It's a very good squad, with a couple of surprising selections for me. I'd be confident they'll give the Boks a great test series.
I agree with JJ, I thought Peel would have gone, Blair being the third scrum half. But Ellis and O'Leary going just shows how focused the management are on the physical element of the battle.
As for the hookers, there is so little to choose between them that I wouldn't have been surprised had they taken Best or Ford instead of one of the other three. The props are pretty much what I would have taken - Horan and Hayes are poor scrummagers and would have got taken apart on this tour.
Second row - AW Jones dirtied his bib a little for me in the game against Munster. He was awful, and not too clever either. I think O'Connell gets to shine when O'Callaghan is doing the a lot of the dirty work for him (his workrate is immense) and I'm not inclined to split them. I like the inclusion of Shaw too, he's a tough nut and a surprisingly good ball handler (it's not too long since I remember him being the most creative player in an England backline during games). Is Hines there just to keep Murray company ?
Back Row - I would have taken Jones. He's not on top form, but he's proven himself on Lions tours before and I just think he's got enough of everything to have been a difference maker.
If someone had said four Irish backrowers would go on this tour I'd have had all my money on Leamy, even though he's had a stop start season. Quinlan has had a very good season though and he is the sort of character that would be great to have on tour. Powell is a gamble, I think he's too one dimensional but I can see why you'd have him in the squad. He could be useful to bring off the bench but i don't think he offers enough to warrant a starting spot.
Outhalf - the only mild surprise here is that they've only chosen two. I thought they may have taken Flood becasue he can fill in elsewhere too.
Centres - It's what I would have picked. Perfect balance. Earls is definitely one to watch on this tour. He'll have a hard time making the test team but I think he'll shine.
Wings - I'm a little surprised that Fitzgerald is going, but very pleased too. He could be a great player soon enough.It's said that Williams is struggling for form this year. I've only seen him in international games and the Welsh style of play this year didn't suit wingers, so I'm not concerned about him. Halfpenny is a great little winger and Bowe thoroughly deserves his spot. Some pundits complain that he hasn't got top level pace, but he has been absolutely superb for Ireland in the past year. I love Monye's pace and power and I think he could well make the test team if Williams isn't at his best.
Fullbacks - I thought Armitage would have gone too, I thought he'd have gone instead of Fitzgerald. Byrne and Kearney are obvious choices though.
My XV would be:
1. Jenkins
2. Flannery
3. Vickery
4. O'Callaghan
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip
9. Phillips
10. O'Gara
11. Monye
12. Flutey
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Byrne
I've gone off Kearney a little of late, his form is tailing off a bit since he's been stuggling with injuries. Vickery is in for his ball carrying skills.
