Lions Watch

Skysports.com's Tony Curtis gives his Lions XV based on the weekend's action

Last updated: 4th December 2008  

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Selecting the British and Lions team based on this weekend's games should have, in theory, been an easy task.

Very simply the Wales squad could fill the shirts one to 15 and I could then head home early.

However, for the fear of being lynched by the Scottish and Irish fans - I think the English supporters have enough to worry about for now than their players making it into the Lions team of the week - and in the interest of balance, I have opened up selection from domestic matches as well.

Wales, though, rightly deserve credit for their win over Australia - meaning the northern hemisphere avoided a clean sweep by the Tri-Nations.

Domestically, there were a number of encouraging displays with the international contingents returning to their respective clubs.

So skysports.com again brings you its team based on the weekend's games...

Your suggestions are very much welcome, no matter how abusive. Have we missed someone you thought was brilliant this weekend? Or have we picked someone who you felt had a nightmare?

Let us know what you think via the form below...

15 Lee Byrne

The Wales star might not be thinking too much about the Lions tour, however the selectors will certainly have Byrne's name pencilled in at 15. Byrne has shone against South Africa and New Zealand, but he saved his best display for the Aussies.

14 Rory Lamont

The first selection from outside the international matches. Lamont has been in fine form for club and was deservedly recalled by his country against Canada the previous week. He showed his finishing prowess with a fine try against Leicester.

13 Max Evans

The Scottish back edges out compatriot Ben Cairns in our selection this week. Scored two tries in Glasgow's impressive win over Cardiff and was rightly the man of the match. He combines pace and power in the No.13 jersey.

12 Olly Barkley

Ducking down behind my desk as I type this, Barkley earns his place in the side after impressing for Gloucester. Barkley made a statement of intent for an international recall with a near-faultless display after entering the fray against Northampton after four minutes. Scored one try and played his part in another as he showed some flashes of real quality.

11 Shane Williams

The IRB player of the year crowned a memorable week with a try - after a great one-handed catch - in a stunning victory over Australia. Williams will be one of the players that the Boks will fear come the summer and on this form it is easy to see why. Williams also created the opening for Byrne to score.

10 Stephen Jones

Back-to-back selections for Jones - and this has coincided with possibly his best form in the Wales shirt. Jones might not have the same flair as some of his rivals for the No.10 shirt but he has a cool head and pulls the string magnificently. He is also a solid operator in defence.

9 Mike Blair

The Scotland captain remains the form No.9 and continues to impress for club and country. He gave young Ospreys star Rhys Webb a lesson in scrum-half play as Edinburgh secured a superb win over their Welsh rivals.

1 Gethin Jenkins

The front-row is beginning to pick itself for the Lions, with Jenkins, Best and Murray the form players. Jenkins got stuck into the same Aussie scrum which took apart England and showed he is a force to be reckoned with.

2 Rory Best

The Ulsterman is the player to force out of the No.2 jersey after another class display in the thumping win over Connacht. Consistently finds his jumpers in the lineout and leads from the front. Would also add a valuable voice to the pack in South Africa.

3 Euan Murray

Okay the Saints might have lost, but Murray was yet again his fearsome self in the scrum. Nick Wood might have been on standby for the England side to face the All Blacks, but he was given a real workout by Murray.

4 Nick Kennedy

The only player from the England side to make it into the side - and he is not a token selection. Kennedy looks the real deal in the second row and clearly outshone his captain at Twickenham. His ability to disrupt the lineout is invaluable.

5 Alun Wyn-Jones

A slightly shaky performance in the lineout aside - something which was not helped by an erratic display by Matthew Rees - Jones was formidable in the scrum and put in some big hits in the loose.

6 Stephen Ferris

The Ulsterman retains his place in the side and looks to be one of the leading No.6s in the northern hemisphere on his current form. Does all the hard work on the deck that you want from a flanker and even weighs in with a try or two.

7 Martyn Williams

The Cardiff Blue is the man for the big occasions. He gave the Aussie back row plenty to think about at the Millennium Stadium. Hardly put a foot wrong and would relish the chance to take on the Boks in the famous Lions jersey.

8 Andy Powell

Has set his standards so high since bursting onto the international scene that the couple of errors made against the Wallabies caught the eye. The Cardiff man, though, got his head down and continued charging into the Australian defence to make valuable yards.

Unlucky to miss out

Delon Armitage, Chris Paterson, Mark Cueto, Tom Shanklin, Mathew Tait, Ronan O'Gara. Nikki Walker, Gareth Cooper, Bernard Jackman, Malcolm O'Kelly, Alasdair Strokosch, James Haskell, Ally Hogg, Johnnie Beattie.

Stuart Barnes' Lions Mover

Every week in his skysports.com column, Sky Sports' voice of rugby Stuart Barnes will be giving us his unique insight on a Lions contender he has seen at first-hand over the weekend.
Click here for Stuart's latest thoughts

Comments (86)

Philip Kennedy says...

a lots to be said, rugby is rugby a kick can make the coin turn, wales are top form have great flair ireland have heart and if play together can get results england are young with their tails under there legs lets see what lions can do together its a new year ,,,,,

Posted 18:23 30th December 2008

Ben Boyce says...

Think i'd go with the following: 1. A Sheridan, 2. R Ford, 3. E Murray, 4. P O'Connell (capt), 5. AW Jones, 6. J Haskell, 7.M Williams, 8. D Wallace, 9. M Blair, 10. S Jones, 11. S Williams, 12.J Roberts, 13. L Fitzgerald, 14. T Evans, 15. L Byrne. Subs: 16. G Jenkins, 17.D Hartley, 18.N Kennedy , 19.M Phillips, 20. G Henson, 21. J Hook, 22. J Haskell, Squad: 23. B 'Driscoll, 24. G Murphy 25. M Stevens, 26. L Halfpenny, 27. D Care, 28. A Powell, 29. D Cipriani, 30. R Kearney

Posted 13:45 15th December 2008

Jack Tracey says...

STARTING XV: 1.A Sheridan 2.J Flannery 3.E Murray 4.P O'Connell (c) 5.AW Jones 6. R Jones 7.P Wallace 8.A Powell 9.M Blair 10.S Jones 11.S Williams 12.G Henson 13.B O'Driscoll 14.P Sakey 15.L Byrne SUBS: 16.D Hartley 17.G Jenkins 18.N Hines 19.J Haskell 20.M Philips 21.D Cipriani 22.J Roberts SUAD: 23.M Stevens 24.D O'Calaghan 25.M Williams 26.N Easter 27.T Shanklin 28.L Fitzgerald 29.L Halfpenny 30.D Armitage Anyone who says this squad is wrong is just plain stupid. I have picked all the players on current form, but also some other on what they have done, both internationally and domestically, in the past year, explaining the inclusion of the likes of P Sakey and D Cipriani.

Posted 17:38 12th December 2008

Martin Costigan says...

My lions 15 for the first test against the springboks is based on a combination of current form and delivering the goods when it mattered, so here it is: 15. L.Byrne, 14. T.Bowe/R.Kearney, 13. BOD, 12. G.Henson, 11.S.Williams, 10.R.O'Gara, 9.M.Blair, 8.D.Wallace, 7.M.Williams, 6.A.Quinlan, 5.POC(captain), 4.N.Hines, 3.E.Murray, 2.J.Flannery, 1.A.Sheridan. Injuries and a dip in form outstanding, this will be fairly close.Definites though are 15,13,11,5 and D.wallace but not sure exactly where though.

Posted 13:04 12th December 2008

Dai Vader says...

Gents, a team without Gethin Jenkins at the moment is not possible, he is the form Loosehead in the world, he covers the field like a loose forward and scrummages like a bull. Tommy Bowe is the best finisher in Europe at the moment and reminds me of a young Phillipe Bernat Salles. I rate O'Callaghan and O'Connell, though the fomrer is out of form and Alun Wyn Jones is playing really well. Cipriani is the biggest hype around at the moment, tactically naive and very questionable in defence. 'Geech' has said he wants battle hardened and in form players and as he has stated this my team would be 15. Lee Byrne 14. Tommy Bowe 13. Brian O'Driscoll 12. Gavin Henson (If fitness proved) 10. Stephen Jones 11. Shane Williams 9. Mike Blair 1. Gethin Jenkins 2. Rory Best 3. Euan Murray 4. Paul O'Connell 5. Alun Wyn Jones 6. Lewis Moody (If fitness proved) 7. David Wallace 8. Ryan Jones (Captain) 7 from Wales 5 from Ireland 2 from Scotland and 1 from England.

Posted 11:17 12th December 2008

Paul Robertson says...

Here's my XV for the first test, based on recent games...15 Lee Byrne, 14 Rory Lamont, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12, Gavin Henson, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Andy Powell, 7 David Wallace, 6 Ryan Jones, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Rory Best, 1 Marcus Horan. On the Bench - Gethin Jenkins, Jerry Flannery, Nick Kennedy, Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones, Delon Armitage.

Posted 16:51 10th December 2008

Norman Know it all says...

15. Lee Byrne 14. Tommy Bowe 13. Brian O'Driscoll 12. Jamie Roberts 11. Shane Williams. 10. Stephen Jones/ Ronan O'Gara 9. Mike Blair 8. Ryan Jones 7. Martyn Williams 6. James Haskell 5. Paul O'Connell 4. Alun Wyn Jones 3. Euan Murray 2. Ross Ford 1. Andrew Sheridan....given that these players remain fit and play somewhere near the levels they showed during the autumn internationals, i think it would be hard to look past this 15 to start. I am however, a realistic rugby viewer and understand that it is almost impossible to predict a starting Lions 15 because so much could happen between now and then. I would like to see what people think of this 15. Comments welcome (p.s. I realise Sheridan didn't play a part in the autumn internationals but on his day he is possibly the most destructive prop forward in the modern game).....

Posted 15:23 10th December 2008

Iain C says...

O Gara has to start, Stephen Jones as a replacement. O Gara has proven that over the last 5 years he's the second best fly in the world. Cipriani needs time and less media hype. If O Gara does start however who do you pick as scrum half - Blair???? I'd Question, Seriously high odds on O'Leary - Doubtful but worth a wager

Posted 01:52 10th December 2008

Dai Vader says...

The Lions Team when it walks out for the first test should predominantly be picked on form. Ask Sir Clive Woodward who went on reputation over form only to be obliterated by New Zealand in 2005. Having said this there are certain players who may be out of form currently, or not at their very best but who must be shoe-ins to stand any chance against the Boks - Brian O'Driscoll is one, Ryan Jones and Paul O'Connell others. With this in mind I have gone for the following Team, many may raise eye brows at my inclusion of Gavin Henson but believe me when on form he is world class and if he gets handled in the right way (see Ruddock 2005 and Gataland 2008) will be a potential series winner. There can be little argument with the rest of the backline, surely. On to the pack and in particular the back row, balance is key in this department and I believe that the inclusion of Andy Powell would lose any notion of balance, he is excellent going forward but lacks the decision making skills and discipline of a world class number 8, he also turns ball over to the opposition too often and gives away to many penalties. Ok here goes - 15.L.Byrne 14.T.Bowe 13.B.O'Driscoll 12.G.Henson 11.S.Williams 10.S.Jones 9.MBlair 8.R.Jones 7.D.Wallace 6.L.Moody 5.P.O'Connell 4.A.W.Jones 3.E.Murray 2.J.Flannery 1.G.Jenkins I know that it is a little Welsh heavy but all choices have been made without patriotic bias. what do people think?

Posted 13:51 8th December 2008

Steve Williams says...

Haha Lionswatch. I didnt say that Murray went off before Wood I simply said the Saints pack improved when he did leave and that Wood dominated him when Wood was on.

Posted 12:11 8th December 2008

Scots Git says...

Based on recent results the squad as a whole will be dominated by the Welsh but the Irish will have a few boys in there too. Scotland are continuing to make progress and will need to show it in the 6 nations to eclipse the poor representation on the last two tours but to be honest cant see them being that badly represnted again. Don't know what the hell is happening with England these days but there are a few players in there that will add a certain something to the touring party and test squad. Based on the the autumn internationals I reckoon this is a test match capable off toppling the boks 15: Lee Byrne 14: Rory Lamont/Rob Kearney 13 Brian O'Driscoll/ Tom Shanklin 12: Tom James/ Luke Fitzgerald 11: Shane Willams 10: Steve Jones 9: Mike Blair 1:Gethin Jenkins 2:Ross Ford: 3: Euan Murray 4: Alun Wyn Jones 5: Paul O'Connell 6: Ryan Jones 7: Martyn Willams 8: Jamie Heaslip..................16: Lee Mears 17: Andrew Sheridan 18:Nathan Hines 19: Andy Powell 20: Gareth Cooper 21: Ronan O'Gara 22: Delon Armitage

Posted 20:16 7th December 2008

Ed Hindley says...

BOD has to be in the squad to be honest best centre in the europe, and up there with the best in the world and he is not even at his best so for me included and captian

Posted 20:15 7th December 2008

Hugh Waddup says...

15. byrne 14.williams 13.BOD 12. henson 11.t bowe 10.s jones 9.m blair 8. r jones 7.m williams 6. wallace 5.POC 4 Wyn jones 3. murry 2. ford/best 1.g jenkins 16.sheridan 17.m phillips/cooper 18.J hook 19.a powell 20.best/ford 21.hindes 22.shanklin This will be the team for the lions maybe 1 or 2 tweaks but this will be it. end of.

Posted 19:49 7th December 2008

Jim bob Jones says...

Jim Hook, how can you say keith earls is the best right wing in england ireland scotland and wales when he doesnt even feature in irelands first 15? and luke fitz over his captain, o driscoll? are you serious?

Posted 12:21 7th December 2008

Gary Hearne says...

Sorry but how in the wake of the autumn internationals can any english players be even considered, yes things can change between now and then but on last viewing the english team lack heart,passion and are of the belief just because they are the english rugby team and 1 time world champions they deserve win. Sorry but nothing comes without effort and commitment e.g munster. Wales are the only northern hemisphere team capable at the moment of competing with the southern countries,well munster aswell must be something bout the red jerseys.

Posted 15:03 6th December 2008

Colm Randle says...

my team would be 15.l byrne 14.r kearney 13.l fitzgerald 12. b o'driscoll 11.s williams 10.o'gara 9.d peel 8.a powell 7.d wallace 6.r jones 5.p o'connell 4.a w jones 3.m stevens 2.j flannery 1.a sherridan subs16.r ford 17.g jenkins 18.d o'callaghan 19.j haskell 20.d care 21. j hook 22.d cipriani

Posted 22:29 5th December 2008

James Standen says...

i don't think that you can sat anyone will be in the lions squad, but you can havea good idea. My points is that Lee Byrne was awesome in the internaionals, but he may lose his form and then what you do. Also Danny Cipriani, had and rubbish autumn, but he could end up dominating the 6-nations. So you can judge any player now, 6 months down the line yes.

Posted 21:17 5th December 2008

Bob Wright says...

15. Lee Byrne, 14. Rory Lamont, 13.Brian O'Driscoll, 12. Luke Fitzgerald, 11. Shane Williams, 10. Stephen Jones/Ronan O'Gara, 9. Mike Blair, 8. Andy Powell, 7. David Wallace, 6. James Haskell, 5. Nathan Hines, 4. Paul O'Connel, 3. Euan Murray, 2. Ross Ford, 1. Gethin Jenkins. Subs. 16. Jerry Flannery, 17. Andy Sheridan, 18. Alun Wyn Jones, 19. Ryan Jones, 20. Danny Care, 21. Gavin Henson, 22. Tait. Jamie Heaslip doesn't play for Munster. But i agree with you that its ridiculous to suggest that the Munster players don't put everything into Ireland. Without them they would be terrible.

Posted 16:53 5th December 2008

John Horgan says...

Lads, am I missing something?. I can tell the team selections that are obviously taking the mick but of the serious ones, where are Wilkinson and Henson coming out of? What have they done? Anyone that knows the Lions tour knows that never, ever does the best 15 players in their positions ever get selected. You pick a team to do a job and to suit the game plan you want to play. This whole picture will change and there definitely will be surprises, there always is. The picture will change again once the HC gets into the knockout stages and the 6 Nations is over and done with. I think (like 97) you will need a solid, beefy pack that are good scrummagers. Paul O'C for captain

Posted 16:18 5th December 2008

E Ryan says...

Bill Walsh --- That's the kind of negative, ignorant comment that winds me up whenever I go to support Ireland. I'd personally like to invite you to Thomond Park sometime so that you can get some understanding of what real support is. Those lads might have the odd bad game but if you knew anything about them you would never question their comittment. as far as the Johnny stuff goes... I thought Danny was the new superman!!! media hype nonsense... Between O'Gara, S Jones and Hook we have all we need for the Lions. for today...might change my mind tomorrow 15. Lee Byrne 14. R Kearney 13. Fitzgerald 12 Shanklin 11 S Williams 10 O'Gara 9. Peel 8. R Jones 7. D Wallace 6. Ferris 5. O'Connell 4 Wyn Jones 3. Sheridan 2. Flannery 1. Genkins

Posted 13:52 5th December 2008

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