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Published 14:40 24 Mar 2021 GMT
Updated 14:41 24 Mar 2021 GMT
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Tadhg Beirne is in the international form of his life. (Credit: Getty Images)[/caption]
When it came to selecting their Lions XV for the opening Test against the world champion Springboks, RTE's Against The Head show called on the big guns of Donal Lenihan, Eddie O'Sullivan and Bernard Jackman.
As Jackman joked, the trio formed an old-school 'selection committee' with him the junior member and deferring on big calls when it got spicy.
The three men settled on a Lions XV with a 6-4-4-1 spread that was Wales heavy and Scotland light. The Irish players making the starting team are:
"The one that I would have a big bake about is James Ryan. I would actually have James Ryan in, and I would probably make him captain as well. "I think he's that material. I think a Lions tour would suit him. Alun Wyn Jones has been a fantastic player, but I think Ryan brings something different and fresh... I'd roll the dice with Ryan."https://twitter.com/RTErugby/status/1374300790521745411 Lenihan says it is 'a toss of a coin' with Ryan and Jones but went for the Welshman as he would be a better choice as captain. The former Ireland and Lions team manager has a point, but I feel Jones could make the squad as tour captain but not necessarily start in the Test Series. As Gatland has shown in the past, with Sam Warburton and Peter O'Mahony, he is not afraid to leave his tour captain out of a Test team if it is for the benefit of the team. Ryan has captained Ireland already and while it would be a big ask to bestow Lions captaincy on him for the entire tour, it is a role he could carry out in specific games. Gatland may decide Ryan, if he starts, is better suited to speaking to the referees than Owen Farrell and Johnny Sexton, who both may start but are further back from the action. Itoje would be another captaincy contender, but his high penalty count in the Six Nations would count against him. As it all shakes out, a strong finish to the season with Leinster should see Ryan selected for the tour. If he gets a start early in the tour, he will have the opportunity to push a Test claim. Do not be surprised to see him starting against the Springboks and, who knows, Eddie O'Sullivan may not be too far off the pace with his captaincy shout.
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