AHEAD of the first test between the British & Irish Lions and New Zealand on Saturday (June 24), we asked the Taunton Titans who they’d pick if they were in Warren Gatland’s shoes...

Tony Yapp, head coach

SLIGHTLY worryingly, my starting pack is the same as Chris Brown’s...

I feel they pretty much pick themselves, and although Iain Henderson will feel a little hard done by, Courtney Lawes has impressed.

I don’t feel Sam Warburton is fit, so I’d pick the pacy Justin Tipuric.

We have a lot more control when Conor Murray and Owen Farrell are both on the field, while Ben Te’o and Jonathan Davies seem to work well together.

The back three is tough to pick, with no-one really standing out.

I feel Anthony Watson offers more threat than Leigh Halfpenny.

Despite not hitting any form yet George North would be on the left wing, with Elliot Daly on the right.

This is a back line that can be a genuine threat with their pace if they can create any sort of space.

1. Mako Vunipola; 2. Ken Owens; 3. Tadhg Furlong; 4. George Kruis; 5. Maro Itoje; 6. Peter O’Mahony; 7. Sean O’Brien; 8. Taulupe Faletau; 9. Conor Murray; 10. Owen Farrell; 11. George North; 12. Ben Te’o; 13. Jonathan Davies; 14. Elliot Daly; 15. Anthony Watson.
Replacements: 16. Jamie George; 17. Jack McGrath; 18. Kyle Sinckler; 19. Courtney Lawes; 20. Justin Tipuric; 21. Rhys Webb; 22. Jonathan Sexton; 23. Jonathan Joseph.

Chris Brown, forwards coach

THE pack picks itself for me, and I think Ken Owens’ work in the loose justifies his selection. 

But if the scrum is not dominant, I expect Jamie George to come on. 

In the second row the Saracens pairing are showing great synergy; Sean O’Brien is in form and has been more consistent in all facets than Warburton, but expect another introduction if the game breaks up or the breakdown is being lost. 

I feel similar to Tony, in that back three are not playing well – I don’t want to pick Halfpenny, but have little other option. 

Tommy Seymour is going well as a winger but Watson is less erratic. 

This for me is the most defensively sound team, with game changers on the bench.

1. Mako Vunipola; 2. Ken Owens; 3. Tadhg Furlong; 4. George Kruis; 5. Maro Itoje; 6. Peter O’Mahony; 7. Sean O’Brien; 8. Taulupe Faletau; 9. Conor Murray; 10. Owen Farrell; 11. George North; 12. Ben Te’o; 13. Jonathan Davies; 14. Anthony Watson; 15. Leigh Halfpenny.
Replacements: 16. Jamie George; 17. Jack McGrath; 18. Kyle Sinckler; 19. Iain Henderson; 20. Sam Warburton; 21. Rhys Webb; 22. Jonathan Sexton; 23. Jonathan Joseph.

Keith Brooking, team manager

I THINK most of the test side have picked themselves through performance and injuries. 

Warren Gatland will need to take a lesson from Eddie Jones and have a very dynamic bench that will make a big impact.

In the back three, Halfpenny has taken his chance with Stuart Hogg’s injury, North is sound defensively, and Watson is consistent.

With Farrell’s injury the Irish half-backs are a shoo-in, but Farrell can have an impact off the bench. 

I think the Lions need to win the first test – if they do I think they will win the series 2-1, but if they don’t it could be 3-0 to the All Blacks.

1. Mako Vunipola; 2. Ken Owens; 3. Tadhg Furlong; 4. George Kruis; 5. Alun Wyn Jones; 6. Peter O’Mahony; 7. Sean O’Brien; 8. Taulupe Faletau; 9. Conor Murray; 10. Jonathan Sexton; 11. George North; 12. Ben Te’o; 13. Jonathan Davies; 14. Anthony Watson; 15. Leigh Halfpenny.
Replacements: 16. Jamie George; 17. Jack McGrath; 18. Kyle Sinckler; 19. Maro Itoje; 20. Sam Warburton; 21. Rhys Webb; 22. Owen Farrell; 23. Elliot Daly.

Nick Mason, captain

I’VE gone for a team which heavily featured in the convincing win over the Maori All Blacks. 

In the second row, I have chosen youth over experience – Maro Itoje in ahead of Alun Wyn Jones. 

The man I’m most looking forward to watching is Te’o; he has been brilliant in attack so far this tour but his defence will be vital. 

It’s going to be a tough test and I feel the Lions could lose, but win the series 2-1 (always the optimist!).

1. Mako Vunipola; 2. Jamie George; 3. Tadhg Furlong; 4. George Kruis; 5. Maro Itoje; 6. Peter O’Mahony; 7. Sean O’Brien; 8. CJ Stander; 9. Conor Murray; 10. Owen Farrell; 11. George North; 12. Ben Te’o; 13. Jonathan Davies; 14. Anthony Watson; 15. Leigh Halfpenny.

Jack Matthews, club president

ON home turf, the All Blacks must be tested up front and I think this pack has the ability to do just that.

The Murray/Farrell partnership can set up an exciting set of backs who can do damage from a distance. 

Lawes and Wyn Jones can impact off the bench, while Kyle Sinckler and Jack Nowell have the X factor.

1. Mako Vunipola; 2. Jamie George; 3. Tadhg Furlong; 4. George Kruis; 5. Maro Itoje; 6. Peter O’Mahony; 7. Sam Warburton; 8. Taulupe Faletau; 9. Conor Murray; 10. Owen Farrell; 11. Elliot Daly; 12. Jonathan Joseph; 13. Ben Te’o; 14. Anthony Watson; 15. Leigh Halfpenny.
Replacements: 16. Ken Owens; 17. Dan Cole; 18. Kyle Sinckler; 19. Alun Wyn Jones; 20. Courtney Lawes; 21. Gareth Davies; 22. Jonathan Sexton; 23. Jack Nowell.

Richard Browne, County Gazette

A PREDICTABLE pack, though Rory Best would be in if his lineout throws went vaguely in the right direction, while Henderson seems less prone to concussion than Lawes.

Sexton and Farrell are clever enough to play in the same team, and this also allows me to put wildcard Finn Russell on my bench.

I have half a mind to pick Hogg and his half a face, but I’ll go with the lively Liam Williams at 15.

If the Lions are going to lose 3-0, why not go out in style?

1. Mako Vunipola; 2. Ken Owens; 3. Tadhg Furlong; 4. George Kruis; 5. Maro Itoje; 6. Peter O’Mahony; 7. Sean O’Brien; 8. Toby Faletau; 9. Conor Murray; 10. Jonathan Sexton; 11. George North; 12. Owen Farrell; 13. Ben Te’o; 14. Elliot Daly; 15. Liam Williams.
Replacements: 16. Rory Best; 17. Jack McGrath; 18. Kyle Sinckler; 19. Iain Henderson; 20. CJ Stander; 21. Rhys Webb; 22. Finn Russell; 23. Anthony Watson.

Who would you pick in your XV? Leave your thoughts below!