Lions: Who got the call?

So its finally here, after four years of thinking what could have been in South Africa, what could be in Australia, the pinnacle for rugby players, fans and sports enthusiasts worldwide, the 2013 British and Irish lions have began their journey. The huge anticipation over what British and Irish players would get the call, and get their eager hands on the highly coveted red jersey, finally came to its conclusion this morning.

And there were some  surprises. So who got the call? In terms of home nation make up, the squad consists of 15 Welsh, 10 English, 9 Irish and 3 Scots.  Which translates into 6 Props,  3 Hookers, 5 Second Rows, 7 Back Rows, 3 Scrumhalves 2 Outhalves, 4 Centres. 4 Wingers and 3 Fullbacks. Sam Warburton is awarded the captaincy, to no great shock. The massive shock is that the 2nd favourite for the captaincy coming into this week, Chris Robshaw, is omitted entirely. I can only imagine the English captain is distraught and considering what on earth more he could have done to get the call. Beat Wales in the Six Nations decider and be Grand Slam winning captain. That's what. If England win that match, or even merely avoid being comprehensively outplayed, Justin Tupuric or Tom Croft is left behind and Robshaw travels, and, quite conceivably, as captain. That didn't happen, however, and England surrendered their first real chance for Grand Slam glory in 10 years.

Though even as things panned out, why not bring the omnipresent Robshaw anyway (without the captaincy) and leave the over-rated Tom Croft at home? Sure he toured in 2009 and has considerable pace for a back row forward, but so does Sean O'Brien and Justin Tupuric. So why does the English media think he's so good? He's a good option in the lineout, but again so is Jamie Heaslip. Unless, he produces a couple of unprecedented world beating performances, is he ever going to be more than a mid-week player in this tour? Robshaw would certainly have being vying for a test spot. Ostensibly, they opted for versatility rather than specialty.

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Some onlookers were disappointed Brian O'Driscoll missed out on the captaincy.Personally, I'm glad he doesn't have the burden. The Leinster man, arguably,delivers his best performances without the concerns that captaincy brings about. In the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand when BOD had the captaincy,he under performed, albeit with his chance to exhibit his ability in the Test arena robbed of him by Rugby criminals Tanu Umaga and Kevin Mealamu 

(yes I haven't forgotten or forgiven). Though in 2009, when Paul O'Connell was tour captain, BOD was the best player of the tour, and probably the

world that year - the fact that he didn't get IRB player of the year was a 

shambolic farce (yes I haven't forgotten that either).  Paul O'Connell, on the other hand, can he do for the lions what he does for the red of Munster? I say this because he has never really produced his imperious,unstoppable form in an Ireland jersey. For instance, his colossal effort in the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Harlequins, was game changing and probably won the game. Hopefully he can transport these tenacious efforts to the Lions.

Another fascinating story revealed yesterday with the squad announcement concerned Jonny Wilkinson. Seemingly, Wilko was to be the 38th man of the squad but told Warren Gatland not to include him, presumably so as he could concentrate on his club, Toulon's, Top 14 and Heineken Cup endeavours. Though, don't think for one minute if he is completely available he will evade the alluring call of a third Lions tour. Love him or hate him, the man is a class act.
He should have been one of the world's greatest sporting figures except he was notoriously hampered by injuries and the bulk of his career has been plighted by his extensive injury list. A moment that sums him up manifested in the Saracens Toulon Heineken Cup Semi. Wilko dropped into the pocket during the last 5 minutes of the game, evaded Owen Farrell's last ditch attempt to smother his drop at goal. While still getting his kick away, he was felled by the young England fly-half, and on the ground the two players propped their heads up to learn the fate of the ball. When it became apparent that it would pass through the posts to put the French side out of sight, a dejected Farrell received a genuine consoling pat on the back from Wilkinson , before the rest of the Toulon players ripped him off the ground to congratulate their talisman on slotting, what would be, the winning score. He'd be perfect for the Lions tour. He could come on after an hour to close out tight games, and secure leads established by Jonathan Sexton.

So what does the rest of the selections mean? Austin Healey tweeted 'crash, bang and wallop....route one Aussies now know what to expect'. Admittedly, the Lions selection committee seemed to have opted for muscle and belligerence. Why not though, Australia seem vulnerable to the aggressive approach, Ireland proved this in the  2011 World Cup when they bossed the Aussie forwards and shut down Quade Cooper and his backs. Time will tell how the journey, starting in Hong Kong don't forget, will pan out. No doubt a myriad of different theories and strategies will emerge from now until then on who to play in what position, (probably mainly concerning the back row) and who will start the Test matches. Lets just pray now that there is no injuries or suspensions (remember Alan Quinlan in 2009?) in the remaining fixtures of the domestic and European season.