Who are the nailed on fly-halves for the Lions? Jonathan Sexton, sure; Owen Farrell, probably; Dan Biggar, maybe; Jonny Wilkinson, why not?
I'm writing this after seeing Toulon beat Toulouse in a deserved victory that puts them back on top of the French table after briefly falling to second spot.
Before jumping into how Wilkinson fared in the game, I'd just like to cast minds back to July 14, 2001 and Sydney, the day Australia made it 2-1.
A picture has stuck in the mind since that third-Test defeat and that is of Wilkinson sat on the changing room floor distraught after losing the series while his team-mates picked themselves up - after being in a similar state - to go and thank the fans. It was clear Wilkinson was cut deep.
In 2003 he was back Down Under to bury that demon somewhat with a RWC win, which visibly lifted a weight that had hovered over him during his early career. As Lawrence Dallaglio revealed afterwards, Wilkinson seemed under huge pressure throughout the tournament.
Despite the Webb Ellis win, 2001 remains a sore point for many English Lions followers and if Wilkinson's commitment is anything to go by, losing that series is surely stored in his mental locker for fuel. If you haven't guessed, I feel he should be given an outlet 12 years on.
On Saturday in club colours, Wilkinson again showed just what a weapon he could be later this year. Not firing like he would have liked from the tee and with Toulon 19-16 up with ten minutes remaining, Wilkinson switched to the drop-goal, landing two to extend the arrears.
It is such calmness of thought that, surely, is one reason for head coach Warren Gatland to book him a seat on the plane. I mean, only last week in the Six Nations we had England's Owen Farrell eager to pick a fight throughout while Ronan O'Gara became something of a villain when Ireland desperately needed the veteran to be the hero coming off the bench.
There is the notion of picking two fly-halves who will battle it out for the Test jersey (at the moment Sexton and Farrell) with Wilkinson as the third. Why? His off-field presence in the touring party would surely be an asset to all squad members. Should Wilkinson not make the trip, only Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll (of course also selection pending) would have been in Australia 12 years previously. 2001 experience would be a handy tool in the Lions' box.
Of course this will divide opinion but with Gatland revealing in December that Wilkinson "is definitely one we are keeping an eye on", selection is by no means off the table. For now we can only speculate but judging from tonight's intelligent performance, I am sold. Are you?
By Adam Kyriacou
@PlanetRugbyAK
Comments
ClarKent says...
With a name like that, I can't assume Adam Kyriacou is an Englishman, but he displays the same traits, always hanging onto past glory instead of trying to re-write history. Wilkinson? like kryptonite to superman - better to encourage new talent; think ahead not back!
Posted 12:47 12th March 2013
dylbull says...
I'm South African and have always liked Wilkinson as a player, but no, he shouldn't go. You have 3 decent flyhalves in Sexton, Farrell and Flood.
For me personally I think Sexton edges it, he seems to be the most well-rounded number 10 and offers a bit of everything. I think he would be able to get the best out of a very exciting backline and some strong runners, Tuliagi, Visser, Cuthbert, North etc... I might be proven wrong, but I think the Lions forward pack is going to give him plenty of front foot ball so he will flourish, I also disagree that he goes missing in big games... But it will also depend on injuries.
Flood must go and in my opinion was better than Farrell against France, the kicking of Flood or Sexton shouldn't be a huge concern because I think Halfpenny should be the first choice Fullback.
That's my 2 cents, looking forward to a great tour
Posted 11:09 08th March 2013
powerplay says...
Take him! And use him to mentor the younger guys! If he does go, hell probably the only one in the whole squad ever to win WC.
Posted 07:55 07th March 2013
GoWalesGo says...
Sexton, Farrell and Wilkinson seems a pretty solid trio.
Looking through the options I wouldn't trust any of our boys bar maybe Hook as a utility back and the Scot 10's are terrible.
There aren't really other credible options from Ireland (ROG don't make me laugh) and England except for Flood i suppose, but i think Wilkinson would bring a lot more as a midweek player than he would.
Posted 12:01 05th March 2013
lawynd says...
@ABlack - interesting comments. I think you're selling Wilkinson a bit short personally, and the off-field hype he generates in Australia could work in the Lions' favour. That said, I think at this stage for myself it would be Sexton, Farrell and Flood as tourists at pivot.
Regarding your other comments, have you read the most recent 'Letter of the Week'? I think it highlights just why the obsession over the type of player in the number seven shirt is a little misplaced.
Posted 10:12 05th March 2013
Coshie78 says...
Agree with most that JW should not go on tour as a player...
Would love to see him go in some kind of coaching/mentoring role though...
Not that it would be possible.
However, the person who compared him to O'Gara needs to apologise, that is bang out of order. What has Wilkinson ever done to you?
Not even the most passionate one-eyed Irish supporter looking through green-tinted glasses could suggest O'Gara should even be mentioned in the same sentence!
Posted 09:40 05th March 2013
ABlack says...
JW is past it at test level anyway. Playing well for Toulon is one thing but going down to Aus and owning and bossing the game in 3 tests...???? cant see Johnny doing that game management very well for the Lions. He was very average against the AB's in 2005 so 8 years have past since and he is now 33. You do the math.
Sexton, Farrell, Flood would be my 3 picks as all can at least run a game quite well. If the Lions forwards get over the top of the Aussie forwards( highly doubtfull this will happen myself) then it will take the best No10 who can game manage the team around the park to get the best advantage of any dominance the forwards have achieved. Aussie has strengths in the backs and at openside that the Lions dont have so their No10 is going to be the best bet to win the series. Lots of ifs and buts... but thats Rugby.
Posted 21:40 04th March 2013
Heathy says...
For this Lions tour, as things stand, Sexton is the man. Past that there is a serious debate and both Farrell and Flood have decent shouts for different reasons. Past that we have nobody. O'Gara is we past his best and is in steep decline. Biggest just isn't up to the task and is, at the moment, barely just playing international rugby. He is a player for future years should he hold down a test spot. Therefore, due to the fact that Wilkinson is still class and is playing very well, he should be on that plane. Experience means a lot on tours like this and he has it in spades. One injury and Wilkinson will be needed. I'd rather him after Sexton than any other. For me it's quite simple, Sexton, Farrell and Wilkinson. It's a no-brainer.
Posted 18:31 04th March 2013
markpat says...
excuse the rushed typing the last post.
Posted 15:50 04th March 2013
markpat says...
I've said ages ago that I'd take him as my 3rd fly half and have him as my experience in the mid-week side for other to play around, ealving Sexton and Farrell as my test starters. Int eh event of injury, I'd rather push Wilkinson into the lineup than an unproven option like Biggar, or a poorer option in Flood.
Experience within the Lions squad has always been a key ingredient. In all honesty, you'd hope that your 3rd FH never see the light of day in the tests, otherwise we're in trouble whoever we take as they aren't in the same class, at the moment, as the first 2 options.
Posted 15:49 04th March 2013
Fonzarelli says...
@honestpom
Anyone who mentions Jonathan Davies jnr in the same breath as BOD is an idiot. The guy can't pass, usually won't pass, but worst of all sometimes actually tries to pass. He shouldn't even play for Wales.
Having a mixture of experience and youth is key for any good touring party. And as I see the touring party being dominated by relatively inexperienced characters (with no Lion's experiences) the older characters such as BOD and Wilko would be invaluable, even to just be on tour.
As for selection the touring squad now, lets not eh? So much rugby to be played, so many potential injuries to come. Lets get to end of May/ start of June and see 1. Who's fit and 2.Who is playing well.
Posted 14:32 04th March 2013
BWJC says...
Few Irish feathers ruffled here, most amusing!
I don't seem to recall Jonny losing us the 2001 series, but I do remember ROG single-handedly losing it for everyone in 2009
Much as I love Jonny, I can't see what favours going on this tour would do him. Course he'd be mad keen to go, but feels like a poisoned chalice, better to enjoy his last couple of playing years in the French sunshine.
Posted 14:02 04th March 2013
chubbylugs says...
@leinsterlion
what is the role of the 10 if he cant distribute the ball to the centres? does he have to run everything himself? surely you have contradicted yourself - he wont play a running game, but all he does is pass to 13? wtf
leinster_goy
so you base your selection partly on what happened 12 years ago?
dubliners clearly dont like jonny!
Posted 12:45 04th March 2013
deprop says...
I also think they should take Neil Back, Laurence Dallaglio, Martin Johnson and Stuart Barnes. Sure Oz would have no chance :) Excuse the levity but I can't help thinking this is an early April Fools joke. If not, then it's just a fool's joke.
Posted 08:21 04th March 2013
Upapalmtree says...
@astrophange - Cips? Ah hahaaa hhaahaahhaaa hah hahhhhaahahahah hahahahahahahahahahahahahahah hahahahaha ha. AAAAaaaaaahahahahahahahhahahahhahhahhahahah haha haha ha. Haaaaha hahaha. Sniff. sniff. wipes eyes. Made my morning that has.
Posted 00:03 04th March 2013
Spartacus says...
Why is Sexton viewed as such a certainty? Talented though he is, he goes missing against best teams. Wilkinson, Farrell and O'Gara all have a track record of stepping forward against the best teams.
Posted 23:17 03rd March 2013
Leinsterlion says...
He's essentially a carried around by his teammates and given an opportunity to kick points and penalties. He doesnt spark back moves and Toulon only allow him to pass to 13 and wider from set pieces. Toulon dont trust him to do anything in open play. His kicking range is gone, his pass isnt what it was, his tackles dont have the same thump, in essence he is a kicking shell. He's marginally superior to the equally shot O'Gara in that he can still tackle(not that O'Gara ever could).
Bringing Wilko would be an admission that the Lions are not going to use their backs as weapons and are looking to bludgeon and pick and rive the Australians to a loss. Any rugby pundit clamoring for Wilko to be selected, either doesnt watch Top14 or is so anti rugby they would be happy to watch rubbish so long as their team won. This is a terrible idea. Wilkinson is long finished.
Posted 14:42 03rd March 2013
Dafydd29 says...
Ok, he can kick goals - but that is the LAST reason to take him if Rugby is not going to degenarate into second class soccer. I often tell my friends that I do not watch soccer because NOT LOSING is more important than winning. Once rugby finally(?) drops to this level, the game has destroyed itself. Leave the old man at home (OK in Toulon) whose games I refuse to watch because you should not win games by using dirty players who should be on Old Age Pension.
Posted 13:22 03rd March 2013
lawynd says...
D'oh, one of those 'Flood's should read 'Wilkinson', obviously.
Posted 12:10 03rd March 2013
lawynd says...
@ben7 - why do none of those players 'deserve it', exactly? Whilst I'd be in favour of Flood as the third-choice on the plane, let us not forget that Flood in particular has been the England incumbent for quite some time, and is not a bad player in the slightest. If anything, he was better than Farrell against France for the time he was on the field!
Posted 12:09 03rd March 2013