The five Scots who should make this year’s Lions tour

There will be a lot of anxious players glued to the TV on Tuesday when the Lions squad is announced live.

Coach Warren Gatland has one final selection meeting tomorrow to digest the weekend action in the Heineken Cup before making his final cut.

Scottish representation on Lions tours hasn’t been great of late, but this tour could possibly feature more Scots than for some time.

In the front row, I expect Adam Jones and Cian Healy to be the first choice props, although Ryan Grant has a good chance of being Healy’s understudy at loose head.

There are a number of good hookers to choose from, so Ross Ford may well miss out.

In the second row many have been touting Richie Gray, but I don’t think his work rate is good enough to even merit a place on the tour, especially when you consider Jim Hamilton was head and shoulders above him during the 6 Nations.

Although there’s a lot of competition in the back row, Kelly Brown has a great chance of selection, as does Johnnie Beattie given the relative lack of form and competition for the No 8 position.

Many have suggested Brown may make a great midweek captain but that honour might also fall to Chris Robshaw, who is unlikely to secure a test team start.

There are few obvious candidates for the scrum-half position which might mean Greig Laidlaw has an outside chance of selection, especially given his versatility and ability to keep the scoreboard ticking over by kicking penalties.

It would be a real shock if any of the Scottish fly-halves were in consideration however!

There aren’t many obvious candidates for the centre position which might mean Matt Scott is likely to be considered, although Sean Lamont doesn’t have the footballing skills to be a serious contender.

Tim Visser is another who lacks footballing nous, but if Gatland wants big strong wings who can finish like George North and Alex Cuthbert, then perhaps the Dutchman stands a chance of making the trip.

I’d opt for Sean Maitland over Visser nine times out of 10, but whether Gatland prefers his countryman over Visser remains to be seen.

Finally, it would do wonders for Stuart Hogg’s development if he was selected, but Leigh Halfpenny and Rob Kearney may have the edge over the youngster.

If I were Gatland I’d have five Scots on tour Grant, Brown, Beattie, Laidlaw and Maitland.

All will be revealed on Tuesday.