Wednesday 7 June 2017 15:33, UK
Sean Fitzpatrick and Luke Fitzgerald identify Warren Gatland's likely starting XV against the Crusaders on Saturday.
The Lions got their campaign underway with a nervy 13-7 win over the Provincial Barbarians last Saturday, before a late Ihaia West try saw them lose to the Blues on Wednesday.
Things do not get any easier for the tourists as they now face the Crusaders, who are undefeated in Super Rugby this year.
Warren Gatland said at the beginning of the tour that each player would get a chance to start at least one of the first three games, and with that in mind Fitzpatrick and Fitzgerald have identified the team most likely to start in Christchurch.
The pundits believe it will be a front row in which Saracens team-mates Mako Vunipola and Jamie George pack down alongside Ireland's Tadhg Furlong, and Fitzpatrick says this is George's chance to move above Ken Owens in the pecking order for a Test shirt.
"In a Test match I would see Ken Owens starting and Jamie George coming on," said Fitzpatrick. "But he's [George] got an opportunity.
"Mako has been under a bit of pressure publically in terms of his scrummaging ability, but I think they will be good enough, and I think Furlong is quite outstanding as a tighthead - arguably the best tighthead in world rugby at the moment."
In the second row, it's the predicted combination of George Kruis and Alun Wyn Jones, with the panel selecting Jones as skipper.
The pair have gone for big ball-carrier Sean O'Brien in the No 7 jersey against Kieran Read's franchise.
"He's a player that I think will do very well in New Zealand, and I'm looking forward to seeing him play," said Fitzpatrick.
"[He's] the one guy I've been talking to on the tour," Fitzgerald added. "He says he's in great shape, which is good because he's had a bit of a mixed season in that respect. But look, he's a super talent, we all know that."
Peter O'Mahony is the man likely to feature on the other side of the scrum, while former All Black Fitzpatrick wants to see Taulupe Faletau tested against the unbeaten Crusaders: "I'd like to see Faletau back in there again. He needs game time.
"He was outstanding against the Barbarians, let's put him up against arguably the best provincial team in the world."
Owen Farrell, who lit up the Lions' faltering opening game against the Barbarians from the bench, has been backed to start at fly-half, while Conor Murray's dominant kicking game could cause problems for the Crusaders.
"It's a really strong part of his game," said Fitzgerald of Murray's boot. "Munster use it very well and so do Ireland.
"You have to kick to compete, and this guy does it better than anyone else I know."
Fitzpatrick said of Farrell: "The cameo we saw from him on Saturday was quite outstanding, I thought he really showed his maturity from where he was even 12 months ago.
"He hasn't played any international rugby at 10, so it's a good opportunity for him."
Fitzpatrick believes Ben Te'o is the person in line for the No 12 jersey due to his consistent performances.
"He does his job very, very well," said Fitzpatrick. "He's not overly quick but he does the simple things well."
Fitzgerald identified Jonathan Davies as one of the squad members who has one hand on a Test jersey.
"His delivery of the ball pre-contact - that's a key thing. He gets the ball away to his 15s and his wingers really well. He was unbelievable in the last bits of the PRO12, so he's probably the frontrunner at the moment for that 13 slot."
The pundits have opted for a dynamic back three, with Wales' Liam Williams the man to patrol the back while Anthony Watson is employed down the touchline.
"Put Watson on the right wing, Williams at full-back, and then have Hogg on the bench to bring on," said Fitzpatrick.
"I'd like to see Liam Williams start, I see him potentially as a Test starter."
Meanwhile, Fitzgerald believes George North is another player pencilled in for a Test start in two weeks' time.
"He's one of Warren's boys," said Fitzgerald. "He'd have to play pretty poorly to not get in the Test team."