Lions 2017 Depth Chart: Edition 2
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
Hogg remains the frontrunner to start at 15, although Leigh Halfpenny’s upcoming run in the Top 14 play-offs with Toulon could have a decisive say in selection. Halfpenny was metronomic in the win over Castres off the tee but his try will have pleased Warren Gatland most, showing good acceleration and doing well to ground the ball while staying in-field. It feels like a tight call, with Halfpenny the more conservative option.
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
Neither North or Williams have done their chances any harm towards the end of the season, with Williams reminding us that he can also offer a goal-kicking option after those two key penalties in the PRO12 semi-final win. The Saracens-bound back looks better than ever. Anthony Watson finished the season well for Bath and has so much pace, but his versatility would make him seem like an ideal Test impact player from the bench.
CENTRES
1) Robbie Henshaw and Jonathan Joseph
2) Owen Farrell and Robbie Henshaw
3) Ben Te’o and Elliot Daly
4) Henshaw/Te’o and Jonathan Davies
5) Henshaw/Te’o and Jared Payne
Some notable changes linked to an alteration in the fly-half pecking order. Robbie Henshaw was earmarked as the starting outside centre but now shifts in-field to accomodate the inclusion of Jonathan Joseph. Henshaw’s versatility here is vital, with the Ireland centre strong in all areas. The addition of Joseph of course provides some pace at 13 but also ensures the Lions have a smart cover defender in that outside channel should he be required.
FLY-HALF
1) Owen Farrell
2) Johnny Sexton
3) Dan Biggar
4) Stuart Hogg
Sexton’s off-colour outing against the Scarlets combined with Farrell lifting the Champions Cup with Saracens means a switch at number 10. Farrell’s ability to play 12 as he does with England is definitely a positive, but his first position is fly-half and based on his ever-increasing trophy cabinet, there’s a good reason to pick him there too. No doubt this might have completely changed by the time the next depth chart is released, but for now Farrell gets the nod.
SCRUM-HALF
1) Conor Murray
2) Rhys Webb
3) Greig Laidlaw
Ben Youngs’ withdrawal, a decision hugely respected far and wide to be with his family at a highly difficult time, has meant a call-up for Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw. Before the squad was named we highlighted the merits of Laidlaw as a possible mid-week captain and would expect to see him now fulfil that role. Conor Murray still has the edge over Rhys Webb.
NUMBER EIGHT
1) CJ Stander
2) Taulupe Faletau
3) Ross Moriarty
4) James Haskell
Billy Vunipola was the frontrunner to start at the base of the Lions scrum with a major role to play in their attacking structure, so his withdrawal from the tour due to injury is a hammer blow. Balance now comes into play in the back-row more than ever, and if the starting flankers are to remain the same, and there is no reason now to change them, then the Lions need the same power at number eight. Enter CJ Stander.
FLANKERS
1) Peter O’Mahony and Sam Warburton
2) CJ Stander and Justin Tipuric
3) Taulupe Faletau and Sean O’Brien
4) Ross Moriarty and James Haskell
O’Mahony brings the threat at the lineout, Warburton the prowess at the breakdown. Therefore there seems little reason to change things up even with the loss of Vunipola given Stander’s power from number eight. Haskell’s addition to the squad shouldn’t have a major impact on the Test back-row at this stage, with Faletau and Tipuric more attractive bench options. Sean O’Brien’s late withdrawal from the PRO12 semi-final was a worry.
LOCKS
1) Maro Itoje and George Kruis
2) Itoje and Alun Wyn Jones
3) Iain Henderson and Courtney Lawes
Commanding performances from both players in the Champions Cup final, which in the case of Itoje has now become so common that there is a danger his work is being taken for granted. Kruis has returned in top form after his extended layoff from injury and seems the ideal choice to lead the lineout. Alun Wyn Jones can still factor here but needs to regain match fitness after his own time out with injury. Keeping the Saracens duo together feels like the smart move.
PROPS
1) Mako Vunipola and Tadgh Furlong
2) Jack McGrath and Dan Cole
3) Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler
A strong argument here for Mako Vunipola to provide impact off the bench as he did on the 2013 tour in Australia, except that the Saracens prop now has an even more important role to play attacking wise after brother Billy’s injury that keeping him out of the starting line-up would feel like a mistake, even though McGrath has had an outstanding season.
HOOKER
1) Rory Best
2) Jamie George
3) Ken Owens
The same dilemma here, would Rory Best offer enough impact off the bench for the Lions? Handing the start to George would make this a very young pack relatively light on experience, against an All Blacks tight five with caps coming out of their ears. For that reason, and the knowledge of how much impact George has made off the bench for England during their two Six Nations titles, sticking with Best makes sense. Concerns over Ken Owens fitness continue.