After months of speculation and countless armchair pundit test selections, we can finally talk, definitively, about the touring party and it’s makeup. Look out for our Lions By the Numbers feature later today for a breakdown of the squad from a statistical point, of view, but for now, it’s time to do some good old fashion analysis.

While the squad was mostly as expected, it does feature some star omissions and some surprise inclusions. Among the unlucky, Ryan Jones is the big name casualty, though in the weeks leading up to the announcement, his place was widely regarded as far from guaranteed. In a pack that is filled with big powerful players, Jones’ omission is all the more surprising. His experience, both as a leader and as a former Lions tourist is hard to ignore. On the cataclysmic failure of the last tour, Jones, alongside backrow partner Simon Easterby were two of the only forwards to emerge with credibility intact. The Lions management has spoken however, and with a clearly experienced backbone of players in the squad Jones has missed the cut.

Perhaps even more unlucky to not have a seat on the plane is Tom Croft. Croft might not have Jones’ profile, but he was considered by many to be a near certainty for the test team. His performances of late, both for Leicester and England have been immense. He is undoubtely the most athletic forward the home nations have at their disposal and with his genuine pace and quality at the lineout he is a mystifying omission. From my point of view, he is the one player that really deserved a place at the expense of others. Pierre Spies, Bok number 8 extraordinaire, who is in the form of his life was the perfect target for Tom Croft. Without him, the potential Lions backrow ends up looking somewhat short of pace.

That said, the inclusion of Joe Worsley might be a direct selection designed to counter Spies running game. Worsley can add “Tree-cutter” to “Melonhead” in his collection of evocative nicknames following his one-man shutdown job on Jamie Roberts in the 6N this year. For completely closing an attacking threat out of a game, it was an absolute masterclass and must have played a big factor in his final selection.

Both Keith Earls and Ugo Monye are the out and out surprise inclusions. Earls is a superb selection. The outside centre is a try-scoring machine and although he only has one cap to his name he has the confidence and youth that is so crucial in a finisher. I applaud McGeechan and his coaching staff for the selection of form over experience. 12 years on from the last South Africa tour, McGeechan once again takes a young talented centre. Last time it was the uncapped Greenwood, this time Earls.

Monye is also a great selection. He offers outright gas that few can argue with. Consistently impressive performances for Harlequins and showing French winger Julien Malzieu the meaning of an outside break in the 6N clash with France have been rewarded. England’s Mark Cueto and particularly Delon Armitage can both feel somewhat unlucky. Armitage in particular, having offered a fine run of form and the versatility of being able to play at Full Back, Outside Centre or even on the Wing.

I’d be willing to wager that the coaching team had a good long debate of Delon Armitage versus Leigh Halfpenny. They are similar players in many ways, young, full of confidence and both with decent place kicking boots. In the end, if it was a simple head to head as I suspect, the choice was probably the right one. Although Armitage has impressed since bursting onto the international arena, he hasn’t had the near faultless career Halfpenny has had so far. Halfpenny looks absolutely world class and if his first try for Blues against Gloucester in the EDF final was anything to go by, the Boks would do well to keep an eye on him. He looks extraordinarily gifted and in recent months has been the star Welsh finisher even managing to cast a little shade on Shane Williams.

In the pack, bulk is key. Make no mistake, there is a lot of mass flying south this summer. Adam Powell of Cardiff and Wales was an outside pick and though he is somewhat one-dimensional, it’s hard to argue with his direct ball carrying. With a ‘tache like his, he looks pretty hard and his performances reflect that. Likewise, Simon Shaw gets the nod over Ian Gough, and Nathan Hines - only one of two scots on the tour - also gets a place. If he chooses to, McGeechan clearly wants be able to twist the Springbok arm. Up front, Euan Murray is a likely test starter alongside Gethin Jenkins and Jerry Flannery, but Andy Sheridan is in with a shout too. Much maligned by some, his massive size and strength is clearly valued by the Lions management.

One area where the Lions look particularly weak is the lineout. Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield and John Smit are the mighty men of the international lineout and the Lions relative lack of aerial options could yet prove to be a turning point. I’d have given Nick Kennedy or Tom Croft a place, both excellent in the air and ideal foils to the traditional Springbok lineout dominance. On the plus side, Lee Mears, another unfashionable player gets the nod, and his exceptional recent lineout throwing and his ability to carry more than his fair share of ball will be both called upon in June. Donncha O’Callaghan - a bit of a loose canon of late - is probably lucky to have his spot ahead of Kennedy.

The squad certainly has a touch of “Go Irish” about it. A number of contested spots have fallen towards Irish players and in particular the men of Munster. Not surprising frankly. Munster are a team like no-other in the NH, they have a grit and determination about them that will add a genuine hard-edge to the touring party.

The inclusion of only two fly-halves is another area for concern. Riki Flutey may end up playing understudy to O’Gara and Stephen Jones, but either way, these two are going to be getting a lot of game time. I’ll go out on a limb here and bet that they won’t both make it through the tour and we’ll see a replacement in the shape of James Hook or Toby Flood due to injury before the end.

This is really just breaking the surface of all the possible combinations, permutations, inclusions and omissions from the squad, but I have to go along with general consensus and agree that in for the most part this is a well balanced and well chosen squad with a good argument for nearly everyone included. Selection is absolutely vital for a Lions squad. I can’t over-estimate the importance of this, and for the most part it looks good. I’d have rather seen three fly-halves, a backrow department with a little bulk traded for a little more athleticism, more lineout specialists and one or two more out and out finishers, but this is a strong squad nonetheless. My slight fear is that we look like a team that may try and batter the Boks into submission. It’s good to be able to stand toe-to-toe with them, but I’d like to believe that McGeechan and co. have a Plan B ready to effect for the times when we need to go round, over or between the Boks rather than straight through them. Still. Good good, I’m pretty happy.

Oh, and if I was marking? A-.