THE debate surrounding selection for the Test series is one of the areas that galvanises Lions fans, and the 2021 tour will be no exception despite the restrictions that have stopped them being able to travel. Here we take an early look at three of the crucial selection calls facing head coach Warren Gatland.
CENTRE
The midfield selection is one of the most intriguing in this squad with only three outright centres named – Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, and Chris Harris – and two utilities in Owen Farrell (also fly-half) and Elliot Daly (picked at wing).
Henshaw, left, is the form man and can play 12 or 13 with equal facility, which gives Gatland plenty of room for manoeuvre. Henshaw at 13 would allow the coach to pursue the playmaker/kicking option of Farrell at inside centre, as he did four years ago in New Zealand, or to pair Henshaw with his Ireland and Connacht buddy Aki.
However, if Henshaw plays 12 he could be paired with Chris Har- ris, right, now that the Scot-land 13 has emerged as one of the best defen- sive centres in the northern hemi- sphere. It also offers the intriguing prospect of Henshaw playing inside Daly – although the 2017 Test wing will have to go into overdrive if he gets a chance at 13.
VERDICT: Gatland's past selection policy makes a Farrell-Henshaw 12-13 Test pairing the favoured option against the Boks.
FLY-HALF
Dan Biggar emerged from the Six Nations in pole position for the 10 shirt, and his precise ability to put the ball in the air and catch it is some distance ahead of Farrell and Finn Russell.
There is little to choose between Biggar, left, and Farrell as two of the best pressure goalkickers in the game – although the Englishman has been there and done it for the Lions in New Zealand.
When it comes to opening up defences with sleight of hand, footwork, or chip-kicks over the top, Russell is in a league of his own. However, he does not play the percentages as well in tight games, and his goal-kicking is not as consistent
VERDICT: If Biggar starts well the Welshman could keep the 10 jersey and Farrell slot in at 12, just as he did alongside Johnny Sexton in 2017.
NO. 8
Taulupe Faletau, right, is the incum-bent Lions Test No.8, and his ability to scale the heights, typified by the brilliant tries scored in the second Test victory over NZ in 2017, ensures he will be the first in line in South Africa.
The other contenders, Jack Conan and Sam Simmonds, are chalk and cheese. The tall, rangy Conan (6ft 4ins) is out of the traditional No.8 mould, and the Irishman upstaged the dynamic Simmonds (6ft) when Leinster shunted Exeter out of the European Cup at Sandy Park in April.
However, Gatland has a hunch that Simmonds' footwork and acceleration could be game-breaking against the Springboks, especially as a weapon off the bench. The balance could swing in Conan's favour if the Lions are outgunned at the lineout, and the coach decides he needs more height at the tail.
VERDICT: Faletau is the man in possession, and the Welsh No.8 will stay there if he can peak again when it counts.
