Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

I didn't say I think Ringrose will travel or even that he should just that I personally would love to see it but considering I have absolutely no say in the Lions picks I don't think Gatland could care less what I think.

Kal El wrote: »

It begins :pac:
What chance does Ringrose have when he was only played because of injuries and wont start in the 6 nations over Payne and Henshaw.

Well keep they do normally bring a couple of bolters. Like Earls in 2009 and Christian Wade in 2013

blackhound wrote: »

There seems to be a lot of talk of Furlong for the Lions no and certainly he has done his chances no harm at all. Now that the Autumn internationals are over for Ireland what Irish players do you think will be included? Obviously the six nations will decide a lot of the players but as of right now the players I think will travel are:
McGrath
Best
Furlong
Toner
Stander
O'Brien
Heaslip
Murray
Sexton
Henshaw

Others who may have a chance are Ringrose, Dillane, Henderson and Van Der Flier. Obviously back row is a hugely competitive area throughout the 4 nations. I'd love to see Ringrose brought but I can't help but think Gatland will not bring too many bolters and most will be more experienced internationals

Edit: Also Cian Healy is probably a good shout too.

Toner might struggle, considering Gatland will probably bring AWJ plus Itoje and Kruis, then you have Launchbury, Lawes and Jonny Gray and Henderson all fighting for probably 6 spots in the row judging by 2013 selection. Henderson and Itoje might have an edge because they can both play 6.

I'd say McGrath, Best and Furlong will all travel with Healy maybe going as 3rd choice loosey. Stander should travel and Gatland does like O'Brien so definite chance there. Heaslip does have a great chance but knowing Gatland, he brings Faletau and Vunipola as his 8's.

If I had to pick a squad based on Autumn Internationals and Gatlands probable ideas now; I'd go for:

Mako Vunipola
McGrath
Healy

Hartley
Best
Jamie George

Cole
Furlong
Nel/Sinckler/Lee

Itoje
Henderson
Kruis/Jonny Gray
Launchbury/Toner
AWJ

Tipuric
Faletau
Robshaw
Billy Vunipola
Warburton
Stander
Haskell*
Sean O'Brien*
Lydiate*
JVDF*
Ross Moriarty*

Murray
Laidlaw
Care/Youngs

Ford
Farrell
Sexton

Huw Jones
Henshaw
Roberts
Davies

North
Liam Williams
May
An.Other - Watson, Cuthbert, etc

Hogg
Brown
Halfpenny

That's 38, he brought 37 last time round, so looking at something similar this time. Be interesting to see anyone elses views!

Morris Moss wrote: »

Agree with everyone bar Toner and Heaslip, I'm not saying they won't go but competition for the second row is unbelievable and Vuinipola and Falateau seem to be favourite for the 8 shirt, also if O'Brien could stay fit he's a shoe in, but it's very debatable if he can.

SOB will need a decent injury free run before he is brought. He won't be much use if he keeps breaking down the way he is at the moment. He might just prolong his career if he stayed at home next summer.

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Well keep they do normally bring a couple of bolters. Like Earls in 2009 and Christian Wade in 2013

Bazzo wrote: »

You think Gatland will travel with no Welsh scrummies? :P

I wouldn't be surprised for both Webb and Davies to travel, Webb on merit deserves it and Davies is no slouch either tbh.

I picked Huw Jones as my bolter, watched him for Stormers this season and was so impressed; delighted he took his chance this autumn. Would say he stands a huge chance of travelling.

Yeah was debating that, perhaps one of them will go; a lot of it depends on the 6 Nations, a Slam for England could heavily sway decisions.

Laidlaw has no chance of going, he's not needed for his kicking and his nowhere near as dangerous as Murray, Webb, Youngs or any other number of scrum half's.

Fleawuss wrote: »

At the risk of being shot I'm going to say that a Lions tour is going to shorten the international career of some of our players if they go. We have had a nightmare with injuries. The Lions tour should be managed by the IRFU so that we can use it as a rest period and our competitors supply the bulk of the team and get broken up. I'm sorry for being cynical.

Have to agree that the Lions is a danger to our players injury wise. It has no place in professional rugby only that I am sure it's a marketing success and somebody makes money.

munsterlegend wrote: »

Have to agree that the Lions is a danger to our players injury wise. It has no place in professional rugby only that I am sure it's a marketing success and somebody makes money.

EVERYONE makes money. Think about it: If it wasn't lucrative for the players then would it exist?

However IMHO if Sexton does go and play all three tests then I think he should rest for the remainder of 2017 if he wants to make 2019. Plenty NZ players have taken sabbaticals to prolong their careers so there's a precedent here.

Billy Vunipola's chances just taken a huge hit, out for 3 months with knee surgery, misses full Six Nations. Heaslip's odds just got a lot shorter.