Gatland faces Lions conundrum as he seeks answers for Test side

Head coach Gatland insists he is yet to even think about his line-up for the three-Test New Zealand series, despite fielding a potent XV to face runaway Super Rugby leaders the Crusaders tomorrow.

The Lions have refused to risk Sam Warburton, who is carrying an ankle niggle, but aside from that Gatland has named a starting team for the Crusaders that boasts a host of potential Test-match combinations.

Gatland is excited to see Ben Te’o and Jonathan Davies forge a formidable duo in the centres –but admitted the battle for midfield spots could give him serious headaches.

“It will be interesting to see how they go, Ben went very well in that first game,” said Gatland of Saturday’s centre duo Te’o and Davies.

“We picked Ben because he’s got more to his game than just crashing up.

“He’s got offloading ability, good footwork, he’s explosive over a short space. And he’s a good, strong defensive player, particularly at 12.

“And Jonathan’s been playing very well recently in the last few weeks for the Scarlets. He brings that experience.

“When it comes to picking the Test side, that’s probably going to be one of the hardest to pick, getting that combination right.

“You’ve got Jared Payne, Robbie Henshaw, Jonathan Joseph, and we could put Elliot Daly in there. I’m looking forward to seeing him getting another run-out as well.

“So it’s going to be one of the toughest calls on the tour, getting the balance and the combination right.”

Alun Wyn Jones will captain the Lions in Warburton’s absence, with Conor Murray, George North, Davies and Sean O’Brien all winning their first starts on the tour.

The Lions will be desperate to atone for Wednesday’s 22-16 loss to the Blues in Christchurch this weekend, but will face down a Crusaders outfit boasting 14 wins from 14 Super Rugby encounters.

Conjure a fine performance to fend off the frustrations of the Blues defeat, and the Lions who face the Crusaders could well sit in pole position for Test shirts.

The three-Test series against the All Blacks starts on June 24, but Gatland maintains the Lions are yet to even consider their line-up for those New Zealand showdowns.

“I said to one of the coaches today, I said ‘write down your Test team’ and he couldn’t get anywhere near it at the moment,” said Gatland.

“Players are going to get one or two chances to make an impact before we start even thinking about any kind of Test line-ups.

“We haven’t spoken about a Test combination.”

Wales centre Davies produced a stellar end to his club campaign to drive the Scarlets to the Guinness PRO12 title, but he admitted he now faces a huge challenge to fight his way into the Lions’ Test consideration.

“I’ve got to concentrate on me to make sure we can get the result on Saturday,” said Davies.

“I know everyone is saying and doing the same thing.

“Competition is very strong but you’ve got to take your opportunities, work to what the coaches want and not go outside the box.”

Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Tadhg Furlong will form a powerful front-row unit, with Jones packing down with George Kruis at lock.

Taulupe Faletau starts at No 8 after offering one of few bright performances in the tour-opening 13-7 win over the Provincial Barbarians. Leinster flanker O’Brien will have Ireland team-mate and Munster hard man Peter O’Mahony for company in a back-row that will not lack for industry and grit.

Six of those who started against the Blues take a seat on the bench, with Johnny Sexton again included as a replacement – as Dan Biggar could still be shaking off a possible concussion.

England wing Anthony Watson also takes a seat on the bench, with Stuart Hogg and Liam Williams both starting in the back-three.

British and Irish Lions team: S Hogg (Scotland), G North, J Davies (both Wales), B Te’o (England), L Williams (Wales), O Farrell (England), C Murray (Ireland), M Vunipola, J George (both England), T Furlong (Ireland), A W Jones (Wales, capt), G Kruis (England), P O’Mahony, S O’Brien (both Ireland), T Faletau (Wales). Replacements: K Owens (Wales), J McGrath (Ireland), D Cole, M Itoje (both England), CJ Stander (Ireland), R Webb (Wales), J Sexton (Ireland), A Watson (England).

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has handed exciting young Ulster back Jacob Stockdale his first Test start against the United States at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey tomorrow.

Shorn of 11 frontline players away on duty with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand, Schmidt has named a youthful line-up with a further four players poised to win their first caps from the bench.