English rugby stars select ‘Lions’ XV to defeat Leinster

"When you read a team-sheet like Leinster’s, your first thoughts are ‘Wow, that is incredible’."

Rob Vickerman is not the only one raving about Leinster as they set out to retain their Guinness PRO14 and Champions Cup trophies. Following Leinster's 52-3 demolition of Wasps in the Champions Cup, former Ulster and Ireland winger Andrew Trimble gushed about them on House of Rugby. He declared:

"It's frightening to imagine how good this Leinster side can be, potentially. They're just head and shoulders above everyone else in the competition... No-one is anywhere near Leinster at the minute."

Vickerman, a former England Sevens star, has credited Leinster with one of the signings of the season - Felipe Contepomi coming in as backs coach. "One of the hidden stories in rugby," he said, "has been Leinster bringing in Felipe Contepomi. That is what I was most excited about because he is one of the leading minds of attack." Johnny Sexton & Co. certainly look to be revelling under the Argentine and he has dove-tailed well with Stuart Lancaster and Leo Cullen. On the UK episode of House of Rugby, Vickerman and England back-row James Haskell set about selecting a 'Lions XV' of players that could topple the European champions. Once Haskell got it sorted that he could indeed select other Ireland players, the duo came up with a pretty decent team: https://twitter.com/JOE_co_uk/status/1053972919473332224

'LIONS' XV TO TACKLE LEINSTER

Mako Vunipola (Saracens) Rory Best (Ulster) Kyle Sinclair (Harlequins) Courtney Lawes (Northampton) Maro Itoje (Saracens) CJ Stander (Munster) James Haskell (Northampton) Ben Morgan (Gloucester) Conor Murray (Munster) Danny Cipriani (Gloucester) George North (Ospreys) Owen Farrell (Saracens) Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) Anthony Watson (Bath) Elliot Daly (Wasps)

As for captain, Haskell is taking that honour. "Inspirational chat will lead us to victory," he remarked. It may take more than that.