There are many factors that coach Ian McGeechan will have to take into consideration before making his first selection. Even at this late stage of the season, many potential Test stars are still going at it full pelt with their club sides, which is bound to influence Geech’s thinking. With the Heineken Cup final only a week before the opening fixture, it seems unlikely that many Leicester or Leinster players will be running out against the Highveld XV.

The early stages of the tour will be all about building morale within the group as well as bonding players together, both on and off the field. Guys who aren’t used to playing together will need time to work on combinations out on the park, so that by the time the real work of the First Test rolls around, they are comfortable with their colleagues and ready perform the roles they’ve been selected for.

All this said therefore, I imagine the game against the Royal XV will see a fairly conservative selection; although the coaching staff will obviously want to win every game, they will also be aware that certain players will probably need a little rest after a hard domestic campaign. This will allow a few of squads ‘lesser lights’ to come in and show what they can do, as well as putting down a marker at the start of the trip.

As team captain, I think Paul O’Connell will be right up for playing in this game. He will want to get the tour off with a bang and show that the decision to appoint him was the right one. Likewise, second-row colleague Alun Wyn-Jones will want to put in a good performance in order to put the Ospreys disappointing season behind him. Elsewhere in the forwards, I expect opportunities for props Andy Sheridan, Euan Murray and Adam Jones, with Gethin Jenkins keeping his powder dry for the time being. In the back-row, the likes of Stephen Ferris and Andy Powell will be looking to punch some holes and showcase their ball-carrying skills.

Turning to the backs, I certainly don’t expect an appearance by former captain Brian O’Driscoll just yet. Having missed Leinster’s last few games through illness, Rob Kearney will be looking for some game time, along with the likes of Riki Flutey, Ugo Monye and surprise selection Keith Earls. At half-back, I’d like to see Harry Ellis allowed the opportunity to build a relationship with Stephen Jones, given that the Welshman is already used to playing with Mike Phillips for Wales and that the two previously know each other from Stradey Park. I’d also have some of the more established big guns on the replacements bench, just to keep the starters on their toes!

With all these thoughts in mind, here’s who I’d like to see donning the Lions Jersey against the Royal XV in the tour’s opening match.

Forwards

1. Andrew Sheridan
2. Lee Mears
3. Adam Jones
4. Alun Wyn-Jones
5. Paul O’Connell (C)
6. Stephen Ferris
7. David Wallace
8. Andy Powell

Backs

9. Harry Ellis
10. Stephen Jones
11. Shane Williams
12. Riki Flutey
13. Keith Earls
14. Ugo Monye
15. Rob Kearney

Replacements

16. Jerry Flannery
17. Euan Murray
18. Nathan Hines
19. Jamie Heaslip
20. Mike Phillips
21. Ronan O’Gara
22. Tommy Bowe