The World Cup still have another week to run, but with no European side reaching the semi finals, the focus in some quarters has already turned to the Lions tour of 2017.
Former Lions winning head coach Ian McGeechan and Steve James from the Daily Telegraph have picked a Lions XV for the first test against New Zealand based solely on World Cup performances. While the exercise seems futile due to the criteria and length from the game, it is worth noting that Ireland have the smallest amount of representatives in the team with only two players. In the 2013 test series against Australia, Ireland provided seven players.
The two players picked were Cian Healy and Rory Best. Both men were on the 2013 tour of Australia. Healy left the tour after two games due to injury, while Best was never selected for the Test squad. While only two players make the team, players such Rob Henshaw, Johnny Sexton, Jack McGrath and Sean O'Brien were mentioned as contenders.
The team keeps Sam Warburton as captain and includes seven Welsh, four Scots, two Irish and two English players.
15. Mike Brown (England)
14. Anthony Watson (England)
13. Mark Bennett (Scotland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Wales)
11. George North (Wales)
10. Dan Biggar (Wales)
9. Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)
1. Cian Healy (Ireland)
2. Rory Best (Ireland)
3. WP Nel (Scotland)
4. Richie Gray (Scotland)
5. Alun Wyn-Jones (Wales)
6. Dan Lydiate (Wales)
7. Sam Warburton (Wales)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
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