[irishbucsfan]

Originally Posted by profitius

I'm not too sure but I think they changed the rules to stop that happening after one or two players did it.

Yep, Shane Byrne was the last I think. So a good while back now.

[brinty]

honestly, and trying to guess on Gatlands type of squad of big bruising players, which Ireland does not have, I only see about 8 payers going as set out below..I think the Welsh will have 20 the english 10/12 and the scots 4
Healy - Midweek
Best - test starter
POC - Midweek/test bench
SOB - Midweek/ test bench!!
Reddan - Midweek (Gats wanted him to tour when still a Wasp??)
Sexton - Midweek
Bowe - Test Starter
Kearney - Midweek (not in test squad as Gats will start Priestland at FH and need Halfpenny at FB as his Kicker, and Rob not versatile enough for bench)

How does that sound

[profitius]

How many players will be in the squad?

I think about 1/4 of the squad will be Irish. Healy, SOB, Ferris, POC, BOD, Bowe, Kearney, Ross, Heaslip, Best and Sexton look to be the most obvious. We can expect a few of those to miss out through injury so I suspect about 8 of those Irish players will travel plus one bolter.

[GerM]

Originally Posted by brinty

honestly, and trying to guess on Gatlands type of squad of big bruising players, which Ireland does not have

I'm not sure his preference is necessarily for these type of players. It just happens that most backs (assume you're referring to the backs as Wales' forwards aren't actually particularly large physically) playing in the Welsh regions at the moment are very big units so his international back line by default are bruisers.

Beck, Bishop, Jon Davies, Scott Williams, North, Adam Hughes, Ashley Smith, Pat Leach, Cuthbert, Czekaj, Jamie Roberts, Gavin Evans.

All regulars in the 4 regional sides and all are at least 6ft and 15 stone.

[Podge_irl]

There is not a hope of Priestland starting ahead of Sexton if their respective form continues. Wales won the 6N in spite of him not because of him. And he has been beyond useless for the Scarlets.

[desertcircus]

Originally Posted by brinty

honestly, and trying to guess on Gatlands type of squad of big bruising players, which Ireland does not have, I only see about 8 payers going as set out below..I think the Welsh will have 20 the english 10/12 and the scots 4
Healy - Midweek
Best - test starter
POC - Midweek/test bench
SOB - Midweek/ test bench!!
Reddan - Midweek (Gats wanted him to tour when still a Wasp??)
Sexton - Midweek
Bowe - Test Starter
Kearney - Midweek (not in test squad as Gats will start Priestland at FH and need Halfpenny at FB as his Kicker, and Rob not versatile enough for bench)

How does that sound

On current form, I'd be astounded if Healy, Sexton and Kearney got no further than midweek. There should be a decent chance of all three making the starting fifteen.

[profitius]

Originally Posted by desertcircus

On current form, I'd be astounded if Healy, Sexton and Kearney got no further than midweek. There should be a decent chance of all three making the starting fifteen.

I think Halfpenny will start especially if Gatland wants to play the Welsh way. Ben Foden is also in the mix.

If the Lions were playing SA then Kearney would be the best option. While I think people overrated some of the Welsh players the one underrated player IMO is Halfpenny.

[Fishooks12]

Originally Posted by desertcircus

On current form, I'd be astounded if Healy, Sexton and Kearney got no further than midweek. There should be a decent chance of all three making the starting fifteen.

Ah, it's good to be back.................


Healy is the best LH in the NH if not the world IMO. And if you think Sexton would not even be on the bench for the tests when he's the best OH in the NH I think you need the noggin checked

[rrpc]

Originally Posted by Fishooks12

Ah, it's good to be back.................


Healy is the best LH in the NH if not the world IMO. And if you think Sexton would not even be on the bench for the tests when he's the best OH in the NH I think you need the noggin checked

There's potential there for Gatland to show Kidney up. Depending on who he chooses for half-backs and how he sets up partnerships, we could really see Sexton let loose to play his game the way he really can.

Of course by that time, Kidney could be gone from the Ireland set up, so a moot point.

[.ak]

Originally Posted by rrpc

There's potential there for Gatland to show Kidney up. Depending on who he chooses for half-backs and how he sets up partnerships, we could really see Sexton let loose to play his game the way he really can.

Of course by that time, Kidney could be gone from the Ireland set up, so a moot point.

He'd still be showing him up, regardless of where he works after the 6N. He'd also be showing the IRFU up.

"Look at what I can do with your players and you can't."

... that's if he picks said players.

[totallegend]

Originally Posted by .ak

He'd still be showing him up, regardless of where he works after the 6N. He'd also be showing the IRFU up.

"Look at what I can do with your players and you can't."

... that's if he picks said players.

Gatland has won as many Grand Slams in five years with Wales as Ireland have in their entire history. I think it's safe to say he doesn't have anything left to prove to the IRFU of all people.

And that's two Grand Slams with completely different squads of players, btw. I'd imagine Gatland would laugh at you if you suggested he needed to prove himself over Kidney.

[Clareman]

I always got the impression that Gatland and Edwards were all about combinations of players and how they fit together.

IMVHO, Ross, Healy and Best could go, but with other players going so well I don't htink any of them are assured to be on the plane. PoC is probably our only definite, back row will be nightmare cause of such options available in the other countries, SoB and Ferris could go.

In the backs, Sexton, Bowe and Kearney will go, depending on how the season goes for them, I wouldn't be surprised is either Reddan or Murray were to travel. BoD will really have to pull out an amazing season to get on the plane.

[jacothelad]

Originally Posted by Clareman

I always got the impression that Gatland and Edwards were all about combinations of players and how they fit together.

IMVHO, Ross, Healy and Best could go, but with other players going so well I don't htink any of them are assured to be on the plane. PoC is probably our only definite, back row will be nightmare cause of such options available in the other countries, SoB and Ferris could go.

In the backs, Sexton, Bowe and Kearney will go, depending on how the season goes for them, I wouldn't be surprised is either Reddan or Murray were to travel. BoD will really have to pull out an amazing season to get on the plane.

I don't think Ross has even a remote chance of going. Adam Jones and Dan Cole are better players. Corbisiero can play both sides of the scrum though is better at 1. Corbs, Jenkins and Healy will make up the 5 I think will go.

[liammur]

The Lions will win the series, Aus by far the weakest of the tri-nations. I'd say 3 Irish will make the test team.

[Podge_irl]

I'd rate Best and Healy more definite to travel then POC.

Short of a cataclysmic loss of form, Healy, Best, POC, Sexton and Kearney are all guaranteed to be on the plane. Whether they're starters or not is a different question of course and I don't think any of them are definites, though Best is most likely as he's in the position that's weakest.