My Lions Starting XV

Yes ladies and gentlemen that's right, it's my highly-anticipated and long-awaited Lions starting XV, and I know I'm going to get a lot of stick for this, so as usual, shout if you don't agree with me.

Nothing is set in stone with this Lions tour and no-one will be able to correctly guess the starting XV but I'm willing to give it a go. Warren Gatland wants to take around 36 players but in reality, there are probably over 60 people who are sticking their hand up for a seat on that plane. The test itself will be closer than people think, Australian teams are doing well in this season's Super 15.


Full-back - Leigh Halfpenny
The player of the 6 Nations. No-one was as solid as him in all aspects of the game; high-ball, tackling, kicking, finishing. A lot of people are talking about him playing on the wing, but he's best at full-back and should stick there. Rob Kearney and Stuart Hogg have both been playing well recently and will probably join Halfpenny on that plane.

Wing - Alex Cuthbert
Another good player during the 6 Nations with 4 tries in 5 games. A strong runner and a good defensive player, he has a knack for getting over the try line. Scotland's Sean Maitland has played OK and is an outside chance to go to Australia.

Centre - Brian O'Driscoll
As much as I don't want to include him in the team, no other 13 has put their hand up and BoD is a player who very rarely has a bad game. He's pretty much the whole package and although he's not getting any younger, his experience is vital. Manu Tuilagi is many people's choice, but for me, he doesn't pass enough in attack and he bites too much in defence.

Centre - Brad Barritt
Probably going to get a lot of abuse for this, but the man is a tackling machine and with BoD outside him, he can afford to attack one-dimensionally. He's made more tackles than any other centre since his international debut. Jamie Roberts hasn't been playing well recently and maybe Matt Scott could sneak a place.

Wing  - George North
If you're going to play Alex Cuthbert, you should probably play his partner in crime, George North. An extremely strong attacker and again, he has a knack for getting over the try line. I would love to see Christian Wade go but he doesn't have the experience to start for the Lions. Tim Visser will probably travel but there are questions about his defence.

Fly-half - Jonny Sexton
No-one else is really playing well enough at the moment to be considered for the starting 10 spot. Sexton constantly plays well and fly-half of the Six Nations, Dan Biggar, is not Lions quality. Owen Farrell isn't experienced enough and Jonny Wilkinson, quite frankly, won't get picked. Greig Laidlaw will go as a midweek 10 due to his versatility.

Scrum-half - Conor Murray
His tactical kicking is brilliant and his defensive cover is better than any other 9 in Britain. Won't snipe like Danny Care or Mike Phillips but he provides good ball to his 10 and he organises the forwards well. Unfortunately, I think Phillips will go as well.

No 8 - Jamie Heaslip
Just getting back to form at the right time, Heaslip is a tank. He carries hard and he hits hard, there's no-one better to terrorise the Aussie backs. Faletau, Jonny Beattie and Thomas Waldrom are all in contention to go as well.

Flanker - Peter O'Mahoney
A surprise choice maybe, but O'Mahoney is a physical, in-your-face type of player which I love. He'll hit every ruck. maul and gold shirt possible and will constantly give his all. I can't think of any other blind-side which will make an impact like him.

Flanker - Chris Robshaw
Yes, Sam Warburton will probably go and will probably go as captain, but he shouldn't. Robshaw was the best flanker in the Six Nations and while he hasn't stood out since, he turns up for the big games. Tipuric will probably go with Warburton and might partner him at blind-side.

Lock - Richie Gray
If he's fit enough that is. Gray's still battling a hamstring problem but if fit, he is an immense player. A great presence in the lineout and constantly looking to attack with ball in hand. If not fit, Gatland could go with old-boy, Paul O'Connell.

Lock - Geoff Parling
Another huge man in the lineout, Parling compliments Gray by making tackles and hitting rucks. Launchbury and Ian Evans could get call ups and Alun Wyn Jones could go due to his versatility.

Prop - Ryan Grant
Made more tackles than any other prop during the 6 Nations and gets on the scoresheet often, as shown by his 2 tries the other week for Glasgow. He's a bit like Cian Healy but he's a better scrummager. The Irish loosehead will go too.

Hooker - Rory Best
Still probably the best hooker in Europe, Best loves the loose play and making turnovers although his lineouts have not been the best recently. Tom Youngs might go as a midweek tourist and Dylan Hartley could go to provide an impact off the bench.

Prop - Dan Cole
Adam Jones might have been the prop everyone has talked about recently, but Cole has been constantly solid for the last 2 seasons running. Jones will probably get the nod though due to his relationship with Gatland.

N.B I'll probably change my mind by Tuesday.