So many conundrums in this countdown

This time next week we will no for sure how the Lions fare against New Zealand and whether we can the series.

However the bulid up and the selections have thrown little to the weight of optimism that all Lions fans will take before every tour. Indeed all the build up matches seem to have created is confusion.

The selection of Gavin Henson for Tuesday's match against Southland is likely to condemn the Welshman to the stands for the first test. Although Henson hasn't set the ground alight since touching down in New Zealand, nearly every expert picked him for the first test.

According to many the likely benefactor will be Jonny Wilkinson. Bearing in mind this would be only his second game on tour and a ready made centre in Will Greenwood has impressed many on tour, that selection would be an unusual and risky one.

My selection for the first test can be found at Real News on MSN Spaces

Another confusing element of the preparation is that the Lions still have many problems to iron out. Losing out at the breakdown to opposition players so far hasn't proved too costly accept for the defeat to the New Zealand Maoris.

However, we all know the All Blacks will be the toughest team on tour and don't need second invitations to steal ball that they have no right to do so. The Lions have still suffered turnovers by the shed load, it is a worry!

I'm not downbeat about our chances, indeed the lack of practice in key areas could hurt the hosts and the tourists could hit the ground running.

It's just that even on the Australia tour four years ago, the week before was one of the better weeks for the Lions as they beat New South Wales and then demolished the Wallabies in the first test. Although the second half was an improvement, I oculdn't help thinking the work was far from finished.

For the optimists I do leave this to cling to. Woodward's England were taking bigger flack than this as late as the Quarter Finals in 2003 Down Under. We all remembered the outcome back then.