The men likely to make the Lions team

Fullback (3)

Rob Kearney (Ireland)

Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)

Ben Foden (England)

If Kearney regains his fitness and form then, with his experience of ’09 in South Africa, he goes, as does Halfpenny (not least for his versatility and goalkicking). But Ben Foden, like Kearney, is class.

Wing (4)

George North (Wales)

Tommy Bowe (Ireland)

Alex Cuthbert (Wales)

Tim Visser (Scotland)

Chris Ashton could yet be hard to ignore, and either Charlie Sharples or James Simpson-Daniel might yet be hard to resist, while there could be an Irish bolter yet in Simon Zebo or Craig Gilroy.

Centre (4)

Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)

Jonathan Davies (Wales) Jamie Roberts (Wales)

Brad Barritt (England)

O’Driscoll is pencilled in on the premise that Gatland, who gave him his debut and worked with him again three years ago, will assuredly be doing so as well. Roberts needs to regain some form, Manu Tuilagi would be irresistible if he ever develops a creative game, but if there’s a centre-wing option, Scott Williams always steps in seamlessly for Wales.

Outhalf (3)

Jonathan Sexton (Ireland) Jonny Wilkinson (England) Owen Farrell (England)

With a limit on numbers, there seems sure to be a slot for a goalkicking outhalf cum centre ala James Hook in ’09, but this time that might be filled by Farrell. Confidence at a low ebb and the primary target of a critical Welsh social media, Rhys Priestland will need to be rebuilt. Wilkinson runs the risk of attracting a media circus, but if he maintains his form with Toulon he may be impossible to resist. A certain Cork man can’t be ruled out entirely either.

Scrumhalf (3)

Ben Youngs (England)

Mike Phillips (Wales)

Conor Murray (Ireland)

Danny Care could yet edge out the classy Youngs (two feisty diminutive English scrumhalves might be one too many) and there’s a long line of would-be contenders, Tavis Knoyle, Chris Cusiter etc, with Phillips picked more on past achievements than a continually faltering career, and Murray on the promise now coming to fruition again.

Prop (5)

Cian Healy (Ireland)

Alex Corbisiero (England)

Adam Jones (Wales)

Dan Cole (England)

Paul James (Wales)

James might go as a prop who can pack down on both sides, while Gethin Jenkins and his Toulon team-mate Andrew Sheridan could miss out in part due to French club commitments, leaving room for Corbisiero.

Hookers (3)

Dylan Hartley (England)

Richardt Strauss (Ireland)

Richard Hibbard (Wales)

Hartley is not picked for his cuddly personality, obviously, and in a particularly fluid position, two Irish hookers in Strauss and Rory Best is not beyond the bounds, with Tom Youngs another strong candidate.

Lock (4)

Luke Charteris (Wales)

Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales)

Courtney Lawes (England)

Richie Gray (Scotland).

If Donnacha Ryan’s career graph keeps on the upward incline of the last year he’ll be hard to resist, though it’s perhaps hard to see no English lock, and Geoff Parling is another strong contender. Paul O’Connell is omitted on the premise that he has ruled himself out, but if back to his best come June he’ll assuredly go.

Flanker (5)

Sam Warburton (Wales)

Justin Tipuric (Wales)

Seán O’Brien (Ireland)

Tom Wood (England)

Stephen Ferris (Ireland)

The most competitive area by far, though with injury clouds or form issues hanging over a host of them. Ferris is picked on trust in that injury-prone body but, again, if at his best, could not be resisted. Dan Lydiate, out till March/April, won’t have time on his side, while Tom Croft could re-emerge in the New Year, Chris Robshaw could undoubtedly force his way in and a lock/backrow utility bolter could be Aaron Shingler. Ross Rennie is one of Scotland’s stronger contenders.

No Eight (2)

Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)

Ben Morgan (England)

Morgan could add more to his game, but they’ll want one big ball-carrying number eight. Like Scotland, David Denton flatters to deceive, and Toby Faletau is but a shadow of the World Cup and Slam star.