Post Six Nations Lions XV - Blindside Flanker (No 6)

As we start to creep closer to the end of the season, I should imagine Warren Gatland probably has around three quarters of his squad inked in.  His focus will now go from looking at who's playing well to looking at who hasn't managed to get themselves crocked – but thankfully, the number 6 shirt is probably the best-stocked spot in the UK at the moment, with a host of talent to choose from.  Take a look at RuckedOver's picks and let me know your thoughts…

Blindside Flanker

It takes a special kind of person to be a blindside flanker.  When you consider the types who play or have played there – from Mike Teague and Lewis Moody to Stephen Ferris and Tom Croft – you soon realise you either have to be an unbelievable athlete OR a complete nutter to be a success there.  It's also a position in which the Lions suffer an embarrassment of riches – and I said that even before the likes of Tom Croft and Dan Lydiate returned from injury.  Sadly, I've had to ignore someone who would definitely have been in contention for a test spot – the perennially injured Stephen Ferris – but that sums up the brutal, physical nature of the position.  This is probably the spot which will garner the most debate and so, suitably braced for a barrage of insults, here's Ruckedover's choice for the number 6 Shirt…

TEST STARTER: CHRIS ROBSHAW.  Disclaimer – this is in no way an admission that Robshaw is not an international class 7 – it's just a case of striking a good balance with the back row.  A lot of the Celts don't rate him for some reason, but his performances for England have been nothing short of remarkable.  An absolute work horse, he got through the 3rd highest number of tackles and the 4th highest amount of carries out of anyone in the Six Nations – the only player to appear on both 'top 5' lists – as well as topping the charts for passes and offloads out of the home nations flankers.  He might have suffered a slight form dip for Quins of late, but even in defeat against Wales the England Captain was immense – getting his hands on the ball as much as possible and leading the charge time and again.  A real grafter who seems to never make mistakes, he brings the energy that will be required to deal with the likely Wallaby blindside, the industrious Scott Higginbotham – and Robshaw's energy, commitment and leadership earns him a starter's shirt at 6.  Plus, my girlfriend will kick me where it hurts if I don't pick him, due to the fact she has just ordered a Lions shirt with "ROBSHAW" scrawled across the back…

DIRT TRACKER:  KELLY BROWN.  Eeesh, this was a tight call (see below), but the Scotland captain not only brings superb leadership to the squad, but he was also an absolute machine for the Scots during the Six Nations.  Playing in a Scotland pack that was almost exclusively on the defensive, the big flanker (playing at 7 for his country) made tackle after tackle and made turnovers at key moments time and time again.  He's not just a defensive player though, as he's shown with Saracens in recent performances, with several marauding runs highlighting his ability to make use of space on the rare occasions he finds himself in it.  Probably more of a midweeker than a test-challenger, he won't be letting anyone down.  The only downside is the fact that Lions management will have to order an extra seat on the plane for that pet slug that he takes everywhere with him (usually presiding above the eyes)…

DIRT TRACKER:  TOM CROFT.  Ah, now this one will guarantee me some abuse.  But when you bring something as different as Croft does, it's hard not to take notice.  I also want an extra back row option who can be pushed into service at lock if required, and Croft is one of the few who brings that option.  He's been getting up to speed over the last few weeks following his return from a terrible neck injury and has been in outstanding form for Leicester – putting in a sensationally destructive performance against Northampton, before impressing against Toulon before a back injury forced him off…and it's no coincidence that Leicester struggled after he left the field.  His ability in the set piece, his speed and his ability to dominate the wider channels could be a key asset to the Lions against the pacey Australian back rows, and his experience of a previous Lions tour should not go undervalued either.  A dirt-tracker for now, a few more games may well see the rangey blindside propel himself into the Test spot.

I know what you're thinking.  I've got too much time on my hands…AND I've missed out some big names, but if I don't mention them below, rest assured they're probably being looked at in other positions (mysterious…).  Firstly, Dan Lydiate is pretty unlucky, but he hasn't shown enough after being out with injury to warrant a place in the squad – a downside in playing for a struggling Dragons side with no European competition.  Ryan Jones also had a great Six Nations and did a superb job in leading Wales through some tough times, plus he would be able to fill in at second row, but he doesn't have the X Factor that Croft does, and with Brown and Robshaw already in, he wouldn't bring anything particularly different.  Peter O'Mahony also looked good for Ireland in parts, but I think Tom Wood is probably the harshest done by – he could quite easily take Kelly Brown's place in the squad after a superb performance against the All Blacks and a really decent display in the Six Nations.  But for some reason, he's recently been pressed into service at number 8 – a position where he just doesn't have the ball carrying 'oomph' to be effective.  It's cost him a fair amount of form, and potentially a spot on the Lions tour.

Who would you pick at 6 for the Lions?