Brian O'Driscoll joined Off The Ball to pick his starting British and Irish Lions XV, after the 37-man squad for South Africa was announced on Thursday.
O'Driscoll, a veteran of four Lions tours, spoke to Nathan Murphy about the makeup of the XV for the first match on the tour.
Starting Lions XV
Wyn Jones
The Wales loosehead prop makes it into the Lions XV for O'Driscoll:
"It's a toss-up between Jones and and Rory Sutherland depending on who's the better scrummager. I've gone with Wyn Jones because he had a good Six Nations and the loosehead side looked good during the tournament."
Jamie George
The English hooker is the next up for BOD:
"George has to find some match fitness, I'm sure he'll be training bloody hard.
"He has a big engine, a dynamism to his carrying, that I don't know Ken Owens possesses."
Tadhg Furlong
"He's an easy choice for me."
Enough said!
Alun-Wyn Jones
"He's been around a long time but he's uncompromising, he is tough as old boots. You could have picked Itoje as captain but it might have been a bit of a bolt from the blue.
"Notable mention to Stuart Hogg, but it's very difficult to captain from 15.
"Alun-Wyn is a phenomenal athlete as a second-row leader."
Maro Itoje
"The second-row pairing picks itself. Alun-Wyn Jones as captain and Maro Itoje playing alongside. I thought Itoje might play 6 but there's no second row jumping out and I feel that the back row on offer in Curry, Tipuric and Faletau - I can hear all the Scots screaming that Hamish Watson is not in there."
Tom Curry
Curry forms part of a three with Tipuric and Faletau in the Lions XV.
Justin Tipuric
"Tipuric has been on three Lions tours now, he is kind of a silent assassin. He is this brilliant facilitator to being able to enhance the original Warrenball game. He can marry the grunt up front with the silkiness of backs. I've always loved being in the same team as him.
"He's scored and set up some magical tries. Any seven that is capable of the style of seamless chip-kicking and regathering - it says a lot about his footballing ability."
Taulupe Faletau
"For his experience at eight, and the fact that he's done it for Gatland for Wales and for the Lions," O'Driscoll explained of why Faletau starts in this Lions XV.
Conor Murray
"There isn't anyone else putting their hand up. I was surprised at Ali Price getting in, I thought Thomas Williams might get in ahead of him. Townsend has got five of his Scottish backs into the selection - Price was one of those surprises."
Dan Biggar
"Talk about warrior mentality, he finished the game on one leg last week for Northampton.
"He loves it. He is in good form - he doesn't have to be the star of the show but he brings the best out of those around him. We know how effective he is in the back-field.
"He is probably the form 10 in more recent months. There's a security with Dan Biggar that he doesn't have those really loose moments that can be catastrophic."
Owen Farrell
"I think you've got to have a kicking game at 12 or 13 - I think Farrell will play 12.
"Right now, if they are playing South Africa next week, it is Farrell and Henshaw for me in the centre."
Robbie Henshaw
Given the year that's in it, there's probably not all that much to say here.
Anthony Watson
The English winger and full-back makes it into O'Driscoll's side.
Liam Williams
Williams' versatility between wing and fullback means that he forms part of a three that "picks itself", according to O'Driscoll.
Stuart Hogg
"Hopefully he'll get the chance to play in a Lions test match, so hard done by with that facial injury caught from Conor Murray last time.
"He's made for that fast ground and his overall game looks pretty outstanding."
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