Lions team for first Test

Ian McGeechan has named his Lions side to take on world champions South Africa and sprung few surprises.

Ugo Monye was deemed a shock squad selection initially, but has deservedly forced his way into the Test side with a string of bright performances. Perhaps the only areas of debate were at lock - where Alun Wyn Jones got the nod over Nathan Hines - and openside flanker - where David Wallace is preferred to Martyn Williams.

While Wallace is an undoubtedly a class act, leaving out the wily Williams, who knows every trick in the book about back-row play - vital against the Springboks' talented line-up - is the one error that McGeechan has made. The rest of the side is pretty much as expected.

The Lions may have been made to look second rate in some warm-up matches, but elements of the Boks team are short of matches. It might be sentimentality talking, but we see them sneaking the first Test. Our prediction - 24-19 to the visitors.

What do you make of McGeechan's Test line-up and who would be in your Test 15? And what are your predictions for Saturday's match? Post your comments below...

Comments

[Ruairi]

Who cares what the line-up is. The team's been picked now let's stuff it to the Boks. They're a smug old bunch and I look forward to wiping the smirk of their faces. Come on boys, don't let me down.

[Martin, Sheffield]

Well, McGeechan cannot be accused of bias. NOt a single SCot in there. Not sure that'll make him all that popular back at home. I for one would have liked to have seen Mike Blair in there over Mike Phillips but understand the sense of having an all-Welsh halfback pairing when they know each other's game so well. Cannot wait until tomorrow. It's going to be a beastly game.

[jack]

Sheridan is the best prop about he should be playing. and ford as well a massive mistake. i knew this would happen him picking the wrong team to many welsh man are playing.

[Sam]

The boks are such a big side I would like to see how they compare physically against their opposite numbers. The front five will decide, Sheridan has the presence to intimidate,should be there or sub. their scrum half needs to be pressurised big time. Will Phillips be able? Lions by 3 points with a few lucky breaks.

[Alan - Miami]

O' Gara over Jones any day, compare their seasons, O' Gara's only loss was to Leinster in H. Cup. Really Jones had an ok season, Hook would not have beaten O' Gara for the bench position,

[lion's fan]

I think shane williams should have started, i know he's had a quiet start, but he's not done anything wrong. The tries that ugo monye has scored have been tipical winger tries, he has'nt got the natural flare that williams can produce, williams has not been given the ball in open play like the other wings have.
I hope monye has a good game as i want the lions to stuff the bok's.

[Taff]

This is the seventh time Williams has been on the bench for a Lions Test. It's getting ridiculous. He'll come off the bench have a blinder and then start the remaining two Tests, mark my word.

[mikey]

good to see that the form players have been picked. Ugo monye was indeed a surprise selection for the tour but he has risen to the challenge and with his speed we have a chance. Williams will play i reckon at some point so it bodes well, however it will be mighty close

[Sam]

My pick wld B Byrne, Fitzgerald, O'Driscoll, Roberts, Bowe, Jones, Blair, Jenkins, Ford, Vickery, Hines, O'Connell, Croft, Williams, Heaslip.

[Welshy, Monmouth]

On the bench they have chosen O Callaghan for second row cover, Simon Shaw should have been the first name for the bench. At 37 he has been outstanding and deserves to be involved. Martyn Williams is also unlucky but i`m shore it was a toss up between him and Paul Wallace. If James Hook wasn`t injured, Ronan O Gara would have missed out, and I think they would have gone with Luke Fitzgerald instead of Rob Kearney. Expect Gethin Jenkins to put in a Man of the Match performance, Lions to win by 12.

[Jeff]

I would have gone for Euan Murray at prop if given the chance with Ross Ford also in the front row. There's not a single Scot in the 22 which must be a first surely and a real shame for the unity of the Lions. Rob Kearney's the other unlucky one. Should have been in there over Monye.

[Yoland]

How can you expect O'Gara to start. I think Jones has been far the more accomplished performer in the early games. But the guy that should feel most hard done by is Martin Williams. He's just brilliant in every single game and I cant see how he loses out to a player like Wallace who just isn't that good in my humble opinion. Oh well let's hope I'm proved wrong.

[Macca]

Agreed on MW starting Josh,but I think Wallace will cope well.Look out for Martyn later in the game when his guile and tenacity will clinch the result.

[Alan Miami]

Wallace deserves his postion, look at his from from 6 nations, heineken cup and so far on tour, he's a class act,

Must admit I expected O' Gara to start,

Should great game

[Josh, Bristol]

Martyn Williams should start on Saturday. He's just the sort of back-rower you need against the crafty Boks. They'll walk all over Wallace. Lions to lose by at least nine points I'm afraid.