A six nations full of surprises is (almost) over. A lots changed in the past 8 weeks, and that is reflected in the lions squad that will now for certain tour South Africa. The team will no longer be England with Stuart Hogg as most people seemed to think before the tournament. Indeed this is probably the most open lions selection in a long time. This leaves Gatland huge opportunity but also huge risk, compounded by the fact he is coaching against the most physical team on the planet who will be looking to solidify themselves as the best in the world. Selection needs to reflect the opposition and with South Africa’s DNA so clearly established Gatland has the opportunity to pick a team that can really attack the defending World cup champions. 

Loose Head: Joe Marler

What? How? He didn’t even play in the six nations! Correct and Wyn Jones will doubtless be the first name on the team sheet for most. Marler however was selected for England and turned down the opportunity to better support his family. Had he been a part of England’s campaign there may well have been tangible differences. He is one of the most physical players in the world and is becoming more and more reminiscent of his old England front row partner in Dan Cole. He doesn’t make mistakes on the field, he’s a hard worker in attack and a monstrous presence in defence. Furthermore he is the best loose head in the set piece and tight game in the world. His physicality and set piece quality will be a necessity against the likes of Malherbe and Koch (and potentially Wilko Louw his Harlequins teammate). 

Hooker: Ken Owens 

Honourable mention must go here to Luke Cowan-Dickie who has proven that he can thrive on the international stage. However Ken Owens has been immense for wales, doubly impressive considering the long layoff due to injury prior to the six nations. He offers an industrious and fast approach to the game but does not lack in physicality and much like Marler is a former tourist. Unlike Marler he has also captained the lions, experience that will be invaluable in a team that  will likely feature a large volume of youth. 

Tight Head: Tadgh Furlong 

Of course it is. The depth here makes it arguably the lions strongest position with both Sinckler and Porter proving themselves world class, the latter for the first time. Additional names like Will Stuart who really stepped up in his limited game time as well as Thomas Francis having somewhat of a resurgence show that Taidgh will be by no means unchallenged. The Irish prop showed in the games he did play just how classy a player he is, the leaving aside the greatest side-step in the history of rugby, he returned to the physical play that has been his hallmarks since he shrugged of Reid and Retallick in 2016. 

Lock: Maro Itoje

I have never been the biggest fan of Itoje, and there’s not much new to say about him. He gives away too many penalties and once he gives away one or two he does tend to spiral. However he is on his day anywhere form the best 2^nd row in the world all the way up to the best player in the world. The ability he has in the loose, especially over the ball which will be essential in disrupting the consistency of South Africa’s front foot ball. Aside from that he is a previous lions tourist and will inevitably have a massive role in the leadership of the group. 

Lock: Tadgh Beirne

The auto-locking octopus himself, Tadgh Beirne was first a revelation for Munster and this year he has been the same for Ireland. He is my player of the tournament, although Stuart hogg as the potential to pinch that this weekend, and importantly he allows the Lions to have essentially five backrow players when included with Itoje. Beirnes’s inclusion will be a real boon to the lions around the breakdown and will make it difficult for south Africa to maintain the front foot ball that is so central to their physical style of rugby. His inexperience is notable, especially when compared with the other option of Alun Wyn Jones at the position. Although his short but successful international career has shown his cool head and quality under the heat of the bright lights. 

Blindside: Justin Tipuric 

Form is temporary, class is permanent. Tipuric is up there with his forbear Warburton in terms of who represents the phrase best. Tipuric has been outstanding his entire career and nothing changed this year. Offering the hands of a 13 alongside a savviness around the breakdown that sees him win key turn overs with alarming regularity, his value to the lions is obvious and immense. Hamish Watson has played well this six nations and would probably be the form man to pull on the 6 jersey, Tipuric though is world class and has been for a long time and if the way he played this tournament is anything to go by he will continue to be long into the future. 

Openside: Tom Curry (VC)

It’s difficult to pick an attribute of Tom Curry that stands out, a Tipuric has his handling, a Rees-Zammit has his finishing ability. Tom Curry in contrast is just really good at rugby. Its flippant but it is the simplest way to get across the quality of player that Curry is. His well-rounded skill set is reminiscent of the great 7s of the past and I’ve no doubt he will be in that pantheon by the time he hangs up his boots. For me he’s as likely as Itoje to lead England when the captaincy next changes hands, and his work rate in a leadership position will keep the rest of the pack honest.  This is an opportunity for Curry to confirm himself amongst the best in the world and despite good tournaments from other options, Hamish Watson particularly, Tom Curry is Just too good to be left out.

No. 8: Sam Simmonds

Sam Simmonds is underrated by even his biggest fans. He for me ranks alongside Vermeulen and Alldritt as the best at the position in the world, not just in England. The decision not to pick him for England is short sighted, not picking him for the lions would be even more so. Simmonds work rate is phenomenal and between him, his fellow backrowers and the 2^nd row the turnover battle easily tilts in favour of the Lions. He has been the only 8 available to the home nations to  look utterly dominant. Vunipola is not a consistent contributor and let’s face it size can no longer be the main aspect of a player’s game with the increase in the average physicality of players. Stander may not be available but if he were to be he would be an ok option, but has not stood out as a dominant force, the same for Talupe Faletau. Simmonds offers a back row X-factor and whilst the lack of international involvement is damaging to his cause I think he is good enough to compete on the world stage.

Scrum Half: Connor Murray 

Scrum Half is perhaps the lions weakest position, in light of that I’ve avoided pushing the boat out and selecting Allie Price who has really grown into the Scottish shirt this six nations. Regardless it is difficult to look past the ever present figure of Murray, especially after his excellent performance against England last weekend. With no man in the 9 shirt standing out this year, it is logical to take the player who has performed at the highest level for the longest. Connor Murray is definitely that man, he was arguably the best scrum half in the world earlier in his career and has not taken the dive in form that people seem to think he has. He’s the best of an average bunch, but he still is the best option and needs to be pulling on the shirt in that first test. 

Fly Half: Finn Russel 

There’s not much to be said, that hasn’t already been talked about with Finn Russel. He makes Cipriani look like an Aldi own brand product with what he is able to do on the international stage. His timing and attacking awareness are unmatched at the moment in the game. His surprising turn of pace makes him lethal in a position which has so rapidly shifted toward game management specialists. Additionally if you were to pick a man ahead of time to be voted the best tourist he would be the man.

Left Wing: Anthony Watson

England’s six nations campaign was characterised by incompetency and disappointment. The one truly bright spot throughout was Anthony Watson. His finishing through contact is maybe the best in the world and this Six nations he showed that he was still deadly from close range. Now that the idea of him being moved to full back has been put to bed also he can focus on the being the dominant finisher we sometimes forget he is. 

Inside centre: Henshaw

Along with Beirne, Henshaw fits into the category of players who have played themselves into the lion shirt over this six nations. With Jonathon Davies taking a step back accompanied by a move to 12, and no one else really putting their hand up Henshaw is the obvious choice. It is a shame that Redpath suffered an injury so early as his form in the England game suggested that he may have had a similar opportunity. Henshaw however hasn’t put a foot wrong all six nations, and with Farrell regressing significantly I think that the Lions need to play the hot hand.

Outside Centre: North

This was a toss-up between North and Gary Ringrose. For South Africa the physicality of North as well as the speed he has adapted to the position, tips it for me. His move inside was not without its initial issues, but his defense has rapidly been made much more secure, and under Gatland will only improve. Furthermore, the old George North who terrified the rugby world pre-concussion, appears to be returning in earnest. The rampaging north of 2011 would certainly be of massive benefit to the Lions. There is something to be said also for having a centurion in the side, especially one still so young and capable. 

Right Wing: Louis Rees-Zammit 

Why not? The classic take on LRZ has been “Gatland might even take him on the Lions tour.” The guys age should not matter, he has simply been the best winger in the Six Nations. His speed is his most commonly observed attribute, which is not surprising. I assume with the way he burned Johnny May that he is one of, if not the fastest player in world rugby. Additionally he is not the small winger that many seem to think he is. He’s a sizeable athlete with excellent coverage skills, essential for facing off against the likes of Kolbe. Age and wisdom before youth and enthusiasm is a good mantra to apply to most things, just not to the most in form winger in the Northern hemisphere

Full back: Stuart Hogg (C)

Hogg had a little bit to prove this Six Nations. He had performed well for Exeter in the games he played, but had looked pedestrian on the international stage since his rise to captaincy. This is no longer the case. He proved this six nations that any debates about his quality should around whether or not he is the best Full back in the world. He offers immense counter attacking ability, alongside the lethal finishers in the back three he will put the fear of god in the South African kick chase. His leadership during the rise of Scottish rugby has been clear to see, whilst Gatland does prefer his captain to be in the forwards the selected pack has no shortage of motivators. Hogg is arguably the best full back in the world, and has gained a new lease of life under the captaincy of Scotland despite a rocky start. He’s my lions captain, of a team which has a very good chance to really dominate the Springboks.