Vickery must start against Boks

It wasn't pretty, but the Lions' 26-23 win over Western Province was an important step on the road to the first Test against South Africa - especially for Phil Vickery and Tommy Bowe.

Both players did enough to earn a place in next Saturday's starting line-up against the Boks, with Bowe scoring one try and making another with a fine break and pass.

And Vickery looked back to something like his best against a resolute Province side which tested the tourists in the Newlands wind and rain.

Although James Hook came off the bench to clinch victory with a superb late penalty, he's unlikely to make the starting XV when Ian McGeechan and his coaching team sit down to select their Test side after Tuesday's final warm-up game against Southern Kings.

And so the time has come to name names for what should be a titanic struggle against the Springboks at the ABSA Stadium. 

Here is our suggested line-up: Lee Byrne; Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Luke Fitzgerald; Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Lee Mears, Phil Vickery, Alun-Wyn Jones, Paul O'Connell (capt), Tom Croft, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip.

Do you agree? Send in your thoughts via the box below.

Comments

[Welshy, Monmouth]

1 G Jenkins
2 L Mears
3 P Vickery
4 A Wyn Jones
5 P O Connell (c)
6 T Croft
7 M Williams
8 J Heaslip
9 M Phillips
10 S Jones
11 U Monye
12 B O Driscoll
13 J Roberts
14 T Bowe
15 L Byrne

16 A Jones
17 M Rees
18 S Shaw
19 D Wallace
20 H Ellis
21 J Hook
22 L Fitzgerald

[Ricky]

We don't want softeners? We want the spirit that Vickery showed yesterday, he's looking as fit as ever and Adam Jones wont make the bench. Sheridan has been disappointing and Gethin Jenkins is a certainty. Lee Mears is also a near certainty after yesterday.Martyn Williams was brilliant, not sure he will remove Wallace. Stephen Jones kicking from hands was below par which allowed the Provice back in the game but the pundits seem to like him? I thought that the referee had a howler yesterday as did Kaplin before him. We move on winning but must improve on the breakdown- I can't see a Scot making a start, which is disappointing.

[welsh wizards]

15 lee byrne (wales)
14 tommy bowe (ireland)
13 jamie roberts (wales)
12 brian o'driscoll (ireland)
11 ugo moyne (england)
10 stephen jones (wales)
9 mike phillips (wales)
8 jamie heaslip (ireland)
7 martyn williams (wales)
6 tom croft (england)
5 paul o'connell (ireland)
4 nathan hines (scotland)
3 phil vickery (england)
2 lee mears (england)
1 gethin jenkins (wales)
SUBS
16 andrew sheridan (england)
17 matthew rees (wales)
18 ewan murray (scotland)
19 alan wyn jones (wales)
20 david wallace (ireland)
21 harry ellis (england)
22 james hook (wales)

[Mad Jock Mc Mad]

Vickery is little more than a thug. Murray to start and soften up the Boks with Jones to finish them off.
Bowe & Fitzgerald on the wings I like - Monye is too inconsistent & Williams has lost it.
I'd love to see Martyn Williams in the back row for his ball winning but he lacks the dynamism of Croft, Wallace & Heaslip.

[Jack, Henley]

Vickery's not good enough for the first Test. Adam Jones should be in instead. And Martyn Williams for Wallace, Ugo Monye for Fitgerald.