Howley said they're picking a 34/5 man squad for all 5 games (Presumably the meat of the team playing the Baa Baas being flown out to play the midweeker against the 'Tahs), and with that in mind, I'd go for...
Props: Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Ryan Bevington, Craig Mitchell, Paul James, Rhodri Jones, Rhys Gill
Rhodri Jones has been included in the last few extended squads, and has been playing well lately, so deserves his inclusion. otherwise picks itself. Bevington & Mitchell to start against the Baa-Baas, Geth and Adam the tests.
Hookers: Ken Owens, Matthew Rees, Richard Hibbard
I feel Ken should be our first choice going to Australia, to be honest- he's playing far better than Matthew Rees, and Hibbard would probably be in ahead of Bennett even if he wasn't injured. I'd start him against the Barbarians and see how he goes.
Locks: Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Aaron Shingler
Including Shingler as a second row just to balance out the numbers here. Ryan'd also cover, although we seem to have plenty of depth in the second row, suddenly. When did that happen? Tempted to tart Charteris over Evans, despite Six Nations form.
Back Row: Danny Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Toby Faletau, Ryan Jones, Justin Tipuric, Martyn Williams
Sam could apparently make the Baa Baas game. So let's either bench him or playing at 6/8 with Shingler at blindside. We all know who has to start at 7 for that match... Shame no other number 8s are really putting their hands up at the minute, as we could probably do with someone other than Ryan (Who's covering every single position) to take the load off Toby.
Scrum Half: Mike Phillips, Rhys Webb, Lloyd Williams
Webb should be above Lloyd on form, and hence should start against the Barbarians, if he plays well, he wins the bench slot. Simple as. Tav could yet fight his way back into contention, too. He looked sharp when he came on at the weekend.
Fly Half: Rhys Priestland, James Hook, Dan Biggar
Biggars playing well. There's no more too it. Although I feel Hook probably deserves some gametime at 10, so he'd be my pick for the 2nd of June, but he could yet find himself covering the centres once they fly out to Australia.
Centre: Jonthan Davies, Scott Williams, Ashley Beck, Adam Hughes
Hughes is an outside bet, chosen only because he's finally coming back into form, is young, can play wing and I needed extra numbers. Foxy may yet recover, so if Howley's anything like Gatland, that means he'll start every match, then aggravate his injury and sit out the next six months. Beck should start regardless- In absolutely cracking form.
Wingers: George North, Alex Cuthbert, Harry Robinson/Andy Fenby/Aled Brew
Fenby's the form man at the minute, and so I feel he may be worth a shot, but I've spent so long thinking he wasn't good enough that I feel apprehensive to pick him, especially as he isn't getting any younger (Still only 25, mind). Brew is Brew, and Robinson probably doesn't deserve a call-up, but is THE FUTURE. I'll see what the professionals have to say on the matter and then probably agree.
Fullbacks: Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Lee Byrne
Liam Williams has been terrific lately, and has moved above Byrne in my eyes, and could yet find himself playing on the wing. (Even though I don't really like him as anything but a Fullback) I'd give him a go at 15 against the Baa-Baas and see how he goes.
