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Robin Heymann

First we had all the pre-British Lions selection debate. Now that the players to hit South Africa have been announced, there’s been a further monotonous cross-examination of who should and shouldn’t have received a golden ticket...

We at UR7s are a bit bored of it to be honest, so we thought why not stoke a new angle to proceedings and pick a possible Lions 7s team from Ian ‘Geech’ McGeechan’s squad. But wait - there’s more for you 7s fans….we have also picked a ‘Nearly Men 7' on guys who were on the periphery of the Lions and were in the various 6 Nations squads….so who would win?

Lions VII

Prop - Andy Powell

The monstrous Powell has represented Wales in the IRB Sevens before bringing the necessary nous in what is a very different game. A centre in his school days, he often gives the impression he fancies himself as a bit of a back - always keeping the pill alive, an ability to change direction and some decent-ish pace.

Hooker - Martin Williams

He may be 33 but his engine is in the best nick it’s been in for a while and who doesn’t love the ‘nugget’?! First to pounce on loose ball, a decent link man and everyone knows his ‘grappleability’ prowess at the breakdown.

Prop - Ugo Monye

Would be a cardinal error to leave the quickest man in the squad out plus he has plenty of sevens under his belt with England. Such is the luxury that I have been afforded here, I felt it might be fun to use that grandiose muscular frame of ‘Ugs’ to do an explosive job in the forwards. He would also pull on some dishonest skinned sevens stash with relish.

Scrum Half - Harry Ellis

Ticks a lot of sevens boxes. Obvious passing ability will spread the play nicely for this unit. He punches above his weight physically and a solid defense means he could cover the role of sweeper with no problems. Darting runs and support play makes him a tasty prospect.

Fly-Half - Ricki Flutey

Kiwi born, Flutes can play the puppeteer at First 5/8, with great hands and an eye for a hole. An uncanny ability to support and attack from depth when play becomes disjointed and some of the most adept feet in the squad.

Centre - Keith Earls

The Munster livewire is the obvious selection bolter. Cracking acceleration and quick feet on the hard grounds one encounters on the sevens circuit is ideal for the lad. Despite his size he doesn’t seem to shirk defensive responsibilities.

Wing - Tommy Bowe

A bit left-field, this choice, but the Irish whippersnapper has the finishing ability to get him a bucket-load of points. Aligning with the physicality of modern-day sevens, his 15 stone bulk will slip through any flimsy tackles and will be sure to provide some decent Irish craic on a 7s tour.

 Subs

Jamie Roberts – Arguably unlucky not to start with his experience with the Welsh at the Adelaide/Hong Kong 7s.

Shane Williams – Short of form hence benched but the IRB Player of the year is frightening 7s prospect with all the required tools. Can you imagine how a knackered opponent will feel to see the Welsh wizard coming on. Play him at 9?!

Nathan Hines – Ummm ok this selection was under the mantra that it’s the unofficial rules that you have to include a few token Scots in your Lions squad, whether it be XVs or VIIs. Expect the wily 32-year old to don a bib for a large dose of water-carrying duties.

Notable Absentees: Yep I did the unthinkable - I left out the GOD that is BOD. Sure, O’Driscoll will be a key cog in the hard nosed steamy furnace of Loftus Versfeld for the Lions XV, but does he have the creativity or the after-burners that he had in 2001 for the 7s environment? Umm.. No. The bulky youth of Halfpenny could maybe have done a job and Heaslip would be elusive and springy and has the ability to jazz dance round defenders. Kearney and Byrne arguably unlucky.

 Nearly Men 7

Prop - Tom Croft

The most high profile omission form the Lions was born to do a job on a 7s pitch. Blistering pace, superb athleticism and fitness make him a frightening prospect. Experience with England 7s has helped him develop into the player we see now.

Hooker - Josh Lewsey

Like Croft, a reserve for the Lions but for me he starts every time in this squad. With a fountain of rugby knowledge, Commonwealth Games 7s experience, plus an adaptability to play in numerous positions he could be crucial. Strength and power means he could step up to the forwards with ease.

Prop –  Gavin Henson

Yeah ok… I’m picking backs as forwards…but it’s all part of the cunning plan to stash this side full of free-running backs to run the bulky Lions VII off their feet. Injuries, St Tropez Tanning and Red Dax Wax aside, Henson’s defense, creativity and ability at the breakdown would be a genuine asset at the shortened game.

Scrum Half - Ben Foden

One of the English Premiership’s players of the year with a wealth of 7s experience nurtured on the elite invitational and IRB circuit make the Northampton man an ideal sevens prototype. Acceleration, a cracking pass and surprising power will make him a genuine handful for the Lions VII.

Fly Half - James Hook

With three years of experience with Wales in the IRB series, Hook has proved that at the highest level of both 7s and 15 he is no mug. The ability to spread the play with fizzing, rangy passes will be key for this bunch, as will slotting important conversions. A playmate for our Gavin on ‘tour’ too.

Centre - Matthew Tait

Came of age and on to the rugby public radar when he excelled at the 2006 Commonwealth Games lacerating both the Fijians and Kiwi’s lines with some scything runs. Want this squad in pristine stash so will put a veto on those nasty purple cycling shorts he sometimes dons.

Wing - Thom Evans

Impressed in the 6 Nations with his raw pace giving him the greatest sevens commodity. This Wellington College alumni has 7s in his DNA and a host of Ruck 'n Roll stories from his boy band days to keep the boys amused off the pitch.

Subs

Max Evans – Can fit in at centre or scrum half on a 7s pitch and was a shining light for Scotland in the IRB series for a couple of years. Deceptive strength.

James Haskell – 2008/9 won’t go down as his finest year but it was only a while ago that Haskell was cutting his teeth so successfully with England 7s. Will relish rejoining his old pals, the Evans brothers, whom he recently described as ‘disgustingly good looking’ in a newspaper column.

Nick Kennedy – If Nathan Hines gets the nod it’s only fair if Kennedy goes on tour too. Sevens is meant to be fun too - Kennedy’s vast experience and love for social overseas 7s make him a shoe-in for sure, read this… http://ur7s.com/tournaments/cernusco7

Notable absentees: Some tight calls… Delon Armitage must be sick in the stomach. Not only did he miss out on selection for South Africa but UR7s has completely dissed him too. Tough crowd. No Irish in this particular squad but the wily Geordon Murphy would have added some high octane je ne sais quoi. Danny Care can class himself unlucky, having been known to tear it up in 7s in the past. Tom Rees’ tireless work-rate would stand out in this format too – but controversially Kennedy gets the nod!?!

UR7s Verdict:

Critics might argue that the Nearly Men might have had a larger base of players to pick from but, let's be honest, I think they would ultimately have far too much in their sevens locker than the Lions. With the right conditions I reckon they would be too fast and too skillful and posess the better 7s nous.

What do you think? Think you could pick a better team? Join the discussion on the UR7s forum now and have your say!