Do Ireland deserve to have a record 14 internationals named in the 37-man British and Irish Lions squad?

Your Call: The above question produced over 1,000 responses to www.irishtimes.com yesterday

Your Call:The above question produced over 1,000 responses to www.irishtimes.com yesterday. The split was Yes 85 percent, No 15 percent. Below we reproduce a selection of your views.

Definitely. And looking at the 14 named, it is clearly based on form and versatility. In one way, I am glad John Hayes is not in the squad as it will give Declan the chance to give him a rest in the summer and NOT take him to North America, and thus hopefully prolong his career by a season or two.

Greg, Ireland

Of course they did. Ireland currently hold the Six Nations title, the Triple Crown, the Grand Slam, the Heineken Cup and the Magners League. It would have been a travesty to have had any less than 14 Irish players involved. BOD is unlucky to miss out on the captaincy but Paulie should do a great job. Best of luck boys, make us all proud again!

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Aisling, Ireland

Drafting in Quinlan was genius . . .It shows the coach knows it is going to be a serious battle out there in South Africa . . . bit worried that there’s only two outhalves...

Ruairi, Ireland

Yes they do! Delighted for Quinny. Hope he can keep the injuries at bay for tour and I think he has a chance of starting the first Test. Also glad that McGeechan was strong enough not to include Ryan Jones – his form didn’t merit selection.

Frano, Ireland

Obviously. It’s pretty simple . . . they pick the best players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. They were the best in those positions, simple as that.

Niall, Ireland

No. It’s ludicrous. The idea that Alan Quinlan is up to this level is patently ridiculous.

Frederick Chichester, Ireland

Yeah I think 14 was about right . . . though the inclusion of Fitzgerald and Ferris surprised me . . . still I doubt either will play much part in any of the games.

James, Ireland

Great to see so many Irish in and relieved Cipriani didn’t get the call. I think McGeech may regret not calling up Cusiter or Parks.

HMC, Italy

As an Irishman living in England it’s great to see the players getting the recognition they deserve,

Quinlan can count himself lucky to get in ahead of Leamy and Croft and I think the test bolter could well be Keith Earls; he has had a great season so far.

Wales are lucky to get the likes of Matthew Rees in, I don’t rate him at all, Hartley or Ford would’ve been better choices, Shane Williams is lucky to go on form too, he has had a shocking season so far.

Mark, United Kingdom

I’m happy with our 14 – and being honest, any Irish omissions were either not fully showing form or in the case of Hayes – possibly not cut out for a Lions team due to his element of one dimensional play (no offence meant to him).

My worry is that the size of our contingent also reflects the relative weakness of the other nations. Scotland had only one meaningful candidate. England only eight from the biggest player base in the world?! Wales not at the form they had shown previously. Am afraid anything but a 3-0 South Africa win for the tour is extremely unlikely.

Rob, Ireland 11

Yes. Over the course of the Six Nations, the Heineken Cup and the Magners League (thus far) Ireland deserve to have 14 players in the Lions squad.

Anon

Fitzgerald was always going to be in the Lions squad. The hard pitches in SA will be to his liking. The only surprise exclusion in the backs was arguably Delon Armitage. In great form and provides a back-up kicking option. Given that ROG will be targeted from the get-go, the reserve outhalf better keep himself fit.

JD, Ireland

14 scapegoats more like! The Boks will hammer these lads – three defensive scrumhalves, none of whom has a quick pass! Adam Jones? Simon Shaw? I think Phil Vickery was past it two years ago – might need an extra physio for him alone!

Only two out-and-out flyhalves going – how are they gonna make it to the July Test? Halfpenny as cover? When did Flutey last play 10 at international level – U21? Tom Croft is unlucky, Ben Blair also, Evans maybe as well . . . some shocking selections – 3-0 Boks.

Paddy, United Kingdom

The Lions tour will be so physical that there’ll be a flight to Jo’burg with another 37 to replace the first lot.

Togo, Bolivia

Where’s the Bull John Hayes?

Jerry Hurley, Ireland

Yes indeed and the Bull could charge on South African fields yet . . .

Citizen C, Ireland

I dunno, some of the Irish drafted are a wee bit inexperienced, yet most of the picks are definitely plausible. I’m glad he chose Quinlan, obviously because we need enforcers like him when taking on the Boks, yet if he wanted enforcers why didn’t he choose Leamy?? And surprised there was no R Jones too.

Sam, Ireland

This is a fantastic year for Irish rugby. After a Grand Slam victory like no other, I wouldn’t object if they were all Irish! Just hope the other nationalities can keep up. Pretty poor English side this season, but we have the best of the rest . . .

Conor K, Ireland

The change required by the the Irish 6N squad to secure the Grand Slam will be small potatoes compared to how quick the ’09 Lions will need to adapt if we are to take the series.

Simon, Ireland

The Irish benefited from the poorest Six Nations in living memory. We would be better off with no players on this money-making farce, such is the hiding the Lions will take.

Colm Garrett, Ireland

Absolutely! It looks like Ireland and Munster will, by the end of May, have every piece of silverware up for grabs in Europe in 2009. Irish rugby currently has some of the best players in the world.

Torch, Ireland

Yes – O’Connell captain and great to see Quinny – the battler needed for the Boks – and great opportunity for Earls. Pity Warwick doesn’t have a green passport! Boks are firm favourites and it will take some exceptional work to gel a Lions team to beat them 2-1.

Daoud, Ireland

Very surprised by the captaincy after O’Connell’s destruction on the last Lions tour by the All-Blacks. If he can’t live with Chris Jack then he will be eaten alive by Matfield and Botha. Not what you want to see in your captain.

Ulick McGee, Ireland

How come no one is speaking up for Ian Dowling or Mick O’Driscoll? Surely they were in with a shout also?

Rob, Ireland

Very pleased with 14 Irish and 13 Welsh. They should be called the Celtic Lions! Not pleased with the fact that a Kiwi (Flutey) has been selected. Feel sorry for Tom Croft and Delon Armitage. Even as an avid Leinster fan, I think the inclusion of Earls and Quinlan is fantastic. It’ll be a very difficult challenge, but nobody gave the Lions of ’97 a prayer when they went out to play against the then World Champions. Plus the smaller squad will give us a better chance of squad unity and team spirit, unlike in NZ.

Gavin, Spain