Lions watch

The countdown has begun to the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa next year. In the first feature building up to the series Skysports.com gives its views on who could make the Test XV

By Tony Curtis   Last updated: 9th September 2008

Danny Care England

Care: Lions hopeful

As the dust settles on the opening weekend of the new Magners League and Guinness Premiership season, the first claims have been staked for places in the Lions squad.

Throughout the season we will put forward a skysports.com XV for the opening Test against South Africa based on performances from the weekend's action.

We will also be listing those who we think are knocking on the door for selection and those that are in danger of missing the plane.

And we will be looking for your own starting XV and suggestions of who deserves to be in there.

Let us know who you think via the form below...

15 Olly Morgan

Gloucester may have suffered an opening day to forget, but young full-back Morgan can hold his head high as he made a mockery of his omission from the 64-man England squads. Strong in defence and keen to get forward, Morgan made his mark on the game with a couple of crunching tackles and a try.

14 Ugo Monye

An impressive display for the Quins winger who decided to give Usain Bolt a run for his money in the celebration stakes after breaking clear for his try the victory over Saracens. Worked well with fellow wide man Dave Strettle to stake his claim.

13 Tom Shanklin

The Cardiff Blues and Wales centre was a constant thorn in the side of Leinster and proved once again he is a quality operator. Might not have the same incisive qualities as an O'Driscoll or Tait, however what he does do is mightily effective and is solid in defence.

12 Adam Powell

Another player looking to make his name this season, Powell got off to a flying start in the opening defeat to Quins. A classy runner who did not deserve to be on the losing side.

11 David Strettle

Along with Monye, looks like he will give defences plenty to think about this campaign. Stamped his mark on the match after just 53 seconds with a try and looks so threatening with the ball in hand.

10 Stephen Jones

On a weekend when it was possible to pick half-a-dozen No.10s, Welsh international Jones got the nod with an imperious performance for Llanelli. In terrible conditions against Ulster, Jones' all-round game was faultless.

9 Danny Care

The young Harlequins youngster is really making the No.9 shirt his own for both club and country. His passing is spot-on and his ability to snipe through the gap means defences can't afford to take their eyes off of him.

1 Gethin Jenkins

The Cardiff prop was simply outstanding in the 16-16 draw with Leinster. Powerful in the scrum and looking better and better in the loose, he must be the top contender for the No.1 shirt.

2 Dylan Hartley

May not have got his chance in New Zealand with England, but a bright future is ahead of the Northampton hooker. Looked a Premiership natural as he came off the bench and inspired the Saints to a superb win.

3 Euan Murray

Another player to catch the eye in Northampton's return to the top-flight, the Scotland prop could well find himself South Africa bound if he maintain this form throughout the season.

4 Nick Kennedy

How Kennedy is still waiting to make it into the England starting XV remains a mystery. Outstanding last season, Kennedy proved he is no one-season wonder as he out-jumped, out-ran and out-shone Simon Shaw.

5 Paul O'Connell

One of the best second rows in the world on his day, O'Connell was back with a bang as he helped Munster to a superb away win. He was a menace in the line out and is willing to get stuck in on the deck.

6 Neil Best

Northampton have signed themselves a star in Best, with the Irish flanker all over the park in the opening day win. Another player happy to get himself dirty on the deck, he shone under the new ELVs.

7 Simon Easterby

Remains one of the unsung stars of the game. The English-born, Sydney-educated, Irish flanker, who plays in Wales, certainly has a wealth of worldwide experience and he used it all to guide the Scarlets to victory over Ulster. May have retired from Ireland duty, but could surely be tempted back.

8 David Wallace

Completing an all-Ireland back-row is Munsterman David Wallace. Never easy to go to Murrayfield, but Wallace helped his side to a superb win and even crossed for a try.

Knocking on the door

Alex Corbisiero, Jason Hobson, Tom Rees, Steve Borthwick, Rory Clegg, Charlie Hodgson, Toby Flood, Mathew Tait, Dwayne Peel, Eoin Reddan, Matt Jones.

In danger

Ryan Lamb, James Simpson-Daniel, Josh Lewsey, Miles Benjamin, Ronan O'Gara, Simon Shaw, Andrew Trimble.

Let us know your thoughts Who do you think should be pulling on a Lions jersey next summer?

British Lions 2009 - Series Betting Win Outright: British Lions 15/8

Comments

Gareth Jones says...

Ryan Lamb in danger... when was he ever in contention for a Lions team??? Struggling to make the Gloucester side, the English set up and the top 20 no. 10s in Britain and Ireland. Because he's young, English and possesses an ounce of creativity does not make up for the fact that he can't control a game and has a massively flawed temperament. Wake up!

Posted 11:55 25th September 2008

Corey Mcfarlane says...

Josh lewsey should be in the team. He is a fantastic runner and hardly misses any tackles that come his way. He is a reliable player and is deadly with the ball. He scored a record try in the world cup and is just plain awesome

Posted 14:26 20th September 2008

Tigger Lavros says...

Some interesting selections here; many of course the result of sheer patriotic bias! One must consider the political implications of Lions tours - there will always be at least one player from each of the home nations, and rightly so - it is of course a wonderful collective enterprise that unites the squabbling factions of our islands once every four years! Blair will definitely be close to the team, for that reason alone, as may Ross Ford (hooker being a particularly weak position for the Home Nations). There are also likely to be wildcards - recall John Bentley, Paul wallace and Tom Smith in 97; Jason Robinson in 01. One issue I should raise is the weakness of SAfrica's scrum - in the infamous 36-0 thrashing last year England won two against the head and a stack of penalties, this should be an area to target next summer: Sheridan is a dead cert whatever the merits of G Jenkins allround game (who can of course also play tighthead). Mujati and Van der Linde both have poor technique and should be brutally exposed by the World's Strongest Man. I can't wait!

Posted 21:35 19th September 2008

Aidan Donovan says...

Look guys,your all going to have to get real here.I keep hearing about Wales having won the Grand Slam.Sure they did,and good luck to them.They did it with a club team,remember !! And its going to be a lifetime before it happen again. England contested the last world cup final,does this make them the second best team in the world,i dont think so.And what about Munster,sure they won the Heineken cup,but does that entitle them all to Lions test jerseys,get real. Simple fact is there are only about 25 British & Irish players capable of making the test 22,and teams ive seen picked by everyone,only represent about 10 of those players !!Four English,four Irish,two Welsh..........can anyone name them ?? And before you get silly,Ryan Jones is not one of them,he had one good Lions tour just like Jeremy Davidson and that was his lot !!.

Posted 16:56 19th September 2008

David Brown says...

Take it easy there Tom Dando, Wales haven't won the 6 nations yet, it doesn't start until 2009. I don't think we should be basing selection on last years form.

Posted 16:23 19th September 2008

Tom Dando says...

where the hell is Shane Williams and the other welsh boys. the team should the winning grandslam team with the fine performing others as the bench. this is a awful and shouldn't be taken to south africa.

Posted 14:39 19th September 2008

Patrick Conway says...

anyone who mentions Gavin Henson in the same breath as a Lions team selections should seriously consider what it means to be a Lion,he's far from the mould of a WJ McBride, Martin Johnson or other great Lions that have gone before him, in character or ability...from an Irish point of view O Drioscall should start, O Connell should be captain, ROG should be the undisputed number ten and Rob Kearney should at the very least make the bench....allied with that, the Irish back row sells itself with UJamie Heaslip staking a serious claim...i agree however, Simon Easterbie is not a Lion

Posted 02:15 19th September 2008

Nick Mclellan says...

Ok Aside from the actual point of the article i find it interesting that Byrne seems to be the first choice full back. His history at international level is shaky, Plays well when the team is playing well. And some of these comments have named an near entire welsh team!!! no matter how patriotic you are surely it is the best of britain and ireland that should be chosen, and you cannot make this team completely from the welsh. come on guys get real!

Posted 16:00 18th September 2008

Chris Bean says...

15) Hook (most talented footballer in the northern hemisphere) 14) Shane Williams 13) Brian OD 12) Henson 11) Miles Benjamin 10) Wilkinson 9) Mike Phillips 8) Ryan Jones 7) Martin Williams) 6) James Haskell 5) Alwyn Jones 4) Simon Shaw 3) Gethin Jenkins 2) Dylan Hartley 1) Sheridan A Jones/Tom Rees/Danny Care/Matt Tait/Tom Varndell

Posted 14:58 18th September 2008

Aidan Donovan says...

Clwyd Roberts should just pick 15 Welsh men and let the Lions loose in style !! Henson shouldent be even considered for the tour,its known hes a bad tourist and communicates badly with the others.Ive heard it said from other Welsh men i know that has a problem communicating with his fellow Welsh team mates.Someone of that demeanour is a liability to a team.Has anybody ever seen him smile ???

Posted 14:57 18th September 2008

Alexander Skitt says...

15) Byrne 14) Sackey 13) O'Driscoll (Form Permitting) 12) Henson 11) Williams 10) Cipriani 9) Care (If form continues) 8) R Jones (Capt) 7) M Williams 6) Croft/Haskell depending on form 5) O'Connell 4) Kennedy3) Vickery 2) Hartley 3) Sheridan 16) Flannery 17) Jenkins 18) O'Callaghan 19) Croft/Haskell 20) Blair 21) Hook 22) Tait

Posted 22:43 17th September 2008

Harry Taylor says...

15. Simpson-Danial, 14. Sackey, 13. Tait, 12. Flutey, 11. Williams, 10. Cipriani, 9. Ellis, 8. Jones (Captain), 7. Rees, 6. Haskell, 5. O.Connell, 4. Kennedy, 3. Stevens, 2. Flannery, 1. Sheridan! Subs - Jenkins, Hartley, Shaw, Lipman, Croft, Care, Lewsy and Hook

Posted 20:05 16th September 2008

Ryan The rugby says...

Gotta be honest it will be interseting to see how cipriani comes back after the injury?? to see if there any psyciological going on!! The lions always throws in a few curve ball selections and what about R Hibbard from the Ospreys. Ball carrier, great in the tackle what you need out there. Another one would be T Buckley Munster ball carrier, explosive etc. J Roberts Cardiff Blues can play anywhere in the backline will be a great benchwarmer. My lions line up would be 1. A Sheridan (convert him)2. R Hibbard 3. T Buckley ( vice versa with sheridan) 4. P O'Connell capt 5. D O'Callagan 6. Haskell 7. M Williams 8. R jones 9. phillips 10. Cipriani/Hook 11. S Williams 12. Henson 13. T Shanklin 14. Simpson-Daniel 15. L Byrne reps 16. M Stevens 17. J Flannery 18. J Roberts 19. d peel 20. j lewsey. 21 a wyn jones 22. cirpiani/hook

Posted 10:15 16th September 2008

Matt Wheeler says...

We can't forget Danny Cipriani. Clearly one of the best fly halfs in the world. If he returns to full fitness at the same level he was originally at, he deserves to be in that first test.

Posted 11:06 15th September 2008

Jay Kay says...

Haha some of you clowns need to read the article before bleating an showing how much you hate or envy England (they cant be that bad having made the last 2 world cup finals), Its based on a weekend, not the entire season, get a grip people!

Posted 01:05 15th September 2008

Phil Mecalf says...

Matt Banahan has to go! You've got to take a big bulldozer down there !!!! He gives you so many options!!! There is other great wingers but not all can do what he can!!!!

Posted 16:41 14th September 2008

Jonathan Wood says...

15.Byrne 14.Sackey 13.O'Driscoll 12.Flutey 10. Cipriani 9. Care 8. Jones 7. Rees 6. Haskell 5.O'Connell 4.Shaw 3.Sheridan 2. Hartley 1. Jenkins Bench: 16.Hook 17.Fitzgerald 18. Philips 19. Croft 20. Wyn-Jones 21. Stevens 22. Thompson (Brive)

Posted 20:43 13th September 2008

Pdraig Greenwood says...

"mike blair is best scrum half in british isles by a mile." "we will be playing as one nation." Could I please remind people that this is the BRITISH AND IRISH lions and is therefore not representing just one nation and is not bound to the british isles. Ireland is not a british island.

Posted 18:51 12th September 2008

Clwyd Roberts says...

i'm sorry, but with that back line, you won't get a single try against safrica, who won the world cup with a solid defence. Morgan, Monye and powell aren't even regulars internationally, and dcare only plays for his country because no one else can. were have u been the past year not to know that Lee Byrne is the only form fullback in britain, and theres no chance u can leave out players of such class as henson, mike blair and shane williams. on current form my team would b 15lbyrne 14Strettle 13Shanklin 12henson 11SWilliams 10SJones 9MBlair 1Gjenkins 2RFord 3EMurray 4AWJones 5PO'Connel 6TRees 7MWilliams 8RJones

Posted 17:07 12th September 2008

Mike Jones says...

Please best inside centre in britain if fit Gavin Henson, defence and attack superb, and with groin injury now behind him kicking out of hand will become a big part of his game again. And M.Williams too old?!!!! If he is on form who cares about age!!!! its this lions not the next we pick for. Was really impressed with the gloucester game on the weekend, what a game!

Posted 12:14 11th September 2008

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