Charlie Elliott: The 17 backs I would select for the British and Irish Lions

By Charlie Elliott

The British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia this summer is set to be announced on Thursday. 

Andy Farrell and his coaching staff have some huge decisions to make, as the wealth of talent at their disposal is very evenly matched and is a very high quality. 

Backs will be the ones who receive more attention than the forwards, and with such a competitive few positions, Farrell will be under huge scrutiny, whoever he picks. 

One thing is for certain, though, whoever goes will be a supremely talented player who is amongst the best in the sport for their position. 

Here are my picks of which backs he would take, as well as looking at who he expected Farrell to give the nod to. 

For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.

Scrum-Half (3) 

The two half-back positions will be contentious given their importance to the team, but the nine shirt has four real contenders for three spots. 

Toulon’s Ben White is up there but may be hampered by the Top 14 schedule, and isn’t good enough to justify taking ahead of the other three despite the potential selection conflicts. 

Jamison Gibson-Park is the only guaranteed pick that Farrell will make, with him being significantly better than Alex Mitchell and Tomos Williams, who I think the other two selections will be. 

Williams is an exciting player who has been outstanding at club level for Gloucester this season, but has been unable to transfer it to Wales.

He is dynamic and has a bit of flair, which could be exploited if the Lions need someone to take a game by the scruff of the neck. 

Northampton Saints’ Mitchell is England’s starting scrum-half and gave his chances a massive boost with a quality game against Leinster last weekend. 

The difference between England with and without Mitchell is massive, which is testament to just how important he is for Steve Borthwick‘s side. 

My selection: Gibson-Park, Mitchell, Williams 

Probable selection: Gibson-Park, Mitchell, Williams 

Fly-Half (3) 

Now for the most controversial position, fly-half. Plenty of questions will be asked of Farrell, whoever he picks, and someone good will be guaranteed to be left out. 

Marcus Smith isn’t here due to not hitting form at the right time and with him now injured, is out of the picture effectively which is a real shame for a talented player. 

There have been talks of Farrell bringing his son, Owen, on tour, but despite his wealth of experience, he hasn’t exactly lit it up for Racing 92 this season and doesn’t deserve a spot ahead of others. 

Sam Prendergast is a hugely talented player and many see him going as being a positive for his personal development.  

For me, the Lions tour is not a place for development, and despite the obvious quality that Prendergast has, his defensive problems are too glaring for him to warrant going on the tour. 

I think, due to Farrell’s Ireland allegiances, however, he will go. 

It would be surprising if Fin Smith didn’t go, with the youngster bursting onto the scene this season and showing that he can mix it with the big boys and outplay them, as was seen against Leinster when he showed Prendergast who’s boss. 

Finn Russell is class and has too much quality not to go, and while he was pretty poor in the Six Nations, having him as an option would benefit any team. 

Finally, I think that George Ford has earned his spot on the tour due to his great form this season for Sale Sharks. 

Injuries have hampered him slightly, but whenever he has taken to the field, he has been brilliant. 

Someone who is so highly thought of for his leadership too, being described as like a coach on the pitch at times. His experience would be huge, and he tends to deliver when called upon (Autumn International against the All Blacks aside). 

My selection: Ford, F Smith, Russell 

Probable selection: Prendergast, F Smith, Russell 

Centres (5) 

Sione Tuipulotu was initally expected to miss out due to injury, but it seems less serious than thought, so as long as he is fit he makes the cut. 

His partner in crime for Scotland, Huw Jones, also deserves to be in based on ability alone. 

Bundee Aki is the third who will almost certainly go, and as a hugely physical player, he offers a slightly different dynamic that would disrupt the Wallabies. 

For me, Elliot Daly needs to go as a versatile option across the backline, and someone who suits Test rugby. Daly also has previous Lions experience, which would put him in good standing. 

That leaves one last pick, in which I would take Garry Ringrose over Tom Jordan or Robbie Henshaw. 

Jordan plays like a fly-half when he’s in the centres, but I personally don’t think that will be needed on this tour due to the high level of creativity across the board, and the centres need to be players who can run good lines and defend well. 

Ringrose is just that, so I would take him. 

However, I think Henshaw may go over Daly, but as is the case with a few picks, this depends on Farrell’s preferences for Ireland players. 

My selection: Tuipulotu, Jones, Aki, Ringrose, Daly 

Probable selection: Tuipulotu, Jones, Aki, Ringrose, Henshaw 

Back Three (6) 

Hugo Keenan and Blair Kinghorn are the best fullbacks by some way, with not much competition of Lions calibre in England or Wales. 

Toulouse‘s Kinghorn is good enough to warrant the potential risk of a Top 14 fixture clash and deserves to go regardless of club allegiances. 

On the wing, there are a few big decisions for Farrell to make. 

Starting off with the form player, Tommy Freeman has to go, and I will not hear otherwise.

The man is an absolute joke and has been unstoppable this season, and not taking him would be a travesty. 

Darcy Graham is a superb try-scorer with unbelievable talent and has been brilliant for Edinburgh, but I can potentially see the out-of-form Mack Hansen being chosen due to the Ireland links. 

Graham provides a less physical but more pacey option compared to some of the bulkier wingers, such as Freeman. 

Duhan van der Merwe is currently injured but is expected to be back in May, so has plenty of time to recover and as long as he is fit deserves to go. 

Finally, James Lowe is a different kind of winger who is a bit more of a playmaker, whilst also retaining the basics needed for the position. 

My selection: Keenan, Kinghorn, Freeman, van der Merwe, Lowe, Graham 

Probable selection: Keenan, Kinghorn, Freeman, van der Merwe, Lowe, Hansen 

READ MORE: Charlie Elliott – The 21 forwards I would select for the British and Irish Lions squad