The Lions down under 2013

[Pilgrims]

...who would you like to see the selectors not pick?

All getting very exciting up here in the UK as the squad gets announced tomorrow...

[mazolaman]

After watching Johnny Wilkinson kick Saracens in to touch, it would be hard not to take him. Metronomic talent.

But which forward would he pick as captain? He always picks a forward! O'Connol?

[Dara]

O'Connell has shown that he is prone to red mist of late so can't see him getting captain.

Given the form O'Driscoll is in and his wealth of experience, I think he'd be a good choice for Captain.....with 3 lions tours under his belt he's the most experienced player and will bring the hunger for a win!

[El Presidente]

O'Connell has shown that he is prone to red mist of late so can't see him getting captain.

Given the form O'Driscoll is in and his wealth of experience, I think he'd be a good choice for Captain.....with 3 lions tours under his belt he's the most experienced player and will bring the hunger for a win!

send your best. It won't be enough

Looking forward to the Lions tour. For the first time in years the top Aussie Super 15 sides are playing well.

[ARRV]

Bring it on boys.

Something is definitely building down here - you can tell that there's lots of lions buzz for the players - things are picking up!! Even the waratahs are playing like they mean it - just cant catch and kick yet - but at least there's hope for us long suffering Tahs fans - next year that is.

Going to be a cracker of a series.

O'Connell will have to be skipper of the Lions - maybe Warburton (is he fit?)

[mazolaman]

Well, all the chit chat says Warburton...

Is O'Driscoll still fit enough to stand it?

Same question for Wilkinson...

[frenchkiwi]

Wilkinson is an interesting case considering:

a- his pretty poor displays in white in recent years. England won't have him. Will the Lions?

b- the fact that the press has only jumped on him last week after he beat an english team - he's been playing consistently well for toulon for years now

Must be said that for Toulon he doesn't really challenge the line, just passes and kicks and converts penalties etc. As the somewhat stodgy Top14 requires. Unless it rains during all Lions tests, and the Lions want 10-man rugby (a reasonable tactic if the lions bring a vastly superior fwd pack), he doesn't really fit the bill. The Aussies will be attempting run the ball and to score 7pters not just 3pters. Having said that, if they just want someone on the bench to kick the pressure penalties/droppies in the last 10min if Sexton, Biggar or Farrell are failing...

IMHO Super15 side success means little at test level, Pres, particularly at the non-sharp end of the season. A lot of the players performing well are rookies or uncapped at test level (mogg et al). Many of the incumbents are injured or in poor form: Barnes, Beale, Mccabe, Mitchell, Palu, Samo, Pocock (unmendable form :-(, Polota Nau. But its the sort of experienced player that will hold a team together in a big test series. Some of these guys need to come right soon, otherwise... In any case, I'd be praying that Genia doesn't get injured, without him (and sometimes even with him!) Cooper is like a lost puppy. And Genia is the key to success anyway.