By Chris Foy for the Daily Mail
Published: 22:34 GMT, 17 February 2019 | Updated: 22:34 GMT, 17 February 2019
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Imagine if the Lions concept was halved, with Ireland and Scotland absent, and the red and white factions remaining. As Wales and England prepare to lock horns again, what would a composite XV look like?
For this fantasy selection, availability and fitness is not a factor. This column has assessed the candidates and the result is a 9-6 win for England — a result they would gladly accept on Saturday.
If one position sums up the selector’s dilemma, it is at No 8. Is it Taulupe Faletau or Billy Vunipola? Drum roll — both. The two of them are world-class and have to play.
Taulupe Faletau would make the cut in a combined England and Wales XV
15 - L. Williams (Wales)
14 - J. May (England)
13 - M. Tuilagi (England)
12 - J. Davies (Wales)
11 - E. Daly (England)
10 - O. Farrell (England)
9 - R. Webb (Wales)
1 - M. Vunipola (England)
2 - J. George (England)
3 - K. Sinckler (England)
4 - A.W. Jones (Wales)
5 - M. Itoje (England)
6 - T. Faletau (Wales)
7 - B. Vunipola (England)
8 - J. Tipuric (Wales)
The cop-out solution is for Faletau to operate at blindside flanker, with the heavier Vunipola at the base of the scrum. Throw the electric Justin Tipuric into the back-row mix and the trio would take some stopping.
Rhys Webb is off-limits to Wales as he is playing for Toulon, but the suspicion is that he will end up appearing at the World Cup. He shades scrum-half over Ben Youngs.
Much of the team picks itself. The English props Mako Vunipola and Kyle Sinckler are both Lions, adept in the tight and the loose.
Jamie George is a fraction ahead of Ken Owens, as he was with the Lions. The lock pair from that tour,
