Lions Squad Prediction Game

Stealdo

With just 4 days to go to the Lions squad announcement - how about a bit of fun with a prediction game...

With the assumption that....
There will be 36 players
There will be 2 players in each position with 6 extras

Choose your squad - points will be awarded for the following
Correct selection of a player - 2pt
Correct selection of captain - 5pt

If you select a player out of position that is not a problem - feel free to choose 34 tight heads or whatever, it will probably work against you in the long run. Please refrain from discussing/justifying selections in this thread - you're trying to predict the selection not what you would choose. I'll tally points at the end for anyone who enters.

Here's mine to get started...
1. Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan
2. Jerry Flannery, Ross Ford, Rory Best
3. Euan Murray, Adam Jones, Phil Vickery
4. Donncha O'Callaghan, Nathan Hines
5. Paul O'Connell, Alun Wyn Jones
6. Stephen Ferris, Ryan Jones, Tom Croft
7. Martin Williams, David Wallace
8. Jamie Heaslip, Nick Easter
9. Mike Phillips, Mike Blair, Danny Care
10. Stephen Jones, Ronan O'Gara, James Hook
11. Shane Williams, Luke Fitzgerald
12. Riki Flutey, Gordon D'Arcy
13. Brian O'Driscoll (c), Tom Shanklin
14. Tommy Bowe, Paul Sackey
15. Lee Byrne, Rob Kearney, Delon Armitage

bleg

1. Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan
2. Jerry Flannery, Ross Ford, Matthew Rees
3. Euan Murry, Phil Vickery, Adam Jones
4. Alun Wyn Jones, DOC
5. Nathan Hines, POC (c)
6. Tom Croft, Stephen Ferris
7. David Wallace, Martyn Williams
8. Ryan Jones, Jamie Heaslip, Andy Powell
9. Mike Phillips, Mike Blair, TOL
10. ROG, Stephen Jones, Cipriani
11. Williams, Evans
12. Jamie Roberts, Flutey
13. O Driscoll, Shanklin, Earls
14. Bowe, Cueto
15. Byrne, Kearney

thomond2006

My Team:

1. Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan
2. Jerry Flannery, Matthew Rees, Lee Mears
3. Phil Vickery, Euan Murray, John Hayes
4. Donncha O' Callaghan, Steve Borthwick
5. Paul O' Connell (c), Alun Wyn Jones
6. Stephen Ferris, Tom Croft, Ryan Jones
7. David Wallace, Martyn Williams
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Tomas O' Leary, Mile Phillips, Mike Blair
10. Ronan O' Gara, Danny Cipriani, Stephen Jones
11. Shane Williams, Luke Fitzgerald
12. Riki Flutey, Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O' Driscoll, Tom Shanklin, Keith Earls
14. Tommy Bowe, Mark Cueto
15. Lee Byrne, Rob Kearney, Delon Armitage

robgloster

1. Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan
2. Jerry Flannery, Ross Ford, Lee Mears
3. Euan Murray, Adam Jones, Hayes
4. Donncha O'Callaghan, Alun Wyn Jones
5. Paul O'Connell (c), Nathan Hines
6. Stephen Ferris, Ryan Jones, Tom Croft
7. Martin Williams, David Wallace
8. Jamie Heaslip, Nick Easter
9. Mike Phillips, TOL , Danny Care
10. Stephen Jones, Ronan O'Gara, Toby Flood
11. Shane Williams, Luke Fitzgerald
12. Riki Flutey, Max Evans
13. Brian O'Driscoll, Tom Shanklin
14. Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls
15. Lee Byrne, Rob Kearney, Delon Armitage

Podge_irl

1. Jenkins, Sheridan
2. Flannery, Mears, Ford
3. Murray, Vickery, A. Jones
4. Wyn Jones, O'Callaghan
5. O'Connell, Hines
6. Ferris, R. Jones, Croft
7. Wallace, Williams
8. Heaslip, Easter
9. Phillips, Ellis, Blair
10. O'Gara, Jones, Hook
11. Williams, Fitzgerald
12. D'Arcy, Roberts
13. Shanklin, O'Driscoll (c)
14. Bowe, Evans
15. Kearney, Byrne, Armitage

slicus ricus

bleg wrote: »

Earls

You have got to be joking! Do you serious believe that McGeechan and the welsh coaches are going to pick Keith Earls for the lions, a player who has played one international game? Yes, his form for Munster is fantastic at the moment and yes if there was an Irish coach in charge, he might have some chance. But with McGeechan and the welsh boys, I just can't see it happening. How can he be good enough to get into the lions squad if he wasn't good enough to make the 6 nations starting 15.

Podge_irl

slicus ricus wrote: »

You have got to be joking! Do you serious believe that McGeechan and the welsh coaches are going to pick Keith Earls for the lions, a player who has played one international game? Yes, his form for Munster is fantastic at the moment and yes if there was an Irish coach in charge, he might have some chance. But with McGeechan and the welsh boys, I just can't see it happening. How can he be good enough to get into the lions squad if he wasn't good enough to make the 6 nations starting 15.

Ahem....

Stealdo wrote: »

Please refrain from discussing/justifying selections in this thread - you're trying to predict the selection not what you would choose.

funky penguin

In fairness was he not injured for the 6n?

jprender

Props : Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan, Adam Jones, john Hayes, Euan Murray

Hooker : Jerry Flannery, Rory Best, Ross Ford

Locks : POC, DOC, AWJ, Steve Borthwick

Back Row : Ferris, Ryan Jones, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip, Martin Williames, Andy Powell, Alan Quinlan

Scrum-half : mike Phillips, Mike Blair, Tomas O'Leary

Fly-half : ROG, S Jones, J Hook

Centres : BOD (CAPT), Tom Shanklin, Ricki Flutey, Jamie Roberts

Outside Backs : Williames, Bowe, Cueto, Lee Byrne, Kearney, Armitage, Evans

velocirafter

Stealdo wrote: »

Please refrain from discussing/justifying selections in this thread - you're trying to predict the selection not what you would choose.

Can we get these comments moved some soft of discussion thread maybe??

slicus ricus wrote: »

You have got to be joking! Do you serious believe that McGeechan and the welsh coaches are going to pick Keith Earls for the lions, a player who has played one international game? Yes, his form for Munster is fantastic at the moment and yes if there was an Irish coach in charge, he might have some chance. But with McGeechan and the welsh boys, I just can't see it happening. How can he be good enough to get into the lions squad if he wasn't good enough to make the 6 nations starting 15.

From a purely tactical point of view for this prediction game, it's worth picking a few unlikely players to differentiate yourself from the bunch. Everyone is going to be picking fairly similar teams and a couple of wildcards could make the difference in winning, as wildcards go earls would be a pretty good bet

bleg

slicus ricus wrote: »

You have got to be joking! Do you serious believe that McGeechan and the welsh coaches are going to pick Keith Earls for the lions, a player who has played one international game? Yes, his form for Munster is fantastic at the moment and yes if there was an Irish coach in charge, he might have some chance. But with McGeechan and the welsh boys, I just can't see it happening. How can he be good enough to get into the lions squad if he wasn't good enough to make the 6 nations starting 15.

will greenwood.

thomond2006

slicus ricus wrote: »

You have got to be joking! Do you serious believe that McGeechan and the welsh coaches are going to pick Keith Earls for the lions, a player who has played one international game? Yes, his form for Munster is fantastic at the moment and yes if there was an Irish coach in charge, he might have some chance. But with McGeechan and the welsh boys, I just can't see it happening. How can he be good enough to get into the lions squad if he wasn't good enough to make the 6 nations starting 15.

Pick your own team Mr. Critic.

Dev7

Front Row: Jenkins, Sheridan, Murray, Vickery, Adam Jones, Flannery, Mears, Rees.
2nd Row: O Connell (c), O Callaghan, Wyn Jones, Borthwick.
Back Row: Ryan Jones, M Williams, Wallace, Heaslip, Croft, Worsely.
Half Backs: Philips, Blair, Ellis, O Gara, Stephen Jones, Cipriani.
Centres: O Driscoll, Shanklin, Flutey, Roberts.
Backs: S Williams, Byrne, Bowe, Armitage, Lewsey, Monye, Kearney.

corny

1. Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan
2. Jerry Flannery, Matthew Rees, Rory Best
3. Euan Murray, Adam Jones, Phil Vickery
4. Donncha O'Callaghan, Steve Borthwick(:eek: i know but i can see it happening)
5. Paul O'Connell, Alun Wyn Jones
6. Stephen Ferris, Ryan Jones, Tom Croft
7. Martin Williams, David Wallace
8. Jamie Heaslip, Andy Powell(i'd never pick him but the coaches will)
9. Mike Phillips, Mike Blair, Danny Care
10. Stephen Jones, Ronan O'Gara, James Hook
11. Shane Williams, Luke Fitzgerald
12. Riki Flutey, Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O'Driscoll (c), Tom Shanklin
14. Tommy Bowe, Lee Halfpenny
15. Lee Byrne, Rob Kearney, Delon Armitage

KevinK

1. Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan
2. Jerry Flannery, Ross Ford, Lee Mears
3. Euan Murray, John Hayes, Phil Vickery
4. Donncha O'Callaghan, NIck Kennedy
5. Paul O'Connell (c), Alun Wyn Jones
6. Stephen Ferris, Ryan Jones, Tom Croft
7. Martin Williams, David Wallace
8. Jamie Heaslip, James Haskell
9. Mike Phillips, Mike Blair, Harry Ellis
10. Stephen Jones, Ronan O'Gara, James Hook
11. Shane Williams, Luke Fitzgerald
12. Riki Flutey, Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O'Driscoll, Tom Shanklin
14. Tommy Bowe, Thom Evans
15. Lee Byrne, Rob Kearney, Delon Armitage

hallelujajordan

1. Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan
2. Jerry Flannery, Ross Ford, Lee Mears
3. Euan Murray, John Hayes, Phil Vickery
4. Donncha O'Callaghan, NIck Kennedy
5. Paul O'Connell , Alun Wyn Jones
6. Stephen Ferris, Ryan Jones, Tom Croft
7. Martin Williams, David Wallace
8. Jamie Heaslip, James Haskell
9. Mike Phillips, Peter Stringrr, Harry Ellis
10. Stephen Jones, Ronan O'Gara, Jonny Wilkinson
11. Shane Williams, Luke Fitzgerald
12. Riki Flutey, Gordon Darcy
13. Brian O'Driscoll (c), Tom Shanklin
14. Tommy Bowe, Thom Evans
15. Lee Byrne, Rob Kearney, Delon Armitage

kev_s88

1. Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan
2. Jerry Flannery, Ross Ford, Lee Mears
3. Euan Murray, John Hayes, Phil Vickery
4. Alun Wyn Jones, Donncha O' Callaghan
5. Paul O' Connell, Nathan Hines
6. Martyn Williams, Stephen Ferris, Tom Croft
7. David Wallace, Ryan Jones
8. Jamie Heaslip, Nick Easter
9. Mike Phillips, Mike Blair, Peter Stringer
10. Ronan O' Gara, Stephen Jones, James Hook
11. Shane Williams, Luke Fitzgerald
12. Gordon Darcy, Riki Flutey
13. Brian O' Driscoll (c), Tom Shanklin
14. Tommy Bowe, Paul Sackey
15. Lee Byrne, Rob Kearney, Delon Armitage

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

Micky Dolenz

Handy selector tool here : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7716685.stm

No Stringer :eek:

sslazio11

Props: Jenkins, Murray, Vickery, Sheridan, Hayes
Hookers: Flannery, Ford, Best
Locks: O'Connell (c), O'Callaghan, Shaw, Wyn-Jones
Back Row: Wallace, Ferris, Heaslip, R.Jones, Croft, M.Williams, Worsley
Scrum-Half: Phillips, Blair, Ellis
Fly-Half: Jones, O'Gara, Hook
Centres: O'Driscoll, Shanklin, Flutey, Roberts
Wings: S.Williams, Bowe, Fitzgerald, Cueto
Full-Backs: Byrne, Kearney, Armitage

premierstone

1. Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan
2. Jerry Flannery, Lee Mears, Ross Ford
3. Euan Murray, Adam Jones, Phil Vickery
4. Alun Wyn Jones, Donncha O' Callaghan
5. Paul O' Connell (c), Nick Kennedy
6. Stephen Ferris, Tom Croft
7. Denis Leamy,Martyn Williams
8. Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace
9. Mike Phillips, Mike Blair, Dwayne Peel
10. Ronan O' Gara, Stephen Jones, Danny Cipriani
11. Shane Williams, Leigh Halfpenny
12. Jamie Roberts, Keith Earls, Ricki Flutey
13. Brian O' Driscoll, Tom Shanklin
14. Tommy Bowe, Mark Cueto
15. Lee Byrne, Rob Kearney, Delon Armitage

Chucky the tree

1. Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan
2. Jerry Flannery, Lee Mears, Ross Ford
3. Euan Murray, Adam Jones, Phil Vickery
4. Alun Wyn Jones, Donncha O' Callaghan
5. Paul O' Connell(c), Nick Kennedy
6. Stephen Ferris, Tom Croft
7. David Wallace,Martyn Williams, Joe worsley
8. Jamie Heaslip, Ryan Jones
9. Mike Phillips, Mike Blair, Danny Care
10. Ronan O' Gara, Stephen Jones, Toby Flood
11. Shane Williams, Mark Cueto
12. Jamie Roberts, Riki flutey
13. Brian O' Driscoll, Tom Shanklin, Keith Earls
14. Tommy Bowe, Thom Evans, Leigh Halfpenny

Cosmo Kramer

1. Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan
2. Jerry Flannery, Lee Mears, Ross Ford
3. Euan Murray, Adam Jones
4. Alun Wyn Jones, Donncha O' Callaghan
5. Paul O' Connell (c), Simon Shaw
6. Stephen Ferris, Tom Croft
7. David Wallace,Martyn Williams, Joe Worsley
8. Jamie Heaslip, Ryan Jones
9. Mike Phillips, Mike Blair, Harry Ellis
10. Ronan O' Gara, Stephen Jones, James Hook
11. Shane Williams, Thom Evans
12. Jamie Roberts, Riki Flutey, Gordon D'arcy
13. Brian O' Driscoll, Tom Shanklin,
14. Tommy Bowe, Leigh Halfpenny
15. Delon Armitage, Rob Kearney, Lee Byrne

Stick_man

Forwards: Sherdian,Jenkins,A Jones,Vickery,Murray,Flannery,Best,Mears,
OConnell,AWJones,Shaw,OCallaghan,Croft,Ferris,MWilliams,Worsley,Wallace,
R.Jones,Heaslip.

Backs:Byrne,Kearney,Armitage,Halfpenny,Bowe,S Williams,Monye,O Driscoll,Shanklin,Flutey,Earls,Roberts,O Gara,S Jones,Phillips,Blair,O Leary.

O Connell captain of course.

Stealdo

So before the announcement here's what we've come up with combined.
(I've moved players where I feel it makes sense and they've got more votes than others in a particular position)

Players in bold were included in all selections, players in italics were in all but one or two. Players in brackets are not in the squad but missed out on a spot by a single vote.

Loosehead: Gethin Jenkins; Andrew Sheridan
Hooker Jerry Flannery; Ross Ford; Lee Mears
Tight Head: Euan Murray; Phil Vickery; Adam Jones
Lock 4: Donncha O'Callaghan; Nathan Hines; (Kennedy/Borthwick)
Lock 5: Paul O'Connell; Alun Wyn Jones
Blindside: Stephen Ferris; Tom Croft
Openside: Martin Williams; David Wallace; Joe Worsley
Eight: Jamie Heaslip; Ryan Jones; (Nick Easter)
Scrum Half: Mike Phillips; Mike Blair; Ellis/O'Leary*
Out Half : Stephen Jones; Ronan O'Gara; James Hook
Left Wing: Shane Williams; Luke Fitzgerald
Inside Centre: Riki Flutey; Jamie Roberts
Outside Centre: Brian O'Driscoll; Tom Shanklin
Right Wing: Tommy Bowe; Thom Evans; (Keith Earls)
Full Back: Lee Byrne; Rob Kearney; Delon Armitage

*tied

12 Welsh; 11/12 Irish; 7/8 English; 5 Scots

(I'm giving Byrne and Kearney the benefit of the doubt because one poster didn't select any full backs at all)

Apologies for any errors in my counting or ones I may have missed.


Paul O'Connell is captain by 11 Votes to BOD's 6, but interestingly and I think indicating how tight it was, it was 6 votes each until the BBC broke the news yesterday.

Micky Dolenz

Go on Earls you good thing

hallelujajordan

14 Irishmen will travel with the Lions touring squad for South Africa, with Paul O'Connell confirmed as captain.
Rob Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald, Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll, Keith Earls, Ronan O'Gara, Tomás O'Leary, Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, Stephen Ferris, Alan Quinlan, Donncha O'Callaghan and Jerry Flannery are the other Irishmen travelling.
Coach Ian McGeechan takes a 36-man squad for the 10-match tour in South Africa, which includes Tests in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg.

slicus ricus

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

Go on Earls you good thing

I wholeheartedly eat my proverbial hat!! Shocked that Earls was included and Darcy was not? Makes no sense to me!

Micky Dolenz

Are there just two no 10's going?

bleg

bleg wrote: »

1. Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan
2. Jerry Flannery, Ross Ford, Matthew Rees
3. Euan Murry, Phil Vickery, Adam Jones
4. Alun Wyn Jones, DOC
5. Nathan Hines, POC (c)
6. Tom Croft, Stephen Ferris
7. David Wallace, Martyn Williams
8. Ryan Jones, Jamie Heaslip, Andy Powell
9. Mike Phillips, Mike Blair, TOL
10. ROG, Stephen Jones, Cipriani
11. Williams, Evans
12. Jamie Roberts, Flutey
13. O Driscoll, Shanklin, Earls
14. Bowe, Cueto
15. Byrne, Kearney

i think that gives me 63

corny

corny wrote: »

1. Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan
2. Jerry Flannery, Matthew Rees, Rory Best
3. Euan Murray, Adam Jones, Phil Vickery
4. Donncha O'Callaghan, Steve Borthwick(:eek: i know but i can see it happening)
5. Paul O'Connell, Alun Wyn Jones
6. Stephen Ferris, Ryan Jones, Tom Croft
7. Martin Williams, David Wallace
8. Jamie Heaslip, Andy Powell(i'd never pick him but the coaches will)
9. Mike Phillips, Mike Blair, Danny Care
10. Stephen Jones, Ronan O'Gara, James Hook
11. Shane Williams, Luke Fitzgerald
12. Riki Flutey, Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O'Driscoll (c), Tom Shanklin
14. Tommy Bowe, Lee Halfpenny
15. Lee Byrne, Rob Kearney, Delon Armitage

Only 56 for me. Who would have thought it a Scotsman picking Harry Ellis for Mike Blair!

KevinK

KevinK wrote: »

1. Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan
2. Jerry Flannery, Ross Ford, Lee Mears
3. Euan Murray, John Hayes, Phil Vickery
4. Donncha O'Callaghan, NIck Kennedy
5. Paul O'Connell (c), Alun Wyn Jones
6. Stephen Ferris, Ryan Jones, Tom Croft
7. Martin Williams, David Wallace
8. Jamie Heaslip, James Haskell
9. Mike Phillips, Mike Blair, Harry Ellis
10. Stephen Jones, Ronan O'Gara, James Hook
11. Shane Williams, Luke Fitzgerald
12. Riki Flutey, Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O'Driscoll, Tom Shanklin
14. Tommy Bowe, Thom Evans
15. Lee Byrne, Rob Kearney, Delon Armitage

57?

Podge_irl

Podge_irl wrote: »

1. Jenkins, Sheridan
2. Flannery, Mears, Ford
3. Murray, Vickery, A. Jones
4. Wyn Jones, O'Callaghan
5. O'Connell, Hines
6. Ferris, R. Jones, Croft
7. Wallace, Williams
8. Heaslip, Easter
9. Phillips, Ellis, Blair
10. O'Gara, Jones, Hook
11. Williams, Fitzgerald
12. D'Arcy, Roberts
13. Shanklin, O'Driscoll (c)
14. Bowe, Evans
15. Kearney, Byrne, Armitage

A rather measly 54 I think.

premierstone

premierstone wrote: »

1. Gethin Jenkins, Andrew Sheridan
2. Jerry Flannery, Lee Mears, Ross Ford
3. Euan Murray, Adam Jones, Phil Vickery
4. Alun Wyn Jones, Donncha O' Callaghan
5. Paul O' Connell (c), Nick Kennedy
6. Stephen Ferris, Tom Croft
7. Denis Leamy,Martyn Williams
8. Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace
9. Mike Phillips, Mike Blair, Dwayne Peel
10. Ronan O' Gara, Stephen Jones, Danny Cipriani
11. Shane Williams, Leigh Halfpenny
12. Jamie Roberts, Keith Earls, Ricki Flutey
13. Brian O' Driscoll, Tom Shanklin
14. Tommy Bowe, Mark Cueto
15. Lee Byrne, Rob Kearney, Delon Armitage

61 if my sums are right

Stealdo

Not good reading for me anyway......:eek:

The winner is Stickman with a very credible 31 players named correctly. Think judging by the results the captain points were probably too high, but the winner is the same without them.

Poster Points Players Correct
Stickman 67 31
Combined Team 63 29
Bleg 63 29
Thomond2006 61 28
Cosmo Kramer 61 28
RobGloster 59 27
DaveIRL 59 27
SSLazio 59 27
Premier Stone 59 27
Chucky the tree 59 27
Dev7 57 26
KevinK 57 26
Corny 56 28
PodgeIRL 54 27
Jprender 52 26
Stealdo 50 25
HallelujaJordan 50 25
Kev_S88 50 25


Congrats to Stickman whose prize is the use of the following signature for the next 4 years....

"I know more about Lions selections than any of those other losers on the boards.ie rugby forum, or at least the ones that entered that stupid competition"
or...
"Stickman > boards.ie rugby forum"

bleg

i know just as much as all of you combined