Experts are already giving their opinions on the selection of the squad with some players having already booked their flights to Australia in Warren Gatland's squad. Others are still fighting for the last remaining places. Whilst many commentators will be pretty confident about their selections, here are a few uncapped wildcards that, with some good performances for club and country over the next 12 months, could see them sneaking onto the tour.
Tim Visser (Scotland)
Having finally gained his Scottish citizenship, this giant Dutchman looks set to start for Scotland this summer and it is hard to see him losing his place in the next twelve months. Blessed with great size and an eye for the try line, Visser could be a necessary piece in Andy Robinson's armoury. In recent years, Wales have proven that giant wingers work and Gatland has shown a susceptibility for going big on the flank. Tom Prydie (6ft4) proved this, having been given four Wales caps despite failing to feature with the Ospreys. If Gatland is the Lions coach, do not be surprised to see Visser on the plane. With Tommy Bowe injured and Shane Williams now (probably) retired for good, the Lions are going to need reinforcements and Visser looks like making the step to the international stage shouldn't be a problem.
Ashley Beck (Wales)
Anyone who saw the RaboDirect final last Sunday would probably have been distracted by Shane Williams, scoring two quite remarkable tries and stealing the trophy from Leinster's grasp. A moment that instigated the Ospreys comeback was a try from young Welsh centre Ashley Beck. Whilst the Ospreys back row created a half break through great offloading, it was Beck that hit a beautiful line, fended off Jonny Sexton and finished under the posts. Ospreys fans will tell you that Beck has been doing this all year. He is a fast and strong centre, but most importantly, he is a genuine 12. He can pass! Don't underestimate how important this is - Roberts, Barritt, Morrison cannot! Beck has an ability to break tackles and make offloads, much like Sonny Bill Williams does for the All Blacks - just on a much lesser scale. Gatland has made no secret of his admiration of Gavin Henson. A genuine 12 who could run and pass and the Kiwi coach gave Henson all the support he could to get him playing international rugby again. In Beck, Gatland may have a second chance to start a playmaking centre. There is a lack of quality at inside centre in Britain as well. Morrison has never done anything ever, Darcy is a means to get the ball to BOD and Barritt can hit things that run at him. With Roberts injured this summer, Beck has a genuine chance to challenge for the Wales 12 jersey. Don't be surprised if he succeeds and definitely don't be surprised if he's the Lions fourth centre come next June.
Henry Thomas (England)
It is a fact, Australia cannot scrummage. This is definitely a part of the game that the Lions should exploit and with Dan Cole and Adam Jones, they have the building blocks to terrorise the Australian set piece. But whilst Cole and Jones set about giving Robbie Deans nightmares, someone has to cement to scrum for the mid-weekers. If any Irish tight head goes, I will personally renounce my British citizenship, move to Wagga Wagga and learn the didgeridoo. The Scottish scrum has been in decline for a few years since the last Lions Tour and Euan Murray's run of injuries, which means that a new tight head prop needs to be found. In Thomas, Sale Sharks have an improving scrummager and willing carrier. It's rare to see a tight head prop with the ability and desire to carry the ball like Thomas. Equally, his scrummaging is improving at professional level and was evidently a strong part of his game in last years Under 20 World Championship. Steve Diamond appears to be a big supporter of Thomas, giving him a lot of playing time this season. Expect Thomas to cement the Sale 3 jersey next year. Even now, the rookie Thomas is a league better than rival tight heads Stevens and Wilson and I would expect to see him included in England's 6 Nations squad next year. Thomas is a real prospect that, injury permitting, is making a really strong push for a Lions wildcard.
Rhodri Jones (Wales)
Rhodri Jones will start at tight head this weekend for Wales against the BaBas, having made his name at loose-head for the Scarlets this season. At 6ft 3 and 120kgs, Jones is massive physical specimen that Gatland has been fast tracking into the Wales squad all season. The Wales management are very keen to see Jones develop as a tight-head and this weekend is the first step in his international grooming as Adam Jones' replacement. With Matt Stevens' international career surely now over and Paul James resigned to a permanent spot on the Wales bench, there are no genuine props left in Britain that can cover both sides of the scrum. If the last Lions Tour is anything to go by, Gatland will take five props. That means two tight heads, two loose heads and someone that can cover both sides of the scrum. In 2009 it was Phil Vickery and in 2013, the position is currently wide open for candidates. This weekend will be Jones' first test - if he passes, he will be in pole position to contest for that fifth spot in the Lions' squad.
Scott Spurling (England)
When we say 'wildcard', there is an element of possibility behind the selection of these players. Visser, Beck, Jones and Thomas have all proved themselves at club level and all look set to take the next step to the international stage in the next 12 months. TCI favourite, Scott Spurling, has spent the season as fourth choice hooker for Saracens and with Brits and Jamie George hanging around next season, his opportunities seem limited. He has been picked for the Under 20s World Champs this summer which may finally give him some deserved recognition. Here's our thinking; Best, Rees, Ford and Hartley are all good players - but they're all so boring. They're willing carriers, strong defenders and can all throw the ball into the line out with some degree of accuracy. However, watch this video and say that Spurling, at just 18 years old, isn't the future of English rugby. I'd want him on my Lions Tour!
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