Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

thomond2006

Former Former wrote: »

The Tonga v Wales game had to be moved to Auckland because the Tongan stadium isn't ready, so the Welsh lads will actually be on New Zealand soil.

irishbucsfan

Former Former wrote: »

The Tonga v Wales game had to be moved to Auckland because the Tongan stadium isn't ready, so the Welsh lads will actually be on New Zealand soil.

stephen_n

diarmuidb24 wrote: »

For some stupid reason Off the ball on Newstalk bring him on every monday to talk about the weekend action

Ah right, I'd never listen to newstalk. Don't think I'll start anytime soon either.

diarmuidb24

There sports show is pretty good in general, with the few exceptions of course. Wednesday night rugby with Gerry thornley and the magnificent Keith wood is very goo. KW has one of those voices that you could keep listening to all night!

Erik Shin

Buer wrote: »

Well shut my mouth.

Oh, if only!!



PS, I kid, love you Buer!

Burkie1203

Just saw on twitter that Warburton out for 6-8 weeks with knee injury

Erik Shin

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Just saw on twitter that Warburton out for 6-8 weeks with knee injury

Not going to change anything unless they underestimate that timeframe

Former Former

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Just saw on twitter that Warburton out for 6-8 weeks with knee injury

Yeah, the Blues coach says six weeks, loads of time to be back for the Lions.

Buer

Erik Shin wrote: »

Oh, if only!!



PS, I kid, love you Buer!

Felix Jones was overrated and ran like a pigeon.

Buer

Former Former wrote: »

Yeah, the Blues coach says six weeks, loads of time to be back for the Lions.

Carbon copy of last time. It actually frees him up to be completely available for all the PR work that a captain has to do leading up to the tour now.

Korat

diarmuidb24 wrote: »

And don't get me started on his and luke fitzgeralds bull#### moaning about nigel owens!

Was he on about Owens ignoring the speartackle on Carberry in the Wasps game?

That was very annoying. When you see some of the innocuous and accidental events that result in cards that one just adds to the feeling that there's no consistency.

corny

Warburtons not injured....he's working on his captains acceptance speech.

He's always been a part time club player anyway.

corny

corny wrote: »

Warburtons not injured....he's working on his captains acceptance speech.

He's always been a part time club player anyway.

He's not even that.

sydthebeat

Deleted User wrote: »

He's not even that.

he averages 8 starts per season since he made his debut

Erik Shin

Buer wrote: »

Felix Jones was overrated and ran like a pigeon.

A nodding dog actually!!

And you're dead to me.....dead i say!!

AbusesToilets

sydthebeat wrote: »

he averages 8 starts per season since he made his debut

Pretty mad when you think about it. How many other top class players actually play as little as him.

pickarooney

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Pretty mad when you think about it. How many other top class players actually play as little as him.

Thierry Dusautoir?

:pac:

Answer is Dylan Hartley

Burkie1203

pickarooney wrote: »

Thierry Dusautoir?

:pac:

Answer is Dylan Hartley

Tyler Bleyendaals Munster career so far. 26 apps in almost 3 seasons.

Buer

You must have missed the words top and class.

Buer

Here's an outside one for the Lions tour that nobody has mentioned. Gethin Jenkins. Not only did Gatland have him starting in NZ last summer (where he went ok), he captained Wales in the autumn before an injury in December ruled him out of the 6N.

Gatland is a massive fan. He's a seriously experienced operator and can technically play both sides although hasn't played tighthead for a long, long time.

WeleaseWoderick

Not beyond the realms of possibility but it's hard to see beyond McGrath, Vunipola, Furlong & Cole as being nailed on selections and I'd likely have Healy & Sinckler as the 3rd choices for each side.

I think Jenkins' experience at 3 was so long ago that it is fairly irrelevant at this stage.

thomond2006

Who could be the Matt Stevens of this tour i.e. the ambipropsterous player who is there only as emergency cover. Top level rugby has been using matchday 23s for a number of years at this stage so the ability isn't as important as before.

conf101

thomond2006 wrote: »

Who could be the Matt Stevens of this tour i.e. the ambipropsterous player who is there only as emergency cover. Top level rugby has been using matchday 23s for a number of years at this stage so the ability isn't as important as before.

Bealham?

Buer

thomond2006 wrote: »

Who could be the Matt Stevens of this tour i.e. the ambipropsterous player who is there only as emergency cover. Top level rugby has been using matchday 23s for a number of years at this stage so the ability isn't as important as before.

As I mentioned in my squad, I wouldn't completely rule out John Ryan. Has been playing very well and can genuinely cover both sides. Plus he's primarily a tighthead which is a far more open contest after Furlong. I've no doubt he is being discussed this week.

I'm not sure there'll be a need for someone that covers both sides though. 3 props for either side of the scrum just as in 2013.

Matt Stevens might have been ambipropsterous but he never played loosehead in 2013. Both his starts and his four sub appearances came at tighthead.

Former Former

Michael Bent = Lions bolter

irishbucsfan

Tom Court

Rightwing

John Hayes.

.ak

thomond2006 wrote: »

Who could be the Matt Stevens of this tour i.e. the ambipropsterous player who is there only as emergency cover. Top level rugby has been using matchday 23s for a number of years at this stage so the ability isn't as important as before.

Ali Williams?

thomond2006

.ak wrote: »

Ali Williams?

irishbucsfan

Guardian pondering the big question of the day about the Lions.

When Warburton is announced as captain will they smuggle him in the through a side door so that the media isn't filled with pictures of him on crutches?