British and Irish Lions probable lineup for 2017 tour
Warren Gatland has plenty of decisions to make
©PA
After Wales chief Warren Gatland has been announced as the head coach for the British and Irish Lions' tour of New Zealand in June 2017, we take a look on the probable selection of the team lineup.
15: STUART HOGG (Scotland) - a brilliant counter-attacker who would light up any back division, but will Welshman Leigh Halfpenny's prolific goalkicking edge it in selection?
14: ANTHONY WATSON (England) - a proven high-quality finisher, who has scored 12 tries in 24 Tests for England.
13: JONATHAN JOSEPH (England) - an outside centre in the classic mode, he offers pace, creativity and try-scoring prowess.
12: ROBBIE HENSHAW (Ireland) - has all the skills, with defensive power to match. Star quality, but could be a toss of the coin between him and Wales' Jamie Roberts.
11: GEORGE NORTH (Wales) - had his injury troubles, but a proven top-level performer who is capable of terrorising any defence.
10: OWEN FARRELL (England) - George Ford, Dan Biggar and Johnny Sexton are all set to be in the fly-half mix, but Farrell is currently a short distance ahead of them.
9: RHYS WEBB (Wales) - Ireland's Conor Murray is likely to push hard for a Test spot, yet Webb's all-round game nudges him clear.
1: MAKO VUNIPOLA (England) - arguably England's most improved forward of the Eddie Jones coaching reign. Powerful and consistent.
2: DYLAN HARTLEY (England) - has led England superbly since being appointed captain by Eddie Jones. Also the best hooker in Britain and Ireland by a proverbial mile.
3: WP NEL (Scotland) - the South Africa-born tighthead prop is an immense scrummager, and just the set-piece cornerstone Gatland will require, as is England's Dan Cole. Tight call.
4: ALUN WYN JONES (Wales, capt) - skippered the Lions to victory in the third Test decider against Australia three years ago, and should keep the job. World-class in every area.
5: GEORGE KRUIS (England) - has produced magnificent form in England colours. An exemplary lineout operator with a mighty work-rate.
6: MARO ITOJE (England) - might be a lock for England, but blindside flanker for the Lions? Too good to be left out of Gatland's Test team.
7: SAM WARBURTON (Wales) - a fit and in-form Warburton is head and shoulders above anyone else as the best openside flanker available to Gatland. Class act.
8: TAULUPE FALETAU (Wales) - the battle for Test selection with England's Billy Vunipola will be fascinating, but Faletau is a more complete footballer.
