Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

JoeyDoh

Any chance for Heaslip lads?

I'd have him over Faletau, albeit I don't know his injury status.

Buer

JoeyDoh wrote: »

Any chance for Heaslip lads?

I'd have him over Faletau, albeit I don't know his injury status.

Unlikely. The injury progress is very quiet and still no estimated return time. I can see him being given the summer off.

sydthebeat

JoeyDoh wrote: »

Any chance for Heaslip lads?

I'd have him over Faletau, albeit I don't know his injury status.

2 hopes ...

Former Former

Heaslip would have been in with a decent shout I reckon, the fact that Faletau missed the Six Nations was a bonus, but they can't name a guy who doesn't have even a rough timeframe for return.

razorblunt

Former Former wrote: »

Heaslip would have been in with a decent shout I reckon, the fact that Faletau missed the Six Nations was a bonus, but they can't name a guy who doesn't have even a rough timeframe for return.

I wouldn't put anything past them, they called up Ryan Jones before knowing he'd picked up a head knock in Wales' summer tour. He arrived in NZ to be ruled out due to concussion.

.ak

Heaslip is defo out for the season. They won't pick him.

AbusesToilets

Shame for Jamie, would have been a nice way to cap his career.

Kiwi_knock

The Telegraph are 'reporting' that Henderson, Sinckler, and Te'o will be in the squad. Obviously taking it with a pinch of salt as while I don't think Sinckler is that much of a surprise, I really can't see the other two making it.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2017/04/15/exclusive-kyle-sinckler-earns-lions-call-up-surprise-selection/

Clegg

Te'o makes sense if Gatland is going with his usual tactics for the Lions series. Run straight and hard at the nearest defender.

bilston

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

The Telegraph are 'reporting' that Henderson, Sinckler, and Te'o will be in the squad. Obviously taking it with a pinch of salt as while I don't think Sinckler is that much of a surprise, I really can't see the other two making it.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2017/04/15/exclusive-kyle-sinckler-earns-lions-call-up-surprise-selection/

The one thing going for Henderson is that he was excellent against England. He can also cover two positions.

Sinclair has been touted for a while.

Te'o would be a surprise.

Buer

Whilst Te'o isn't expected I wouldn't be shocked really. He was mentioned earlier in this thread as someone that could really fit the Gatland game and can comfortably play 12 and 13.

Note the article just says he's in contention though so might well not be named.

.ak

What day is the squad being announced?

Burkie1203

.ak wrote: »

What day is the squad being announced?

Wednesday

Burkie1203

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Wednesday

What day is it today?

CMOTDibbler

Deleted User wrote: »

What day is it today?

Not Wednesday. It will continue to be not Wednesday for another day at least.

sydthebeat

Dunno if anyone else watches the Standard Life series of clips on youtube featuring martin johnson and gavin hastings?

i wouldnt have any major issues with their arguments and selections for the test 15s.. but i thought it was very interesting that Robbie Henshaw didnt even come into the conversation in the centres. The players mentioned were Farrell, Dunbar, H Jones, J Davies and S Williams... and they settled on 12 Farrell 13 Davies.

perhaps we over hype him here especially on the back of a good and solid if unspectacular 6N.

irishbucsfan

Whensday?

Tigerandahalf

sydthebeat wrote: »

Dunno if anyone else watches the Standard Life series of clips on youtube featuring martin johnson and gavin hastings?

i wouldnt have any major issues with their arguments and selections for the test 15s.. but i thought it was very interesting that Robbie Henshaw didnt even come into the conversation in the centres. The players mentioned were Farrell, Dunbar, H Jones, J Davies and S Williams... and they settled on 12 Farrell 13 Davies.

perhaps we over hype him here especially on the back of a good and solid if unspectacular 6N.

The advantage Henshaw has is that he can play 12, 13 or 15. That is a big plus. He is also as hard as nails and not injury prone.

I also think Ireland's poor back play/coaching has hindered his ability.

He does go into contact a bit too much for my liking but he is certainly not afraid of doing the hard yards. Outside of Jamie Roberts there is no other 12 like him. He also makes very few handling errors. So I think he will travel.

MattD

Sure here we go, my predicted 38 man squad. Healy to get in over Marler due to Lions experience. One really has to hope that Gatland won't pick Hartley... Last lock spot to Lawes as a carrying option, beats out Henderson, R. Gray in that regard. Kruis unlucky to be injured so long. Heaslip misses out. Laidlaw to miss out, leadership or goalkicking not particularly needed in this position. Ford to start midweek games with Halfpenny to kick. Could definitely see Teo going now that he's being rumoured as such. Would have expected Davies to take the last centre spot up until the new rumours. Plenty of versatility between 10, 12 and 13 with Henshaw and Farrell either way. Can definitely see Zebo going as a second receiver, ideal no. 23, aerial threat, combining with Sexton etc.

McGrath
Vunipola
Healy

Best
Owens
George

Furlong
Cole
Sinckler

Launchbury
J. Gray
AW Jones
Itoje
Lawes

O'Brien
Tipuric
Warburton
Faletau
Vunipola
Stander
O'Mahoney

Youngs
Murray
Webb

Sexton
Farrell
Ford

Henshaw
Joseph
Daly
Te'o/J. Davies

North
Nowell/Seymour
L Williams
Zebo

Hogg
Watson
Halfpenny

AbusesToilets

sydthebeat wrote: »

Dunno if anyone else watches the Standard Life series of clips on youtube featuring martin johnson and gavin hastings?

i wouldnt have any major issues with their arguments and selections for the test 15s.. but i thought it was very interesting that Robbie Henshaw didnt even come into the conversation in the centres. The players mentioned were Farrell, Dunbar, H Jones, J Davies and S Williams... and they settled on 12 Farrell 13 Davies.

perhaps we over hype him here especially on the back of a good and solid if unspectacular 6N.

Davies has regressed, if anything. Still firing balls into touch, more of a bosher now than the player he was. Wouldn't have him near the squad.

Anyone picking Davies over Henshaw needs their head examined

awec

Nobody finds it bizarre that we are pimping Henshaw for the 13 jersey despite the fact we won't pick him there for Ireland?

We are trying to say he's the best 13 in the home nations and so should start for the Lions, but yet doesn't even play there for his own team. A bit mental really.

Are there any other Lions players being pushed for positions they don't play for their own team? Genuine question cause I can't think of any but happy to be proven wrong.

Squidgy Black

awec wrote: »

Nobody finds it bizarre that we are pimping Henshaw for the 13 jersey despite the fact we won't pick him there for Ireland?

We are trying to say he's the best 13 in the home nations and so should start for the Lions, but yet doesn't even play there for his own team. A bit mental really.

Are there any other Lions players being pushed for positions they don't play for their own team? Genuine question cause I can't think of any but happy to be proven wrong.

Elliot Daly being flaunted as being in the centre's but plays wing for England. I know it's not the same thing as he plays 13 for wasps but it's probably the closest comparison.

AbusesToilets

awec wrote: »

Nobody finds it bizarre that we are pimping Henshaw for the 13 jersey despite the fact we won't pick him there for Ireland?

We are trying to say he's the best 13 in the home nations and so should start for the Lions, but yet doesn't even play there for his own team. A bit mental really.

Are there any other Lions players being pushed for positions they don't play for their own team? Genuine question cause I can't think of any but happy to be proven wrong.

He's likely to be kept out of the Lion's 12 by a 10 playing out of position in Farrell, so there's that.

MattD

awec wrote: »

Nobody finds it bizarre that we are pimping Henshaw for the 13 jersey despite the fact we won't pick him there for Ireland?

We are trying to say he's the best 13 in the home nations and so should start for the Lions, but yet doesn't even play there for his own team. A bit mental really.

Are there any other Lions players being pushed for positions they don't play for their own team? Genuine question cause I can't think of any but happy to be proven wrong.

In fairness, that's like saying 'Why is Farrell being touted as an outhalf when he plays 12 for England'. Henshaw is at 12 because the 2 other best centres in Ireland (Ringrose, Payne) are considered better outside him.

irishbucsfan

awec wrote: »

Nobody finds it bizarre that we are pimping Henshaw for the 13 jersey despite the fact we won't pick him there for Ireland?

We are trying to say he's the best 13 in the home nations and so should start for the Lions, but yet doesn't even play there for his own team. A bit mental really.

Are there any other Lions players being pushed for positions they don't play for their own team? Genuine question cause I can't think of any but happy to be proven wrong.

Yeah, even Ian Henderson is being suggested for his best position in the 2nd row, its mad! :pac:

KevinK

awec wrote: »

Nobody finds it bizarre that we are pimping Henshaw for the 13 jersey despite the fact we won't pick him there for Ireland?

We are trying to say he's the best 13 in the home nations and so should start for the Lions, but yet doesn't even play there for his own team. A bit mental really.

Are there any other Lions players being pushed for positions they don't play for their own team? Genuine question cause I can't think of any but happy to be proven wrong.

Itoje at second row
Warburton at 7

.ak

awec wrote: »

Nobody finds it bizarre that we are pimping Henshaw for the 13 jersey despite the fact we won't pick him there for Ireland?

We are trying to say he's the best 13 in the home nations and so should start for the Lions, but yet doesn't even play there for his own team. A bit mental really.

Are there any other Lions players being pushed for positions they don't play for their own team? Genuine question cause I can't think of any but happy to be proven wrong.

Ah c'mon, you can't compare the two squads. Lions has better 12 options that would allow him to move outside.

I don't see him playing at 13 for Lions in my opinion though, unless he impresses there in the midweek games - if he travels.

Former Former

I'd be shocked if Henshaw didn't travel and I think he's in with a shout for the test side. There's no real outstanding candidate for 13.

awec

AbusesToilets wrote: »

He's likely to be kept out of the Lion's 12 by a 10 playing out of position in Farrell, so there's that.

Farrell plays at 12 for England all the time. He plays 10 for England too. Not even close to being the same.

MattD wrote: »

In fairness, that's like saying 'Why is Farrell being touted as an outhalf when he plays 12 for England'. Henshaw is at 12 because the 2 other best centres in Ireland (Ringrose, Payne) are considered better outside him.

Again, not comparable. Farrell plays 12 regularly. If Ringrose and Payne are better than Henshaw then why aren't they the ones being touted for the Lions 13? They're both eligible.

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Yeah, even Ian Henderson is being suggested for his best position in the 2nd row, its mad! :pac:

Iain Henderson regularly plays at lock and back row. Again, not the same.

KevinK wrote: »

Itoje at second row
Warburton at 7

Itoje regularly plays in both positions. Honestly not sure about Warburton.