LIONS MISSING THEIR BEST

Every Lions tour has its shock selections. Think back to Lee Mears in 2009. But I don’t think any other omissions are as controversial as Warren Gatland’s omission of Rory Best this season. Despite the Ulsterman having a few poor matches with his line-out throwing during the Six Nations, most still believed that Best would go as the starting hooker and he was even being touted as a potential captain.

Despite Tommy Bowe being selected for his second Lions tour, his place in the squad was completely overshadowed by the shock that Best would not travel. What is even more surprising are the players who beat him to the three places available for hooker.

Most surprising is controversial Northampton Saints hooker Dylan Hartley, whom Best got the better of in Franklin’s Gardens in Ulster and Northampton’s Heineken Cup clash in December. Hartley has had a turbulent season being banned for striking Best in the aforementioned match and then he lost his place in the England side to another touring hooker, Tom Youngs.

Speaking of the Leicester hooker, he is a rather controversial selection too. Youngs himself admitted he is “still a work in progress” and has only just managed to break his way into both the Leicester team and the England team too. His rapid ascension to the Lions squad is fascinating, but many would question his experience.

Indeed, the only “safe” hooker would be Ospreys and Wales hooker Richard Hibbard, who has had a very successful season both internationally and domestically. Well worth his place in the squad, he will now be the odds on favourite to start at hooker with Best missing.

It is well worth pointing out though that Best’s omission is not just being questioned in Belfast, but rather it is being debated across all of Britain and Ireland. It is a rather confusing call no matter what way you look at it, and Gatland so far has managed to avoid the questions thrown at him regarding the Craigavon-born hooker.

In the midst of the furore over Best, we must congratulate Tommy Bowe on his place in the squad. Despite being injured for the most part of five months after the Northampton match at Ravenhill in December, Bowe has impressed since he returned and is deserving of his selection. He will more than likely start in the Tests on the wing.

However, it is very disappointing for Best who still doesn’t have a Lions tour to his name. All he and the rest of Ulster can wait and hope for now is a withdrawal from one of the other hookers.

Dealing with the blues

We must however remember that there is a match tomorrow and it is the Cardiff Blues who make the journey to Ravenhill this weekend for the final match of the Pro12 regular season. Two points would be enough for the Ulstermen to finish top and in their current form they should get that. Mark Anscombe has more or less a full hand to choose from and there will be no excuses if Ulster throw this away. A win is necessary; a bonus point win is preferred.

The Blues have nothing left to play for. Languishing in eighth in the table and with half of their players with one eye on the upcoming Lions tour, one would forgive them for having their minds elsewhere. Ulster have at least one more match (hopefully two) to go after this and so the mindset has to be right – get in the winning mentality and keep it going. I back them to do so. Play-offs here we come! Prediction – Ulster by 21 (BP)

Ulster Rugby vs. Cardiff Blues

Friday 3^rd May, 19:45

Ravenhill

RaboDirect Pro12, Round 22

Live on BBC2 NI

ULSTER RUGBY

15. Jared Payne, 14. Andrew Trimble, 13. Darren Cave, 12. Stuart Olding, 11. Tommy Bowe, 10. Ruan Pienaar, 9. Paul Marshall; 1. Callum Black, 2. Rory Best, 3. John Afoa, 4. Johann Muller (c), 5. Iain Henderson, 6. Robbie Diack, 7. Chris Henry, 8. Nick Williams.

16. Nigel Brady, 17. Tom Court, 18. Declan Fitzpatrick, 19. Dan Tuohy, 20. Sean Doyle, 21. Paddy Jackson, 22. Michael Allen, 23. Peter Nelson.

CARDIFF BLUES

15. Dan Fish, 14. Alex Cuthbert, 13. Gavin Evans (c), 12. Dafydd Hewitt, 11. Harry Robinson, 10. Rhys Patchell, 9. Lewis Jones; 1. Taufa’ao Filise, 2. Kristian Dacey, 3. Scott Andrews, 4. Bradley Davies, 5. Lou Reed, 6. Luke Hamilton, 7. Josh Navidi, 8. Michael Paterson.

16. Marc Breeze, 17. Thomas Davies, 18. Campese Ma’afu, 19. Tefilo Paulo, 20. Macauley Cook, 21. Liam Davies, 22. Ceri Sweeney, 23. Tom James.

Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU)

Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher, Nigel Correll (both IRFU)

Citing Commissioner: Peter Ferguson (IRFU)

TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)