Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

whatawaster

Buer wrote: »

They went with only two outhalves last time. They might just go with Farrell and Sexton again. An outside chance would be Greg Laidlaw who gives them that flexibility as someone who genuinely can cover 10 as opposed to the shambles that was Hogg playing outhalf for a game on the last tour.

Carbery is a hugely unlikely name to be called out on the 19th but stranger things have happened. I don't expect him to be named but I do think he's someone that could be called up as injury cover. Someone who can genuinely play 10 and 15 to a high standard would be a great boost.

The weekend was the last realistic opportunity for some people to stake their claims. The big winner to my mind was SOB from all those who aren't assured spots. He showed that he can still play that strong carrying game and looked a cut above guys like Haskell and Hughes who were starting for England. I think he might have really pushed himself back into the mix now.

I'd be surprised if they only went with two 10s with Farrell being one of them, because I think he is very likely to start at 12 if Sexton starts at 10. Between that and Sexton's injury record I definitely think they'll need cover.

I'd go with Sexton, Farrell, Ford.

Buer

whatawaster wrote: »

I'd go with Sexton, Farrell, Ford.

I think that's probably the most likely but I can see the NZ S18 teams smashing Ford to pieces.

Tigerandahalf

Can't see them not taking a 3rd outhalf given Sexton's issues. Biggar should go. He has played in big games and delivered under pressure.

Tommy Seymour had another solid game at the weekend.

BOD reckons one from Stander, POM and SOB will travel. Stander will definitely travel. Does SOB or POM offer more?

I think what favours SOB is that Warburton is not playing great at the moment and there are really only 3 options to play 7. The above 2 plus Tipuric. SOB can also play 6 or 8 so he is a valuable tourist if he stays fit.

I can't see Haskell over SOB. If SOB can stay fit for the rest of the season his fitness should really start to come back. He would be pretty fresh for a Lions tour too.

I wonder if Heaslip will travel now given that Stander could be picked as an 8.

Buer

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Can't see them not taking a 3rd outhalf given Sexton's issues. Biggar should go. He has played in big games and delivered under pressure.

Tommy Seymour had another solid game at the weekend.

BOD reckons one from Stander, POM and SOB will travel. Stander will definitely travel. Does SOB or POM offer more?

I think what favours SOB is that Warburton is not playing great at the moment and there are really only 3 options to play 7. The above 2 plus Tipuric. SOB can also play 6 or 8 so he is a valuable tourist if he stays fit.

I can't see Haskell over SOB. If SOB can stay fit for the rest of the season his fitness should really start to come back. He would be pretty fresh for a Lions tour too.

I wonder if Heaslip will travel now given that Stander could be picked as an 8.

I think BOD might be wrong. I reckon Stander is already on the plane and SOB might join him. He completely outperformed Haskell at the weekend and was buzzing around the field, slowing ball, tackling up a storm and carrying strongly. He has history with the Lions and Gatland which counts for something too.

Heaslip's injury was probably the death knell for his chances, I think. If he was fit and playing, I'd say he was 50/50 to go. But there's still no definitive time line for his return.

I think POM coming off injured damaged his chances. He was having a good game but not a great game before that. I don't think he really demanded selection but he's still in with an outside chance.

Right now, I'll say the back row tourists will be Vunipola, Warburton, Tipuric, Stander, SOB with at least one more and Itoje featuring at 6 too. I think Warburton had a great 6N. Would disagree strongly that he hasn't been playing well. I'd expect him to be named captain, actually.

That final spot could go to anyone from POM, Heaslip, Moriarty and Faletau.

irishbucsfan

Warburton IS playing great at the moment, and he's likely to be captain according to the bookies given they've suspended betting on it.

I can tell already this is going to be a rerun of 2013 with the same opinions of Warburton!

whatawaster

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Can't see them not taking a 3rd outhalf given Sexton's issues. Biggar should go. He has played in big games and delivered under pressure.

Tommy Seymour had another solid game at the weekend.

BOD reckons one from Stander, POM and SOB will travel. Stander will definitely travel. Does SOB or POM offer more?

I think what favours SOB is that Warburton is not playing great at the moment and there are really only 3 options to play 7. The above 2 plus Tipuric. SOB can also play 6 or 8 so he is a valuable tourist if he stays fit.

I can't see Haskell over SOB. If SOB can stay fit for the rest of the season his fitness should really start to come back. He would be pretty fresh for a Lions tour too.

I wonder if Heaslip will travel now given that Stander could be picked as an 8.

Warburton had a fine six nations and seems the most likely pick for Captain at this stage.

Hype710

Ringrose for me was probably the big mover from the weekend. I think it will depend on whether they take four or five centres (including Farrell) as you'd have to assume Henshaw, Farrell, Joseph and probably Davies are nailed on. Ringrose comfortably outplayed Daly who may be seen as solely a winger now.

On the backrows, thought it was an odd comment from BOD that only one of Stander, SOB and POM would travel. They've taken 7 backrows on each of the last two tours. Paddy Power had odds up before the weekend with Stander at 1/25, SOB at 4/11 and POM at 4/7 in line for the 7th spot ahead of Moriarty and Heaslip.

Tigerandahalf

I saw Warburton the other night in the Gloucester Cardiff game. He did ok. He threw one poor pass to a man outside when a certain try was on.

I don't know but he has looked sluggish and a bit unmotivated from what I have seen. Maybe the higher platform of the Lions will raise his game.

As for having a great 6 nations I thought he was just ok. He didn't have a huge impact at the breakdown as teams tended to clean out much better knowing his danger of turning over the ball.

He is still the best 7 option at the moment.

Tigerandahalf

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I saw Warburton the other night in the Gloucester Cardiff game. He did ok. He threw one poor pass to a man outside when a certain try was on.

I don't know but he has looked sluggish and a bit unmotivated from what I have seen. Maybe the higher platform of the Lions will raise his game.

As for having a great 6 nations I thought he was just ok. He didn't have a huge impact at the breakdown as teams tended to clean out much better knowing his danger of turning over the ball.

He is still the best 7 option at the moment.

If you went solely on club performances Warburton wouldn't be in the running for anything the last few years. He did some PR work for Cardiff recently and he had absolutely zero interest in having any part of it.

He is a superb player, but I don't think he has much interest in anything below international standard.

CatFromHue

In fairness there's not much to be interested in Cardiff, at this stage they're a solid bottom half of the table Pro12 team.

CatFromHue

CatFromHue wrote: »

In fairness there's not much to be interested in Cardiff, at this stage they're a solid bottom half of the table Pro12 team.

It's a pity they don't have a committed international talisman forward to rally around and bring the young guys through....

OldRio

[Deleted User] wrote: »

It's a pity they don't have a committed international talisman forward to rally around and bring the young guys through....

Meow.......Pussy has claws

.ak

irishbucsfan wrote: »

They do always take a chungfla so maybe Carberry might be the big surprise.

Well someone has to carry Billy the Lion around..

... and Billy the loose forward.

FellasFellas

Genuinely think Carbery has every chance. I know Hogg '13 had more international experience at the time but I think he's a very viable option. Also looking at NZ, Jordie Barrett tearing up trees. Could have all 3 brothers in a 23 for one of the games.

bilston

I dreamt the Lions won the 1st test last night.

However I'm taking it with a pinch of salt as the final score was 3-1 and Eoin Morgan scored the winning try.

I may need help...

Buer

bilston wrote: »

I dreamt the Lions won the 1st test last night.

However I'm taking it with a pinch of salt as the final score was 3-1 and Eoin Morgan scored the winning try.

I may need help...

Eoin Morgan doing well on the big stage? You do need help.

I'd say the squad is pretty much locked in at this point so as much as I'd love to see Carbery go, and he'd definitely be an asset for the midweek side with the ability to play 10 or 15, I'd say his showing at the weekend has probably come too late.

Buer

Billy Beautiful Guillotine wrote: »

I'd say the squad is pretty much locked in at this point so as much as I'd love to see Carbery go, and he'd definitely be an asset for the midweek side with the ability to play 10 or 15, I'd say his showing at the weekend has probably come too late.

I don't expect him to make the squad at all. There are test level options at 10 and 15 available with serious experience. Any young bolter style player is going to have played a handful of test matches. Ringrose is about as inexperienced as it will possibly get for the initial 37.

But I wouldn't rule Carbery out whatsoever for a call up after that if an injury occurs. During the last couple of tours, they had no hesitation calling up guys like Twelvetrees and Wade who were very much flavour of the month at the time. Wade had only won his first cap for England the week before being called up.

Former Former

If you have 15 minutes

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39500472

enzo roco

Former Former wrote: »

If you have 15 minutes

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39500472

That is awful. No one click on that link.
Not funny, and no decent discussion about the lions.

Rightwing

I think we will have 4 starters on the Test team:

Furlong, Stander, Murray, Sexton.

CMOTDibbler

enzo roco wrote: »

That is awful. No one click on that link.
Not funny, and no decent discussion about the lions.

Too late :mad:

Former Former, you are dead to me.

irishbucsfan

Rightwing wrote: »

I think we will have 4 starters on the Test team:

Furlong, Stander, Murray, Sexton.

I think that's about right. Henshaw at 12 perhaps if they don't want to play Farrell there.

Rightwing

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I think that's about right. Henshaw at 12 perhaps if they don't want to play Farrell there.

On the bench anyway I'd say. I'd also like to POM on the bench.

Warburton just went off injured. Looks an ankle but don't think it's too bad as he's walking of himself.

Buer

Deleted User wrote:

Warburton just went off injured. Looks an ankle but don't think it's too bad as he's walking of himself.

History repeating. Went on last tour unfit and had to get match fit out there.

Vetinarugbian

I've been surprised, despite his recent injury, that nobody has mentioned Sean Cronin. Surely as close to the perfect impact sub as you could find. I would not consider him as a starter for a second but as almost a specialist substitute.

irishman86

Vetinarugbian wrote: »

I've been surprised, despite his recent injury, that nobody has mentioned Sean Cronin. Surely as close to the perfect impact sub as you could find. I would not consider him as a starter for a second but as almost a specialist substitute.

No, there is so much more suitable players than Cronin. There is a reason he hasnt been mentioned, hes not very good

part time punk

Vetinarugbian wrote: »

I've been surprised, despite his recent injury, that nobody has mentioned Sean Cronin. Surely as close to the perfect impact sub as you could find. I would not consider him as a starter for a second but as almost a specialist substitute.

I think we all tend to over-rate the Irish players particularly in the 50-50 calls. Can't see Sean Cronin near the Lions.hasn't played in a while? And no history with Gatland either

pickarooney

part time punk wrote: »

I think we all tend to over-rate the Irish players particularly in the 50-50 calls. Can't see Sean Cronin near the Lions.hasn't played in a while? And no history with Gatland either

Hadn't played until his MOTM performance today.