After three games, who will start in the Test side against the All Blacks? Keep up to date with our Lions Depth Chart.
FULL-BACK
1) Leigh Halfpenny
2) Stuart Hogg
3) Anthony Watson
4) Liam Williams
5) Elliot Daly
6) Jared Payne
New additions here, with Leigh Halfpenny moving into top spot after Stuart Hogg’s tough start to life on tour with the Provincial Barbarians opener followed up by his early exit in Christchurch. Halfpenny was very good against the Blues, is rock solid under the high ball and would add to the kick-chase template Gatland clearly has in mind. Anthony Watson meanwhile showed what he can do against the Crusader if given space.
WINGS
1) George North and Liam Williams
2) North and Anthony Watson
3) Elliot Daly and Tommy Seymour
4) Daly and Jack Nowell
The two starters from the Crusaders win stay at the top for similar reasons to those listed above; strong under the high ball, save for Williams faux pas against the Blues, and reliable kick-chasers. The best is yet to come from North, who had a first run-out on Saturday and was full of industry. Watson is putting his hands up to get involved. Jack Nowell’s rough outing against the Blues sees him slide down, but he is much better than that.
CENTRES
1) Ben Te’o and Jonathan Davies
2) Ben Te’o and Jonathan Joseph
3) Robbie Henshaw and Elliot Daly
4) Henshaw/Te’o and Jared Payne
A new pair at the top, with Te’o and Davies combining for the first time in Christchurch and Te’o in particular doing no wrong in the 12 shirt. Gatland clearly likes Te’o’s power and ability to shed defenders. Davies meanwhile remains in hot form, although that squandered chance at the start against the Crusaders was poor. A Te’o-Joseph combination, as suggested by our ‘Expert Witness’ Nick Evans, still holds plenty of appeal.
FLY-HALF
1) Owen Farrell
2) Johnny Sexton
3) Dan Biggar
4) Jamie George (!)
Even though Sexton turned in his best performance yet on tour off the bench for Davies, Farrell remains far and away the number one option for the Lions. Oozing confidence, kicking the ball into all corners as if on a string, plus bringing that leadership and edge that the Lions need on a tough tour, he’s the clear choice on form. Although watch out for Jamie George and his clearance kicking (please note sarcasm).
SCRUM-HALF
1) Conor Murray
2) Rhys Webb
3) Greig Laidlaw
Much like Farrell the number one choice feels clear here. Murray dominated against the Crusaders and fits into the Gatland scheme perfectly. There is arguably not better defensive scrum-half on the planet, plus he has experience of defeating New Zealand. Expect him to face the Maori All Blacks next week and then be wrapped in cotton wool.
NUMBER EIGHT
1) Taulupe Faletau
2) CJ Stander
3) Ross Moriarty
4) James Haskell
Faletau has undoubtedly played his way into the shirt not necessarily due to a lack of form from CJ Stander, but thanks to excelling on his two starts. He dragged the Lions to that win over the Provincial Barbarians, while his dispatching of Jordan Taufua was one of the highlights of a physically intense contest in AMI Stadium. Proven to those in doubt that he is no soft touch. Ross Moriarty is also in good form.
FLANKERS
1) Peter O’Mahony and Sean O’Brien
2) O’Mahony and Sam Warburton
3) Maro Itoje and Justin Tipuric
4) Ross Moriarty and James Haskell
Key to the Lions’ set-piece dominance was O’Mahony against the Crusaders. Gatland loves his engine and he has that uncompromising physical edge required as well. Gatland is also a big fan of O’Brien, and if he can keep maintain his fitness then there’s every chance both Irish flankers will get the nod. Sam Warburton needs both minutes and to play out of his skin on Tuesday. What about Maro Itoje at six? The selection at lock may dictate that.
LOCKS
1) Alun Wyn Jones and George Kruis
2) Maro Itoje and Kruis
3) Iain Henderson and Courtney Lawes
This is not actually a knock on Maro Itoje. But watching the game unfold in Christchurch, it was clear how much the Lions pack benefited from his energy off the bench. In the course of a Test match, and to borrow a phrase from Eddie Jones, ‘finishers’ will matter, and Itoje can play that role better than Alun Wyn Jones. The Wales lock truly looked like a Lions captain in Christchurch. George Kruis is the only certainty, calling the lineout expertly.
PROPS
1) Mako Vunipola and Tadgh Furlong
2) Jack McGrath and Dan Cole
3) Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler
By far and away the Lions’ deepest area of talent on this tour. Vunipola and Furlong were dominant against Joe Moody and Owen Franks, the two All Blacks props, while Furlong’s ruck work and Vunipola’s skills as a link player make them both special starters. Any of the four props left off the bench can do a job too. Very tough for Gatland to pick those 17 and 18 shirts.
HOOKER
1) Jamie George
2) Ken Owens
3) Rory Best
A new man at the top and thoroughly deserved as well. George’s mobility, his scrummaging work, his familiarity with Vunipola and Kruis all make the Saracens man, who is still yet to start for England, the frontrunner to wear Lions red on June 24. Ken Owens would made an excellent impact player from the bench and adds more leadership too.
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