Lions 2009

The Lions 2009.

Full-back
Lee Byrne (28) Ospreys and Wales
Rob Kearney (23) Leinster and Ireland

Wing
Shane Williams (32) Ospreys and Wales
Leigh Halfpenny (20) Cardiff Blues and Wales
Ugo Monye (26) Harlequins and England
Luke Fitzgerald (21) Leinster and Ireland
Tommy Bowe (25) Ospreys and Ireland
Centres
Tom Shanklin (29) Cardiff Blues and Wales
Jamie Roberts (22) Cardiff Blues and Wales
Brian O'Driscoll (30) Leinster and Ireland
Keith Earls (21) Munster and Ireland
Riki Flutey (29) Wasps and England
Fly-half
Ronan O'Gara (32) Munster and Ireland
Stephen Jones (31) Llanelli Scarlets and Wales
Scrum-half
Mike Phillips (26) Ospreys and Wales
Harry Ellis (26) Leicester and England
Tomas O'Leary (25) Munster and Ireland
Prop
Gethin Jenkins (28) Cardiff Blues and Wales
Adam Jones (28) Ospreys and Wales
Andrew Sheridan (29) Sale and England
Phil Vickery (33) Wasps and England
Euan Murray (28) Northampton and Scotland
Hooker
Jerry Flannery (30) Munster and Ireland
Lee Mears (30) Bath and England
Matthew Rees (28) Llanelli Scarlets and Wales
Lock
Paul O'Connell, capt (29) Munster and Ireland
Alun Wyn Jones (23) Ospreys and Wales
Donncha O'Callaghan (30) Munster and Ireland
Nathan Hines (32) Perpignan and Scotland
Simon Shaw (35) Wasps and England
Back-row
David Wallace (32) Munster and Ireland
Stephen Ferris (23) Ulster and Ireland
Alan Quinlan (34) Munster and Ireland
Joe Worsley (31) Wasps and England
Martyn Williams (33) Cardiff Blues and Wales
Jamie Heaslip (25) Leinster and Ireland
Andy Powell (27) Cardiff Blues and Wales


The day of reckoning came and went for the players of the home nations and the lions of 2009 were selected. The theme that runs throughout the side is toughness. Starting with the skipper Paul O Connell has always been the favourite for the skipper of the lions. The last lions tour to New Zealand got off to a bad start when Brian O Driscoll was taken out of the tour. The Boks can try that with POC. The response will not be pretty, be assured as Munster captain the phrase “Stand up and fight” means something.

The selection of Andy Powell and Simon Shaw really emphasises the Lions hardness and to try an intimidate the Boks. The coaches have looked at the opposition and realised that twelve years of hurt and damaged South African pride are about to come their way. Intimidatory tactics will be prevalent in both the tests and midweek games. Standing up to the intimidation will be key to success.

The real story about this lions selection has been the non-selection of certain players. The result of which I believe that England will now win the next world cup. That's right England will win the next world cup. The reason is that Martin Johnson is losing no key players. England will tour Argentina with a full squad of players. Valuable time on a tough tour will be the making of this England side with combinations formed that should help the England team.

The omission of Ryan Jones was a big shock. As Welsh captain he has been fantastic but has paid the price for an average six nations. The back row was tightly contested with the athletic an impressive Tom Croft losing out.

In the backs Delon Armatige was the big omission being the England player of the Autumn series and having an impressive six nations. The fly half position is possibly the Achilles heel for the whole tour is two fly halves enough?