Competition for second row places on the Lions plane to New Zealand is going to be fierce.
Alun Wyn Jones, a possible tour captain, and Maro Itoje are almost certain to go. Joe Launchbury, Jonny Gray and Courtney Lawes are other possibilities.
Speaking to ESPN, Brian O'Driscoll highlighted Donncha Ryan as a possible bolter for the squad. Ryan is having a superb season for province and country - something which has made his reported move to Racing 92 all the more painful for Munster fans.
Donnacha Ryan. I don't think it's really a year for bolters per se. But if you said Donnacha Ryan down in Munster, they'd say he's already a shoo-in to be on the plane.
Every club or fan is biased towards their own at the minute and everyone at Saracens feels their whole side should be on the plane and likewise in Munster, Leinster and Wasps; we're incredibly partisan in our opinions.
I don't think there will be that many bolters and outside of Munster, I get the feeling not many would have Donnacha Ryan on the plane but he ticks all the relevant boxes for being a really good tourist: a great guy, someone who's ready for the trenches.
While he might not be a Test player right now, he would do a phenomenal job against the other sides in New Zealand as you need someone who's combative and ready for the fight and he would be an excellent tourist.
The former Lions captain also said that the battle for the number 13 shirt is down to Jonathan Davies and Robbie Henshaw. The Leinster man would be his choice to complete a 10-12-13 combination along with Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell.
No.13 is between Jonathan Davies and Henshaw because of the type of games they play and their physical nature but Henshaw's in better form than Davies currently. Johnny and Owen are similar on a similar wavelength and could be outstanding.
Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
