SCOTT QUINNELL KNOWS all about the enormity of taking on the Wallabies in Australia and he feels the back row battle will be crucial in deciding the winner of the upcoming Lions Series.
The Welshman started all three Test matches against the Aussies in 2001 and still laments the decision to go wide in the Third and deciding Test, allowing home winger Joe Roff to intercept and dot down the match-deciding try. It makes the former No.8 more than comfortable with the physical game-plan that Lions coach Warren Gatland seems to be drawing up following the inclusion of forwards such as Matt Stevens, Dan Lydiate and Dylan Hartley.
The loss of Wallabies star flanker David Pocock has been eased somewhat by George Smith’s rugby renaissance but Quinnell is aware that Robbie Deans will have his back row primed for a war the moment Test-match play commences in Brisbane on 22 June.
The make-up of the Lions’ back row is set to dominate discussions in the weeks leading up to the series and Quinnell, although he expects a constant state of flux, has opted for two Welshmen and an English blindside in his back row. There are no places for Sean O’Brien or Jamie Heaslip. Quinnell told TheScore.ie:
Right now I’d have Toby Faletau, [captain] Sam Warburton and A.N Other. It will probably be Croft, only because he gives you a lineout option. You can drive off that, you can play off that. I thought he did well and has played some great rugby [for Leicester Tigers] since he’s come back from his injury. As a balance, that would be more pick.”
Tom Croft (r) and Tommy Bowe applaud the fans on the 2009 Lions Tour. (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)
Quinnell, who’s father, Derek, and uncle, Barry John, are both Lions legends, is proud of the 15 Welshemen that Gatland has selected, as part of the 37-man squad, to take on the Wallabies. He believes that the starting XV for the First Test will be mostly Welsh but augmented by the likes of Croft and the Irish backline duo of Jonathan Sexton and Brian O’Driscoll.
“Every time you put that jersey on,” he declared, “there’s a huge amount of pride and passion stirred when you play for the Lions.”
*Scott Quinnell was at the Aviva Stadium today ahead of The Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup finals, which will be live on Sky Sports HD and available on Sky Go, with the Heineken Cup final also in 3D.
If you’re going to war I’d take O’Brien ahead of Croft any day.
If your going to play a rugby match I’d take Sean o Brien over tom croft any day.
now Laura croft your talking about a totally different kettle of fish
If the Lions need a wing forward who ll stand on the wing and meerkat off the back of rucks, then Croft is your man. Otherwise its the Tank all say long.
Every country tends to be a little one eyed about these things.
Wales will justifiably provide most starters but there will also be room for form picks and horses for courses.
I don’t agree, Wales won the title fair enough but England were only one game away, Scotland were vastly improved and Ireland beat Wales.
Add to that the welsh teams are very poor in both rabbo and ERC, so why should they field most of the players. From an Irish point of view
No question Healy should start
There’s no better 2nd row than PoC
And the tank well look what he did last week to one of his main welsh rivals
Murrary’s not far off
Sexton a shoe in
Bod is bod
Bowe’s as good as any of the welsh
And Kearney has class and is not far away either
So I don’t see where this a team of Welshmen with the odd paddy comes from
You must be living in a green haze
You’ve proved my point. They are candidates – not definites. The only Irish player that is close to nailed on is Johnny Sexton.
Nah, don’t see that happening. Not a hope