A Lions team to trouble the All Blacks

WP Nel is out for the season apparently

1) M. Vunipola 2) Best (Although J George is a better hooker Best will be my captain) 3) Furlong 4) Itoje 5) J Gray 6) Faletau 7) S O'Brien 8) B Vunipola 9) C Murray 10) O Farrell 11) L Williams 12) R Henshaw 13) J Joseph 14) A Watson 15) S Hogg 16) J George 17) J McGrath 18) D Cole 19) A W Jones 20) J Heaslip 21) B Youngs 22) J Sexton 23) E Daly I love the idea of a bunch of big ball carriers in the pack, hopefully forcing back field players into the defensive line, forcing two man tackles, so there is space for the large number of tactical kickers and pacy backs in my team. I would've had Sexton in at starting 10 but his injury concerns are a bit much for me. Liam Williams looked superb against the ABs in the summer. Jonny Gray is one of the more underrated players in the world. Just the thought of all those carriers is getting me excited. Though my only concern would be the slight lack of speed in the back row. Though Itoje and Faletau can hopefully make up for that. It is quite an English-centric squad but you can blame my username for that.

Did a hammie against Aus in Oct. Should be all go for season

And I believe Feketoa DID start the 1st test of the year at 13 so the Tman spot on eh. It took a few injuries to Ngatai, Moala, Feketoa for Anton to get his chance but he took it.

In short, my team (and I'm English so there's a possible bias): 1. M. Vunipola 2. Hartley/Best 3. Nel 4. Kruis 5. J. Gray 6. Itoje 7. H. Watson 8. B. Vunipola 9. Murray 10. Sexton 11. A. Watson 12. Farrell (C?) 13. Joseph 14. Seymour 15. Hogg 16. George 17. McGrath 18. Furlong 19. Launchbury 20. Stander 21. B. Youngs 22. Henshaw 23. Payne

Can't help but feel you wrote this article having barely paid attention to Northern Hemisphere rugby. Zebo and North shouldn't and probably won't even tour, Watson, Seymour and Nowell should be the wingers. North's spent too much of the last couple of years injured or in poor form. Zebo's not even close. Henshaw and Sexton are both wonderful players, but leaving Farrell out with his passing game, physicality, and kicking both from tee and in open play would be a godsend for New Zealand. Bench one, start Farrell. Henshaw would be great on the bench as he covers both centre and fullback. Cole's a total penalty machine. Unfortunately, he's injured at present, but the best tighthead for me right now is Scotland's WP Nel. Cole will tour but I can't foresee him starting ahead of Nel. The consistent selection of Alun Wyn Jones in potential Lions team is starting to get on my nerves. He was outshone by Joe Launchbury and Courtney Lawes- England's third and fourth choice locks- in May. Kruis should be a definite starter alongside Scotland's Johnny Gray- who hasn't missed a tackle in almost two years or some ridiculous statistic like that, I've been told- while Itoje is shifted to the back row- Launchbury on the bench. Heaslip is well past his prime. The premier 8s in the Northern Hemisphere are Billy Vunipola and Talupe Faletau, with CJ Stander close behind despite him mostly playing 6 for Ireland. Stander bench for me with Vunipola at 8. Tipuric doesn't even start for Wales, I doubt Gatland will pick him at any rate. Good player, but we can't discount James Haskell returning to form, though my own suggestion would be Hamish Watson. Been in brilliant form this season for his Club, and although he only has 5 or 6 Caps I think he'd be an outside bet to tour. On form he should start, too. What to say about that bench? Healy hasn't been in form for about two years. Mako Vunipola beyond doubt should be in the matchday 23, possibly starting. Sam Warburton shouldn't be on tour. Barely played due to injury this season, and I don't remember when he was last playing exceptional rugby, probably before the World Cup. Outside backs on the bench should be Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw for me, with Sexton and Farrell starting. Both of them cover centre and fullback, and bring different options on the field. I don't mean to insult your rugby knowledge, but it looks like this team was picked based on one or two highlights clips and throwing in big names rather than selecting the best, in-form players that Britain and Ireland have to offer.

Yes the locks depth is looking better than the 10s it seems with a few decent prospects and back ups to the two there.

Every single Super Rugby player from the 5 NZ franchises not in the All Blacks will see their match against the Lions as a once in a lifetime shot at glory seen by tens of millions of viewers word-wide, including wealthy Top 14, Premiership, and Pro 12 owners scouting talent and ready to offer life changing contracts. Each match against the Lions is that Super Rugby player's RWC Final. The Lions are going to take a physical beating in every match- the injury toll will be very high before the first test is even played. Then the Lions play the first test ...at Eden Park

I think you have 21 of 23 picks correct. Anton Leinart Brown will be better in 2017 than 2016 as full-time starter at Chiefs and the experience of being a regular All Black selection. ALB starts over Crotty at 13. Patrick Tuipulotu really hurt his third lock status with his brutal performance in November. Scott Barrett clearly outplayed him and, although Barrett is not flashy or explosive like Tuipulotu, he has a higher work rate and is tougher. Both Hurricane locks may also jump into the AB team if they repeat their 2016 performances in Super Rugby (Michael Fatialofa and Vaea Fifita).

@What O'Mahoney was picked before Stander before Stander became Irish qualified. Since then it has been pretty much all Stander. CJ Stander was just named the Writers choice player of the year (one of the top rugby awards in Ireland) and Munster player of the year for the 2nd year in a row. He also consistently picks up man of the match awards for Munster (30 MOTMs in 3 years for Munster) and Ireland. https://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/cj-stander-man-of-the-match/107523 You really think Stander will be dropped for the six nations for Peter O'Mahoney? Not even Peter O'Mahoney thinks he will be starting in the six nations. Of course my opinion isnt gospel but it is based on what has happened over the last year or so. Odds are unless there are injuries Peter O'Mahoney will be on the bench.

Good team/article Harry, For me, Sean O'Brien has to be a starter, if fit. He is the only openside out of those mentioned for Lions[or any others including Pocock] that has caused New Zealand any trouble this year. In fact, he made more turnovers [4] and carries [20] in the match against NZ at the Aviva stadium, than Warburton made in any of his matches against New Zealand opposition [including chiefs] last June. Tipuric is a great all-round rugby player, but imo, isn't strong enough over the ball, to be a top international openside. He has been soundly beaten at the breakdown by Pocock, O'Brien, Van Der Flier and many others over the years. "The British and Irish Lions should be as Irish as possible." Are you forgetting about the biggest test series of next June? [Ireland vs Japan]

where Naholo

Probably right Jimmy, and it is all fun. Will be interesting to see it all transpire.

No, but I guess at least Gatland has had experience, winning experience at that as Lions coach previously. I suspect he has been working on his plans for some time.

No, neither do I fun but it is an interesting thought, one I would seriously consider if it was on me. And quite right, who knows where we will all stand come the end of the six nations once actual form and inevitable injuries take shape.

Thanks Fun, yes, just before my time but well known footage indeed.

Tbh DC, I think some of your match day 23 may struggle to make the plane let alone the test team, namely Zebo, Davies, Nel and Healy, but frankly who the hell knows, it's all part of the fun.

Very true and the Super sides wont be holding back unless under instruction either. The Chiefs hammered the Welsh last year and part of what will assist Hansen's efforts is if the Super sides really hurt the Lions confidence, so he wont want to go into full AB protection mode for that reason, and he can take that stance because he's done the spade work, built the depth should key injuries hit them. Hansen will know the value of knocking the spirit out of the Lions before the test series takes off, because the media and more importantly social media will really get into them. Not his fault the itinerary has been written b y the devil himself :-) They could end up a very long way from home in a very dark place... :-( Woohoo...bring it on!

Unless he's injured Liam Williams in the back three is for me the most certain back of the lot. Is easily the best performed fullback against NZ of the Lions eligible players and on more than one occasion has impressed, and after all that is who they will be playing. Kearney, Halfpenny, Hogg and Brown are handy but have played the ABs many times between them for little impact overall. For his size Williams sure turns it on.

I am serious. But I need to change a couple of players. Faletau and Vunipola replaced by Haskell and Conan. That would be a true British & Irish Lions team.