New Zealand forwards coach Steve Hansen says he is happy that the Lions opted for an England-dominated pack. "It's a predictable, uncompromising unit which we have to meet head on," said Hansen, a former Wales head coach.
"We would have been more concerned at loose forward if the Lions had picked some of the Welsh boys available.
"The northern and southern hemispheres have two contrasting styles of play but Wales play more like a southern team. We'll see which is best."
Wales' Gethin Jenkins and Ireland's Shane Byrne and Paul O'Connell are the only Celts to force their way into the Lions pack.
The back-row - always a focus of New Zealand interest - is a veteran, all-England trio of Richard Hill, Neil Back and Martin Corry.
"Given the style they play for their own nation, it hasn't been a surprise that all the forward ball-handlers in the Lions sides have been Welsh," Hansen told BBC Sport Wales.
 |  Missing the World Cup made Gavin Henson a better player and person, and maybe being left out of the first Test will have the same effect |
"Ryan Jones has forced his way on to the bench for the Test side, but he or Michael Owen could have started at number eight and [open-side flanker] Martyn Williams is particularly unlucky. "But [Lions coach] Sir Clive Woodward has gone for the people he had under him before with England."
Hansen left his position as Wales coach at the end of the 2004 Six Nations.
His record showed just 11 wins from 31 games, but he is widely credited with much of the behind-the-scenes work that paved the way for Wales' all-action style of play that saw them to this year's Grand Slam.
He was popular with the squad and says he has taken the opportunity to catch up with the likes of Gareth Thomas, Stephen Jones and Gethin Jenkins in New Zealand.
Hansen did have a high-profile dispute with Gavin Henson during his time in Wales, though, after the coach left him out of his 2003 World Cup squad. "It's tough on Gavin, but I wasn't surprised to see him left out of the Lions Test side," said Hansen.
"A midfield of Stephen Jones and Jonny Wilkinson is very experienced and retains a kicking option. "But Gavin's a good player who is getting better all the time and I expect to see him in a Test jersey before the tour's over.
"Missing the World Cup made him a better player and person, and maybe being left out of the first Test will have the same effect."
MMIX
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