Leigh Halfpenny boots Lions’ fly-half debate into new territory

Former Lions fly-half Stephen Jones insists the form of Leigh Halfpenny means this summer’s No.10 battle is not as simple as a two-way shootout at the Aviva Stadium today.
After starring performances in their respective opening-weekend Six Nations wins, Jonny Sexton and Owen Farrell have been firmly established as favourites to be on the plane to Australia this summer.
Farrell added a willingness to stand flat and show a creative side to his unerring accuracy from the kicking tee while Sexton – equally accurate with the boot – was particularly impressive in defence last weekend.
However, despite his confidence in the duo, Jones believes Halfpenny’s recent heroics with the boot – 15 from 16 attempts on the Australia tour this summer – gives Warren Gatland the option of picking a No. 10 purely on his play-making merits.
Such a selection could give the likes of Rhys Priestland – who has targeted an April return from his Achilles injury – an outside chance of touring.
And Jones, below, who started all three games in South Africa in 2009, said: “Leigh’s goal kicking is fantastic both for Wales and for the Blues.
“On the tour to Australia in the summer he only missed one kick at goal in all three Tests.
“It is wonderful for the Lions to have those options and it’s exciting times for the rest of the Six Nations.
“I caught up with Rhys on Friday and he is delighted with the way that he is progressing. It would be lovely for him to be involved but obviously it’s hard coming back from injury.
“Sexton and Farrell both have incredible temperaments which is obviously very important for a Lions tour.  When you look at what Jonny has been a part of at Leinster in European and club rugby he has played in some massive games which counts in his favour.
“But then when you look at the way that Owen has played against New Zealand and then Scotland and it shows  he has that temperament too.
“Their kicking abilities will obviously help them both get picked for the Lions and I’m certainly looking forward to them going up against each other this weekend.”
Jones admits choosing between Farrell and Sexton is an unenviable task but the Wasps fly-half did hint that the England No.10 might have an edge in adaptability.
While Sexton has played his entire career with Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll outside him, Farrell has also played centre.
Jones added: “Jonny plays with his three-quarter line at Leinster and they have obviously built up a great understanding.
“It’s a fascinating battle – Jonny and his Leinster boys really favour the run-around moves and getting double touches on the ball and Jonny sometimes runs at 45 degrees if he has to.
“Owen is very good at playing direct and is very different in that aspect. He hasn’t had that major European experience that Jonny has had and hasn’t played with both his centres at club level, but he has shown he can settle into the England set-up and play with different people very well.
“It’s not just the fly-half battle that excites me about this weekend though, it’s the back row one too with Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip going up against Chris Robshaw and Tom Wood – it’s fascinating.”
TOM REYNOLDS