If British & Irish Lions were playing this summer

At the end of a fine season in the British Isles, and a daunting tour to New Zealand in two summers time, The Sports Lowdown writer Craig Muncey picks a fifteen man squad that would be selected to play the All Blacks if the first test was due this summer.

We’ve all had these types of debates so many times with friends over a drink or two, so this will hopefully give you all a starting point for similar chats in the pub, so we bring you a squad of who has been in form this past season and who may have been in with a shout of starting a British & Irish Lions tour had it been due this summer!

 15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland) – Fantastic footballer, great counter attacker and has a willingness to run back any loose kicking, safe enough under the high ball as well.
14. Leigh Halfpenny (Wales) – Cannot leave out the best goal kicker, in my opinion, in the world. Ice cold under pressure and has plenty of experience on the wing – brave as a lion.
13. Jonathan Joseph (England) – With Jonathan Davies injured, it was a close one between Joseph and Robbie Henshaw. I’ve just gone for Joseph who, with space, is a real attacking threat with great feet.
12. Jamie Roberts (Wales) – The defensive rock, whoever plays 12 for New Zealand will know exactly what Roberts will do but stopping it is another matter.
11. George North (Wales) – Compared to previous seasons, has not hit the heights with Wales, however for Northampton Saints in some matchs has been outstanding, a real try threat with pace and power, and is starting to show more and more footballing skills.
10. Johnny Sexton (Ireland) – Fantastic footballer, controls the game as good as anyone, and a decent goal kicker to boot.
9. Conor Murray (Ireland) – His game has improved so much last 2 seasons, a threat around the fringes and has a good kicking game.

1. Cian Healy (Ireland) – Strong scrummager, good in the jackal position, and a strong ball carrier, he could be a key component of the Lions front row.
2. Rory Best (Ireland) – Had a poor Lions tour last time around, however, been excellent for Ulster and Ireland, accurate at line out time, and another good man over the ball, turns over a lot of ball.
3. Dan Cole (England) – Excellent scrummager, and another who is outstanding over the ball, very underrated at this.
4. Alun Wyn-Jones (Wales) – Total warrior, never stops working, and has all the skills you look for in a lock forward and it would need a strong contender for the All-Blacks
5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland) – Still one of the best locks in the world, Toulon the European giants, have just signed him, and he will be immense for them.
6. Peter O’Mahony (Ireland) – A real nuisance at the breakdown, a good lineout forward for his country and a hard ball carrier.
7. Steffon Armitage (England) – My surprise, not playing for England, but regular for Toulon, he won European Player of the Year 2 seasons ago, a real bundle of energy, and over the ball with his frame, almost impossible to knock off the ball, would give Richie McCaw a real headache.
8. Taulupe Faletau (Wales) – Most naturally gifted 8 in the British Isles, needs to be challenged as sometimes gives impression just doing enough in matches to get by, with the test of New Zealand and Kieron Reed in direct opposition, this would his his mind to matters at hand!
Replacements
Dan Biggar, Tommy Bowe, Rhys Webb, Alex Corbisero, Scott Baldwin, Sansom Lee, Courtney Lawes, Sam Warburton.

So why not follow us on Twitter @TheSportLowdown and tell us who you think would be in a Lions Squad this summer Let the debates begin!