Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

awec

I like it.

Felix Jones is God

awec wrote: »

I like it.

Wouldn't doubt ya!😚

I prefer the Adidas and HSBC jerseys.

Teferi

Warren Gatland definitely designed that shirt.

Kal El

Was going to get one of these, but I hate it all its missing is a massive dragon

razorblunt

CCC is too big, SLI looks like it was a peel and stick addition from a 5p chewing gum.
I'll pick up a tshirt and windbreaker jacket this time around I reckon, nothing else.

.ak

Looks like every other Lions jersey.

Adbrowne

I see Gatland and the NZ are getting a bit nasty with each other. Bodes well for the tour next summer

Adbrowne

Adbrowne wrote: »

I see Gatland and the NZ are getting a bit nasty with each other. Bodes well for the tour next summer

Gatland absolutely getting the ground work in, not sure it ever does him any good but it's a bit of entertainment and Kiwi's hate being called smug and arrogant so he's absolutely hitting the right notes.

Should be a fun tour, one sided, but fun!

chupacabra

Right so, a lot of lads putting their hands up for selection after last nights win (still cant believe it).

irishbucsfan

chupacabra wrote: »

Right so, a lot of lads putting their hands up for selection after last nights win (still cant believe it).

That needs to be a first step this season. The team needs to push on through the 6Ns now. A Championship win will prove the form enough to push a lot of marginal calls in our direction.

bilston

Beating NZ has to count a lot.

Given the Welsh performance yesterday you'd have to think that the various predicted squads from everyone will be getting a bit of an update.

That said the 6Ns will always be the main criteria for squad selection. But beating NZ is a close second.

Before yesterday I'd have said McGrath, Murray and Sexton were our only certain picks (injury allowing). Henshaw is now in that bracket IMO. The likes of Best, Toner, Stander and Heaslip have enhanced their chances and Furlong and Van Der Flier will now be part of the conversation, before they probably weren't. Kearney is back in contention as well. Actually every one of the starting XV have given themselves a chance. Trimble was amazing defensively and Zebo showed some nice touches as well.

DGRulz

We could win the Grand Slam in March and it'll only mean quality English and Scottish players being left off the tour and at best an equal number of Irish and Welch. The Welch players know how Garland wants to play so they'll be picked regardless.

One thing has to be said after last night though. Unless we ship some very heavy defeats before December Farrell has to be the Defence coach.

bilston

DGRulz wrote: »

We could win the Grand Slam in March and it'll only mean quality English and Scottish players being left off the tour and at best an equal number of Irish and Welch. The Welch players know how Garland wants to play so they'll be picked regardless.

One thing has to be said after last night though. Unless we ship some very heavy defeats before December Farrell has to be the Defence coach.

Watching Wales yesterday would make it hard to justify picking too many of them. but it's early days.

Farrell is a good shout for defence coach. Was he not defence coach in 2013 though?

Whatever about the Lions, but the appointment of Farrell for Ireland looks inspired right now.

DGRulz

Wales are always slow starters and currently have Howell as Head Coach. I sense that by the end of the 6 Nations they'll have done just enough for Gatland justify having the majority.

Yup, Englands RWC15 disaster has worked out quite nicely for Ireland.

bilston

DGRulz wrote: »

Yup, Englands RWC15 disaster has worked out quite nicely for Ireland.

Well I was going to say. Lancaster seems to be having a good impact at Leinster and likewise Farrell with Ireland.

But then I still think England were a pish poor captaincy decision against Wales from making at least the Q/Fs and then who knows how they'd have done in a physical battle with SA.

pickarooney

DGRulz wrote: »

We could win the Grand Slam in March and it'll only mean quality English and Scottish players being left off the tour and at best an equal number of Irish and Welch. The Welch players know how Garland wants to play so they'll be picked regardless.

One thing has to be said after last night though. Unless we ship some very heavy defeats before December Farrell has to be the Defence coach.

I love how autocorrect always turns Warren into Dorothy. Not sure how Raquel got involved though.

Cathalthesmart

Love to see how Gatland will justify selecting a core of Welsh players in his team.

Cathalthesmart

Farrell has beaten NZ twice and has won a lions series, hard to pick anyone else.

Cathalthesmart

bilston wrote: »

Beating NZ has to count a lot.

Given the Welsh performance yesterday you'd have to think that the various predicted squads from everyone will be getting a bit of an update.

That said the 6Ns will always be the main criteria for squad selection. But beating NZ is a close second.

Before yesterday I'd have said McGrath, Murray and Sexton were our only certain picks (injury allowing). Henshaw is now in that bracket IMO. The likes of Best, Toner, Stander and Heaslip have enhanced their chances and Furlong and Van Der Flier will now be part of the conversation, before they probably weren't. Kearney is back in contention as well. Actually every one of the starting XV have given themselves a chance. Trimble was amazing defensively and Zebo showed some nice touches as well.

Plus Gatland rates Henshaw, he wanted to cap him when he was 19 for Wales ( Henshaw is eligible for Wales)

English Lurker

DGRulz wrote: »

We could win the Grand Slam in March and it'll only mean quality English and Scottish players being left off the tour and at best an equal number of Irish and Welch. The Welch players know how Garland wants to play so they'll be picked regardless.

One thing has to be said after last night though. Unless we ship some very heavy defeats before December Farrell has to be the Defence coach.

I am possibly being a deluded optimist but...

If you watch the Welsh tour of New Zealand, they were playing a fair bit different to what is associated with Gatland. And while they didn't do a bad job, they weren't great at it either.

So hopefully it isn't just who knows how to play Gatlandball.

And hopefully Gatland has spotted what everyone else has, namely that Wales are firmly 3rd of 4th.

Dave_The_Sheep

Lads, we're still a long long way away from Lions selection. Still a load of AIs and the 6N to go yet. Plenty to change.

The Lost Sheep

chupacabra wrote: »

Right so, a lot of lads putting their hands up for selection after last nights win (still cant believe it).

Yeah based on last night but that's just one game...

bilston wrote: »

Beating NZ has to count a lot.

Given the Welsh performance yesterday you'd have to think that the various predicted squads from everyone will be getting a bit of an update.

That said the 6Ns will always be the main criteria for squad selection. But beating NZ is a close second.

Before yesterday I'd have said McGrath, Murray and Sexton were our only certain picks (injury allowing). Henshaw is now in that bracket IMO. The likes of Best, Toner, Stander and Heaslip have enhanced their chances and Furlong and Van Der Flier will now be part of the conversation, before they probably weren't. Kearney is back in contention as well. Actually every one of the starting XV have given themselves a chance. Trimble was amazing defensively and Zebo showed some nice touches as well.

6Ns will be number one but if we've another good performance in 2 weeks v NZ and win other 2 AIs we'll have a jump on players from the other 3 nations.

DGRulz wrote: »

We could win the Grand Slam in March and it'll only mean quality English and Scottish players being left off the tour and at best an equal number of Irish and Welch. The Welch players know how Garland wants to play so they'll be picked regardless.

One thing has to be said after last night though. Unless we ship some very heavy defeats before December Farrell has to be the Defence coach.

I disagree with that. Gatland isnt going to be that loyal.

Cathalthesmart wrote: »

Plus Gatland rates Henshaw, he wanted to cap him when he was 19 for Wales ( Henshaw is eligible for Wales)

Henshaw isn't eligibile for Wales. Where are you getting this idea from?

Adbrowne

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Henshaw isn't eligibile for Wales. Where are you getting this idea from?

Confusing Henshaw with Marmion perhaps. The spit of each other makes it tough to tell them apart.

Adbrowne

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

Lads, we're still a long long way away from Lions selection. Still a load of AIs and the 6N to go yet. Plenty to change.

True but if your talking about taking a step in the right direction then

Furlong, Stander, Heaslip, VDF [Bolter-ish], Henshaw and Zebo all took big steps.

Murray, Sexton, McGrath are going barring injury.


Furlong is going to be a massive player for Leinster and Ireland. Dont think Ross will be wearing the green jersey again

Cathalthesmart

Furlong has a serious chance, not many quality tight heads out of the 4 nations.

Dan Coles probably the best

WP Nel sums up the slim pickings
Lee is just typical welsh hyped player ( similar to those who said Webb/Bigger where actually good enough to start for the Lions. :D:D)

Plus Furlong is still very young in comparison to the others.

Bazzo

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Henshaw isn't eligibile for Wales. Where are you getting this idea from?

Gatland did speak to Henshaw about it: http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/gatland-i-asked-henshaw-to-play-for-wales-29709412.html

Adbrowne wrote: »

Confusing Henshaw with Marmion perhaps. The spit of each other makes it tough to tell them apart.

Actually I'm not sure if Marmion qualifies for Wales :P. Two Irish parents & born in England. He was raised in Wales so he would have satisfied the residency rule but I believe once you leave the country you're no longer eligibile.

Adbrowne

Espn lions team of the week is ireland 1-15. I know only two teams played, just thought that was funny.

Neil3030

If Gatland did speak to Henshaw when the latter was 19, that's just hilarious. How deep does that man's research into massive inside centres go? He probably had young Brewer on his radar too.

English Lurker

Furlong's big advantage in going for the squad is he's so much quicker than the alternatives. If you're after beating New Zealand, then you want 15 guys who'll keep up with their lads whenever they try to stretch the game. You might get away with 14 but you want 15. Cole, Nel, Lee... they'll struggle with that. Doubt think you'll see them up with the kick chase cutting down full-backs.

Long road yet but if he keeps starting and impressing he's got a big chance in my book.


Speaking of Irish front rows, I wonder if the odds just got cut on Best as a tour captain. Think a lot depends on the head to head between him and Hartley next spring (with all due respect to the compelling claims of Warburton and AWJ).