If one man's misfortune can be another man's opportunity, this Lions tour of Australia has provided more than its fair share of chances to the players originally cast aside by coach Warren Gatland.
Sport can be tremendously cruel to athletes who train for years before suffering an injury at the most inopportune moment. But where one man falls, another can rise. Would Andy Murray be a Grand Slam winner had Rafael Nadal been fit for the US Open last year? Would France have won the World Cup in 1998 had Ronaldo not taken ill on the eve of the final in Paris? What about Denmark at Euro 1992 and all those golfers who stole in and won majors after Tiger Woods crashed his SUV into a fire hydrant?
A few of the Lions who line up against Australia on Saturday were looking forward to relaxing beach holidays only a few weeks ago. Shane Williams was retired from international rugby, but he has joined Brad Barritt, Christian Wade, Billy Twelvetrees, Alex Corbisiero and Simon Zebo in the squad to cover for injured Tommy Bowe, Gethin Jenkins and Cian Healy, and to bolster numbers should Jamie Roberts, Manu Tuilagi and George North succumb to their fitness concerns.
In light of the injuries suffered by the Lions squad, who do you think Gatland should pick for the Test in Brisbane? Who is worth risking and which player will make the most of the opportunity that has come his way?
Which Lions XV would you pick for the first Test against Australia?
