Cream of the crop

If the 2005 British and Irish Lions test XV was selected now, it would be dominated by Irish and Welsh players - six Irishmen, five Welshmen and four English, says Planet Rugby.

In 'Looking For Lions', it ranks all the leading players for the 44-strong tour party according to form in domestic competition.

The current 'form' test XV is: Gareth Thomas (Wales), Jason Robinson (England), Shane Williams (Wales), Shane Horgan (Ireland), Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland), Stephen Jones (Wales), Dwayne Peel (Wales), Anthony Foley (Ireland), Colin Charvis (Wales), Johnny O'Connor (Ireland), Martin Johnson (England), Paul O'Connell (Ireland), Julian White (England), Steve Thompson (England), Marcus Horan (Ireland).

- HERALD ON SUNDAY