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Ed Hoadley looks at the ongoing battle for Test spots on the British and Irish Lions tour and suggests his starters for next week's showdown with the Springboks.

Four games into the Lions' tour of South Africa, it is becoming clear who are the possibles and who are the probables for Test selection.

Full-back

Lee Byrne was everyone's favourite for the full-back berth heading into the tour and his assured defence, powerful attacking and thunderous left boot have so far only strengthened his claim.

Saturday couldl be the last chance for Rob Kearney, the only other specialised full-back, to shine, but he will have to produce a monumental effort to leapfrog his Welsh rival.

Wings

Tommy Bowe has carried his great Six Nations form into this Lions tour and against the Golden Lions he was both scorer and provider. The Ulsterman will be difficult to ignore after notching up three tries in two games.

On the other flank his likely partner will be Ugo Monye. The Harlequin has enjoyed a dramatic rise up the rankings this season and his combination of pace and power looks irresistible.

Probably the biggest disappointment of the tour has been Shane Williams. The IRB Player of the Year has struggled to find anything like his best form, despite being one of the few players to start three matches.

Luke Fitzgerald has looked sharp but lacked the killer instinct of Bowe and Monye.

Centre

As sure a bet as you could hope for. Brian O'Driscoll is looking back to his best at the moment, both in defence and attack. Could this be the year O'Driscoll captures the Grand Slam, Heineken Cup and a Lions series win? The form he's in you wouldn't put it past him.

In the Lions' two most impressive wins, O'Driscoll's partner in crime has been Jamie Roberts. The 22 year old's bulldozing runs have been the catalyst for the tourists' most fluent attacks. It will be very difficult to spilt the duo up.

The best of the rest has been Riki Flutey. Although he has only appeared fleetingly, he has shown quick feet and strong defence. Having full recovered from injury, Flutey has been given a first start on Saturday but in reality he is only playing for a place on the Test bench.

Keith Earls has been unconvincing so far, appearing overawed by his Lions debut. The young Munsterman is a rank outsider for a Test place.

Gordon D'Arcy only flew to South Africa as cover for Flutey and remains ready to step up in case of any injuries.

Fly-half

This was originally a straight battle between Stephen Jones and Ronan O'Gara. However, due to injury James Hook has moved into the picture. Jones has been Mr Reliable all season and O'Gara's form has blown hot and cold, leaving him a risky selection for the first Test.

If Jones can produce another solid performance on Saturday he will edge the 10 spot.

O'Gara looks likely to pip Hook to a spot on the bench due to his Test and Lions experience. However, Hook's ability to change a game and play more than one position gives him the potential to be a super-sub.

Scrum-half

South Africans are no strangers to big physical scrum-halves. This time the boot is on the other foot as Mike Phillips (pictured) has been causing carnage with his muscular snipes around the rucks. It could be the Welshman's physical presence that secures his Test spot.

Harry Ellis and Mike Blair are battling it out for a place on the bench. Having both started one game each, it seems logical Ellis' selection ahead of Blair against Western Province makes him the likely replacement in the first Test.

Props

Prop is arguably the Lions' strongest position and in Gethin Jenkins they have one of the best in the world. Andrew Sheridan has been in destrucive mood so far, but Jenkins's superb all-round game makes the Welshman hard to ignore.

The big question is who will partner him at tight-head?

Euan Murray and Adam Jones have both produced solid performances but the old war horse Phil Vickery could be rolled out for one last battle. The fact he was selected as captain for Saturday's game shows the esteem in which the Lions management hold him.

Hooker

Lee Mears is often criticised for being too small, but he is continuing to silence his critics with his cannonball running style and accurate line out throwing. He is favourite for the hooker spot so far.

Ross Ford and Matthew Rees are another pair that have both played one game each, but as Rees has been preferred to start on Saturday he looks most likely to be on the bench next week.

Second row

As tour captain Paul O'Connell is a shoe-in to start the first Test. Who joins him is largely a question of tactics.

His most likely partner is Alun Wyn-Jones, whose lineout expertise and work-rate earned him the honour of being the youngest forward to captain Wales.

If McGeehan chooses to go for a more abrasive combination, then Nathan Hines definitely put his hand up for selection after his performance against the Golden Lions. But the big Scot will need to back that up on Saturday.

Blindside flanker

Stephen Ferris looked to have this position sown up until his knee injury opened the door for Tom Croft and Joe Worsley.

Croft has already impressed with his pace but it is his lineout ability that might ultimately secure his place. Against Western Province, Worsley gets a chance to shine in his preferred position of six. The Lions management must decide if they what to try and out-play the Boks with Croft or stop them playing with Worsley.

Openside flanker

How the Lions deal with the breakdown is essential, making this one of the most important selections for McGeehan. Paul Wallace put forward an impressive case with his performance against the Sharks.

If Martyn Williams - having recovered from a shoulder injury - can dominate ruck time against Western province and produce the link play he is famous for, he could still pip Wallace to the post on the final furlong.

Number eight

Jamie Heaslip has been in sensational form so far while Andy Powell has struggled at the base of the Lions' scrum. Heaslip's try-scoring performance against the Sharks should be enough to cement his place.

Powell has looked desperate to impress but needs to add subtlety to his undoubted power to have any chance of ousting Heaslip. Saturday's game is massive for the Welshman.

Eurosport's Lions Test XV ahead of the Western Province clash.

15-Lee Byrne, 14-Tommy Bowe, 13-Brian O'Driscoll, 12-Jamie Roberts, 11-Ugo Monye, 10-Stephen Jones, 9-Mike Phillips; 8-Jamie Heaslip, 7-David Wallace, 6-Tom Croft, 5-Paul O'Connell, 4-Alun-Wyn Jones, 3-Phil Vickery, 2-Lee Mears, 1-Gethin Jenkins.

Agree or disagree? Let us know your opinion in the comments section below.

Ed Hoadley / Eurosport