Back in March, in the wake of England‘s dominant Six Nations Grand Slam Winning performance, I selected a British and Irish Lions team based on the performances during the Championship.
Autumn Internationals: Lions XV
Fast forward nine months, and the Autumn Internationals are now complete, with the Home Nations facing a combination of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Georgia, South Africa, Fiji, New Zealand or Japan across a thrilling month of top class sport. Highlights have included Ireland‘s incredible victory over the All Blacks in Chicago on 5th November, South Africa‘s fall from grace as they lost to England, Italy and Wales, and England’s dominant performances securing an unbeaten calendar year and a thirteenth successive win for Eddie Jones.
So with an array of impressive performances from all four nations, Warren Gatland now has some thinking to do ahead of the Lion’s tour to New Zealand next Summer. Here’s my Autumn Internationals: Lions XV.
1. Mako Vunipola (ENG)
Mako Vunipola has certainly proved his worth over the last couple of weeks, and has made plenty of pundits’ XV. His scrummaging has improved dramatically under the watchful eye of Eddie Jones, whilst he also brings top quality handling in the loose. Ireland’s Jack McGrath is also in contention for the starting shirt, and is arguably a better scrummager than his English rival, although Vunipola’s current career best form shout give him the nod.
2. Dylan Hartley (ENG)
With England as dominant as they have been in recent months, I can’t see a Lions team without their captain Hartley. He provides bucketloads of experience and a heap of confidence off the back of England’s unbeaten year, and brings a style of leadership which can only strengthen the Lions squad. His closest rival would have to be his England team mate Jamie George, who has equally had a good Autumn series, with strong set piece work and pace in the loose, although Ireland’s Rory Best will also provide a challenge for Gatland’s selections.
3. Tadhg Furlong (IRE)
Furlong has seemingly come out of nowhere with phenomenal performances against Australia and New Zealand. The Leinster Prop is relatively new to the international scene, although he brings heaps of talent across all areas of his game. Scotland’s WP Nel will provide a challenge as arguably the best scrummaging tight-head in Europe, although if Furlong continues to improve, his pace, agility and mobility will ensure that he tops the selection battle.
4. Alun Wyn-Jones (WAL)
Welsh stalwart Wyn-Jones is in the running for a Lions captaincy, with an outstanding 2013 tour to Australia as plentiful experience to justify his selection. He has a habit of rising to the big occasion and will bring a cool head to the pack, especially if Gatland starts the young talent Maro Itoje beside him. Although, the Welsh coach isn’t short of talent in the second row. Itoje’s teammate George Kruis has also performed well for England, notably topping the tackle charts against Australia and remaining at the centre of the set piece, and his experience in partnership with fellow Saracen Itoje will improve his claim to the shirt. Courtney Lawes has also been outstanding across the Autumn, whilst Ireland’s Devin Toner is also in contention.
5. Maro Itoje (ENG)
Despite the injury which has ruled him out of the Autumn Internationals, it is difficult to imagine a Lions team without the 2016 European Player of the Year and World Breakthrough Player of the Year. With calls from Lawrence Dallaglio writing in the Sunday Times today for Itoje to captain the Lions squad, he is one of the first names on my team sheet, and he is only going to get better with more international experience.
6. Chris Robshaw (ENG)
A key cog in England’s well oiled machine, Robshaw’s work-rate is second to none, and he embodies consistency. With experience a-plenty, he has gone from strength to strength under Eddie Jones. Ireland’s CJ Stander will be the main competition here; he was instrumental in the victory over the All Blacks and has developed into a world class player over the last year.
7. Justin Tipuric (WAL)
Despite a poor run of form in 2016, Welsh captain Sam Warburton will be hard for Welsh coach Gatland to overlook in his selections. But for me, Justin Tipuric just pips his teammate to the post. The intelligence that the 27 year old Osprey brings, alongside his undoubted physicality is hard to ignore. Also in contention is England’s James Haskell, and if he returns from injury in the same form he’s been in for club and country this year, he will place himself in the running.
8. Billy Vunipola (ENG)
Vunipola’s progress over the last couple of years is astonishing, and he has become one of the best Number 8’s in the world. His sheer power and physical presence is intimidating, whilst his ball carrying skill is equally impressive. Nathan Hughes looked impressive over the weekend for England, with a high work rate and 19 carries in his attempt to fill the shoes left empty by Vunipola’s knee injury. But with Jamie Heaslip and Toby Faletau also at Gatland’s disposal, the Welsh coach is not short of options at the back of the scrum.
9. Ben Youngs (ENG)
In March I went for Conor Murray at scrum half, but Young’s performances over the last couple of weeks has given him my nod. With a man of the match worthy performance against Australia, as well as the fantastic dummy which led to his try, he is arguably in the form of his life. Skilful box kicking and intelligent play add to his repertoire, which has seen him easily outshine Danny Care as England’s first choice, and it will come down to Six Nations performance to determine whether the Englishman or the Irishman gets Gatland’s nod.
10. Jonny Sexton (IRE)
Ireland’s fly half is undoubtedly world class, and has consistently been rated as the Northern Hemisphere’s best 10. He brings a host of decision making and leadership skills, whilst his experience will ensure the Lions have a cool head at playmaker; which could be important if Gatland sides with youth in other positions. Owen Farrell is also in consideration for the role, although he makes my side at number 12, in which case George Ford comes into the picture as a key English partnership, although Sexton just tips this one for me.
11. George North (WAL)
For those of us who can remember the Lions tour of Australia in 2013, George North’s performance would have earned him a seat on the plane to New Zealand. At his best, North is electric and exciting, creating opportunities with world class finishing ability. Although, he is slightly out of form at the minute, and will face stiff competition from teammate Liam Williams; Six Nations performance will certainly help Gatland’s decision here.
12. Owen Farrell (ENG)
Based on the Autumn Internationals, Farrell is a cert in my side, as another England player who has reached new levels of class under Eddie Jones’ leadership. The more pressing question is not his inclusion, but which position. At centre he provides a second kicking option for Gatland’s side, whilst his playmaking from 12 is second to none, and he could provide an interesting partnership with either Ford or Sexton. Also in contention will be Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw, and Wales’ Jonathan Davies.
13. Jonathan Joseph (ENG)
Saturday’s performance simply solidified his place in my Lions side; he was electric and instrumental to the English victory. With two tries to his name, and a kick to set up England’s second of the day, Joseph brings as much to the English attack as he does to it’s defence. Replacing Brian O’Driscoll at Number 13 will not be easy for anyone, and the combination in the centres will be a source of great consideration for Gatland, but Joseph is my pick.
14. Anthony Watson (ENG)
Despite injury ruling him out of the Autumn tests, Watson is my first choice England winger. Johnny May has certainly shown some class, although I can’t see him keeping Watson out of the team. Watson’s finishing is second to none, whilst he is equally solid both in the air and in defence. Scotland’s Sean Maitland will also provide some competition, but providing Watson returns in the same form as he showed earlier in the year he should get the nod.
15. Stuart Hogg (SCO)
I’ve stuck with my original choice at Full Back. Hogg showed his skill during the Six Nations and has continued to deliver world class performances throughout November. He brings pace, vision and excitement into the Scottish team, which certainly gives him the edge over English rival Mike Brown. Ireland’s Rob Kearney will fight Brown for the place on the bench; he was fantastic against the All Blacks, although it’s Hogg’s solidity in all areas of his game which gives him the edge. Halfpenny, unfortunately, has not impressed since his return from injury and will struggle to make the side.
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