Your Lions Test Team After Matches So Far.

thomond2006

1. Andrew Sheridan
2. Lee Mears
3. Phil Vickery
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. POC (c)
6. Stephen Ferris
7. Martyn Williams
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Mike Phillips
10. Stephen Jones
11. Ugo Monye
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O' Driscoll
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Lee Byrne

6 Welsh, 5 Irish, 4 English

16. Gethin Jenkins
17. Ross Ford (Rees and Ford are both sh1te imo)
18. Nathan Hines
19. David Wallace
20. Harry Ellis
21. ROG
22. Keith Earls (tough one to call, Earls is versatile)

Overall in my 22:

7 English, 7 Welsh, 2 Scots, 8 Irish

LeeroyJones

thomond2006 wrote: »

1. Andrew Sheridan
2. Lee Mears
3. Phil Vickery
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. POC (c)
6. Stephen Ferris
7. Martyn Williams
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Mike Phillips
10. Stephen Jones
11. Ugo Monye
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O' Driscoll
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Lee Byrne

6 Welsh, 5 Irish, 4 English

16. Gethin Jenkins
17. Ross Ford (Rees and Ford are both sh1te imo)
18. Nathan Hines
19. David Wallace
20. Harry Ellis
21. ROG
22. Keith Earls (tough one to call, Earls is versatile)

Overall in my 22:

7 English, 7 Welsh, 2 Scots, 8 Irish

im trying not to let my Irish bias stand in the way but I'd give the 7 nod to Wallace.
at hooker I think we don't have anybody standing out, I reckon that will go down to whos on the best form come the first test.

But from what we've seen so far I'd agree with most of that starting 15, a lot still to be played for at the moment. i reckon O'Connell, Roberts, O'Driscoll and Bowe are the only ones who could be confident of their starting postition.

Stev_o

Replace Sheridan with Jenkins with Murray on the bench and id agree with that.

bigbadben

thomond2006 wrote: »

1. Andrew Sheridan
2. Lee Mears
3. Phil Vickery
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. POC (c)
6. Stephen Ferris
7. Martyn Williams
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Mike Phillips
10. Stephen Jones
11. Ugo Monye
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O' Driscoll
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Lee Byrne

6 Welsh, 5 Irish, 4 English

16. Gethin Jenkins
17. Ross Ford (Rees and Ford are both sh1te imo)
18. Nathan Hines
19. David Wallace
20. Harry Ellis
21. ROG
22. Keith Earls (tough one to call, Earls is versatile)

Overall in my 22:

7 English, 7 Welsh, 2 Scots, 8 Irish

I presume your basing this on performances so far, if so I dont see what Martyn Williams has done to get in.

You cant have two out and out 5's in the second row imo. I thought Hines was good last wednesday.

Riskymove

1. Andrew Sheridan
2. Lee Mears
3. Phil Vickery
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. POC (c)
6. Stephen Ferris
7. Martyn Williams
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Mike Phillips
10. Stephen Jones
11. Ugo Monye
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O' Driscoll
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Lee Byrne

can't argue with your team too much, if Wallace gets a few more games at 7 I might put him in ahead of Williams

Riskymove

bigbadben wrote: »

I thought Hines was good last wednesday.

The problem there is temperment; he always seems to get himself yellow carded

big dan

Think I'd have Hook on the bench instead of ROG

Creeping-Death

thomond2006 wrote: »

1. Andrew Sheridan
2. Lee Mears
3. Phil Vickery
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. POC (c)
6. Stephen Ferris
7. Martyn Williams
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Mike Phillips
10. Stephen Jones
11. Ugo Monye
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O' Driscoll
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Lee Byrne

6 Welsh, 5 Irish, 4 English

16. Gethin Jenkins
17. Ross Ford (Rees and Ford are both sh1te imo)
18. Nathan Hines
19. David Wallace
20. Harry Ellis
21. ROG
22. Keith Earls (tough one to call, Earls is versatile)

Overall in my 22:

7 English, 7 Welsh, 2 Scots, 8 Irish

Good team, i'd swap jenkins with vickery though. Kearney instead of Byrne aswell, don't know what it is about byrne but i've never rated him.

Podge_irl

Creeping-Death wrote: »

Kearney instead of Byrne aswell, don't know what it is about byrne but i've never rated him.

Then you must not watch him much. Kearney is most definitely behind Byrne is the pecking order at the moment. Could still end up in the 22 though.

Stev_o

big dan wrote: »

Think I'd have Hook on the bench instead of ROG

Hook can't manage games though he has one playing style and one playing style only.

Creeping-Death

Aye i do watch him, i'd prefer kearney though.. Earls is after making a good claim for a test match start aswell, against the Golden Lions himself and jones looked to be on the same wavelength.

RONOC08

Creeping-Death wrote: »

Good team, i'd swap jenkins with vickery though.

Jenkins is a loosehead though vickerys a tight i wouldnt have vickery... jenkins and murray(if he shows better form in the loose) would be my props

Creeping-Death

Creeping-Death wrote: »

Aye i do watch him, i'd prefer kearney though.. Earls is after making a good claim for a test match start aswell, against the Golden Lions himself and jones looked to be on the same wavelength.

You dont rate Byrne and you think Earls has a chance of a test match start :rolleyes:

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Lee Mears
3. Ean Murray
4. Nathan Hines
5. POC (c)
6. Stephen Ferris
7. Martyn Williams
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Mike Phillips
10. Stephen Jones
11. Ugo Monye
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O' Driscoll
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Lee Byrne



16. Phil Vickery (Can cover both sides I think?)
17. Mathew Rees (Ford has been utter ****e)
18. Tom Croft (Can cover lock and backrow)
19. David Wallace (Can cover every Back row position)
20. Harry Ellis
21. James Hook (can cover 10,12,13)
22. Luke Fitzgerald (can cover 15,14,13,12,11)

Podge_irl

Creeping-Death wrote: »

Aye i do watch him, i'd prefer kearney though.. Earls is after making a good claim for a test match start aswell, against the Golden Lions himself and jones looked to be on the same wavelength.

Earls hasn't a hope of a test start. Actually, was he even playing against the Golden Lions? I don't think he was...

Kearney had an outside chance before getting the mumps, but short of a phenomenal performance or two in the next few matches he's not gonna make the test team. He's better in the air than Byrne and has a slightly better boot, but that's about it at the moment.

GiftofGab

1. G. Jenkins
2. L. Mears
3. E. Murray
4. A-W Jones
5. P. O'Connell
6. S Ferris
7. J. Heaslip
8. D. Wallace

9. M. Phillips
10. S. Jones
11. Ugo Monye
12. J. Roberts
13. BOD
14. T. Bowe
15. L. Byrne

I also think that Rob Kearney has a chance for that No. 11 shirt if McGeechan decides to go for a kicking game. Monye is a better finisher but the back 3 for the Boks are weak in the air so we may need to kick into that area. Kearney and especially Byrne could expose that.

I also think No. 6 is debatable. Croft offers the better option in the lineout but lacks the explosive power of Ferris. Depends which strategy McGeechan is going for.

Creeping-Death

Podge_irl wrote: »

Earls hasn't a hope of a test start. Actually, was he even playing against the Golden Lions? I don't think he was...

Kearney had an outside chance before getting the mumps, but short of a phenomenal performance or two in the next few matches he's not gonna make the test team. He's better in the air than Byrne and has a slightly better boot, but that's about it at the moment.

Might have been the cheetahs then. Fair enough, if ye all reckon Byrne then play the guy, couldnt care less what players make up the team so long as its not like 2005

LeeroyJones

True Kearney is slightly better under the high ball and kicking the ball, for me their defense is quite even, Kearney might even pip Byrne to it, but Byrne's running from deep is at the moment is without question better. Kearney has shown glimpses of what he can do from deep and i wish he was given more of a licence to do it with Leinster. So for me Byrne is better.
However what could be an opprtunity is Byrne's fumble from what should have been a standard catch against the Gold Lions-can we call his bottle into question? If we're 2 points up against SA and they send a Garryowen into our half I do not want to give any opportunity to Francois Steyn to have a drop goal behind a scrum!

LeeroyJones

LeeroyJones wrote: »

True Kearney is slightly better under the high ball and kicking the ball, for me their defense is quite even, Kearney might even pip Byrne to it, but Byrne's running from deep is at the moment is without question better. Kearney has shown glimpses of what he can do from deep and i wish he was given more of a licence to do it with Leinster. So for me Byrne is better.
However what could be an opprtunity is Byrne's fumble from what should have been a standard catch against the Gold Lions-can we call his bottle into question? If we're 2 points up against SA and they send a Garryowen into our half I do not want to give any opportunity to Francois Steyn to have a drop goal behind a scrum!

Byrne is usually pretty solid though,isnt he?

It looked like he injured his finger in the last match aswell,we could see Fitzgerald given a run at 15 and 11 in a match at some stage with a view to him covering on the bench,he is better cover for 15 and 11 than Kearney would be.
Kearney is an out and out fullback for me anyway.

GiftofGab

LeeroyJones wrote: »

True Kearney is slightly better under the high ball and kicking the ball, for me their defense is quite even, Kearney might even pip Byrne to it, but Byrne's running from deep is at the moment is without question better. Kearney has shown glimpses of what he can do from deep and i wish he was given more of a licence to do it with Leinster. So for me Byrne is better.
However what could be an opprtunity is Byrne's fumble from what should have been a standard catch against the Gold Lions-can we call his bottle into question? If we're 2 points up against SA and they send a Garryowen into our half I do not want to give any opportunity to Francois Steyn to have a drop goal behind a scrum!

That was the only error Byrne made all game. You cant drop a player over one single error. Even O'Connell was at fault for the ball being turned over yesterday.

Oh btw Francois Steyn is not playing....he's injuried.

[Jackass]

1. Jenkins (Wales / Cardiff)
2. Mears (England / Bath)
3. Murray (Scotland / Northampton)
4. A.W. Jones (Wales / Ospreys)
5. O'Connell (Ireland / Munster)
6. Ferris (Ireland / Ulster)
7. Williams (Wales / Cardiff)
8. Heaslip (Ireland / Leinster)

9. Phillips (Wales / Ospreys)
10. Hook (Wales / Ospreys)
11. Monye (England / Quins)
12. Roberts (Wales / Cardiff)
13. O'Driscoll (Ireland / Leinster)
14. Bowe (Ireland / Ospreys)
15. Byrne (Wales / Ospreys)

7 Wales; 5 Ireland; 2 England; 1 Scotland

16. Sheridan, 17. Rees, 18. Hines, 19. Wallace, 20. Ellis, 21. Jones, 22. Fitzgerld

Interesting to look at by club also!

5 Ospreys
3 Cardiff
2 Leinster
1 Bath, Munster, Northampton & Quins

It's amazing Ospreys don't do better in Europe!! Probably have the best squad of home talent.

Aidric

Creeping-Death wrote: »

Earls is after making a good claim for a test match start aswell

lol.

freyners

1. Sheridan
2. Mears
3. Murray
4. Jones
5. Poc (c)
6. Ferris
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip
9. Philips
10. Jones
11. Monye
12. Roberts
13. Bod
14. Bowe
15. Byrne

16. Rees 17. A Jones 18. Croft 19. Powell 20. Ellis 21.Rog 22. Fitzgerald





two points 1. why is rory best on the tour far better than rees and mears in my opinion
2. Hard to call between kearney/byrne and wallace/williams picked one on each side so hopfuly not too biased
6 ireland 5 wales 3 england 1 scotland

redzerdrog

Creeping-Death wrote: »

Aye i do watch him, i'd prefer kearney though.. Earls is after making a good claim for a test match start aswell, against the Golden Lions himself and jones looked to be on the same wavelength.

lol earls is so far away from the test team even if there is another injury anyone called in would be ahead of him

madds

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Lee Mears
3. Euan Murray
4. A WJones
5. POC (c)
6. Stephen Ferris
7. Martyn Williams
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Mike Phillips
10. Stephen Jones
11. Ugo Monye
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O' Driscoll
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Lee Byrne

16. Phil Vickery
17. Mathew Rees
18. Tom Croft
19. David Wallace
20. Harry Ellis
21. James Hook
22. Luke Fitzgerald

zAbbo

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Lee Mears
3. Euan Murray
4. A WJones (c)
5. Nathine Hines
6. Tom Croft
7. David Wallace
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Mike Phillips
10. Stephen Jones
11. Ugo Monye
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O' Driscoll
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Lee Byrne

Front row slightly tricky, don't think Euan Murray has played well, Vickery maybe...

Second row, Jones & Hines shade it with possibly DOC running Hines close. POC will play anyway - just not in my team, too slow and trying too hard.

Backrow Martyn Williams was too light and not good enough 4 years ago, nothing has changed. Wallace at 7, with Tom Croft as a solid lineout option.

Rest of the team picks itself, with left wing still up for grabs, with S. Williams, Kearney, Fitzgerald in with a shout if they put in a good performance there.

duckysauce

s williams has played himself out of the lions , his form is gone south

dvemail

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Lee Mears
3. Euan Murray
4. A.W Jones
5. POC
6. Stephen Ferris
7. David Wallace (Martyn Williams maybe)
8. Jaime Heaslip
9. Mike Phillips
10. Stephen Jones (Close between himself and O'Gara)
11. Ugo Monye (Shane Williams would have to play out of his skin to make it now)
12. Jaime Roberts
13. BOD
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Lee Byrne (Dont think Kearny can take it away from him)

Trojan

1. Gethin Jenkins (sorry Sheridan fans, he's on the bench)
2. Lee Mears (tight call here)
3. Euan Murray (no question, Murray the on form TH prop)
4. A.W Jones (has to be picked on form)
5. Tom Croft (has to be picked on form, backrow is full)
6. Stephen Ferris (form)
7. David Wallace (form)
8. Jaime Heaslip (form)
9. Mike Phillips (best of an average lot)
10. Ronan O'Gara (all OHs are superb place kicking, it's ROG's tactical kicking that does it for me)
11. Ugo Monye (I'd love to say Luke)
12. Jaime Roberts (on form)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (should be Captain)
14. Tommy Bowe (super form)
15. Delon Armitage Rob Kearny (I've not been impressed with Byrne, Kearny's had no chance to show form, Armitage should have been called up)

NickNolte

Creeping-Death wrote: »

Earls is after making a good claim for a test match start aswell

:eek:

Ahead of who, exactly? O'Driscoll? Roberts?

DonkeyPokerTour

NickNolte wrote: »

:eek:

Ahead of who, exactly? O'Driscoll? Roberts?

Rumor has it he'll start at 2, at least he might be better in the Lineout than any of the other 3!

[Jackass]

NickNolte wrote: »

:eek:

Ahead of who, exactly? O'Driscoll? Roberts?

Probably means on the left wing. As unlikely as it is, it's not out of the realms of possability that he could make a 22 I suppose, took his try well, but in my book he would be well down the pecking order behind Moyne, Williams, Fitzgerald, Kearney & Byrne for a secltion of 3 of those to get left wing, full back and sub back (the only positions I presume anyone would see Earls getting in).

I wouldn't have said he had a hope of even touring, so you never know, McGeehan has a soft spot for him maybe, so can't rule anything out yet. Did just about enough to keep his tour alive in the last game after a nightmare start in the first.

I agree Armitage would have been a far superior player to have in the squad than Earls, for both quality and versatility within the squad and also for having international credentials. If anything, this is too early for Earls and it shows in his demeener, his lack of confidence and nerves.

He could well be the star player of the next tour, but I don't think he deserved to be on this tour and I don't think it's been beneficial to him or fair to have him on this one.

Am I the only one who seems to favour Hook at out half? I think he's the best attacking out half by a mile and place kicking and form are as good as the others, tactical game is decent but everything else he brings to the party makes him the strongest option imo.

zAbbo wrote:

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Lee Mears
3. Euan Murray
4. A WJones (c)
5. Nathine Hines
6. Tom Croft
7. David Wallace
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Mike Phillips
10. Stephen Jones
11. Ugo Monye
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Brian O' Driscoll
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Lee Byrne

Front row slightly tricky, don't think Euan Murray has played well, Vickery maybe...

Second row, Jones & Hines shade it with possibly DOC running Hines close. POC will play anyway - just not in my team, too slow and trying too hard.

Backrow Martyn Williams was too light and not good enough 4 years ago, nothing has changed. Wallace at 7, with Tom Croft as a solid lineout option.

Rest of the team picks itself, with left wing still up for grabs, with S. Williams, Kearney, Fitzgerald in with a shout if they put in a good performance there.

Interesting selection, tend to agree on some of the big calls such as PO'C, backline is more or less picking it's self at this stage with the exception of left wing, where Moyne is the front runner at the moment anyway, and as said above, out half is probably still up for debate, but can you really leave Ferris out at 6? I think he's been the most outstanding candidate for the backrow.

7 is a tough call between Williams and Wallace, I went with Williams as I think he's more of an out and out 7 than Wallace, then there's the tough call between Wallace and Heaslip for 8, but went with Heaslip as form has been better than Wallace, but again, back-row is very tough to call, but I would have said the safest player so far has to be Ferris.

remus808

[Jackass] wrote: »

7 is a tough call between Williams and Wallace, I went with Williams as I think he's more of an out and out 7 than Wallace, then there's the tough call between Wallace and Heaslip for 8, but went with Heaslip as form has been better than Wallace, but again, back-row is very tough to call, but I would have said the safest player so far has to be Ferris.

I think the 'Wallace at 8' myth was disspelled against the Royal XV.

NickNolte

[Jackass] wrote: »

Probably means on the left wing. As unlikely as it is, it's not out of the realms of possability that he could make a 22

Ah I wouldn't say it's beyond the realms of possibility at all myself either. But I was quoting a poster who reckons he's done plenty to guarantee him a start for the first test. At best I'd say he'll be on the bench. If you're looking on the left wing, I'd say you'd have Fitz and Monye a good bit ahead of him (assuming Fitz gets a shot at 11 in the next week or so and doesn't get thrown into the center again)

Trojan

Heaslip is a definite #8 (just like Armitage was a definite call up I guess).

Earls - a year or 2 too early (Jackass, you're mind reading me, I just posted that elsewhere).

POC has just not done enough to justify selection. Sad but true, regardless of your provincial affiliation.

I hope D'arcy gets a proper chance to steal the place from Roberts.

Tomtom364

I reckon earls has a very good chance of getting onto a test squad for at least one game.

If the coaching staff wanted to play him on the wing they would have by now. But look at the squad. BOD is the test 13. Theres no first choice 13 cover bar earls.

I reckon earls' ability for second centre or back three could him earn a bench spot with hook covering out half, inside centre and also full back.

That would cover the entire backline pretty well
But both earls and hook would have to continue and build on current form

Podge_irl

Tomtom364 wrote: »

I reckon earls has a very good chance of getting onto a test squad for at least one game.

If the coaching staff wanted to play him on the wing they would have by now. But look at the squad. BOD is the test 13. Theres no first choice 13 cover bar earls.

No, but I'd trust Bowe or D'Arcy there before Earls tbh (though obviously Mcgeechan may not agree with me!). I'd personally feel happier with Fitz on the bench.

themont85

I don't understand all this ''POC wouldn't be in my team'' lark. He hasn't been that bad, okay AWJ is playing suberbly, but I don;t really see how Hines, Shaw or DOC warrant a place over him. His performances have been decent imo. To be fair to the guy, the pack on Wedensday had to deal with an opposition with no star players in the pack and who had severly low morale. The pack on Wedensday did well, but throw POC in and he would have done just as well. IMO POC and Wyn Jones can play together if the back row is balanced right.

I am not absolving POC of blame for performances or his leadership which has been sub par. He shouldn't have been captain initially, the only reason he was picked ahead of BOD was that he was a forward and more specifically a second row McGeegan has been on 2 winning SA tours with Willie John and MJ, thats what he wants to replicate. I don't think it was good to basically come out and say that from McGeegan.

POC needs to up the leadership seriousely. Last Saturday he made the wrong kicking calls and yesterday he didn't calm the team after the Cheetas fightback. When watching it on tv after it went 20-7 and 20-14, all I thought was this should be kicked deep. Force them into a mistake, their momentum was really carrying them at that stage.

1)Jenkins--of all the front rows, he is the most probable to start at this stage.
2)Meers--Is he there on default? Rees and Ford are average personified. Still played really well on Wed, needs to continue this.
3)Murray--Terrific scrummager, take on the Boks where it hurts their physche to lose.
4)AWJ--Fast becoming the best lock in the NH
5)POC--Still better than the rest, still a great player.
6)Ferris--Monster hits at the tackle and breakdown.
7)Wallace--has a few more great games in him this year i feel, Williams injury is unfortunately limiting him thus far.
8)Heaslip--Terrific form
9)Phillips-Again is he there by default? I just watched some of Peel in 2005 and despite how utter shambolic it all was, he is still class and miles better than the current Scummies on tour.
10)Jones--Experience and has the form
12)Roberts--Has played really well. He's not quite there yet though imo, D'arcy and Flutey will play on Wedensday and both look sharp.
13)BOD...
14)Bowe--Pure Finisher,awesome
11)Monye--seems like a great guy and going well,Fitz has got to be tried there at least once though before the tests...
15)Byrne--Will beat Kearney to the slot,showing terrific form

16)Sheridan--Destructive scrummager on the bench,ideal late on
17)Ford--Just cos i rate him just that little higher than Rees
18)Croft--Can cover second row the backrow, pace would be a weapon to change it up
19)Hines--solid second row
20)Ellis--Blair is shocking currently
21)Hook--Can change a game more than Rog can.
22)Fitzgearld--Can cover the backline,he is capable being explosive

themont85

Luke Fitz, D'arcy, FLutey>Earls at the moment. I'm sorry but as much as i like him going forward, no thanks in defence against the Boks.

danthefan

What has Earls done to get in the test 22, never mind start? :rolleyes:

I think the guts of the test team will be:

Jenkins
Mears
Murray
POC
AWJ
Ferris
Wallace/Williams - tough one to call at the moment
Heaslip
Philips
Jones
Fitz/Monye - again can't call it yet. I think on form Williams is gone now
Roberts
BOD
Bowe
Byrne

zAbbo

Some interesting calls, I think switching Croft to second row, with Ferris at 6 probably would give my initial selection more balance.

If you were going to pick a back for the bench, it would be Fitzgerald if he doesn't make the test team.

Cuchulain

themont85 wrote: »

1)Jenkins--of all the front rows, he is the most probable to start at this stage.
2)Meers--Is he there on default? Rees and Ford are average personified. Still played really well on Wed, needs to continue this.
3)Murray--Terrific scrummager, take on the Boks where it hurts their physche to lose.
4)AWJ--Fast becoming the best lock in the NH
5)POC--Still better than the rest, still a great player.
6)Ferris--Monster hits at the tackle and breakdown.
7)Wallace--has a few more great games in him this year i feel, Williams injury is unfortunately limiting him thus far.
8)Heaslip--Terrific form
9)Phillips-Again is he there by default? I just watched some of Peel in 2005 and despite how utter shambolic it all was, he is still class and miles better than the current Scummies on tour.
10)Jones--Experience and has the form
12)Roberts--Has played really well. He's not quite there yet though imo, D'arcy and Flutey will play on Wedensday and both look sharp.
13)BOD...
14)Bowe--Pure Finisher,awesome
11)Monye--seems like a great guy and going well,Fitz has got to be tried there at least once though before the tests...
15)Byrne--Will beat Kearney to the slot,showing terrific form

16)Sheridan--Destructive scrummager on the bench,ideal late on
17)Ford--Just cos i rate him just that little higher than Rees
18)Croft--Can cover second row the backrow, pace would be a weapon to change it up
19)Hines--solid second row
20)Ellis--Blair is shocking currently
21)Hook--Can change a game more than Rog can.
22)Fitzgearld--Can cover the backline,he is capable being explosive

+1

Crash

Realistically, even if he got minimal gametime he'd have to be the back to pick for sheer versatility and form. However would be worried that you'd see Geech picking ROG/Jones at 21 with Hook at 22, and having a flyhalf overload

Trojan

themont85 wrote: »

I don't understand all this ''POC wouldn't be in my team'' lark. He hasn't been that bad, okay AWJ is playing suberbly, but I don;t really see how Hines, Shaw or DOC warrant a place over him. His performances have been decent imo. To be fair to the guy, the pack on Wedensday had to deal with an opposition with no star players in the pack and who had severly low morale.

For me it's a close call, but I think a) the back row is full b) Croft must play (therefore lock) and c) POC has been anonymous so far. You can accept that in a player but not from your captain.

I hope POC has a massive game in the next week or so, he needs to stamp his authority. On the other hand, Croft is impressing more and more.

redmca

The 3rd back on the bench after the SH and OH should be Darcy. He is the most complete player to cover any of the back 5 positions. Remember he was the Irish 13 for the season BOD was out injured, and has loads of experience in all the others.

buck65

Sheridan Mears Murray
AW Jones POC
Croft Wallace Heaslip
Phillips
Jones
Roberts O Driscoll
Monye Byrne Bowe

Subs - Ford, Jenkins, Ferris, O Callaghan, Blair, Hook, Williams

davyjose

I dunno lads, some positions I would say McGeech has written into the test team, but I think a lot remains up in the air until Wednesday at the earliest - maybe even next saturday. For a start, he has yet to start D'Arcy, Flutey or Fitz (in his natural position). The Lions have had one good game, against a middling side - I know time is of the essence, but it would be knee-jerk to pick that side simply because of the result -- people are ruling out POC. Personally I don't think Monye is a better player than Fitz; I think Fitz would've shone equally as much had he played last wednesday.

However I would say some have ruled themselves out - Earls, Williams, Hook won't be making a test start. I'll pick my team after wednesday.

remus808

davyjose wrote: »

However I would say some have ruled themselves out - Earls, Williams, Hook won't be making a test start. I'll pick my team after wednesday.

WTF, how has Hook 'ruled himself out', he had a great game on saturday??

Ciaran-Irl

themont85 wrote: »

1)Jenkins--of all the front rows, he is the most probable to start at this stage.
2)Meers--Is he there on default? Rees and Ford are average personified. Still played really well on Wed, needs to continue this.
3)Murray--Terrific scrummager, take on the Boks where it hurts their physche to lose.
4)AWJ--Fast becoming the best lock in the NH
5)POC--Still better than the rest, still a great player.
6)Ferris--Monster hits at the tackle and breakdown.
7)Wallace--has a few more great games in him this year i feel, Williams injury is unfortunately limiting him thus far.
8)Heaslip--Terrific form
9)Phillips-Again is he there by default? I just watched some of Peel in 2005 and despite how utter shambolic it all was, he is still class and miles better than the current Scummies on tour.
10)Jones--Experience and has the form
12)Roberts--Has played really well. He's not quite there yet though imo, D'arcy and Flutey will play on Wedensday and both look sharp.
13)BOD...
14)Bowe--Pure Finisher,awesome
11)Monye--seems like a great guy and going well,Fitz has got to be tried there at least once though before the tests...
15)Byrne--Will beat Kearney to the slot,showing terrific form

16)Sheridan--Destructive scrummager on the bench,ideal late on
17)Ford--Just cos i rate him just that little higher than Rees
18)Croft--Can cover second row the backrow, pace would be a weapon to change it up
19)Hines--solid second row
20)Ellis--Blair is shocking currently
21)Hook--Can change a game more than Rog can.
22)Fitzgearld--Can cover the backline,he is capable being explosive

Yeah, I'd agree with 99% of that. Only change I'd make to this line up if to swap Hines on the bench to Worsley. Croft can cover second row, as you say, and back row is just that important. The tests will be won or lost on how we measure up against Spies / Burger / Smith. I think we may need to have Worsley's tree felling talents on the bench.

Amazed at the people who would drop POC. Hines / Shaw / DOC have been very average. Having said that, I'd be concerned with AW Jones and POC in the same side. Neither is a 4 at heart, and we need to be at 110% against Matfield / Botha. Looking forward to seeing this combination before the tests.

I really hope that they have the balls to drop Shane Williams from the 22 as well. He really doesn't deserve to be there.

davyjose

karmabass wrote: »

WTF, how has Hook 'ruled himself out', he had a great game on saturday??

Sorry I didn't make that clear. The other two ruled themselves out - I don't think Hook has ruled himself out per sé, i just don't think he'll start. His ability to control saturday's game was left wanting IMO, flashes of brilliance (Earls' Try), but just didn't show the right concistency.

Anyway what do I, or we, know. Shane Williams to start again on Saturday. Why didn't they just bring the bloody Wales squad? :rolleyes:

Makes me wonder if McGeech isn't getting sucked along by reputation; it's as though he's trying to give Williams every opportunity to have a good game, so he can justify the inevitable, and now likely, selection of him Saturday week. Tut tut.

corkboy123

I would like to see williams find some form before the tests,i dont think Ugo Monye is at that level,Tommy Bowe is a certainty...Ferris has to be considered for a starting place!

buck65

corkboy123 wrote: »

I would like to see williams find some form before the tests,i dont think Ugo Monye is at that level,Tommy Bowe is a certainty...Ferris has to be considered for a starting place!

Ferris though fast hasn't the legs for the wing:D