Who to fill the number 10 jersey?
One position in the Lions squad has encountered more discussion and arguments than any other this year - fly half.
The first test against the Barbarians saw Saracens and England number 10, Owen Farrell, start in the first XV ahead of favourite Jonathan Sexton. Farrell had a good game despite some incidents that involved his bad temperament. Scoring 15 points in his first Lions test match with 3 successful conversions and penalties, the young fly half can be pleased although not fully satisfied with his performance.
Irish fly half, Sexton, came off the bench in the second half and successfully converted two conversions out of four. One feels that the Leinster man, who received the Man of the Match award in the Amlin Cup final only a couple of weeks ago, did not get a real chance to show his potential as a starting Lion.
Many have questioned Gatland's decision of only taking two out and out fly halves to Australia. With neither Sexton nor Farrell providing the team with a stand-out performance against the Baa-baas this questioning has become even more ferocious. The rugby world should not jump to any extremes and begin to question the ability of both Sexton and Farrell to carry out their duties because they are very much capable to do so, or Gatland would not have chosen them to join the most prestigious team in world rugby. We should certainly not mutter the words that have been jumping out of the mouths of English reporters and supporters since the Lions team was announced in April - Jonathan Wilkinson.
Their are other potential kickers within the squad in the likes of full backs Leigh Halfpenny and Stuart Hogg. Halfpenny has shown throughout both the 2012 and 2013 Six Nation Championships that he is more than capable of taking on the role of fly half. Hogg, however, has never played fly-half yet Gatland has stated that he might play the Scott in the number 10 position. Rob Carney, another fullback, could be an option if both Sexton and Farrell do not find form.
Was taking only two fly halves a risk - most certainly. However, we could sit here all day discussing whether the risk will pay off. The only way we will be able to judge it as a success or not is when the Lions take to the field in their first test against Australia. One thing is for sure and that is the English press will most certainly compare all fly half performances to Wilkinson. This is definitely what they should not do. For whatever reason, Wilkinson is not on the tour and we should embrace this and focus on new talent as the Lions move forward and try to shake the sixteen year loosing streak that has haunted them since their last tour victory in 1997. Be it Sexton, Farrell, Halfpenny or Hog the Lions are more than capable of filling the number ten jersey with acceptable talent.
The first test against the Barbarians saw Saracens and England number 10, Owen Farrell, start in the first XV ahead of favourite Jonathan Sexton. Farrell had a good game despite some incidents that involved his bad temperament. Scoring 15 points in his first Lions test match with 3 successful conversions and penalties, the young fly half can be pleased although not fully satisfied with his performance.
Irish fly half, Sexton, came off the bench in the second half and successfully converted two conversions out of four. One feels that the Leinster man, who received the Man of the Match award in the Amlin Cup final only a couple of weeks ago, did not get a real chance to show his potential as a starting Lion.
Many have questioned Gatland's decision of only taking two out and out fly halves to Australia. With neither Sexton nor Farrell providing the team with a stand-out performance against the Baa-baas this questioning has become even more ferocious. The rugby world should not jump to any extremes and begin to question the ability of both Sexton and Farrell to carry out their duties because they are very much capable to do so, or Gatland would not have chosen them to join the most prestigious team in world rugby. We should certainly not mutter the words that have been jumping out of the mouths of English reporters and supporters since the Lions team was announced in April - Jonathan Wilkinson.
Their are other potential kickers within the squad in the likes of full backs Leigh Halfpenny and Stuart Hogg. Halfpenny has shown throughout both the 2012 and 2013 Six Nation Championships that he is more than capable of taking on the role of fly half. Hogg, however, has never played fly-half yet Gatland has stated that he might play the Scott in the number 10 position. Rob Carney, another fullback, could be an option if both Sexton and Farrell do not find form.
Was taking only two fly halves a risk - most certainly. However, we could sit here all day discussing whether the risk will pay off. The only way we will be able to judge it as a success or not is when the Lions take to the field in their first test against Australia. One thing is for sure and that is the English press will most certainly compare all fly half performances to Wilkinson. This is definitely what they should not do. For whatever reason, Wilkinson is not on the tour and we should embrace this and focus on new talent as the Lions move forward and try to shake the sixteen year loosing streak that has haunted them since their last tour victory in 1997. Be it Sexton, Farrell, Halfpenny or Hog the Lions are more than capable of filling the number ten jersey with acceptable talent.
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