The British & Irish Lions team to face the Springboks in the 1st Test at the ASBA Stadium in Durban on Saturday is as follows:

15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)
10. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
9. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)

8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)
7. David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
6. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England)
5. Paul O'Connell (Munster/Ireland) Captain
4. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
3. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
2. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales)

Replacements

16. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
17. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
18. Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster/Ireland)
19. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
20. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
21. Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland)
22. Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland)

So, the speculation is over and the team is in the wild. Our predictions for the starting XV were spot on and the only places where Geech and POL disagreed was Kearney over Fitzgerald and O'Callaghan over Hines.

Paul O'Connell captains the side from lock as expected, while the half back pairing of Stephen Jones and Mike Phillips ends speculation that Ronan O'Gara could have pushed his case enough to warrant test team selection. The hotly contested no.7 shirt falls to David Wallace and Ugo Monye's performances to date have pushed him ahead of competitors Luke Fitzgerald, Shane Williams and even Rob Kearney.

The bench consists of a 4/3 split between forwards and backs with Welsh front row duo Rees and Jones pipping Sheridan and Ford to the post. The 22-man squad consists of 9 Welshman, 8 Irish and 5 Englishmen. No Scots have been selected. Euan Murray who was hotly tipped to be part of the squad has been rules out due to a sprained ankle sustained in the match against the Southern Kings on Tuesday.

Nathan Hines will also feel exceptionally unlucky to have missed out after a number of barnstorming performances in the 2nd row. Perhaps the surprise selection across the 22 is Donncha O'Callaghan on the bench. Most agreed that both Shaw and Hines had done more than the Munsterman, although his performance on Tuesday obviously thrust him into contention.

Other big losers are Fitzgerald who offers cover at centre, Andrew Sheridan who despite being labelled the most destructive scrummager in the NH by Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske is left out of the entire 22.

Geech and co. have chosen to go for very few wildcards in a team that to most has appeared to be relatively settled for some days now. Speaking to the media following the announcement, the head coach said, "The Test team has been picked on form following the six provincial matches. There were some very difficult calls to make as the players as a group and individually have done everything that we have asked of them and performed on the field."

"The preparation for the First Test has been very positive. It has been a challenge to reach the First Test with an unbeaten record as we have played a variety of provincial teams across the country."

"This challenge is a unique one in the modern rugby calendar in that it comes only in a Lions context these days. The players have had to adapt to preparing and playing more frequently. They have answered that challenge."

"It has been 20 years since a Lions team has won all of its' provincial matches leading up to the Test series so it is very satisfying to be in such a position. The entire squad and the management have worked hard to create an outstanding team environment. Everyone has done this very professionally and it is fair to say that I would not change anything that we have done so far."

"Playing South Africa on its home soil is one of the ultimate challenges for the British & Irish Lions,” added Davies, who was a victorious Lion in New Zealand 38 years ago. South Africa also happen to be world champions which adds an extra edge to the series, just as it did in 1997."

"The tradition between the Lions and the Springboks is legendary and after the six lead up provincial matches the rugby world is waiting with great anticipation for the First Test in Durban this Saturday."

Geech has stuck to his word and selected on form. None of the players involved could be considered to have been off form, and while there were contentious decisions to be made for the 11, 4, 10 and particularly 7 shirt, all the players selected have performed well.

The 1st Test will KO in Durban at the ASBA Stadium, otherwise known as Kings Park, on Saturday at 2pm BST.