Rob Kearney receives Lions backing from unlikely source

A third British & Irish Lions tour for Rob Kearney? He's definitely in with a shout.

Kearney has had some superb turns for Ireland and the Lions over the past decade but niggling injuries have stalled his career over the past couple of seasons. Back in November, with New Zealand vanquished at Soldier Field, Kearney had a strong, strong case for Lions inclusion. Five months on, that case is less clear but he has some important voices backing him. Over in The Sunday Times, where Stephen Jones only selected five Irishmen [leaving Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton out], Stuart Barnes has argued the Leinster fullback is the perfect man to fight for the No.15 jersey with Stuart Hogg. It is an unlikely yet much welcome backing. On the latest episode of The Hard Yards [from 31:15 in the podcast below], Ronan O'Gara backed up that view. https://soundcloud.com/thehardyardssportsjoe/episode-8-six-nations-winners-and-losers-irish-lions-and-dirtiest-opponents O'Gara points out that conditions and playing style may prove key in booking Kearney a spot on the tour. He said:

"He does find it difficult to present himself fit every Monday. Rob Kearney is 30 now and he has given so much. "He's a powerful athlete, as well as a really good footballer. The decision for the selectors is what emphasis they are going to put on fielding high balls. Because if they want someone fielding high balls, that opens the debate and gives him a great chance of starting in Test games. "If you are looking at dry ball and a firm pitch - and the exuberance of youth - you go for Hogg all day." 

Kearney does seem to rise to the occasion when he faces New Zealand. Back in December, former Ireland and Lions centre Brian O'Driscoll made the case for a stack of Irishmen travelling south for the summer. He said:

"You have to remember that if you are picking a team to go down and play the two-time world champions, you have to look at who has played against them recently and who has won against them recently. There's only going to be one team from the four that can say they've done both. "Granted, England didn't play them this November and nor did Wales [they lost a series 3-0 to them last June] but within a seven-month period of playing them again, you want to know how to go and win and that will stand to some Irish guys when it comes to the 50/50 calls."

If O'Gara and O'Driscoll are both in such strong agreement, it would definitely indicate Warren Gatland has a tough choice to make in the coming weeks.