Right on cue, controversial rugby journo Stephen Jones has given us his current choice for a Lions 23, and it does not disappoint.
Irish fans in particular love to hate The Times writer, and derive much glee from taking to social media and raging against his opinions.
His selection features a few strange choices, particularly from an Irish perspective, with six English players in the starting pack and just two Irish.
Stephen Jones Ignores Some Of Ireland's Best Performers
Missing on selection completely are probably Ireland's two most consistently world class forwards - Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Beirne - while the out-of-sorts Tadhg Furlong starts at tight head.
Robbie Henshaw makes it ahead of World Player of the Year nominee Bundee Aki, with Josh van der Flier, Garry Ringrose, and Hugo Keenan joining him in the starting XV.
Caelan Doris is on the bench, making room for the most bizarre selection in the team, the one-time capped Tom Willis.
"So here is my Lions squad if the first Test was on Saturday — although when the real thing comes around it would be good to have a stronger group at our disposal," Jones said.
"You’d hope that there will be a surge of rising centres and props in time for Australia. No offence to my choices but the Robbie Henshaw-Garry Ringrose duo needs to be pushed and Tadhg Furlong, the great prop, is becoming prone to injury niggles.
"Two all-time greats, Courtney Lawes and Taulupe Faletau, would be great for this week but lucky to get on the trip in 2025."
READ HERE: Andy Farrell Boosts Owen Farrell's Lions Hopes With Latest Comments
Insert <my eyes, the goggles do nothing> gif. pic.twitter.com/iQ8mdAqYfD
— Paddy O'Brien (@Paddy__Paddy) January 12, 2024
"You would think, however, that the mighty George Martin, of England, and the elongated Joe McCarthy, of Ireland, would develop into a handy unit at second row," Jones added.
"My choice of Ben Spencer at scrum half reflects that the crop of starters in the World Cup at that position includes some veterans, and also that Spencer’s outstanding all-round game is handy on any tour."
Thankfully, nobody with similar ideas to Jones will have any say in the picking of the Lions squad and match day 23s.
SEE ALSO: Donal Lenihan Pinpoints Two Ways Andy Farrell's Lions Appointment Will Benefit Ireland
