With the excitement building ahead of 2013's visit to Australia, we decided to pump up the volume by bringing you our third British & Irish Lions watch!
Every three weeks or so Planet Rugby will update its leaderboard for who should pack their bags, who should keep the diary open and who should stock the fridge with a few beers, pizzas and ice creams for soaking up the tour on the couch, as the most coveted of selections fast approaches.
We must stress that long-term injuries have been taken into account for our calls. However, those nearing a return to action are accommodated.
Here we go - make sure to give your feedback.
FULL-BACKS
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has remained a beacon of hope for his country despite consecutive defeats to Argentina and Samoa. Incredibly accurate with the boot, Halfpenny has shown great solidity under the high ball and with Rob Kearney still returning from injury, is the front-runner for the number 15 shirt when things kick-off in June.
On standby: Alex Goode, Stuart Hogg
Best make other plans next June: Ben Foden, Lee Byrne, Simon Zebo, Mike Brown
WINGS
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: If they were getting enough possession, we might have a better idea. Tim Visser remains the firm favourite down the left with Alex Cuthbert edging out Chris Ashton and Tommy Bowe down the right. George North's form has dipped while a new face joins the outsiders as, following a hat-trick for Ireland XV, Craig Gilroy sneaks in.
On standby: George North, Andrew Trimble
Best make other plans next June: Fergus McFadden, Charlie Sharples, Ugo Monye, Sean Lamont, Keith Earls, Craig Gilroy
CENTRES
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: Hands up anyone? Jamie Roberts was solid in defence on Friday but unable to break through in attack, whilst Manu Tuilagi has looked powerful but lacks the subtlety and skill set to upset the Wallabies. Secretly, everybody prays that Brian O'Driscoll is fit by time of departure. Jonathan Davies to travel as the Lions' fourth centre.
On standby: Ashley Beck, Jonathan Joseph, Matt Scott, Darren Cave, Owen Farrell
Best make other plans next June: Brad Barritt, Scott Williams, Dom Waldouck, Paddy Wallace, Gordon D'Arcy, Jordan Turner-Hall
FLY-HALVES
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: Jonathan Sexton remains ahead of the pack, with Toby Flood breathing down his neck. Other names that continue to linger in the background include Greig Laidlaw and Rhys Priestland, but both have work to do. Dan Biggar's opportunity against Samoa last Friday was cut short but he should not be ruled out.
On standby: Rhys Priestland, Dan Biggar
Best make other plans next June: Ruaridh Jackson, Ronan O'Gara, Danny Cipriani, Charlie Hodgson, Freddie Burns, Jonny Wilkinson
SCRUM-HALVES
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: Mike Phillips returned for Wales against Samoa and stood out on a disastrous evening for his country. Danny Care was influential in creating England's only try against Australia and remains a strong contender. Conor Murray squeaks in as the final traveller after some much-improved performances of late.
On standby: Mike Blair, Ben Youngs, Tavis Knoyle
Best make other plans next June: Henry Prygos, Eoin Reddan, Richard Wigglesworth, Lloyd Williams, Paul Marshall
NUMBER EIGHTS
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: The Irish captaincy has seen Jamie Heaslip mature as a player over recent weeks while Kelly Brown continues to show his rugged edge for Scotland. Thomas Waldrom's carrying ability cannot be ignored and has been impressive so we opt for him and Scotland's David Denton as our eights, with Denton able to cover on the side.
On standby: Ben Morgan, Toby Faletau, Kelly Brown
Best make other plans next June: Peter O'Mahony, Jordan Crane, Nick Easter, Andy Powell, Richard Baxter
FLANKERS
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: A new face joins our lowest tier of contenders and that is Iain Henderson after impressive recent form for Ulster and Ireland. However, we stick with Stephen Ferris and Sean O'Brien despite their short-term injuries while Sam Warburton and Chris Robshaw also sneak in. Tom Wood may start this weekend so watch him go.
On standby: Justin Tipuric, Ross Rennie, Tom Wood, Dan Lydiate
Best make other plans next June: Tom Johnson, John Barclay, Alasdair Strokosch, Chris Henry, Tom Croft, Ryan Jones, Iain Henderson
SECOND-ROWS
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: One change from edition 2 as Nathan Hines overtakes Geoff Parling in our pecking order. Hines' Lions experience could be invaluable in Australia so he joins Alun-Wyn Jones, Richie Gray and a hobbling Paul O'Connell. England long for the dynamism of Courtney Lawes so once he returns, it will be interesting to monitor his form.
On standby: Donnacha Ryan, Jim Hamilton, Courtney Lawes, Geoff Parling
Best make other plans next June: Bradley Davies, Al Kellock, Donncha O'Callaghan, Joe Launchbury, Ian Evans
HOOKERS
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: We have decided to leave things alone in the hooking department as Rory Best, Dylan Hartley and Richardt Strauss remain, despite the formerly mentioned duo being on the sidelines. There's been nothing spectacular from their rivals thus far in November as England's Tom Youngs and Scotland's Ross Ford live in hope.
On standby: Tom Youngs, Ross Ford, Matthew Rees
Best make other plans next June: Sean Cronin, Richard Hibbard, David Paice
PROPS
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: Despite apparent unhappiness in France, Gethin Jenkins should turns things around and join Cian Healy, Dan Cole and Adam Jones as the four key props on the plane next year. Meanwhile, Mike Ross could be the third tighthead travelling.
On standby: Ryan Grant, Alex Corbisiero, Mako Vunipola
Best make other plans next June: Paul James, Euan Murray, Andrew Sheridan, Tom Court, Joe Marler
By Ben Coles and Adam Kyriacou
@bencoles_ and @PlanetRugbyAK
Comments
HRFC2 says...
I think there is something wrong when the top player on one of the best teams, in one of the best competitions in the world can not crack a failing English side is mind boggling. It is almost as if they are going out of their way to not pick S.Armitage. Especially after Lancaster's comments on his perceived lack of fitness [which is a joke, as Toulon aren't exactly a side that tend to take it easy on the pitch and have the wins to back that up..and could easily run rampant over Lancaster's side].. Why are they so afraid of this guy....If i were S Armitage I would seriously look at playing for France in the next world cup and show his fellow pome's a thing or two about how an open side flank is supposed to play..not look.
Posted 14:53 28th November 2012
rogidez says...
I reckon everyone has overlooked Pyrgos at 9 - he has enormous potential. Care is a loose cannon, second choice would be Philips and then Murray - England have a serious weakness at the 9 berth and Youngs has got gas but a dodgy pass.
Posted 18:38 22nd November 2012
markpat says...
@PR_3 - what happens with your bench if there is an injury at no8 or centre? Not sure I'd want Sexton, Flood, Ashton, North, Kearney or Halfpennny slotting in there. #8 would end up being Robshaw or Ferris?
You're also missing the 2nd required prop from your bench, you can't just use 8 subs, all 3 front row positions need to be covered.
Posted 12:03 21st November 2012
PR_3 says...
From a Wallabies supporter, this is my pick for the 1st Test:
1. Healey
2. Best
3. Cole
4. Gray
5. AW-Jones (consistent and brings lot of experience)
6. Ferris
7. Robshaw (Depends on Warburton's form)
8. Faletau (need him to play the southern hemisphere game)
9. Care (Better than Phillips, who is my 3rd choice below Blair, and goes alright in the 'sweeper' role)
10. Sexton (No one else!)
11. North
12. Jono Davies
13. BOD (c) (I know you should select players based on form not reputation. But you cannot neglect classy player like BOD.)
14. Ashton (Only because I want to see him get humiliated down under)
15. Halfpenny
Orange peelers
16. Ford
17. Vanipola (Did you see that hit last Saturday?)
18. Parling
19. Warburton (Depends on Robshaw's form)
20. Heaslip (Would be my first choice if it wasnt for Faletau)
21. Mike Blair
22. Flood
23. Kearney
Posted 07:41 21st November 2012
melkdave says...
Still a total waste of time ,trying to pick a Lions squad,some players havent played ,or are injured ,so you cant rate them at all,qafter these matches wejust might have an idea of whos informect ,but only after the 6Ns wil we have an idea of those players worthy of selection.So BOD.Kearney and any others injured long term atm,if they dont perform in the 6Ns just dont go imo.No room for reputations ,only players inform ,and offering something to the squad/team .
Posted 03:00 21st November 2012
Kent says...
Let's face it Visser looked hopeless against the Boks, you need to do more than just be on the end of a scoring pass
Posted 22:31 20th November 2012
curates_egg says...
@marzie O'Brien hoping to start for Leinster on Friday
Posted 17:14 20th November 2012
marzie says...
"A new face joins the outsiders as, following a hat-trick for Ireland XV, Craig Gilroy sneaks in", yet, he had "best make other plans next June." Which is it then PR? Also, Sean O' Brien's injury has hardly proven to be "short-term." Otherwise ye are pretty much cutting your coat to suit your cloth, based on plentiful absentees and some awful Northern Hemisphere performances these last few weeks, so fair enough with the selections.
Posted 15:43 20th November 2012
curates_egg says...
How can you totally ignore Armitage?
Posted 15:04 20th November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Waldron??!!!! Please!!
What more does Sherridan have to do to get in??
Posted 14:15 20th November 2012
admack says...
campbell17... you forget that this is planetrugby.com.... sometimes I think they forget that Scotland exist
Posted 13:33 20th November 2012
markpat says...
I wouldn't be surprised to see Armitage taken at flanker. 9 & 10 are a huge weakness in all 4 countries which is disappointing.
My starting 23 would probably be:
1. Healy
2. Ford
3. Cole
4. Gray
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. Armitage
8. Heaslip
9. Phillips
10. Sexton
11. Bowe
12. Roberts
13. O'Driscoll
14. Cuthbert
15. Halfpenny
16. Jenkins
17. Adam Jones
18. Best
19. Lawes
20. O'Brien
21. Care
22. Biggar
23. Kearney
While I wanted to put Visser in the team, Bowe provides cover at outside centre, with Halfpenny switching to the wing and Kearney coming in at fullback.
Biggar is chosen above Flood as I prefer bench players to be impact players, rather than injury cover. Same with Lawes and O'Brien on the bench.
Posted 13:09 20th November 2012
heathy says...
To be honest, this list is an irrelevance until after the Six Nations as not only are there so many injuries to players that would be certain to go if they were playing well or players that would normally play for their country should other factors not got in the way (playing abroad for one). The 'list' also doesn't have any pattern as if it were based on players actually playing in the tests then the likes of O'Driscoll wouldn't be on it. Similarly Sheridan will go on current form as he is one of the best props around. Similarly Wilkinson would go above everybody bar Sexton and Flood ATM. So, if we are just looking at internationals playing right now then that¿s fair enough but take out the others. If it isn't then stop being stupid with others that, right now, would clearly go but are not playing for the test side for other reasons.
Posted 12:49 20th November 2012
Welshoz says...
The "Kiss the wife and kids goodbye' is kitchy,repetive and irritating. It is also probably inappropriate in many cases. May we see something more realistic like
probable bag packers.
Posted 12:29 20th November 2012
jonesy2 says...
i fear this tour for be a huge anti climax type situation. the absolute lack of any actual quality there is for gatland to choose from is remarkable and disappointing for anyone who was hoping a close and edge of the seat series. maybe things can change a bit before then but i will not mind seeing the lions duely thumped. very similar situation for the ashes series next winter.
Posted 12:28 20th November 2012
APV1 says...
15 - 1/2p, Kearney & Brown.
Wings - Cuthbert, Bowe & Ashton.
Centres - Roberts, Tuilagi, BOD & Davies.
10 - Sexton, Flood & Biggar.
9 - Care, Youngs & Blair. Phillips is a liability and I wouldn't risk him.
8 - Heaslip, Morgan & Faletau. Waldroom should not be considered, even for England.
Flank - Ferris, O'Brien, Robshaw & Wood. (Armitage?)
2R - Hines, Gray, Launchbury & Lawes
2 - Best, hartley & Strauss
Props - Jenkins, Healy, Cole & Jones. Perhaps Corbs too...
In other words, I think it's pretty much bang on. I think the Waldrom pick is the biggest mistake, with Phillips a close second.
Posted 12:19 20th November 2012
TVaddict says...
It's so hard to say, there have been so many injuries and everyone has been so poor.
Halfpenny has impressed me, along with Visser, Gray, Roberts and Denton. Lions team based on the Autumn internationals alone and excluding the injured:
1) Healy
2) Strauss (No options)
3) Cole
4) Gray
5) McCarthy (No other stand outs)
6) O'Mahony (So many injuries)
7) Robshaw (No 7 has played well, I didn't really care who I put here)
8) Denton
9) Care (Not really any options here)
10) Sexton
11) Visser
12) Roberts
13) Tuilagi
14) Cuthbert (Again, no stars)
15) Halfpeny
Posted 12:01 20th November 2012
campbell17 says...
Ryan Grant was playing really well for Scotland at the weekend, yet does not even get a mention?
Posted 11:05 20th November 2012
liam2me says...
This list is hilariously in the realms of fantasy
Posted 08:34 20th November 2012