Lion Hunting #3 - Half-backs

It would be fair to say that there is not a huge wealth of talent in the half-back positions in the Home Nations at the moment (Despite Owen Farrell's bizarre inclusion in the IRB's player of the year shortlist). All four nations are going through an uncertain period as to the selection of at least one of these positions. England are still looking for Jonny Wilkinson's long-term replacement and are rotating their scrum-halves, Wales are also going through a post-Stephen Jones transition phase, there is great debate in Ireland about the scrum-half position and Scotland haven't quite figured out which half-back plays where yet. Gatland's (and myself for that matter) got a task on his hand hands sorting this lot out.

Fly-half

The only player who has his international spot set in stone is Ireland's Johnny Sexton. Sexton consistently performs excellently at provincial level with Leinster and although he doesn't transfer his match-winning performances to international level very often he is still a very solid player. He kicks his goals, kicks well out of hand and is adequate in defense. He may not be the most exciting selection but he certainly has the ability to dictate a game and that is the attribute that is what is most needed to be a Lions fly-half. Also the fact that he has no credible competition helps.

England's number one fly-half at the moment is Toby Flood. He offers a fair bit in attack as he attacks the gain line well and adds pace to the game but he is weak defensively and prone to underperforming under pressure. To play for the Lions nerves of steel are a must and that is something Flood's current understudy Owen Farrell has in abundance. Farrell is something of a polar opposite to Flood. Farrell makes up for what he lacks in attacking ability with defensive solidity and superb kicking. A team with Farrell in may have to play a very limited game but at least Farrell plays this game very well. We saw Farrell at his best against the All Blacks where he did nothing special but the simple things very well and England thrived on playing a very direct game that had reminisces of the World Cup winning England of 2003. This why i would take Farrell to Australia ahead of Flood. 

My third choice fly-half would be Wales' James Hook because of his playmaking ability and versatility. Rhys Priestland, Wales' number one 10, doesn't make the cut because of his poor recent form and neither do any of Scotland's scrum-half come fly-haves for obvious reasons. Freddie Burns who is playing well at club level for Gloucester could be a possible bolter if he breaks into the English team in the Six Nations.

Scrum-half

Scrum half is a position that normally seems to go to the Welsh guy (Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel on the last two tours) and for me this tradition continues into 2013. Yes, I know Phillips is not playing particularly well but for me he's the man for the job. We must remember who the Lions are playing next Summer. They're playing the Wallabies who happen to have the best scrum-half in the world right now in Will Genia. The Lions need someone who can deal with Genia who will most definitely be sniping around the rucks at every opportunity. It could be said that if you stop Genia you stop the Wallabies because he is their main source of creativity. At least Phillips can stand up to Genia physically. He also controls the game very well which is crucial and he certainly hasn't been the source of all Wales' problems recently.

I pick Danny Care over Ben Youngs as my reserve scrum-half because I believe that Care controls the game better, something that Youngs is very poor at, and also he is more aggresive which will be key against Genia. Youngs is probably a better runner but in my opinion that is the only aspect of the game which he is better at than Care. Conor Murray Ireland's scrum-half isn't really in contention in my book because he isn't even Ireland's best scrum-half and Eoin Reddan is an outsider.

Fly-half : Sexton
Backup : Hook, Farrell

Scrum-half : Phillips
Backup : Care, Youngs