Lions Tour speculation cranks up

The master of firestoking has done it again. Sunday Times and Rugby Writer of the Year, Stephen Jones, has got the ball in court with his prospective selection of the British and Irish Lions Tour Party.

This was selected as though the tour was about to take place and assuming full fitness and top form.

The 44-man squad includes 19 English, 10 Irish, 9 Welsh and 6 Scots. It assumes that players such as Martin Johnson, Rob Howley and Bryan Redpath are available for selection.

Full Back/Wings
Jason Robinson (E), Chris Paterson (S), Gareth Thomas (W), Geordan Murphy (I), Ben Cohen (E), Shane Williams (W), Simon Danielli (S), Tom Voyce (E)
Centres
Mike Tindall (E), Brian O’Driscoll (I), Gordon D’Arcy (I), Gavin Henson W), Will Greenwood (E)
Out-Halves
Jonny Wilkinson (E), Charlie Hodgson (E), Stephen Jones (W)
Scrum-Halves
Rob Howley (W), Andy Gomarsall (E), Bryan Redpath (S), Gareth Cooper (W)
Props
Trevor Woodman (E), Gethin Jenkins (W), Phil Vickery (E), Julian White (E), Marcus Horan (I), Tim Payne (E)
Hookers
Robin McBryde (W), Steve Thompson (E), Frankie Sheahan (I), Gordon Bulloch (S)
Locks
Martin Johnson (E), Ben Kay (E), Simon Shaw (E), Donncha O’Callaghan (I), Paul O’Connell (I)
Flankers
Johnny O’Connor (I), Keith Gleeson (I), Richard Hill (E), Simon Easterby (I), Joe Worsley (E), Colin Charvis (W), Jason White (S)
No 8
Lawrence Dallaglio (E), Simon Taylor (S)
Now that the blue touch paper has been lit, the message board awaits all of you with things to get off your chest or other forms of group therapy!