Lions squad announcement

The waiting is almost over as this Wednesday at midday the 2017 Lions Squad will be announced. Pundits, journalists and rugby fans will no longer be predicting their squads, but will be scrutinising the fortunate 37 players selected, and sympathising with those who missed out. As Gatland and his team finalise their touring party, it's likely that the majority of names will already be inked in after this weekend's final opportunity for players to stake their claim.

But what exactly has been on Warren's tick box list, and what has he been looking for? First and foremast, he must select those who are playing well at this very moment in time. With the squad flying to New Zealand just a day after the Premiership and Pro 12 finals, there simply isn't the time for players to 'find their form'. Not only is form required, but experience and leadership is essential. As a result I'd expect Gatland to show faith in the guys who played a key part in the triumphant 2013 tour to Australia.  The Ireland and England boys will also have some credit in the bank here, as they've experienced success with the elusive 'holy grail' of beating the All Blacks. Finally, he'll need players who can adapt and employ his game plan, under pressure and in a very short space of time. Taking all of this into account, these are my selection of players who I feel have done enough to meet the strict criteria to get into the squad.

Back Three

Eliot Daly, Stuart Hogg, Liam Williams, Anthony Watson, George North

Hogg has continued to spark in a hit-and-miss Scotland team, and a Glasgow side which has started to fade away following their strong start to the season. There still continues to be question marks over his defence, but he remains the front runner for the test fifteen shirt. In Liam Williams, Anthony Watson and Eliot Daly you have three players who can cover the whole back three. Daly in particular offers great versatility in his ability to comfortably cover Centre, this is an invaluable attribute for a Lions tourist. George North started to show glimpses of his best form towards the end of the Six Nations, hopefully he can really start hitting his straps come June.

Centres

Ben Te'o,  Jonathan Joseph, Robbie Henshaw, Gary Ringrose, Owen Farrell, Jonathan Davies

It's recently been leaked that Te'o will make the tour, with Rob Howley and Steve Borthwick in the stands as Worcester beat Bath on Saturday. In a similar mould to Henshaw, Te'o can provide the hard line running at 12 that can challenge the likes of Sonny-Bill Williams. Ringrose and Joseph give you the attacking edge in the 13 channel that the Lions will need if they're really going to attack this New Zealand side.

Fly Halves

Johnny Sexton, Dan Biggar

Sexton and Farrell are perhaps the two nailed-on Backs for the test team, especially with Farrell offering the flexibility of covering both 10 and 12. It's then a straight shoot out between George Ford, Finn Russell and Dan Biggar - Ford and Russell are both similar in that they play flat to the line and are attacking minded. Biggar just shaves it with his superior defence and warrior-like mentality that will be needed in this most challenging of tours. But do us a favour Dan and cut out the constant petulant moaning at the officials, leave that for the footballers!  Is this a trait that could cost him his place and open the door for Russell or Ford?

Scrum Halves

Conor Murray, Rhys Webb, Ben Youngs

Established partnerships are worth their weight in gold and not only do you have that with the Murray/Sexton axis, but you also have a partnership that worked together in the decisive final test in Sydney in 2013. Rhys Webb has been a consistent live-wire in an often misfiring Welsh side, and Ben Youngs is hitting top form at just the right time, his solo try against Newcastle at the weekend is evidence of that.

Loose Head Props

Mako Vunipola, Joe Marler, Jack McGrath

Mako has now addressed his scrummaging issues and with his strong ball-carrying around the park, he's now developing in to a world class prop. However, such was the form of Joe Marler that Mako was often relegated to the bench in the Six Nations, and for that reason he also makes the cut. Jack McGrath is now part of a strong Irish and Leinster front row, who recently dominated the scrum battle in the Champion Cup quarter final.

Hooker

Jamie George, Ken Owens, Dylan Hartley

George is the first hooker on the squad list for me - I can see similarities between him and the superb All Blacks hooker Dane Coles, as they both pick clever running angles that we have rarely seen in front row forwards and are setting the standard for modern hookers. Ken Owens has played consistently well for Wales and the Scarlets, which leaves a choice between Dylan Hartley and Rory Best. To beat the All Blacks, the Lions are going to have to have a set piece that's on the money and part of that requires a hooker who's throwing-in is consistent under pressure. Yes Hartley has had his disciplinary issues and doesn't offer as much in the loose as Owens and George, but what sets him apart is his throwing-in, which was at a higher level than Best's during the Six Nations. Admittedly, this seems harsh on the Irish captain but it's an extremely close call.

Tight Head Props

Tadhg Furlong, Dan Cole, Kyle Sinckler

The second press leak of the weekend is the inclusion of young Harlequins tight-head Sinckler, who's yet to make a test start for England. His lively contributions coming off the bench for the Six Nations champions is likely to have caught Gatland's attention. Cole and Furlong have been the cornerstones of their respective international scrums and are almost certain to tour.

Second Rows

Alun Wyn Jones, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Iain Henderson, Joe Launchbury

Alun Wyn, many people's choice for captain, has perhaps slipped down the leadership stakes in recent weeks with Sam Warburton now the apparent front runner. But if you take a look at the Ospreys recent poor form of results, it's obvious that they've been missing the second row's influence. The Lions are going to need leaders in the Martin Johnson mould, and the Welsh captain is exactly that. Kruis and Itoje's partnership was a key cog in England's grand slam winning campaign, however Launchbury and Lawes weren't a bad duo to replace them. Despite Lawes' improved ball carrying, the Lions will need some ballast in the engine room to take on the All Blacks pack which Launchbury and the imposing Iain Henderson can provide.

Back Row

Billy Vunipola, Talupe Faletau, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, CJ Stander, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony

Again an extremely competitive area and the Lions will need to be just that, when they come up against Sam Cane, Kieran Read and Jermoe Kaino. Despite missing the Six Nations, Billy Vunipola now has the opportunity to find his form in a Saracens shirt with some huge games coming up. Faletau has struggled with injuries this season, and the emergence of Ross Moriarty has often relegated him to the Welsh subs bench. That being said, his international experience and credit in the bank should ensure his selection. Warburton was back to his very best form during the Six Nations, but his injury woes continue, with his latest sidelining him for 6 weeks. Perhaps it's best that Warren wraps him in cotton wool until the plane departs, as you certainly can't leave him at home! Tipuric offers a different dimension from open-side and can play the fast, high paced game should the Lions require it. CJ Stander is still in pole position for the blind side birth and can cover number 8 as he does for Munster. Talking of Munster, Peter O'Mahony is one of those out and out leaders that the Lions will desperately need when things get tough, and offers another lineout option. It's then a toss-up between Sean O'Brien and James Haskell for the last back row place. Haskell was superb for England last year and was a key member of the Eddie Jones' Grand Slam winning side, with his aggressive ball-carrying and defence. However the timing of his toe injury may prove to be costly, as he hasn't quite hit those heights so far this year and was outplayed by Sean O'Brien in the recent Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster. For that reason O'Brien gets the nod, but should there be any injuries then I'm sure Haskell will be the first man Gatland will call.

The last time the British & Irish Lions travelled to the 'Land Of The Long White Cloud' they were comprehensively beaten, but the squad they will send this time will be much stronger. The Lions will be incredibly talented on paper and will come up against a New Zealand side in transition and adapting to the retirement of greats such as McCaw, Carter and Nonu. But write the All Blacks off at your peril, as the new kids on the block (The Barrett brothers, Sam Cane, Julian Savea) are more than capable of reaching the lofty heights of their predecessors.

The Lions will have to get the right balance between aggression, physicality, pace and skill. The old adage of 'games are won up front' is regularly used, but it's so true! To have any chance of beating the All Blacks the Lions will have to go for them in the scrum and driving maul, where they can get the upper hand. Lose that battle and it will be curtain-time, as man for man the New Zealand skill set is still vastly superior to the Northern Hemisphere teams. That said, let's not worship them too much - we have some great attacking players who are more than capable of slicing defences apart, but without a strong platform, these attacking weapons will be going backwards with no space to play in.

Selection is just the first task for Warren Gatland and a very important one. But bonding these players and devising a game plan to beat the world's best team in a short period of time, is perhaps the biggest coaching challenge of all. The players tasked with undertaking this challenge will be unveiled this week and what an opportunity awaits them!