Post Six Nations Lions XV - Tighthead Prop

Rucked Over is getting rather excited about the end of this season.  European Cup finals, playoffs, and above all, Lions selection!  Today we take a look at who will be wearing the tent-sized number 3 shirt...

Tighthead Prop

The Lions are blessed in having two world-class operators in this department in Adam Jones and Dan Cole, with Jones demonstrating why he is viewed as one of the world’s finest set piece operators in the Six Nations and Cole showing off a flanker’s ability over the ball and a history of being a pain in the backside to the Australian scrum.  These 2 could really complement each others’ game in the Test squad, despite the stark contrast in appearances – with Jones having arguably the world’s hairiest head and Cole’s cranium resembling a well-weathered Ostrich egg. 

But behind these 2 there’s potentially a slightly worrying lack of depth.  Scotsman Euan Murray has the pedigree of touring with the Lions in 2009, but his set piece work and his tackling looked underpowered throughout the tournament, whilst Mike Ross has become one of the first names on the Irish teamsheet but struggles to have an impact away from the scrum.  A couple of other names have been bandied about as potential tourists, including Matt Stevens – the Saracens coach Mark McCall has been singing his praises – but unless the Lions fancy handing 9 points to the Aussies on a platter, it’s probably safe to assume the penalty machine will be staying put this summer.

So, without further ado, who’s heading down under with the Lions this summer?

TEST STARTER: ADAM JONES.  The great big Yeti produced a monumental second half to the Six Nations to throw himself right back into the drivers seat for a test spot this summer.  The big man saved his best display until last, demolishing the England scrum in Cardiff and helping lead Wales to a famous win, and he seems to have completely recovered from injuries and a loss of form earlier in the year, where he quite frankly did not look fit.  I still have my concerns on what else he offers around the park but, for now, he has got one hand on the number 3 jersey.

BENCHER:  DAN COLE.  The ‘Polar Bear’ has become the cornerstone of the English pack and, although he won’t want to relive the surprising struggles he and the pack went through in Cardiff, has become known for his powerful scrummaging and superb turnover work at the breakdown, where he is like an extra flanker.  Jones’ performances in the Six Nations have wrestled the starting position off him for now, but with plenty of rugby to go before the opening test match, Cole still has a shot at winning it back.  If the first test was tomorrow though, he’d have to settle for a spot on the bench.

DIRT TRACKER:  MIKE ROSS.  The big Leinsterman had an average Six Nations but he’s a reliable presence for his country and his province, and is the most likely of the contenders to do a solid job for the midweekers.  Hopefully he can rediscover some of the ‘bump’ that made him a powerful presence with the ball in hand last season, and he just edges out Murray, who had a poor Six Nations by his standards.

Who would get into your Lions squad as tighthead?