Who will get Lions call?
Clive Woodward has spent the last seven months whittling down his list of over 100 players to just 44 names, who will be announced on Monday as the British and Irish Lions squad for the 2005 tour of New Zealand.
Like Woodward, rugby supporters, experts and commentators up and down the country have been playing the same game.
Here, the Press Association’s rugby writers predict a possible Lions squad.
There are a few selections which will raise an eyebrow but, so great are the permutations, also a few surprise omissions. The squad was named assuming all players currently injured return to full fitness.
There are 21 Englishmen in this party – a reflection not of how well the national side is playing at present but of experience.
Woodward led England to victory in Wellington and at the World Cup and he is expected to view that as crucial, hence the inclusion of Lawrence Dallaglio, Neil Back, Matt Dawson, Mike Tindall and Ben Cohen. Jonny Wilkinson is also included.
Ireland’s potential Lions contingent was vast ahead of the RBS 6 Nations but it dwindled rapidly. Shane Horgan is unfortunate not to find a place in this squad, but Ronan O’Gara, Jonny O’Connor and Peter Stringer all saw their selection hopes fade.
Gordon D’Arcy just gets the nod over Horgan and England’s Will Greenwood, although Woodward could go either way on Monday.
Scotland performed poorly again during the Six Nations, but they boast individual players of immense talent and experience. And they are all likely to be more enthused about working with Woodward than it is believed they are playing for Scotland coach Matt Williams.
Finally, the Grand Slam-winning Welsh. Gareth Thomas will play a key leadership role in the squad after Woodward was left so impressed by the way Wales have developed such unity and belief under his captaincy.
It is Brian O’Driscoll who gets the nod here as 2005 Lions captain but do not rule out a late charge on the rails from Dallaglio.
:: Possible British and Irish Lions squad for the 2005 tour of New Zealand:
Backs: Ben Cohen (England), Josh Lewsey (England), Geordan Murphy (Ireland), Chris Paterson (Scotland), Jason Robinson (England), Gareth Thomas (Wales), Shane Williams (Wales); Olly Barkley (England), Gordon D’Arcy (Ireland), Gavin Henson (Wales), Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland, capt), Tom Shanklin (Wales), Mike Tindall (England); Charlie Hodgson (England), Stephen Jones (Wales), Jonny Wilkinson (England); Chris Cusiter (Scotland), Matt Dawson (England), Dwayne Peel (Wales), Bryan Redpath (Scotland).
Forwards: Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Graham Rowntree (England), Tom Smith (Scotland), Matt Stevens (England), Phil Vickery (England), Julian White (England), Gordon Bulloch (Scotland), Shane Byrne (Ireland), Mark Regan (England), Steve Thompson (England), Danny Grewcock (England), Ben Kay (England), Paul O’Connell (Ireland), Malcolm O’Kelly (Ireland), Neil Back (England), Colin Charvis (Wales), Martin Corry (England), Lawrence Dallaglio (England), Richard Hill (England), Lewis Moody (England), Michael Owen (Wales), Simon Taylor (Scotland), Jason White (Scotland), Martyn Williams (Wales).
