So it’s official – Warren Gatland will lead the British & Irish Lions to New Zealand.
The announcement was made in Edinburgh, just after midday, and Gatland spoke of facing into the biggest challenge in a coaching career that is entering its 27th year.
Guess what… it's Warren #Lions pic.twitter.com/DY2nKulh6D
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 7, 2016
Gatland played for the All Blacks, as hooker, several times but never made a Test appearance. Such were the breaks as understudy to Sean Fitzpatrick.
There is a perception that Gatland will favour Welsh players for the tour, which will feature midweek matches against Super Rugby franchises for the first time. That is true, to an extent. 14 Welshmen made the 2013 tour but their Six Nations victory surely aided that.
12 Irish players were part of the Lions squad, four years ago, but three [Simon Zebo, Rory Best and Tom Court] were not in the original squad announcement.
The November internationals, 2017 Six Nations and Champions Cup will prove the litmus test for Irish hopefuls but here are the nine* Irish players currently in the best position to make the Lions squad.
*We added in Iain Henderson after copping warranted abuse
Jack McGrath
On the cusp of being world-class, although some would argue he is there already. One of Ireland’s best performers on this year’s Six Nations and a man that is capable of going the full 80 if required.
A tackling machine that is also a turnover demon. A weakness lies in him giving away too many needless penalties. Ever-improving in the scrum. Mako Vunipola [England] should be his main competition for the No.1 jersey.
Devin Toner
There are doubts about this man any more in Ireland – he is a starting lock, lineout leader and an imposing presence on the pitch. Always needed a coach to back him in the past but has grown into himself and stepped up after the exit of Paul O’Connell. Still, it would be hard to see him as anything beyond a dirt-tracker.
Ultan Dillane
Gatland will have jotted Dillane’s name down with a big red pen after his explosive entry into Test rugby. Dillane has, thus far, been used off the bench by Joe Schmidt but looked mightily impressive against England and Italy.
It was a shame he was not used more on the South Africa tour but Schmidt may be keeping his powder dry until he is fully up to speed with team tactics. Another good season with Connacht will help but there will be stiff competition from George Kruis, Maro Itoje and Alun Wyn Jones.
Iain Henderson
You can’t go Dillane and Toner WITHOUT mentioning Henderson. We did and we were justifiably slaughtered. If he is fit, the six-foot-six Ulsterman will travel to New Zealand. He can cover lock, was a beast in South Africa, and loves playing blindside too. In fact, Henderson has the best chance of making the plan from all the Irish locks. Even Quinn Roux.
CJ Stander
Another player to have made a big Six Nations impact. Was unfortunate to get red-carded in South Africa but is a proven dynamo in the back row. If the Munster man can up his Test-match stamina and prove himself against the likes of Australia and New Zealand, he should be in the mix.
The recent injury profiles of Peter O’Mahony and Sean O’Brien give Stander the edge here. At present, man back row predictions have Toby Faletau, James Haskell and Billy Vunipola starting in New Zealand.
Josh van der Flier
Burst onto the scene last season and is fully fit again after minor shoulder surgery earlier this year. Granted it was only Benetton Treviso, but the flanker started off the new season in brutish form. A fearless ball carrier and an absolute nuisance on the deck.
Jamie Heaslip
Faces strong competition from Toby Faletau and Billy Vunipola but has toured in 2009 and 2013 and has enough in the tank to get through another tough season and the hellish summer that will follow. Write Heaslip off at your peril. He was not a star performer at the World Cup but finished last season in prime form and was vital in beating the Springboks with only 14 men.
Conor Murray
If the Munster scrum-half can avoid injury, he is as much a selection shoo-in as they come. Murray is highly regarded by Gatland and was his back-up 9 in the second and third Tests. His form has only improved since then. Rhys Webb is his main competition but another decent season should put him in pole position.
Jonny Sexton
Was looked upon as the presumptive Lions 10, for the second tour running, before last year’s World Cup. He was viciously targeted during that competition and the 2016 Six Nations. As brave as they come but does get dinged up.
When he is fit and flying, Sexton is one of Ireland’s undoubted world-class operators. Dan Biggar has pressed his case well over the last season and George Ford may travel as a non-kicking 10 if the likes of George Farrell and Leigh Halfpenny make the squad.
Robbie Henshaw
The newly-arrived Leinster centre showed exactly how devastating he could be as an attacking option when helping Connacht to the Guinness PRO12 title. Previously used as an inside centre by Joe Schmidt, he looked eminently comfortable in the 13 jersey during the South Africa tour.
Will be interesting to see how he links up with Garry Ringrose at Leinster and who Schmidt will pair him up with for Ireland.
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