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Hooker: One of the true area on the field where the Lions could be considered weak. Steve Thompson is undoubtedly the man for the job. A brilliant ball carrier and strong in the scrum he has an extra dimension to his game that most hookers do not. At one point he was the best hooker in the world but sadly his fitness and accuracy in the line out have dwindled since the world cup. If he can hit his jumpers, he's in. If not a worthy back up would be Gordon Bulloch. Byrne is good at the line out but has a stupid hair cut and is not such a powerful scrummager. Andy Titteral, it is safe to say, has no chance. Brilliant in open play and the loose, he is simply too small. I can't see how he could compete physically. Loose-Head Prop: Gethin Jenkins is undoubtedly the man to secure the other side of the scrum. Powerful and technically excellent, Jenkins shone in the Six Nations and I believe, alongside White and Thompson, will form a front row capable of taking any scrum apart. Jenkins adds considerable mobility to his list of skills. Graham Rowntree is on excellent form if Jenkins gets injured, however he will struggle to get a first choice test spot. Replacements: 16. Gordon Bulloch Bulloch gets the nod over Byrne for his experience and scrummaging. I feel that Bulloch has the bit between his teeth to achieve and prove himself on the main stage after so many disappointing years with Scotland. Stevens is young, but can play both sides of the scrum and is very much the modern prop with pace and power in the loose. My surprise package for the tour, Stevens is likely to get game time in the tests and will return as first choice prop for England in the 2005-06 season. Williams will be unlucky to miss out on a test spot but will again proably get some game time. Back is fit but is he too old to last for 80 intense minutes having not been playing international rugby for most of the season? Moody could push for this spot as well but maybe doesn't have the rugby brain of Williams. Corry will make the side to cover 6, 8 and lock. His versatility gives Woodward the opportunity to have two back row players on the bench and he may be used as an impact player. He has had a fantastic season and is unlucky to miss out on a starting spot. Simon Taylor is a supreme player and looked a certain starter in the test team of 2001 Lions before he got injured. He's been out of the game for too long to really challenge though. Henson is another player who is tipped by many to start. He is yet to really prove himself against the southern hemisphere however. I doubt he'll be able to pick up and dump Tana Umaga the way he did the 19 year old debutant, Matthew Tait. Henson can kick and covers both Centre and fly half, making him an essential option for the bench. Dwayne Peel is also likely to still play a role in the tests. He will test tired defences towards the end of the game and may replace Dawson earlier if he is providing Wilkinson with too many of his 'grubber' passes! Chris Cuisiter will challenge for this bench spot after an impressive 15 minutes against Argentina. Sadly for Gareth Cooper, he was rubbish and will warm the bench for the midweek games. Geordan Murphy
is a class player and could oust any one of the back three chosen.
Very strong runner and excellent under the high ball he may sneak
in for one of the tests. Josh Lewsey is simply playing too well
at the moment to imagine replacing him, but Thomas isn't always
consistent and Robinson's style of play is not classical and therefore
sometimes not always the right choice.
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