Celts take pride of place in provisional Lions side

WHEN Clive Woodward was announced as coach of the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand, we all made a couple of assumptions.

The first was that he would adopt a no-stone-left-unturned approach, with exhaustive planning and a huge backroom team to keep him company. On that one, Woodward did not disappoint and, in fact, even exceeded expectations.

Our second assumption was the vast majority of places in the Lions squad would be taken up by Englishmen, players Woodward knew and nurtured in his seven years as English supremo - that assumption looks like being blown out of the water.

For, after three rounds of the Six Nations, English are languishing in wooden spoon position with Italy, while Ireland and Wales are heading for a grand slam showdown in Cardiff. Consequently, there have been a few notable adjustments in provisional Lions selections and, at this juncture, the Lions test XV is refreshingly Celt-heavy:

Full-back: Jason Robinson’s fall from grace continues. A certain pick before the tournament began, he looks out of sorts and uncomfortable with the burden of captaincy. Only a move to the wing can save him now.

Geordan Murphy is a shoe-in at this stage, particularly given the injury to Gareth Thomas of Wales.

Wings: With England leaving Ben Cohen in the wilderness, the way is clear for Welsh wizard Shane Williams on the left, although concerns remain about his slight stature after Rougerie blew him aside at the weekend. Denis Hickie is close behind Williams, while, on the right, Lewsey looks the only English back worthy of a starting place.

Centres: We do not need to say any more about Brian O’Driscoll, merely find a partner for him.

Given Gordon D’Arcy’s continuing injury woes, the best option right now is Gavin Henson, who is undeniably gifted but not as good as he thinks he is. Horgan and Shanklin are the best of the rest.

Out-half: Charlie Hodgson was much better for England on Sunday but remains too flaky to risk, which means it is a straight shoot-out between Ireland’s Ronan O’Gara and Stephen Jones of Wales. At this stage, O’Gara is ahead by a nose, (his mental toughness will be invaluable against the All Blacks) but Cardiff will be a huge test of both men’s credentials.

Scrum-half: Wide open. Scotland’s Cussiter has started to fade, the Welsh pair of Peel and Cooper continue to ooze exuberance but remain a concern in the physical stakes while England’s old warhorse Dawson looks like regaining some form. Looks like Peel at this stage, but our own Peter Stringer could benefit from his familiarity with O’Gara.

Number 8: England’s Martin Corry was magnificent against Ireland. Michael Owen of Wales and Ireland’s Anthony Foley are fighting it out for the understudy role.

Openside: Wales’s Martyn Williams has been the player of the tournament but Johnny O’Connor gets better with each outing and will run him close. Lewis Moody of England is not at the races so far while Scotland’s Jon Petrie should book his holidays in Spain.

Blindside: No outstanding candidate. Joe Worsley has been a huge disappointment with Scotland’s Jason White the most impressive number six so far. Irish romantics would love to see Trevor Brennan feature, but the most likely non-international to be selected remains Lawrence Dallaglio.

Second Rows: Ireland’s O’Kelly and O’Connell had it put up to them by the English pair of Kay and Grewcock and came out marginally ahead.

Scotland and Wales have no realistic challengers to this quartet, indeed it is this Welsh side’s weakest area.

Props: The injured Julian White remains favourite to nail down the tight-head spot but John Hayes did himself no harm with his display last Sunday. On the other side, Wales’s Gethin Jenkins looks to have edged ahead of England’s Rowntree.

Hooker: Scotland’s Gordon Bulloch is struggling in a dire team, Steve Thompson was much better against Ireland, but Shane Byrne is the form hooker. After years in the wilderness, it would be great to see the popular Byrne become a Lions test player.

If he keeps playing like this, it will happen.

LIONS TEST XV (after three rounds of Six Nations): 15. G Murphy (Ireland) 14. J Lewsey (England), 13. B O’Driscoll (Ireland), 12. G Henson (Wales), 11. S Williams (Wales), 10. R O’Gara (Ireland), 9. D Peel (Wales), 8. M Corry (England), 7. M Williams (Wales), 6. J White (Scotland), 5. P O’Connell (Ireland), 4. M O’Kelly (Ireland), 3. J White (England), 2. S Byrne (Ireland), 1. G Jenkins (Wales)

That’s six from Ireland, five from Wales, three from England and a solitary Scot. Who would have thought it 18 months ago?

Indeed, you may soon hear the team referred to as “Irish and British Lions.”