"Farrell will play 12" - Brian O'Driscoll selects his Lions XV

The veteran of four Lions tours, spoke to

Off The Ball

about the makeup of the XV for the first match on the tour.

O'Driscoll said: "Hopefully he'll (Hogg) get the chance to play in a Lions test match, so hard done by with that facial injury caught from Conor Murray last time.

"He's made for that fast ground and his overall game looks pretty outstanding."

Did you know? Hogg gained 3,289 metres in his Six Nations career, more than any other player in the tournament since 2000

O'Driscoll said: "I think you've got to have a kicking game at 12 or 13 - I think Farrell will play 12.

"Right now, if they are playing South Africa next week, it is Farrell and Henshaw for me in the centre."

Did you know? Farrell has scored 1050 points during his Test career, only four men have scored more in international rugby.

O'Driscoll said: "He is probably the form 10 in more recent months. There's a security with Dan Biggar that he doesn't have those really loose moments that can be catastrophic."

O'Driscoll said: "George has to find some match fitness, I'm sure he'll be training bloody hard.

"He has a big engine, a dynamism to his carrying, that I don't know Ken Owens possesses."

O'Driscoll said: "The second-row pairing picks itself. Alun-Wyn Jones as captain and Maro Itoje playing alongside."

Did you know? The Welsh captain has won 9 Lions Test caps - more than any other player in the professional era.

O'Driscoll said: "Tipuric has been on three Lions tours now, he is kind of a silent assassin. He is this brilliant facilitator to being able to enhance the original Warrenball game. He can marry the grunt up front with the silkiness of backs. I've always loved being in the same team as him.

"He's scored and set up some magical tries. Any seven that is capable of the style of seamless chip-kicking and regathering - it says a lot about his footballing ability."