We are getting close to the first Test match against New Zealand now and, although I am itching for it to start, I am also very nervous.
There is something very magical and special about the preparations before the game.
These guys have pulled on their international jerseys, but a lot of them will never have worn a Lions jersey for a Test match.
 |  I would think Henson is fuming behind his bedroom door |
It looks the same as the ones they wore in the provincial games but it doesn't feel the same.
Even people like Richard Hill and Neil Back, on their third Lions tour, have never worn the shirt against New Zealand. So it really is a big one.
Everything is amplified and the haka is something ferocious. When Umaga leads it on Saturday it will be quite spectacular.
Myself, Phil Bennett and Sean Fitzpatrick have been doing dinners for ex-pat communities in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
There is huge interest surrounding the Lions and everyone wants to know what is going on and the big talking point is the selections.
There is no doubt that the players in the Lions team are quality players, but I feel very uncomfortable with it.
I feel incredibly sorry for Gavin Henson and Tom Shanklin. When they were paired in the second half for the Southland game in the midfield, things seemed to tighten up a little bit and there was a bit more direction.
Sir Clive Woodward is going for a kicking game, and he is looking to keep the All Blacks on the back foot.
| Sir Clive Woodward is going for a kicking game, and he is looking to keep the All Blacks on the back foot |
That is fine until you look at their back three and realise that these guys can run, so the kicking has to be spot on.
I feel there are too many players in the side who are not right on their game.
Some players are in that team on reputation, not on current form, and Woodward said he would not do that.
Jonny Wilkinson has played 20 minutes on this tour at inside centre, while Jason Robinson is coming into the Test with no form.
If the centres do not work, we have Will Greenwood coming on. He is a great player but is also coming into this tour with no form. All the other centres have shown better form than him, so it is a strange one.
If you look at our back three, the one stand-out player has been Josh Lewsey at full-back and he is playing on the wing, which is odd.
I would think Henson is fuming behind his bedroom door. He must be spitting tacks.
When Wales coach Mike Ruddock arrives he is going to look at all the good work he has done building up the confidence of his Welsh players and think, "I have to sort this out again now."
I watched the Southland game and again there were too many mistakes and errors. It was disjointed.
Part of that is players not playing regularly together, and that could be the same thing on Saturday.
In 1993, I played seven games and before the Tests I had played four, so I felt pretty bedded in. Some of these guys in the team have only played once.
I am just praying that the players get off to a good start, a good first tackle, first scrum, first take in the line out, first hit.
The main thing in the minds of the players will be to start well, get the first 10 minutes going and win the battles with your opposite number.
What we have seen so far is that when the Lions make mistakes the opponents capitalise, they swoop on it and off they go.
They play this wide open Super 12 rugby and we cannot compete with that. It is not natural to us.
We have to get the basics right.
If the Lions players find their form they can win, without a doubt.
But it is looking a bit shaky, and if this New Zealand team clicks we could be in trouble.
MMIX
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