By Martin Bayfield Former Lions and England lock

I have an uneasy feeling about these Lions.

There is no question they are a really talented bunch of players, but I just don't feel we have got a team yet.

It is an awkward situation and it could all come together in the next week, but it is asking a lot of even great players.

I would like to think the Lions coaches know what they are doing

This is the All Blacks we are talking about and, if the Lions are not switched on in the first Test, one dropped pass or missed tackle will mean try time.

Having players train together for a decent period works to a certain degree, but you only realise what they are like as a unit under pressure in a match situation.

I would say the Test team needed to play a game together under pressure and, although forwards and backs have played as units, it all looks a bit uneasy to me.

Then again, in 1993 I was part of a near Test-strength team that got beaten by Otago a week before the first Test. I got injured, so did Scott Hastings and Will Carling.

Lions Tour History: 1993

We got a bit of a hammmering and maybe Clive didn't want his Test boys risking an injury on Saturday.

The thing that bothers me is that Clive was appointed because of his success with England, but that World Cup team played together in the big games again and again.

They knew each other inside out, and there were only changes when there were injuries.

I just don't see that kind of continuity coming through in the build-up to the Lions' first Test.

I am surprised we haven't seen more of Tom Shanklin

There are a few guys in Saturday's team to face Otago who might edge into the Test equation.

Charlie Hodgson could get himself on the bench, while Geordan Murphy could still push for a Test spot.

But the selection suggests Clive has got his Test team pretty much inked in, even if we haven't seen it operate together.

We are not likely to now, as I would doubt we will see them against Southland in Invercargill on Tuesday.

The likes of Brian O'Driscoll, Josh Lewsey and Martin Corry need a rest before the first Test.

There might be the odd player involved, and I wouldn't have a problem with putting Jonny Wilkinson in for another game.

I don't think he has done enough yet, and I would like to see him again, possibly playing with Matt Dawson.

I don't know why he was moved to centre against Wellington. Graham Henry will see right through ploys like that. He knows Jonny isn't going to play there in the Tests.

Wilkinson backs Lions to step up

But there is a lot of experience in the coaching team and I would like to think they know what they are doing.

One player I am surprised we haven't seen more of though is Tom Shanklin.

Everyone raves about Gavin Henson but he didn't score a try in the Six Nations and hasn't on tour, whereas Shanklin seems to score whenever he plays.

He is one of several Welsh players in good form, who have carried it through from the Six Nations.

Gethin Jenkins and Dwayne Peel have been excellent and Gareth Thomas looked good on Wednesday, even if he's another I'd like to see again before the Tests.

Who will make the Test XV?

I think the pack pretty much picks itself now. Jenkins and Julian White will be the props and Shane Byrne might have done enough on Wednesday to edge out Steve Thompson.

Paul O'Connell will probably be partnered by Ben Kay, who I think will get the nod over Danny Grewcock.

I would like to have seen Simon Shaw get a better crack as I don't think they have played him properly.

If he shows up well on Saturday he might still have a chance, and poor Donncha O'Callaghan has not had a proper opportunity to prove himself either until now.

It's also looking like an all-English back row of Richard Hill, Martin Corry and Neil Back, unless Martyn Williams has a blinder on Saturday.