tour and they’ve continued their impressive form into this year’s Super Rugby season.

Prop is one of those positions where experience is gold and this is especially true against a side that will count its scrum as one of its great strengths.

With 104 Wallaby caps between Robinson and Alexander, these guys have oodles of it.

Bench props

James Slipper and Sekope Kepu – Slipper bolts down a bench spot on the back of some the best form of his career.

Some inspirational carries and his bone-jarring defence has made him one of the most valued members of the Reds pack in 2013.

A great guy to bring on when one of the Ben(n)’s start to tire. If ‘hands for feet’ Sekope could get his ball handling under control, I’d have him starting.

One of our most mobile props with the ability to play effectively on either side of the scrum, he’s a handy ace to have up our sleeve.

Squad props

Dan Palmer and Paddy Ryan – Palmer has also had one of his best seasons to date and he was rewarded with a spot in the 30-man ‘admin camp’.

Ryan didn’t make the cut but I’ve been impressed with him this year. A big unit who’s great with ball in hand and scores more tries than props are allowed.

It’s unfortunate for him that he’s at a club with two other Wallaby regulars.

Starting hooker

Tatafu Polota-Nau – I’d really love Taf to sort his throw out to make this selection a bit easier.

He gets the nod ahead of Moore due to his impressive work around the field and I think his lighter feet could come in handy against the Lions pack.

Bench hooker

Stephen Moore – In my eyes he’s just behind Tatafu Polota-Nau. We’re blessed to have two rock-solid hookers to call upon.

Squad hooker

Saia Fainga’a – hopefully we don’t have to use him as it’s a bit of a drop from second to third best in the hooking position.

In case Moore or Polota-Nau hit the casualty ward, it’ll be handy to have a third hooker with the squad. He gets the nod over his Reds teammate James Hanson due to his slightly larger stature and his greater test experience.

Starting locks

James Horwill and Hugh McMeniman – I can’t wait to see Horwill back in a gold jersey. He’s going to be so vital to this Lions campaign.

First and foremost because of what he brings to the tight five but also because we lack depth in this position.

Put the ‘c’ back next to his name and enough said. Before his recent injury, Hugh came back home with a vengeance.

Fingers crossed his form continues on his return and he adds to his Wallaby caps after a five-year hiatus.

Bench lock

Rob Simmons – this was a tough one for me. Rewind to before the start of the Super Rugby season and I wouldn’t have had him near a full-strength Wallaby 22.

But I’ve been impressed watching him with the Reds this year and am happy to have him come in to give either of the two starters a breather.

Squad lock

Sitaleki Timani – when he’s on, he’s on. But that’s the Tongan Tower’s problem, for mine he’s just too hot and cold.

And at full strength I don’t think I can justify handing him a bench spot either. My initial thought was he’d be a handy impact player to bring on to wreak havoc but I just feel that he could go missing and not have the desired effect.

Starting blindside

Ben Mowe – I thought Deans was bananas not to include him in any Wallaby squads last year but it looks like he’s finally ready to get the nod.

The Brumbies captain has been a vital part his clubs revival and as they look to build on the platform that was established in 2012, Mowen will be an integral of their finals campaign.

An absolute backbone for the Canberra franchise and after a year in waiting, I believe he’s ready to have a similar affect for the Wallabies.

Squad blindside

Scott Higginbotham – it was a tough call to leave ‘Higgers’ out of the 23 all together but his consistency is the big issue I have with him.

One option could be to go with just Kepu (who can play on both sides of the scrum) on the bench and use Higginbotham as an impact player.

But with a starting lock that’s able to slot in at six with ease, I just can’t find a role for the Rebels backrower.

Starting openside

Liam Gill – let me start off by paying homage to David Pocock and suggest that if David Pocock had a Super Rugby season of being David Pocock behind him then I’d have him as my starting seven.

That said, for the amazing open side that Po’ey is we’re blessed with some amazing backups.

If a Horwill or a Genia went down (as in 2012) then we might as well hand over the Tom Richards Trophy, but losing another inspirational player like Pocock is one gap we’re able to effectively plug.

It’s common knowledge that this is going to be one of the most hotly contested positions in the 2013 Wallabies.

There’s the incumbent Hooper, who showed under similar circumstances that he’s more than up to test match standard.

Then there’s the comeback kid Smith who has that all important experience on his side and looks revitalised after a stint in the Top League.

I’ve gone with Gill purely based on form. He’s impressed me the most of the three contenders this Super Rugby season and that’s why he falls over the line.

Bench openside

George Smith – he’s close if not back to his best. A handy old head to inject into a game.

Squad openside

Michael Hooper – I’m so sorry Mike! Such a tough call to make after the season he had last year.

When there’s this level of competition around the seven jersey, it can be a quick fall from the top.

Unfortunately he’s started life as a Tah a little quieter than he finished as a Brumbie and for this reason a red-hot Gill and Smith leapfrog him.

Starting number eight

Wycliff Palu – Ok Cliffy’s injury prone, but get him on the field and keep him there and he’s an asset.

Recently he’s shown glimpses of his best form which suggests that he should be at the back of the Wallaby scrum come June.

He’ll be integral in nullifying the Lions loosies that will be out to prove a point and hulking tight five that will expect to dominate ours.

Squad number eight

Fotu Auelua – Fotu’s had an explosive season for the Brumbies so far in 2013. Questions over his ability to go the distance keep him out of a Wallabies starting role.

At 29 and having never experienced the speed and intensity of test match rugby should ensure that this remains the case during the Lions tour.

Injuries may see him sneak onto the bench but I’ll look forward to seeing him take his chances beyond this important series.

Starting scrum-half

Will Genia – it’s Will Genia!

Bench scrum-half

Nic White – we all would have loved to have seen Nic running around in his first season of test match rugby instead of lying under a surgeon’s knife last year.

I believe he’s grabbed Genia’s understudy spot with daylight his only competition for the bench. Sorry Phipps, but you have no business playing test rugby in June or July.

Starting fly-half

Quade Cooper – yep, as stupid or as genius as it sounds I’m going to put my chips down on Quade.

He’s played himself into form with the Reds this year. He’s kicking with more purpose and running with more confidence and those infamous brain farts are becoming rarer.

His distribution remains an issue for me with a few too many momentum breaking bounce passes and cut out or long passes to players with a defender breathing down their necks.

This will have Roberts, O’Driscoll, Tuilagi and co. licking their lips. My hope is he can eradicate this from his game in the next month.

He’s obviously had issues transferring his Super Rugby form over to the test match arena, but I truly believe that we have a new Quade Cooper in 2013.

He just looks more mature and my theory was confirmed for me when he spoke on Rugby HQ a couple of weeks ago.

He’s starting to look and sound like a legitimate team man which is what you want from your 10. You also can’t discount his combination with Genia.

Bench fly-half

Christian Lealiifano – I’ve put him in the fly-half category because I believe that’s his best position.

That said, he’s on the bench because he’s more than up to the task of covering both 10 and 12.

He had a breakout season last year and was unlucky to not be considered for Wallaby selection due to injury.

If the stars lined up for him last year, I believe he’d have a more serious case to be considered for a starting role against the Lions in one of the two central positions that he covers.

Despite his lack of international experience, he’s been playing too well not to include on the bench.

Squad fly-half

Berrick Barnes – another one unlucky with injury in recent times. He’s a proven performer on the international stage and is able to cover 10, 12 and 15.

If we can maintain a full strength backline I don’t believe we should see him against the Lions, but he’s a handy guy to have on the fringe of the squad.

Starting inside-centre

Ben Tapuai – ‘Taps’ is solid in defence and brings so much more in attack than Deans favourite Pat McCabe.

Most importantly, he’s up to the challenge of containing the traffic that will be heading his way in the midfield and in attack he’ll be sure to keep those on the opposite side of the field on their toes.

Squad inside-centre

Anthony Fainga’a – I went off Anthony last year but he’s impressed me since coming back from injury for the Reds this year.

Again, at full strength he’s one of those ones that wouldn’t get a gig but if called upon to warm the pine I have no doubts he’d step up.

I believe he’s more suited to 12 but obviously he’s more than capable of playing 13.

Starting outside-centre

Adam Ashley-Cooper – he’s the form 13 of the Australian conference if not the entire competition.

I’ve always believed that outside centre is Adam Ashley-Cooper’s best position and you’d see the best of him if he was given an extensive amount of time in the position.

Finally he’s not being used as the Tahs and Wallaby Mr Fix-it and his game is flourishing as a result.

Squad outside-centre

Rob Horne – Rob’s similar but opposite of Ant Fainga’a … let me explain.

I’ve never been a huge fan, but suddenly in 2013 he’s caught my notice. I believe he’s a 13 but there’s a better option playing there so he’s filling in at 12 and doing an impressive job.

Not a starter or even a bench warmer but a good guy to have around and deservedly so after a decent 2013.

Starting wingers

Digby Ioane and Israel Falou – for mine Digby is still one of the first picked in a Wallaby XV.

Obviously not the most skilful winger in world rugby but he’s always looking for work and loves munching up meters which will be imperative for keeping the Lions defence on the back foot.

I really didn’t think I’d put Izzy up there at the start of the year but he’s really starting to incorporate his exceptional footballing skills that he developed in league into his game with the Tahs.

Considering his previous ‘big game’ experience in league and watching him learn and grow over these last nine games leads me to believe that he’ll be ready to take a wing spot against the Lions in June.

On a couple of side notes, I don’t believe a Ioane/Falou wing combo is ideal but I think it will work with Quade as a 10 defending at the back along with a 15 that also has a tactical boot.

I also don’t believe Izzy is up to playing the Lions from fullback. He doesn’t yet have the rugby brain or the vision required to effectively cover this position at an international standard.

Squad wingers

Dom Shipperly, Nick Cummins and Alfi Mafi – Shipperly’s part of a very cluttered Reds outside back roster while also having some injury issues over the last 12 months.

That said, I think he’s a genuine talent with a bright future ahead for both the Reds and the Wallabies.

He’s shown glimpses of this in the opportunities he’s had with the Reds this year and I look forward to seeing him get a start in Perth this weekend.

I’m not sure when Cummins is back for the Force but I still can’t forget the raw toughness he displayed in the chances he got for the Wallabies last year.

Another big (literally) and exciting wing prospect for the Wallabies and if he can get a handful of games for the Force before June and show some of his form from last year then I’d be happy to have him in this squad.

If they’re called upon, guys like Shipperly and the Honey badger could be handy to come up against the likes of North and Cuthbert.

Mafi has been Australia’s form winger of this Super Rugby season.

I don’t think he’s quite ready to be thrown into a game against the Lions but if he can maintain his electrifying form for the Force, Wallaby caps will no doubt appear in the not too distant future.

Starting fullback

James O’Connor – ok, this is where it gets a bit tricky I don’t think this represents JOC’s best position by any stretch.

I still believe he’s our best 12 but it’s a case of this spot needs filling and he needs to be a part of this backline somewhere.

He has the potential to provide some big headaches for the Lions defence so his inclusion is paramount.

Due to his versatility, I believe he is more than capable of playing 15 effectively at this level.

This versatility is also going to come in handy because I don’t know how much time he’s going to get at fullback between now and the first Test.

Bench fullback

Kurtley Beale – he’s another one of those supremely talented players but unfortunately recent events are going to make it hard for him to push for a starting spot.

His skill and ability to cover 10 and 15 will make him a great asset to have on the bench.

That said, if he plays the house down between now and the first Test, I could handle shifting JOC closer to the action and slotting Kurtley in at the back.

That’s going to be a long road though and I guess we’ll get some indication on whether this could become a reality this weekend.

It’s also going to depend on what Damien Hill does with his two star play-makers.

Squad fullbacks

Jesse Mogg and Jono Lance – I really want to have the guts to select Jesse Mogg in the starting 15 but I just can’t bring myself to do it.

The kid has been an absolute dynamo for the Brumbies in 2012 and 2013 but when I watch him I can’t help but get the feeling that he’s going to slip up (to his credit he hasn’t seemed to yet).

It could be something to do with his lanky frame that takes on the form of what Izzy’s frame should have been at GWS.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big Mogg fan and believe there are plenty of Wallaby caps on the horizon, but I just don’t want to be right about my feeling during a Lions series.

Lance looks more like a rugby player (physically) and he’s impressed me with the Reds this year too. We haven’t really seen it yet, but he has great versatility having the ability to cover 12 to 15.

Another one that I wouldn’t throw to the Lions if it could be helped, but he’s an in form player with a bright future.

Ok, we got there. A 38-strong squad with my starting 15, eight reserves and another 15 fringe members that hopefully won’t be needed but will benefit from the experience and help with opposed sessions.

I’ll look forward to reading other coach selector articles over the coming weeks before the only one that counts is announced.