Sir Ian McGeechan picks his Lions XV based 'on current form'

BACK-THREE:

• 15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland) - He's in outstanding form and he's confident. He's making fewer errors, he's good under the high ball and I think against South Africa you need players who can break the game up.
• 14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
• 11.  Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)

CENTRES:

• 13. Chris Harris (Scotland) -  I think Slade is there or thereabouts, but I think Harris on form over the two games should be there at outside centre
• 12. Owen Farrell (England) -  I would put him at inside centre because I think you also need a goal kicker in a Test team.

HALFBACKS:

• 10. Finn Russell (Scotland) - You've got to go for him. I think South Africa would be worried if they saw a Lions team with Finn Russell in it.
• 9. Ali Price (Scotland) - He's a natural link with Russell and he's got a good kicking game, but he's also quick and will have a go at forwards on the front foot. 

FRONT-ROW:

• 1. Wyn Jones (Wales) -  I think technically, scrummaging wise, he can be challenged a bit, but given the form of the current props, it was between him and Rory Sutherland.
• 2. George Turner (Scotland) - He carried well at the weekend. he tackles well and his game involvement is very high. I've been very impressed with him.
• 3. Kyle Sinckler (England) - He is good with ball in hand, so you've got all the bonus of a very good footballer in open play, but technically you've got a good tighthead as well.

SECOND-ROW:

• 4. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) - I think Beirne has had two good games for Ireland and I think he's benefited greatly from having Paul O'Connell on the coaching staff.
• 5. Maro Itoje (England) - He gave a lot of penalties away against Scotland which is back to what he was doing a couple of years back, but he was much better against Italy on Saturday

BACK-ROW:

• 6. Jamie Ritchie (Scotland) - Didn't play at the weekend, but he would be my frontline player.
• 7. Hamish Watson (Scotland) - The flanker is my openside, without a doubt. 
• 8. Taulupe Faletau (Wales) - He is my No 8. I thought he played well at the weekend, and the longer the game went on the better he got.

EDITORS PICKS:

• All Black legend Dan Carter ranks his five toughest opponents
• The current 36-man Lions squad, according to the bookies
• Piers Morgan picks his all-time greatest rugby XV
• Every Premiership club’s best player out of contract in 2021

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