Lions Squad Announced

[MGW]

From:

bbc.co.uk

Full-back

Lee Byrne (28) Ospreys and Wales

Rob Kearney (23) Leinster and Ireland

Wing

Shane Williams (32) Ospreys and Wales

Leigh Halfpenny (20) Cardiff Blues and Wales

Ugo Monye (26) Harlequins and England

Luke Fitzgerald (21) Leinster and Ireland

Tommy Bowe (25) Ospreys and Ireland

Centres

Tom Shanklin (29) Cardiff Blues and Wales

Jamie Roberts (22) Cardiff Blues and Wales

Brian O'Driscoll (30) Leinster and Ireland

Keith Earls (21) Munster and Ireland

Riki Flutey (29) Wasps and England

Fly-half

Stephen Jones (31) Llanelli Scarlets and Wales

Ronan O'Gara (32) Munster and Ireland

Scrum-half

Mike Phillips (26) Ospreys and Wales

Harry Ellis (26) Leicester and England

Tomas O'Leary (25) Munster and Ireland

Prop

Gethin Jenkins (28) Cardiff Blues and Wales

Adam Jones (28) Ospreys and Wales

Andrew Sheridan(29) Sale and England

Phil Vickery (33) Wasps and England

Euan Murray (28) Northampton and Scotland

Hooker

Jerry Flannery (30) Munster and Ireland

Lee Mears (30) Bath and England

Matthew Rees (28) Llanelli Scarlets and Wales

Lock

Paul O'Connell, capt (29) Munster and Ireland

Alun Wyn Jones (23) Ospreys and Wales

Donncha O'Callaghan (30) Munster and Ireland

Nathan Hines (32) Perpignan and Scotland

Simon Shaw (35) Wasps and England

Back-row

Andy Powell (27) Cardiff Blues and Wales

Jamie Heaslip (25) Leinster and Ireland

Alan Quinlan (34) Munster and Ireland

Martyn Williams (33) Cardiff Blues and Wales

David Wallace (32) Munster and Ireland

Joe Worsley (31) Wasps and England

Stephen Ferris (23) Ulster and Ireland

I'm really suprised that Ryan Jones hasn't gone. I knew he woudn't be captain, but I was sure he'd go. He's had a bad season, but I'd have taken him over Joe Worsley. The other suprise for me is Leigh Halfpenny making the squad. thats a big shock for me

O'Connell is Captain as expected, and I think thats the right decision. He's been immense this season for club and country

[Farmer Reil]

I guess I can see the reasoning behind dropping Jones; I wouldn't have done it, but then...

The real shocker in my opinion is Keith Earls. He's managed one whole cap for Ireland, and now he's suddenly better than the likes of Max Evans? (surely he should get in by virtue of being Scottish and good at the same time?)

[METALMAN]

lol two Scots.

...

Cannot see myself lending my support due to that. Bet they're gutted.

[MGW]

The problem is, that where the Scits have their strong players, like Max Evans, Chris Patterson and Mike Blair, there are players for Ireland, Wales or England who are better and more experienced.

Evans probably would have made my list, but while Earls has had one Ireland cap, he's had a cracking season at Munster.