Who put their hands up for 2013 Lions Selection in the Autumn Series?

It is the conversation that will dominate every visit to the pub with your mates between now and 22^nd June 2013 in Australia – what is your 2013 Lions XV?

The autumn internationals were on the whole, disappointing for the home nations. Very bad performances and results from Wales and Scotland were lifted somewhat by roaring displays by Ireland and England in the final weeks of the internationals.

There were several players who put their hands up for selection whilst other ‘big names’ showed lack or form or were in the medical room.

Stand Out Players: Leigh Halfpenny, Manu Tuilagi, Richardt Strauss, Tom Youngs, Chris Robshaw, Tom Wood, Craig Gilroy, Donncha Ryan, Geoff Parling, Cian Healy, Jonny Sexton, Simon Zebo, Keith Earls, Alex Goode, Tim Visser, Henry Pyrgos, Mike Brown, Joe Launchbury and Alex Cuthbert

Under Performers: Sam Warburton, Jamie Roberts, Toby Faletau, James Hook, Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips, Matthew Rees, Toby Flood, Stuart Hogg and most of Scotland

Playing catch up from the medical room: Rob Kearney, George North, Ben Foden, Steven Ferris, Sean O’Brien, Dylan Hartley, Rory Best, Paul O’Connell, Tom Croft, Alun Wyn Jones and Brian O’Driscoll.

So if everyone was fit and the first test was next Saturday, this is what my team would be. Bear in mind I am an avid Munster and Ireland fan, but I believe this would be a fair reflection based on the internationals we have just seen.

15. Rob Kearney

14 Leigh Halfpenny

13. Brian O’Driscoll (always going to pick him even if he’s on one leg)

12. Manu Tuilagi

11. George North

10. Jonny Sexton

9. Ben Youngs

8. Jamie Heaslip

7. Chris Robshaw

6. Steven Ferris

5. Paul O’Connell

4. Richie Gray

3. Dan Cole

2. Dylan Hartley

1. Cian Healy

What are your thoughts?

The Tab asked Durham University Women’s Rugby Player, Alex Webster, and Durham University Men’s Rugby Captain, Josh Beaumont, for their starting teams after the Autumn Internationals:

Alex Webster’s XV:

1. Gethin Jenkins

2. Tom Youngs

3. Dan Cole

4. Richie Gray

5. Geoff Parling

6. Tom Wood

7. Sam Warburton

8. Jamie Heaslip

9. Ben Youngs

10. Toby Flood

11. Craig Gilroy

12. Jamie Roberts

13. Manu Tuilagi

14. Tommy Bowe

15. Leigh Halfpenny

Josh Beaumont’s XV:

1. Cian Healy

2. Matthew Rees

3. Dan Cole

4. Richie Gray

5. Joe Launchbury

6. Chris Robshaw

7. Sam Warburton (c)

8. Jamie Heaslip

9. Mike Phillips

10. Jonny Sexton

11. Tommy Bowe

12. Manu Tuilagi

13. Jonathan Davies

14. George North

15. Leigh Halfpenny

 

Think you can do better? Post your team below. 

 

Click here for highlights of ‘that’ infamous 2nd Test in 2009. I do love you ROG, but…