Jeremy Guscott: No more squabbles, let’s all just get behind our squad

I like the look of Warren Gatland‘s 2013 Lions squad, which has physicality as well as speed and skill. Like all Lions squads there are players boarding the plane for Hong Kong that some have selection disagreements about, questioning whether they should be on board or not.
Now is the time to put those grievances and doubts aside and get behind Gatland‘s squad, because we all want them to win the series.
Looking particularly at the three-quarters selection there isn’t a lot of utility cover available, particularly at fly-half.
Talk of Stuart Hogg playing at 10 has to be wishful thinking. He’s a talented footballer but to ask him to pitch in at stand-off for an international team would be asking for trouble.
Having said that, if the coaches believe he could cover as a substitute and come on for 30 minutes at the end of a provincial game with the Lions winning by plenty, then that’s not so bad.
I’m still not sure deep down what Hogg would think, because his priority will be convincing Gatland that he deserves a starting place at 15 ahead of Leigh Halfpenny and Rob Kearney.
That job will be hard enough without having to fill in at 10, and that’s why it’s unlikely to happen regularly on tour.
Having just two fly-halves isn’t such a bad idea.
Giving them plenty of game time, and running the plays so they understand the tactics inside-out, is a smart move.
If Jonathan Sexton or Owen Farrell gets injured you just call for a replacement and bring them up to speed. In the meantime, someone fills in on the bench if needs be.
It’s bold and ballsy picking two 10s, and it makes a statement that they’re not messing about with resting players. It’s full throttle down for what they believe in.
This is what the Lions is about: You do what’s required when it’s required for the squad, without a moment’s hesitation.
Farrell’s good because of his natural instincts. He has the ability to look, digest and move according to what’s in front of him; to do whatever it is he needs to – kick, tackle, run or pass.
I keep saying it, wasting my breath, but if he had two more yards of pace he would be an extraordinary talent, rather than a talent – and he will not be a big threat to Sexton unless he can make those breaks.
The Lions are mightily gifted in the back three, and I’d love to see them get lots of ball.
The wings and full-backs are all quick, in good form, and can score tries from anywhere.
Tommy Bowe is so experienced, and knows how to get the ball to run his way, and he is also fresh and firing after coming back from injury.
Alex Cuthbert and George North are on a high after the Six Nations, Sean Maitland has class, and both Rob Kearney and  Leigh Halfpenny – who I’d like to see have more of a crack in attack – have the ability to play on the wing as well as at full-back.
There is also a lot to like about the centres. Manu Tuilagi is dangerous, Jonathan Davies scores tries, Brian O’Driscoll is still world-class, and Jamie Roberts’ size and power is difficult to contain.
Now that Roberts no longer has the pressure of medical exams we could see a different dimension to his game.
I am not sure that we will see O’Driscoll at inside centre. Gatland will want his 12–13 combination from four years ago of Roberts and O’Driscoll as his first pick, and therefore I’m not sure how much of a mixing combinations there will be.
With Tuilagi and Davies it should not be a huge problem who plays inside, or who outside.
Davies is a good finisher, although he is sometimes a little wild in defence and gets isolated. It is the same sometimes with O’Driscoll, but I’m sure that defence coach Andy Farrell will have the Lions well drilled.
At scrum-half Mike Phillips will also be pencilled in for the Tests. That means Ben Youngs will have to play his way into contention, but at his best he is difficult to stop.
Conor Murray is similar to Phillips, and he could also come through because no one expects him to, so the pressure is off. He’s tough, hard, and gets the job done – hopefully, like the squad as a whole.