Former England star Will Greenwood has picked his Lions XV ahead of the Six Nations – and ignored any Welshmen.
Greenwood, now a TV pundit and columnist, has blanked Wales by not including a single pick in his team to face New Zealand this summer, based on current form.
Instead, the former Lions centre on the 1997 tour has gone for eight English players, five Irishmen, and two Scots.
It means no place for any in-form Wales players this season, such as Liam Williams, Alun Wyn Jones or Gethin Jenkins.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Greenwood says: “My views are based on the need to score 30 to 35 points per Test match to win a game in New Zealand.
“I have considered many things – past form, Lions experience, current injuries, European progress, domestic dominance, durability, character, handling ability, bloody-mindedness.
“I have also tried to look outside the box. I have tried to find an uncapped Lion. We don’t win many series – so look everywhere, don’t follow the pack.
“In 2013 I picked nine Welshmen at this stage – come Sydney 2013 there were 13. In 2009 I picked one Englishman. Many things can and will change in four months; that aside, these players are the ones I would select to take on the All Blacks.”
Greenwood has picked Scotland’s Stuart Hogg at full-back, ahead of either of Wales’ alternatives, Leigh Halfpenny and Williams.
On the wings, he goes for England’s Anthony Watson and Ireland’s uncapped Leinster wing Adam Bryne, who was left out of coach Joe Schmidt’s Six Nations squad. George North gets a mention in passing.
Greenwood’s centres are Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw and England’s Jonathan Joseph – ahead of Welsh trio Jamie Roberts, Scott Williams or Jonathan Davies.
His half-backs are Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray and England fly-half Owen Farrell, with an honourable mention for Rhys Webb of Wales as a possible alternative if he can stay fit.
In his pack, Greenwood has gone for Mako Vunipola of England at loose-head prop – even though he is currently injured – and his red rose teammate Dylan Hartley at hooker.
His tight-head is Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong, who he gives the nod to ahead of Wales’ Samson Lee.
No Alun Wyn Jones in the second row – although Grenwood says not picking the Wales captain almost made him cry. Instead, he dries his tears and goes for England’s Maro Itoje and Scotland’s Johnny Gray.
The Greenwood back row overlooks Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric and the currently injured Taulupe Faletau. In their place, he selects CJ Stander of Ireland and England’s James Haskell as his flankers, with Billy Vunipola of England at No.8.
Will Greenwood’s Lions XV: Stuart Hogg (Sco), Anthony Watson (Eng), Jonathan Joseph (Eng), Robbie Henshaw (Ire), Adam Byrne (Ire); Owen Farrell (Eng), Conor Murray (Ire); Mako Vunipola (Eng), Dylan Hartley (Eng), Tadhg Furlong (Ire), Maro Itoje (Eng), Johnny Gray (Sco), CJ Stander (Ire), James Haskell (Eng), Billy Vuniploa (Eng).
