Ronan O’Gara believes two players are “nailed on” for Lions back row

Neither Ronan O'Gara nor Kevin McLaughlin believe Sam Warburton should start the First Test against New Zealand. One thinks he could. The other is sure he will.

The former Ireland internationals were on The Hard Yards rugby podcast this week and offered their expert opinions on which British & Irish Lions players have the best chance of starting against the All Blacks, on June 24. O'Gara feels only three players are guaranteed for backline roles. George North will get a wing slot [left or right], Conor Murray is a certainty at scrum-half and Owen Farrell is locked in. Whether that is at 10 or 12 is hard to say for sure. O'Gara finds the Lions back row easier to predict and he feels two men - one Welsh, the other Irish - are "nailed on" to start against New Zealand. https://twitter.com/patmccarry/status/875245046697787392 "I wouldn't be starting Warburton." McLaughlin declared. "I just don't think he adds enough. It may be 50/50 between Peter O'Mahony and Justin Tipuric. They both bring different things but I think O'Mahony gives more in the lineout whereas Tipuric is an incredible link man. I would 100% be starting Seanie O'Brien and Toby Faletau." While McLaughlin suspects Lions head coach Warren Gatland will side with Warburton as his openside choice, O'Gara is certain of two back row starters.

"I think Kev has it right - there are two definities in the back row. Sean O'Brien and Faletau are nailed on."

Interestingly, CJ Stander's name is only mentioned as a bench option although O'Gara notes the Munster and Ireland man was the form forward in European rugby on three months ago. This week's show also features Andy Rowe from The Rugby Pod and SportsJOE's Pat McCarry in studio with O'Gara, McLaughlin and guest host Joe Harrington. https://soundcloud.com/thehardyardssportsjoe/episode-20-rogs-time-with-ireland-sexton-or-farrell-and-the-maoris-threat Here's the full show line-up: 3:30 - ROG on his young son playing against a giant 13-year-old last week 5:00 - ROG on working alongside Joe Schmidt with Ireland 12:00 - Joey Carbery's reaction to his poor performance against USA Eagles 14:50 - ROG on taking part in Ireland training last week, Ringrose impressed 19:50 - Is there reason to be hopeful about the Lions next few weeks? 21:30 - The selection headaches facing Warren Gatland ahead of the first test 30:00 - Kev on the pack that faces the Maori All Blacks on Saturday 33:00 - A theory why Peter O'Mahony is captaining for the Maori All Blacks game 35:30 - Predictions from ROG, Kev and Pat 38:30 - Andy Rowe from The Rugby Pod tells us about the feeling in New Zealand about the series 46:00 - Andy runs us through the Maori All Black starting XV 51:00 - The New Zealand team to face Samoa on Friday and what it tells us about next Saturday 58:45 - Hayley O'Connor from Ladbrokes with Lions odds and the best bets for Ascot and the colour of the Queen's hat