Brian O'Driscoll picks his British and Irish Lions Test backline to take on South Africa

This week, Telegraph Sport’s rugby writers are picking their prospective British and Irish Lions squads for next summer’s tour of South Africa.

So far, the run-downs of front-rowers, locks, back-rowers and half-backs have been revealed. Tomorrow will see the centres unveiled with back-three contingents coming out on Saturday and Test XVs on Sunday.

We asked Ireland and Lions icon Brian O’Driscoll, who wore red on four tours in 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013, to join the party.

He looked back at the games that have been played since Rugby World Cup 2019 – remember those? – to select a Test match backline to take on the Springboks. This is what he came up with.

Full-back
Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

“He has come on since joining Exeter Chiefs and has looked really good. He is also coming into his peak years, turning 28 next month. On previous tours he’s been unlucky, especially in 2017 when he got injured. Considering some of his performances during the Six Nations and for his club, he would be very deserving.”

Wings
Anthony Watson (England) and Jonny May (England)

“I really like Watson as a player. He looks as though he is going to create something with ball in hand and that is what you want from your back-three players. A spark of enthusiasm comes from the crowd because they know that fireworks are possible as soon as they get it.

“You saw that in Watson’s try against Wales. His explosiveness is frightening from a defender’s point of view. He’s so fast-twitch… in that respect it is not that surprising that he picks up injuries because he’s so finely-tuned – a proper thoroughbred. The other thing I like about him is that he is fully-committed. All of his chips are in, all of the time.

“Josh Adams will be close for the other slot but May must be of the most improved players in world rugby. His basic skills have come on no end as far as his kick-receipt and ability to chase while the ball is in the air. Then, because of that speed, he can beat players one-on-one.

Centres
Manu Tuilagi (England) and​ Garry Ringrose (Ireland)

“It is a really tough one here between Ringrose and Jon Davies. There is not much between them. Davies did not play in the Six Nations and Ringrose picked up a hand injury in the win over Scotland as well.

“In my view, Tuilagi has to be one of the centres, so you are thinking about who to pair with him and I like the foil of Ringrose. There is a balance to that centre pairing… having said that, can you imagine the brutality of Manu and Jon Davies?”

Fly-half
Owen Farrell (England)

“He is just a born winner. I was on the tour in 2013 when he was part of the 23 and then he kicked on four years later and has had a lot of success with Saracens and, to a degree with England – he probably should have won a World Cup as captain. He’s a great competitor.

“I am obviously a big Johnny Sexton fan but time is not on his side at the moment. I am not ageist, though – if he is still delivering at the age of 35 then he could play. He is still capable of delivering great performances. It just hasn’t been his year this year.

“I am excited to see Finn Russell back playing for Scotland as well. I still think, because the games are going to be so physical, I am not sure I would be comfortable playing Finn or George Ford. With Manu and Farrell, you have that physicality and then you have the guile of Ringrose.”

Scrum-half
Tomos Williams (Wales)

“I don’t know who is going to be playing at nine and it is open… but I am going to pick Williams. I really thought he was excellent at the World Cup. It did not quite happen for him in the England game at Twickenham that he started – before he set up Justin Tipuric’s try. I still think he is a very, very nice player.”

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