The Munster and Ireland flanker has several hurdles left to negotiate but, thankfully, Warren Gatland has settled on his back row notions.
We are five weeks out from the opening match on the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand and nine weeks away from the First Test against the All Blacks.
There will be many ups, downs, injuries and surprises before a ball is even kicked on the tour but, rest assured, Gatland will already have the bones of a Test side in his mind.
The Kiwi will look to give a start to every one of his 41-man squad in the opening three tour matches – Barbarians XI, Auckland Blues and Canterbury Crusaders – and says everyone has a chance of making the matchday 23 for the First Test.
It is safe to assume that, if fit, at least five players are certain to start – Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Billy Vunipola, Conor Murray and George North.
We had CJ Stander in as a lock for the No.6 jersey but an interview with Paul Williams on The Hard Yards rugby podcast threw up a surprise candidate. Williams told us:
“I think Gatland will do everything possible to put Toby Faletau in his team and even over CJ Stander.
“I know that might sound insane because Stander is probably the best.”
Having spent most of the Six Nations on the Wales bench, and covering No.8 Ross Moriarty, it was a surprise to hear about Gatland mulling over a move to wedge the Bath forward into his back row.
“There may be riots on the streets of Limerick,” former Ireland international Kevin McLaughlin remarked.
However, judging by Gatland’s comments in a Q&A with Lions Tour sponsors Standard Life, Faletau will have another jersey to fight for. He said:
“I’m really looking forward to the Number 8 battle between Talupe Faletau and Billy Vunipola. That should be pretty exciting.”
It is reassuring to hear that Gatland sees Faletau as a No.8. That should remove one contender for the No.6 jersey from the picture, making Stander favourite for the role again.
Lions captain Sam Warburton is one of the blindside options too but Gatland says he won’t shirk any selection calls.
“If a selection or call is made when we come to the Tests – and someone in his position is playing better than him – he’s the first person that would have no problem with that. [For Sam], it’s about putting the team first and that’s why I respect and admire him so much.”
