Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

Connacht2KXX · 04-12-2016 07:27PM

With Lydiate tearing his ACL and will now probably miss the Lions, who will the be brought on tour?

Thinking from the POV of Gatland, he'd bring:
Warburton
Faletau
Tipuric
Vunipola
Haskell/Heaslip
SOB
CJ

Assuming 7 are brought like last time

willit · 04-12-2016 11:19PM

Connacht2KXX wrote: »

With Lydiate tearing his ACL and will now probably miss the Lions, who will the be brought on tour?

Thinking from the POV of Gatland, he'd bring:
Warburton
Faletau
Tipuric
Vunipola
Haskell/Heaslip
SOB
CJ

Assuming 7 are brought like last time

While all of the above are very good players and a valid argument for each would be easily made, I don't think it's very balanced. Warburton, Tipuric and SOB now only play openside, Heaslip, Faletau and Vunipola only play 8 leaving CJ as the only blindside. Now, I know the 6 and 7 are only numbers and they could play either at a stretch, but on a Lions tour to NZ I don't think that's good enough and would be disappointed if those are the 7 back rows named (if 7 are named) Obviously, if Hendo is brought along he can play blindside but for me he's better in the row and as with the others I think we need a proper balanced back row if we are serious about winning the tour.

Lake1989 · 04-12-2016 11:41PM

willit wrote: »

While all of the above are very good players and a valid argument for each would be easily made, I don't think it's very balanced. Warburton, Tipuric and SOB now only play openside, Heaslip, Faletau and Vunipola only play 8 leaving CJ as the only blindside. Now, I know the 6 and 7 are only numbers and they could play either at a stretch, but on a Lions tour to NZ I don't think that's good enough and would be disappointed if those are the 7 back rows named (if 7 are named) Obviously, if Hendo is brought along he can play blindside but for me he's better in the row and as with the others I think we need a proper balanced back row if we are serious about winning the tour.

I reckon Ross Moriarty and Van der Flier will go.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 05-12-2016 12:01AM

willit wrote: »

While all of the above are very good players and a valid argument for each would be easily made, I don't think it's very balanced. Warburton, Tipuric and SOB now only play openside, Heaslip, Faletau and Vunipola only play 8 leaving CJ as the only blindside. Now, I know the 6 and 7 are only numbers and they could play either at a stretch, but on a Lions tour to NZ I don't think that's good enough and would be disappointed if those are the 7 back rows named (if 7 are named) Obviously, if Hendo is brought along he can play blindside but for me he's better in the row and as with the others I think we need a proper balanced back row if we are serious about winning the tour.

Wales will have Warburton and Felatau 6 and 7 for 6 nations.

letowski · 05-12-2016 12:04AM

willit wrote:

While all of the above are very good players and a valid argument for each would be easily made, I don't think it's very balanced. Warburton, Tipuric and SOB now only play openside, Heaslip, Faletau and Vunipola only play 8 leaving CJ as the only blindside. Now, I know the 6 and 7 are only numbers and they could play either at a stretch, but on a Lions tour to NZ I don't think that's good enough and would be disappointed if those are the 7 back rows named (if 7 are named) Obviously, if Hendo is brought along he can play blindside but for me he's better in the row and as with the others I think we need a proper balanced back row if we are serious about winning the tour.

You'd have to think Robshaw will go, and be the leading canditdate for the 6 shirt. CJ could over take him though.

corny · 05-12-2016 12:26PM

letowski wrote: »

willit wrote:

While all of the above are very good players and a valid argument for each would be easily made, I don't think it's very balanced. Warburton, Tipuric and SOB now only play openside, Heaslip, Faletau and Vunipola only play 8 leaving CJ as the only blindside. Now, I know the 6 and 7 are only numbers and they could play either at a stretch, but on a Lions tour to NZ I don't think that's good enough and would be disappointed if those are the 7 back rows named (if 7 are named) Obviously, if Hendo is brought along he can play blindside but for me he's better in the row and as with the others I think we need a proper balanced back row if we are serious about winning the tour.

You'd have to think Robshaw will go, and be the leading canditdate for the 6 shirt. CJ could over take him though.

Gatland didn't even bring him on tour last time. CJ and Warburton will be comfortably ahead of him in Garlands mind.

Lake1989 · 06-12-2016 10:03AM

Nick Mullins on twitter says gossip in Dublin about the rumoured lions backs coach is "mind blowing". Any ideas on who that might be?

molloyjh · 06-12-2016 10:17AM

Lake1989 wrote: »

Nick Mullins on twitter says gossip in Dublin about the rumoured lions backs coach is "mind blowing". Any ideas on who that might be?

Leo Cullen?

Dog Botherer · 06-12-2016 10:19AM

Something makes me think it'll be BOD. No idea why, I know it's daft, but sure here we are.

Buer · 06-12-2016 10:20AM

Lake1989 wrote: »

Nick Mullins on twitter says gossip in Dublin about the rumoured lions backs coach is "mind blowing". Any ideas on who that might be?

It's almost all but confirmed as Rob Howley. They discussed the coaching team last night on Off The Ball with Gavin Cummiskey stating it's almost an open secret that the team will be:

Gatland
Borthwick
Howley
Farrell

I'd love to be wrong about Howley. Neil Doak deserves his shot.

accensi0n · 06-12-2016 10:20AM

Drico

Lake1989 · 06-12-2016 10:21AM

molloyjh wrote: »

Leo Cullen?

Lol
They are all assembling in Dublin as the announcement is being made here tomorrow. Dont think the means its necessarily Irish/Leinster etc.

Cullen be better then Howley though

06-12-2016 11:03AM

Ok well let's do some deduction.

It's Dublin so it's someone in Leinster. It's not Leo and it's most certainly not BOD as neither are backs coaches.

It can only be Lancaster. He is a defensive coach by "title" but his fingerprints are over our back play at the moment.

Could see Lancaster and Farrell reunited with the Lions!

irishbucsfan · 06-12-2016 11:04AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Ok well let's do some deduction.

It's Dublin so it's someone in Leinster. It's not Leo and it's most certainly not BOD as neither are backs coaches.

It can only be Lancaster. He is a defensive coach by "title" but his fingerprints are over our back play at the moment.

Could see Lancaster and Farrell reunited with the Lions!

It's in Dublin because that's where the Lions are based and that's where the media are. Not because it's a Leinster coach necessarily.

06-12-2016 11:04AM

Lake1989 wrote: »

Nick Mullins on twitter says gossip in Dublin about the rumoured lions backs coach is "mind blowing".

Lake1989 wrote: »

Lol
They are all assembling in Dublin as the announcement is being made here tomorrow.

Ah ok.

If it's not a Dublin based coach and is Dublin based gossip I would guess it's Graham Henry.

Lake1989 · 06-12-2016 11:05AM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Ah ok.

If it's not a Dublin based coach and is Dublin based gossip I would guess it's Graham Henry.

Whats Ross O'Carroll Kellys diary like next June/July?

Buer · 06-12-2016 11:15AM

If it turns out it's not Howley then I wouldn't be shocked if they simply asked McGeechan yet again.

irishbucsfan · 06-12-2016 11:17AM

Buer wrote: »

If it turns out it's not Howley then I wouldn't be shocked if they simply asked McGeechan yet again.

The only rumour I've seen that appears remotely viable has been Ben Ryan. Certainly an interesting chap. (also, Ben Ryan is an employee of HSBC I think?)

Buer · 06-12-2016 11:20AM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

The only rumour I've seen that appears remotely viable has been Ben Ryan. Certainly an interesting chap. (also, Ben Ryan is an employee of HSBC I think?)

Well that would be both bonkers and fascinating.

thomond2006 · 06-12-2016 11:34AM

This screams Lancaster.

former total · 06-12-2016 11:38AM

thomond2006 wrote: »

This screams Lancaster.

Would that be "mind-blowing"?

I think the Dublin reference is simply because the announcement is happening here, not that the person himself is connected to Dublin.

Tigerandahalf · 06-12-2016 11:39AM

Given that the tour is in the NZ winter with probable wind and wet weather you can't see the Lions throwing the ball around a lot. Given that Gatland is the coach it will probably be a big direct team with little flair.

The NZ pack is light and their scrum could be vulnerable so I'd imagine Gatland wil go with a big pack and a big backline.

With doubts over Sexton's ability to last games I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't start but the options are limited - Farrell or Biggar I guess.

I could see a team along these lines

McGrath Best Furlong
Toner AW Jones
Stander Warburton Vunipola
Murray Sexton
Roberts Henshaw
L Williams Halfpenny Zebo?

We are weak enough on the wings. Not sure if any of the English boys are good all rounders while Hogg is probably the only option in Scotland - great attacking ability but can make silly mistakes. George North with his concussion issues is a big risk. Tommy Bowe if he comes back to form with Ire could sneak the 14 jersey.

I think Stander is a possibility at 6 but wouldn't be surprised if Robshaw is picked as he gives the work rate and tackling to give balance to the back row.

Halfpenny to kick the goals and AW Jones to captain.

Itoje is also a big possibility, maybe ahead of Toner.

Very strong in some areas but weak enough in others.

thomond2006 · 06-12-2016 11:40AM

former total wrote: »

Would that be "mind-blowing"?

I think the Dublin reference is simply because the announcement is happening here, not that the person himself is connected to Dublin.

I don't know about mind-blowing but certainty a surprise.

Is there an announcement today?

sydthebeat · 06-12-2016 12:39PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

The only rumour I've seen that appears remotely viable has been Ben Ryan. Certainly an interesting chap. (also, Ben Ryan is an employee of HSBC I think?)

that would be completely off the wall.

certainly interesting but if your going to try a sevens player / coach as your attacking coach... is a lions tour against NZ the best place to try it?

Buer · 06-12-2016 01:08PM

Is Lancaster not a director/administrator first and a forward's coach second?

Scythica · 06-12-2016 01:14PM

Obviously Gatland is not coaching in the 6nations, but what happens for the assistants?

England without Borthwick for example would be particularly nicer

Buer · 06-12-2016 01:17PM

Scythica wrote: »

Obviously Gatland is not coaching in the 6nations, but what happens for the assistants?

England without Borthwick for example would be particularly nicer

They continue as they were with whatever teams they work for.

Podge_irl · 06-12-2016 01:17PM

Buer wrote: »

Is Lancaster not a director/administrator first and a forward's coach second?

I don't think it's particularly clear exactly what he's up to but his only official role is as "Senior Coach".

clsmooth · 06-12-2016 01:59PM

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Given that the tour is in the NZ winter with probable wind and wet weather you can't see the Lions throwing the ball around a lot. Given that Gatland is the coach it will probably be a big direct team with little flair.

The NZ pack is light and their scrum could be vulnerable so I'd imagine Gatland wil go with a big pack and a big backline.

With doubts over Sexton's ability to last games I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't start but the options are limited - Farrell or Biggar I guess.

I could see a team along these lines

McGrath Best Furlong
Toner AW Jones
Stander Warburton Vunipola
Murray Sexton
Roberts Henshaw
L Williams Halfpenny Zebo?

We are weak enough on the wings. Not sure if any of the English boys are good all rounders while Hogg is probably the only option in Scotland - great attacking ability but can make silly mistakes. George North with his concussion issues is a big risk. Tommy Bowe if he comes back to form with Ire could sneak the 14 jersey.

I think Stander is a possibility at 6 but wouldn't be surprised if Robshaw is picked as he gives the work rate and tackling to give balance to the back row.

Halfpenny to kick the goals and AW Jones to captain.

Itoje is also a big possibility, maybe ahead of Toner.

Very strong in some areas but weak enough in others.

One English starter from a team which has just gone the whole year unbeaten including 3 wins away in Australia?? There would be carnage in the media

awec · 06-12-2016 02:00PM

Buer wrote: »

It's almost all but confirmed as Rob Howley. They discussed the coaching team last night on Off The Ball with Gavin Cummiskey stating it's almost an open secret that the team will be:

Gatland
Borthwick
Howley
Farrell

I'd love to be wrong about Howley. Neil Doak deserves his shot.

Do the assistant coaches have to leave their current jobs too?

Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

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