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It’s been a mixed bag for the northern hemisphere teams during the Spring tour; Ireland won three out of four games but overall felt a little unconvincing.
A win against the Wallabies flipped the script for Scotland after a heavy defeat to South Africa. England only recorded one win out of four against Eddie Jones’ Japanese side and Wales’ losing streak continued.
Tough questions are being asked throughout the Welsh Rugby Union, personally, I think Warren Gatland is the only man willing to answer them.
Ireland’s Head Coach Andy Farrell will be busy breaking down his team’s performance throughout November but once the review is complete he will quickly turn to his British and Irish Lions duties.
Preparations will begin as early as this week with the first round of Champions Cup fixtures taking place. This competition is a platform for players to prove themselves away from the international game, as it’s littered with quality.
The northern hemisphere’s domestic season is still in its early stages and England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales still have a Six Nations to compete for ahead of the Lions Tour.
There’s a lot of rugby still left to play but here is the Lions team I would select versus Australia based on the most recent form.
Andrew Porter – Ireland
Porter has improved his discipline throughout the month of November after a tricky opening fixture versus New Zealand. Often playing into the latter stages of the game, Porter’s sheer strength and physicality is unmatched.
Dan Sheehan – Ireland
Before his injury in South Africa, Dan Sheehan was one of the best hookers in the game. His dynamism is unmatched with the Leinsterman acting like a fourth backrower.
Andy Farrell. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Zander Fagerson – Scotland
Credited with winning two penalties at the scrum against the Wallabies, Fagerson matched up well against Australia’s power athlete Angus Bell. Fagerson is the modern tighthead, he marries his set piece solidity with work around the park.
Tadhg Beirne – Ireland
Munster’s second rower looks the exact same in the 80th minute as he does at the opening whistle; exhausted. But despite his appearance, Beirne is consistently involved in the key moments that win matches for Ireland. After touring in South Africa, Beirne is ready to start.
Maro Itoje – England
He’s a Lions legend. Maro Itoje has matured as a player, reducing his discipline while still maintaining his lethal edge. With 22 tackles versus Australia, Itoje has the lungs to play at a high level across three tests on a dry track.
Jamie Ritchie – Scotland
Perhaps the most open position in the team, I’m backing Ritchie to start and be an absolute nuisance versus Australia. Farrell respects Peter O’Mahony’s intangible contributions across the pitch and I think Ritchie is the second coming. Never takes a backward step despite his smaller size is stubborn, physical and most importantly, will combine well with the rest of my back row.
Josh van der Flier – Ireland
The Leinster openside flanker was Ireland’s best player throughout the November internationals. I challenge you to watch him, just him throughout a game, he never stops moving. He reads the game so well, is Ireland’s fittest player and packs a punch in the carry that will such in Australia’s drifting defence. Also has a nose for the try line.
Ireland’s Garry Ringrose, Joe McCarthy and Caelan Doris celebrate a try scored by Josh van der Flier. (Photo By Sam Barnes/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Caelan Doris (Captain) – Ireland
The Irish number 8 was nominated for World Player of the Year and when you see him embracing each of his players after the final whistle, appears to have a one-to-one connection with each and every one. With a degree in psychology, the Mayo man has a deep understanding of the game and what brings a group together.
This quality is perhaps what Farrell will value most. Outside obviously his work at the base of the scrum and his ability to carry so close to the ruck at full pace.
Jamison Gibson-Park – Ireland
Gibson-Park has made this team his own after the retirement of Johnny Sexton. His decision-making is world-class, with the half-back already knowing what he’s going to do before even arriving at the ruck. His fluidity and range of passing will be instrumental in picking gaps in Australia’s defence.
If you want to bag an easy try, stay on Gibson-Park’s shoulder.
Marcus Smith – England
The Harlequins flyhalf had a terrific November despite coming out on the losing side so often. Smith seems to have retained his instinct for the game while developing the more standard skillset required of a 10.
Scotland’s Finn Russell could be in contention but I’d be hesitant to hand him the keys. I also think Wales’ Gareth Anscombe could pair well with Gibson-Park and with Ireland’s uncertainty at the position, I’m going with Smith.
James Lowe – Ireland
I can just picture Lowe booting the ball down the length of Suncorp Stadium. The Irishman isn’t an out-and-out flyer, but we saw the trouble he caused Andrew Kellaway in Dublin last weekend, although the Wallaby scrambled well.
Lowe is the type of player who galvanises a team and has developed into an incredibly well-rounded player despite some early international struggles.
Sione Tuipulotu – Scotland
Sorry Australia fans, but how can you not love the guy? A really poor combination of tackles contributed to his score against the Wallabies but Tuipulotu’s recent run as captain will be invaluable outside a growing Smith. He’s electric in attack, especially when worked into set-piece moves.
Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu celebrates after scoring a try. (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Garry Ringrose – Ireland
Farrell’s defensive captain for Ireland, Ringrose is given full license to read the game and pull the trigger on a huge hit when he spots his chance. However, Ringrose relies heavily on his teammates predicting and understanding his style of reads.
Often credited with a missed tackle, the pressure Ringrose exerts often forces the compounding error. All of Ireland’s centres are unlucky to miss out here, as is Huw Jones.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – England
Electric. The Englishman has burst onto the international stage causing havoc out wide and in the midfield, all over the park really. Feyi-Waboso makes a point of involving himself in the game, which is a Farrell favourite.
Hugo Keenan – Ireland
Was front and centre for Kellaway’s heroic hit close to the tryline which forced the knock-on in the opening minutes of last weekend’s game. Keenan covers so much ground in the backfield and communicates really well with his wingers which will be even more vital with their unfamiliarity as a trio.
He is also capable of running incredible arcing lines, very similar to Tom Wright. He’s ever dependable as well as an unheralded attacking threat. The man to protect the Lions’ backfield.
It’s still incredibly early on to be naming a Lions test team with there being a lot of rugby left to play between now and the Summer of 2025 but these players are the ones pushing for a place in my opinion.
Most unfortunate to miss out? Pierre Schoeman, Dewi Lake, Joe McCarthy, Ben Earl, Aaron Wainwright, Bundee Aki, Darcy Graham.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.