The Lions Squad announcement is nearly upon us, ending months of predicted selections. At 11am tomorrow morning, Warren Gatland will announce his 37 man squad to travel down under to take on the Wallabies.
Cian Tracey took a stab at tomorrow at what that squad could look like.
Full Backs: Halfpenny, Kearney
Leigh Halfpenny looks to have usurped Rob Kearney for the starting full back slot after a brilliant Six Nations campaign that saw his Welsh side claim the Championship as well as Halfpenny winning the player of the tournament gong. Kearney has had a relatively quiet season compared to the high standards in which he has set for himself in the past. Halfpenny's expert place kicking will see him run the chosen out half close for the kicking duties.
Wingers: North, Cuthbert, Zebo, Bowe
Again, it is difficult to see anything but the Welsh claiming both wingers slots. Powerful, direct and deceptively fleet-footed, North and Cuthbert will provide the Lions with serious attacking threats on both flanks. Zebo makes my squad ahead of the unfortunate Stuart Hogg for the simple fact that the Irish winger can also cover full back as well as his favoured left wing. While Tommy Bowe's late push after yet another injury sees him pip another Scotsman, Tim Visser. Bowe has proven time after time that he is a lethal finisher and his past tour experience amongst a relatively young outside back line, could prove crucial.
Centres: Roberts, Davies, O'Driscoll, Tuilagi
I've gone for a repeat starting centre partnership of Roberts and O'Driscoll. Roberts had an excellent Six Nations campaign and is about to start a new club career with Racing Metro next season. Outside him, the old, wise head of O'Driscoll will be out to end his illustrious Lions career on a high. The 34 year-old has proven over the last year that he is still on top of his game and has never lost that killer instinct around the try line - as Munster found to their cost just two weeks ago. Davies and Tuilagi are both excellent options to have coming off the bench. Brad Barritt is the one to miss out here.
Out Halves: Sexton, Farrell, Madigan
For me Sexton has to start the first test in Brisbane. In his return from injury in last week's routine win over Zebre, Sexton showed no ill effects of his hamstring problem. He followed that with a majestic display against Biarritz on Saturday. For me, Sexton is the key man in this Lions squad. Farrell is a player who seems to divide opinion but I'm a fan. Questions remain over his mental strength at the very top level but he is an ideal replacement to have.
Okay so there is always at least one wildcard selection in a Lions squad and I've gone with Ian Madigan. The young pretender to Jonny Sexton appears to have all the attributes to play at the top level which sees him edge out Hook and Wilkinson for the third out half slot. Madigan has also proven to be an option an inside centre. Gatland is renowned for putting his faith in youngsters, Madigan could well be the one to profit from this in the 2013 tour.
Scrum Halves: Phillips, Youngs, Murray
Phillips was central to Wales' Six Nations success with his performance against England a timely remainder of his ability to dominate his opposite number as well as the game itself. Ben Youngs is a completely different type of scrum half and offers speed and tempo for his back line to feed off. Conor Murray like so many of the Lions contenders, hit form at the ideal time of the season. Although his performance against Clermont wasn't faultless, his display at The Stoop in the Heineken Cup quarter final will not have gone unnoticed by Gatland and his coaching staff, particularly as it was against Danny Care - the player who many felt he was vying for, for the final scrum half spot.
Props: Healy, Cole, Jones, Jenkins, Vunipola
Jenkins may be out of favour at Toulon but he's a nailed on Tourist. As is Cian Healy and Adam Jones. My fourth prop spot goes to England's Mako Vunipola who has proved during the Six Nations that he is a capable scrummager at the top level and can have a devastating impact from the bench.
Hookers: Hibbard, Best, Youngs
Hibbard is the likely test starter for me with Tom Youngs looking like his most likely deputy. I fancy Rory Best's experience to nudge him ahead of the Ross Ford in the pecking order. Once touted as a potential captain, the Ulster man will be satisfied to merely make the squad.
Second Rows: O'Connell, Wyn-Jones, Gray, Ryan, Evans
After O'Connell's remarkable recovery from injury, there is no question that he will be included. Alan Wyn Jones is another definite to make the squad. It looks like a straight shoot between himself and his Welsh compatriot Ian Evans who was one of the standout players for Wales in the Six Nations. I've gone with Richie Gray and Donnacha Ryan to fill the remaining two spots. Gray has reportedly been passed fit by the Lions medics and has just signed with Castres for next season, this ending his torrid season with Sale. Donnacha Ryan has had an immense season. The fact he can cover in the back row means that I'd have him in my squad ahead of Geoff Parling. Just.
Flankers: Warburton, Lydiate, O'Brien, Wood, Tipuric, Robshaw
Warburton, O'Brien, Tipuric and Robshaw all pick themselves. Dan Lydiate's recovery from injury has come just in time. A firm favourite of Gatland, he should travel. Tom Wood's dynamism could be crucial in the back row, an area which could be where the tests are won and lost.
No. 8s: Falateau, Heaslip
Not much needs to be said about Falateau. Almost certain to start the first test. If you'd asked me a month ago would I pick Heaslip, I'd have said 'no chance' but his two try performance against Biarritz reminded everyone of what he is capable of. With a serious lack of specialist number 8s, to chose from, Heaslip is likely to travel.
Captain: Paul O'Connell
If O'Connell says jump, you ask how high. I'm not sure Warburton would have the same influence. Warburton is an excellent player but with plenty of competition in the back row, he is by no means guaranteed a starting test place. POC would start every day of the week for me with an honourable mention towards O'Driscoll but it was always unlikely that Gatland would opt for a back as captain.
