Lions 2017 Depth Chart: Edition 1
We know the squad, but who will start in the Test side against the All Blacks? Keep up to date with our Lions Depth Chart both ahead and throughout the tour.
FULL-BACK
1) Stuart Hogg
2) Leigh Halfpenny
3) Elliot Daly
4) Jared Payne
Warren Gatland stated that Owen Farrell was being considered as a fly-half after last week’s announcement but a 10-12 combination with Johnny Sexton fits into the structured system Gatland is likely to want to deploy. Why does this affect full-back? Because if either of those players start, Leigh Halfpenny’s goalkicking becomes less important. Hogg is not the defensive turnstile many are rushing to make him out to be and it shouldn’t be forgotten that he has a cultured left boot himself for the tactical kicking game.
WINGS
1) George North and Liam Williams
2) Anthony Watson and Tommy Seymour
3) Elliot Daly and Jack Nowell
4) Leigh Halfpenny and Jared Payne
Bar a dramatic loss of form the Wales wings seem the obvious starters, given that neither lack speed but offer a balance of power and flair, and are both rock solid under the high ball. They also have the most Test caps. Anthony Watson’s searing pace and Tommy Seymour’s all-round game make them the next best options, but the Lions are very well stocked here if Elliot Daly and Jack Nowell are being considered as the third pairing.
CENTRES
1) Owen Farrell and Robbie Henshaw
2) Robbie Henshaw and Jonathan Joseph
3) Ben Te’o and Elliot Daly
4) Henshaw/Te’o and Jonathan Davies
5) Henshaw/Te’o and Jared Payne
Farrell’s combination with George Ford for England has developed him as a playmaker, and the Lions will desperately need territory against the All Blacks, hence why a second kicking option at inside centre works well. Henshaw is a quality workhorse, strong both carrying the ball up and in defence but also with soft hands. The Leinsterman is also capable of moving to 12 to allow room for the fleet-footed gamebreaker Joseph.
FLY-HALF
1) Johnny Sexton
2) Owen Farrell
3) Dan Biggar
4) Stuart Hogg
Sexton remains the frontrunner to start at fly-half for the second straight tour, with Farrell also right in the mix if Gatland decides to not opt for the two playmakers. Dan Biggar however is set for a busy tour as the midweek starter, given that if both Sexton and Farrell are down to start in the Test series their minutes will likely be limited. Hogg featured as a third fly-half during the 2013 tour and may see time there again.
SCRUM-HALF
1) Conor Murray
2) Rhys Webb
3) Ben Youngs
Murray wasn’t able to return in time for Munster’s Champions Cup semi-final but a return to the field is not far away, having not featured since the Six Nations match against Wales back in March. Rhys Webb and Ben Youngs both offer great impact off the bench, with Webb currently edging Youngs out but only slightly after a decent Six Nations campaign. Very strong area.
NUMBER EIGHT
1) Billy Vunipola
2) Taulupe Faletau
3) CJ Stander
4) Ross Moriarty
Vunipola showed off the full skill-set against Munster in Dublin and a few games into his comeback from injury now looks ominously up to speed and constantly breaking the gain-line. Faletau’s return to form with Bath after a season blighted by injury could not be better timed either. Stander operates at six for Ireland but eight for Munster, and would be a trusted option at the back of the scrum. As would Moriarty, who kept Faletau out of the Wales back row in the Six Nations.
FLANKERS
1) Peter O’Mahony and Sam Warburton
2) CJ Stander and Justin Tipuric
3) Ross Moriarty and Sean O’Brien
4) Courtney Lawes/Iain Henderson and O’Brien
Why O’Mahony over Stander? The concern initially would be that having just Warburton in the Lions back row with two big ball-carriers in Stander and Vunipola would reduce the number of lineout options, an area where O’Mahony excels as everyone saw against England in the Six Nations. Stander could also provide an excellent impact off the bench. Warburton is on his way back from injury but as captain should start, mainly because of his quality work over the ball at the breakdown, in defence, and at the lineout.
LOCKS
1) Maro Itoje and George Kruis
2) Itoje and Alun Wyn Jones
3) Iain Henderson and Courtney Lawes
Alun Wyn Jones is due back from injury before the squad depart and brings great experience and leadership to the table, while still possessing the ability to dominate matches. But if Kruis carries on the way he has started on his return from injury, with phenomenal games against Northampton and Munster, then the temptation to go with the all-Saracens, Grand Slam-winning lock duo will hold great appeal for Gatland.
PROPS
1) Mako Vunipola and Tadgh Furlong
2) Jack McGrath and Dan Cole
3) Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler
Jack McGrath has done little wrong and enjoyed a strong Six Nations with Ireland, but Mako Vunipola’s current form makes it difficult to leave him out of the loosehead slot. Vunipola’s skill-set is frankly good enough for him to be an All Black and he offers plenty of dynamism in attack and good work-rate in defence. Tadgh Furlong has been outstanding at tighthead and should start ahead of Dan Cole. No doubt the Lions are strong here.
HOOKER
1) Rory Best
2) Jamie George
3) Ken Owens
Ireland captain Best offers great leadership, making him a valuable on-field lieutenant for Sam Warburton, and the Lions have time to get the lineout fully firing after Best came under scrutiny during the Six Nations. Jamie George’s selection over Dylan Hartley is largely down to the impact he can make off the bench as a ball-carrier, while he will let no one down in the set-piece. Ken Owens would seem set for plenty of midweek action.