Just days away from the first match of the Lions 2017 tour of New Zealand. An exciting time in any rugby calendar. The team for the first warm-up match has been announced, but who should be in the starting XV come the first test match against the world number one All Blacks?
1. JOE MARLER - England (loose-head prop)
Some disciplinary issues in the past and a bad injury early this year, Joe has come back stronger and has played a key part England's unbeaten run, until defeat in Ireland, over the last 18 months.
He has always been strong in the scrum, but his no-nonsense style of play will be vital against a solid All Blacks pack.
He managed to keep an in form Mako Vunipola out of the England side, despite his return to fitness, which should be hugely applauded and rewarded.
2. RORY BEST - Ireland (hooker)
The Ireland captain has led the Shamrocks to victories over England and New Zealand over the last year, both breaking unbeaten runs. His experience is second to none as an international with 104 caps for the Irish.
He may have had a poor tour last time out in Australia, but the improvement in his lineout has surely made him favourite to start and is why he makes my team ahead of George and Owens.
For me, if he doesn't start the first test against New Zealand, apart from possible injury, it would be a huge shock and a massive mistake by the coaching staff.
3. DAN COLE - England (tight-head prop)
A model of consistency, Dan Cole started each of England's 18 matches during their winning streak from February 2016 - March 2017.
He found himself involved in 9 of the 10 matches last time around, coming off the bench in the three test matches, and has done more than enough this time around to earn a starting position in New Zealand.
He will, however, face tough competition from Ireland tight-head, Tadhg Furlong, for the starting position.
4. MARO ITOJE - England (second-row)
He may be the youngest player in the squad, but he is quite possibly the most exciting prospect in world rugby right now. A born winner, Itoje has already won an Aviva Premiership title, two Champions Cup trophies, a tour down under, two Six Nations AND Grand Slam. He HAS to start.
He won European Player of the Year for 2016 and is by far the break out star of the successful England squad.
His natural ability and desire to win will provide the Lions with the 'something else' that you need to win even just a match against the All Blacks.
5. ALUN WYN JONES - Wales (second-row)
My would-be choice for captain, Jones lead the Lions in the series clinching match in Australia in the absence of Warburton. Currently the Wales captain, he has an ability to take players with him, key attributes for a leader.
There were some questions about his performance and decision-making through the Six Nations, but his continued excellence when it is most needed is unbelievable. I have no doubt that he will form a formidable partnership with the young Itoje at second-row. Experience leading the young.
6. SAM WARBURTON - Wales, captain (blindside flanker)
I've already said I would have picked the man above as captain, but Sam Warburton did do a fine job in leading the Lions in the first two tests in Australia, before picking up an injury towards the end of the physical battle in Melbourne.
He is arguably a better player than he was in 2013, and would certainly start even without the captaincy to back him up.
He led the Welsh to a series whitewash defeat to the All Black last summer, and everyone will be hoping that that experience will help this time around, avoiding the same mistakes.
He has a strong get up and go game, and New Zealand will find it tough coming up against Warburton.
7. SEAN 0'BRIEN - Ireland (openside flanker)
There are few better players than the Leinster back-rower when in peak form. Sean O'Brien may have had his fair share of injuries since the 2013 tour, but was a key players when Ireland beat New Zealand last summer in Chicago.
There is plenty of competition for the back-row, I have found these the hardest positions to pick, but I think Sean's performance when standing in for the current captain in the final test match against the Wallabies has put him in good stead to start in front of some other form players that would put up a good argument to start.
8. CJ STANDER - Ireland (number eight)
Stander was on of the outstanding players of the 2017 Six Nations campaign, including an impressive hat-trick against Italy.
He has looked very comfortable at test level for Ireland, and appears to be a natural choice for the Lions tour. His hard, direct running style fits exactly the way Gatland wants to play against the All Blacks, even if it isn't pretty at times, it is damn effective.
As I've said with all the Ireland players so far, he was fundamental when Ireland won in America against New Zealand and will cause a lot of trouble for the New Zealand players and worry the fans.
I was desperate to try and work James Haskell into this starting squad. He style of play made me very surprised that it took a Billy Vunipola injury to get him a place on tour. He will be the last thing the All Blacks want coming off the bench.
9. CONOR MURRAY - Ireland (scrum-half)
Even if Ben Youngs had stayed in the squad, leaving due to very sad, personal reasons, Murray would still be my starting scrum-half.
His game management is sublime and will always perform on the biggest stage of all.
He came off the bench in the final two tests in 2013, impressing both times and securing his place as Ireland's first-choice scrum-half.
Linking up with Johnny Sexton at number 10 could prove to be the partnership the Lions need to unlock the All Blacks solid defence.
10. JONATHAN SEXTON - Ireland (fly-half)
No argument here. Johnny Sexton is by far the best fly-half in the British Isles, and possibly in Europe.
He was first-choice last time out and did nothing but improve an already glowing resume as a world beater at number 10, providing several key plays, including scoring the crucial try in Sydney.
He has a creativity that reminds me of another Johnny and is the skillful, bright spark that will make the Lions need to lead the backs. The All Blacks will, no doubt, target him, the same way they did Brian O'Driscoll in 2005, so making sure he isn't left exposed will be key.
11. JACK NOWELL - England (wing)
He may have been in and out of Eddie Jones' England squad, but Nowell has been outstanding for Exeter in their Premiership title winning season.
His work rate is what makes him stand out, and you will always manage to get those few extra yards from him where others may drop earlier.
His turn of speed is superb and you can almost always guarantee a try from him, scoring the first try in the Premiership final backs this up. I personally believe that he should be starting more England matches,and hopefully he is given the chance he deserves on his maiden Lions tour.
12. OWEN FARRELL - England (inside-centre)
Admittedly, I've never been the biggest Owen Farrell fan, but his form over the last year has really helped to change my perspective of him. His kicking game has always been first-class, but his open play game I think has needed improving.
Fly-half for Saracens and inside-centre for England, I think his partnership with George Ford has taken his game to new levels, and I expect similar improvements to be made with Johnny Sexton as his partner on this tour.
He only came off the bench in the third test last time around, but his game has come on leaps and bounds since then. Warren Gatland claims he has picked him as a fly-half, but I can't see him starting ahead of Sexton and anywhere else other than no.12.
13. ELLIOT DALY - England (outside-centre)
I think this is probably the toughest single position to pick a player. The likes of Teo'o, Joseph and Davies, who I think Gatland will probably pick, all have strong cases to be in the starting line-up, but I think I would go with Elliot Daly.
He may have played predominantly as a winger for England, but at centre for Wasps, he has been key for them all season. He has great versatility and can offer the Lions an option for a long distance kicking with a booming left-boot.
He has a great eye for the line and is a powerful defender, though he may be not the strongest out of the available Lions. I think he offers a lot in attack, which is ultimately how you win games.
14. GEORGE NORTH - Wales (winger)
He lit up the last Lions tour with an iconic opening try in the first test and the fireman's lift he gave Israel Folau in Melbourne's second test. He proved then how good he can be on the biggest stage.
Injury may have led to inconsistent performances since then, but his natural ability cannot be denied and will surely start each of the three tests against the All Blacks.
His try against Ireland in the Six Nations proves that, given the smallest try, he will take any chance of getting over the line he has. Like opposite winger Jack Nowell, he has that ability to get you those extra few yards needed to give the forwards a few more seconds to be competitive at the breakdown, and not allowing the All Blacks to turnover the ball, something they are so good at.
15. STUART HOGG - Scotland (full-back)
Player of the Tournament for the last two Six Nations, Stuart Hogg is a MUST in this Lions starting XV. He is the stand out player in the Scotland squad and, surrounded by even better players, he will surely only improve.
He will be the Lions best counterattacking threat and is lethal when given the ball in space. The All Blacks will not enjoy him constantly running the ball back at them and not giving them a break.
This series could easily be the making of Stuart Hogg, odd saying that considering he has won those two individual Six Nations awards, and really propel him into the stratosphere as a world class full-back. His defence may sometimes be questioned, but, like Elliot Daly, his attack out weighs his defensive weaknesses and could see him lead the race for the player of the series award.
My worry is that Gatland once again shows too much loyalty to the Welsh and picks Leigh Halfpenny ahead of Hogg. Halfpenny was player of the series in 2013, but he hasn't been able to find anywhere near that form in the four years since, injury playing a part. His kicking is still brilliant, but I think it will be an absolute tragedy if anyone other than Stuart Hogg starts at full-back come the first test.
BENCH
16 - Ken Owens - Wales (hooker)
17 - Tadhg Furlong - Ireland (prop)
18 - Mako Vunipola - England (prop)
19 - Courtney Lawes - England (second-row)
20 - James Haskell - England (back-row)
21 - Greg Laidlaw - Scotland (scrum-half)
22 - Jonathan Joseph - England (centre/winger)
23 - Leigh Halfpenny - Wales (full-back)
The form of players over the next few weeks before the first test could easily force a change to this starting XV, but who would you pick?
The opening match of the Lions series starts this Saturday at 08.35 against a New Zealand Provincial Union XV.
TOUR FIXTURES (all matches 08.35 GMT)
Saturday 3rd June - Provincial Union XV vs. Lions
Wednesday 7th June - Blues vs. Lions
Saturday 10th June - Crusaders vs. Lions Tuesday 13th June - Highlanders vs. Lions
Saturday 17th June - Maori All Blacks vs. Lions
Tuesday 20th June - Chiefs vs. Lions
Saturday 24th June - NEW ZEALAND vs. LIONS (first test)
Tuesday 27th June - Hurricanes vs. Lions
Saturday 1st July - NEW ZEALAND vs. LIONS (second test)
Saturday 8th July - NEW ZEALAND vs. LIONS (third test)
Will see the Lions celebrate like this on July 8th?
