Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

CatFromHue · 25-02-2017 09:32PM

Clegg wrote: »

North isn't playing well enough to be selected and hasn't in a few years. He'll tour because of the Gatland connection but he's not guaranteed to start the tests.

He might tour as he's toured before and there's not many wingers in fantastic form at the moment.

troyzer · 26-02-2017 08:13AM

Forgive me almost reckless ignorance but I have a quick question I couldn't find the answer to anywhere.

How do tickets work? I recently moved to Australia and I'd love to see the Lions. I know I probably won't get a test match but even one of the club matches would be great. I know I'm a bit late but everytime I go on the Lions site they just keep trying to sell me packages when I would only want a match ticket.

Any ideas?

sydthebeat · 26-02-2017 09:20AM

I thought Tim visser put himself into some conversations with yesterday's performance

clsmooth · 26-02-2017 10:48AM

What's the views on Farrell starting at 12? I have an English friend who seems certain he'll be picked to start but I'm not convinced, he's an important player for England but I reckon he's an ideal sub option covering 10 and 12. Obviously there's an element of Irish bias here, but I reckon Murray Sexton and Henshaw have a great chance of starting especially considering Gatland's preference for a physcial 12. Furlong also has a great chance of starting and Best a decent chance if his darts hold up. Not sure I'd have anyone other Irish player starting.

26-02-2017 11:10AM

clsmooth wrote: »

What's the views on Farrell starting at 12? I have an English friend who seems certain he'll be picked to start but I'm not convinced, he's an important player for England but I reckon he's an ideal sub option covering 10 and 12. Obviously there's an element of Irish bias here, but I reckon Murray Sexton and Henshaw have a great chance of starting especially considering Gatland's preference for a physcial 12. Furlong also has a great chance of starting and Best a decent chance if his darts hold up. Not sure I'd have anyone other Irish player starting.

If Vuniploa doesn't come back with a bang I think Heaslip is in the driving seat for the 8 slot. Faletau isn't delivering at all at the moment, seems well off the pace.

Farrell is quite a physical player, not as much as Henshaw but he's a better distributor.

In the conversation from an Irish perspective:

McGrath
Best
Furlong
Heaslip
Murray
Sexton

Near the conversation from an Irish perspective
Healy
Toner
SoB
Stander
Zebo
Kearney (only really Hogg playing well at FB)

Former Former · 26-02-2017 01:19PM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

If Vuniploa doesn't come back with a bang I think Heaslip is in the driving seat for the 8 slot. Faletau isn't delivering at all at the moment, seems well off the pace.

Farrell is quite a physical player, not as much as Henshaw but he's a better distributor.

In the conversation from an Irish perspective:

McGrath
Best
Furlong
Heaslip
Murray
Sexton

Near the conversation from an Irish perspective
Healy
Toner
SoB
Stander
Zebo
Kearney (only really Hogg playing well at FB)

I would put Stander "in the conversation" and more likely than Heaslip to travel, he's versatile and there isn't nearly as much competition at 6 as there is at 8.

You've omitted Henshaw completely but I presume that's an error.

flyton5 · 26-02-2017 01:21PM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

If Vuniploa doesn't come back with a bang I think Heaslip is in the driving seat for the 8 slot. Faletau isn't delivering at all at the moment, seems well off the pace.

Farrell is quite a physical player, not as much as Henshaw but he's a better distributor.

In the conversation from an Irish perspective:

McGrath
Best
Furlong
Heaslip
Murray
Sexton

Near the conversation from an Irish perspective
Healy
Toner
SoB
Stander
Zebo
Kearney (only really Hogg playing well at FB)

Under no circumstances will Toner travel. He's bang average at best. He looks good next to someone like O'Connell but he only retains his place thanks to a shortage of international quality locks in Ireland. I would be surprised if we see any Irish locks travel. I like Donncha Ryan but he's not at the same level as his competition.

As for Cian Healy, he might be lucky and make the cut but I imagine he'll be on the standby list. Yes he's explosive in the loose but he's also a bit of a penalty machine lately. If he stays fit he has a good chance.

Faugheen · 26-02-2017 01:55PM

Former Former wrote: »

I would put Stander "in the conversation" and more likely than Heaslip to travel, he's versatile and there isn't nearly as much competition at 6 as there is at 8.

You've omitted Henshaw completely but I presume that's an error.

Heaslip has been one of the best back rows in the world for the last 2 years. There's no way he doesn't travel barring injury

The One Truth · 26-02-2017 01:58PM

Faugheen wrote: »

Heaslip has been one of the best back rows in the world for the last 2 years. There's no way he doesn't travel barring injury

Does Gatland really take 3 No. 8's with him though?

Faugheen · 26-02-2017 02:03PM

The One Truth wrote: »

Does Gatland really take 3 No. 8's with him though?

If he has any brain, he brings Heaslip and Vunipola with Faletau on standby.

Can't imagine that will happen, but he can't ignore Heaslips performances and if he brings Faletau and leaves him at home then I give up.

The One Truth · 26-02-2017 02:05PM

Faugheen wrote: »

If he has any brain, he brings Heaslip and Vunipola with Faletau on standby.

Can't imagine that will happen, but he can't ignore Heaslips performances and if he brings Faletau and leaves him at home then I give up.

Knowing Gatland as we do, I'd say that's exactly what he is planning

Clegg · 26-02-2017 02:16PM

Gatland still.has a few years left on his contract with Wales. Don't know own if he'd want to risk a falling out with his senior players by not selecting one or.two of them for the Lions.

Although I agree that on form Heaslip should travel.

CatFromHue · 26-02-2017 03:01PM

troyzer wrote: »

Forgive me almost reckless ignorance but I have a quick question I couldn't find the answer to anywhere.

How do tickets work? I recently moved to Australia and I'd love to see the Lions. I know I probably won't get a test match but even one of the club matches would be great. I know I'm a bit late but everytime I go on the Lions site they just keep trying to sell me packages when I would only want a match ticket.

Any ideas?

I didn't think you could buy individual tickets outside NZ. I think you have to buy them in NZ or from NZ sources.

26-02-2017 03:16PM

flyton5 wrote: »

Under no circumstances will Toner travel. He's bang average at best. He looks good next to someone like O'Connell

I think Toner has played some of his best rugby since POCs retirement to be honest. He far from bang average and to be honest what does that say about all the guys behind him (including Ryan?).

Toner is durable and athletic, can play 80 minutes week on week. He is a strong set piece option.

He is up against huge competition, but he is in the conversation and has made a number of former player potential squads so far.

Personally I think he will be on standby hence the "near the conversation".

As for Stander, I think he has earned a call up but I can't remember the Lions bringing someone who started out as a project player. Granny rule yeah but no one that qualified through residency and that could go against him.

I could be mistaken.

English Lurker · 26-02-2017 03:26PM

You are - Riki Flutey.

Fazlet really splits opinion and without knowing what Gatland thinks, its hard to know how realistic his chances are. Personally, I very much value the ability to do carry in my centres, so the idea of Fazlet as a Lions centre is a little alarming. If you get a side that can allow the 12 to just hang around as a second playmaker though, he's great.

But he's only a 12 for England because we didn't have any others when Jones started and we needed his goalkicking in somewhere. The Lions have actual 12s and goalkickers.

That's just me though. Some people think he's already better than Wilko...

thomond2006 · 26-02-2017 03:30PM

Hogg has to be the nailed on starting fullback.

razorblunt · 26-02-2017 03:43PM

Big game from Rhys Webb yesterday, should probably go as second choice 9 but can definitely push Murray hard.

Watson at 7 as well could be a bolter.

Zebo probably played his way off, pending injuries.

MattD · 26-02-2017 03:44PM

Toner will be hard pushed to get in ahead of one of J Gray, AWJ, Launchbury, Itoje, Lawes, even Kruis (not sure when he's meant to be fit) and R Gray are in the conversation.

Toners advantages are his durability, ruck hitting, being able to run a lineout for the midweek games and his partnership with Best, but that won't guarantee him a spot on the plane at all. Up to Gatland in what he values in his locks.

Larbre34 · 26-02-2017 04:14PM

More chat in the ether about Murray for captain. AWJ miles off a test start at the moment.

Buer · 26-02-2017 04:17PM

Larbre34 wrote: »

More chat in the ether about Murray for captain. AWJ miles off a test start at the moment.

Eh? Who's chatting about that? I don't think he has ever captained Munster even.

Clegg · 26-02-2017 04:17PM

Dan Cole is having a proper shocker this k he has given away 3 pens after 17 minutes.

razorblunt · 26-02-2017 04:45PM

MattD wrote: »

Toner will be hard pushed to get in ahead of one of J Gray, AWJ, Launchbury, Itoje, Lawes, even Kruis (not sure when he's meant to be fit) and R Gray are in the conversation.

Toners advantages are his durability, ruck hitting, being able to run a lineout for the midweek games and his partnership with Best, but that won't guarantee him a spot on the plane at all. Up to Gatland in what he values in his locks.

Unless Toner is planning on going on holidays down there he won't be on the plane.
Richie Gray is back of the queue too.

The One Truth · 26-02-2017 04:48PM

razorblunt wrote: »

Unless Toner is planning on going on holidays down there he won't be on the plane.
Richie Gray is back of the queue too.

I would think Toner is definitely in the mix , you know exactly what you're going to get with big Dev...But nobody does it better

Cosmo Kramer · 26-02-2017 04:49PM

Larbre34 wrote: »

More chat in the ether about Murray for captain. AWJ miles off a test start at the moment.

I wouldn't be surprised if Gatland has already privately told AWJ that he's captain if he's fit. The whole Warburton resigning the Wales captaincy thing seemed very choreographed.

swiwi_ · 26-02-2017 06:01PM

I have to say after a few anxious moments in Autumn, this 6N has me tipping the series in NZ's favour. Haven't really seen anything to give Hansen sleepless nights with the exception of some Hogg & L. Williams x-factor. Some of the big players from 2016 have been relatively quiet, in particular Itoje has been nothing like 2016 6N Itoje.

Sephiral · 26-02-2017 06:23PM

Lock is looking like a bit of a selection nightmare currently. Nobody sticking their hands up to make a spot their own definitively. On form, it is J Gray and Launchbury, but I can see AWJ being named captain and edging one of them out - probably Launchbury to keep a Scot in the team.

Also, would Daly at full back be completely mad? Obviously Hogg will get it, but he is a bit of a liability when under defensive pressure.

Cosmo Kramer · 26-02-2017 07:24PM

Sephiral wrote: »

Lock is looking like a bit of a selection nightmare currently. Nobody sticking their hands up to make a spot their own definitively. On form, it is J Gray and Launchbury, but I can see AWJ being named captain and edging one of them out - probably Launchbury to keep a Scot in the team.

Also, would Daly at full back be completely mad? Obviously Hogg will get it, but he is a bit of a liability when under defensive pressure.

I doubt Jonny Gray will get any favours on nationality with Hogg already a cert to be in the team. He's a good player but is massively overrated here in Scotland. Launchbury is having a great year, I'd have him as a certain starter. Gatland will pick AWJ. Itoje would be a great option off the bench. Maybe have both Grays in the midweek team? I don't see any Irish second rows travelling unless there are a few injuries.

Teferi · 26-02-2017 07:27PM

razorblunt wrote: »

Unless Toner is planning on going on holidays down there he won't be on the plane.
Richie Gray is back of the queue too.

Toner offers something different to every other lock. I think he'll be there or thereabouts as a midweek dirt tracker.

English Lurker · 26-02-2017 07:32PM

Sephiral wrote: »

Lock is looking like a bit of a selection nightmare currently. Nobody sticking their hands up to make a spot their own definitively. On form, it is J Gray and Launchbury, but I can see AWJ being named captain and edging one of them out - probably Launchbury to keep a Scot in the team.

Also, would Daly at full back be completely mad? Obviously Hogg will get it, but he is a bit of a liability when under defensive pressure.

Bit mad. Daly's experience levels at full-back means it's pretty likely he'd be an even bigger liability there.

Bridge93 · 26-02-2017 07:33PM

McGrath
Vunipola
Healy

Best
Brown
George

Furlong
Cole
Lee??

R Gray/Lawes
Gray
Launchbury
Itoje
AWJ

Stander
SOB
Heaslip
Warburton
Tipuric
Vunipola

Murray
Webb
Youngs

Sexton
Farrell
Biggar

Henshaw
Daly
S Williams
L Williams
Hogg
Seymour
Davies
?????

Outside backs very hard to pick at the minute with not many hands being put up.
I'd bring Jack Nowell. Watson if he's fit might go and Mike Brown probably will. North and Halfpenny will likely travel despite no form. Zebo has a chance as does Ringrose in my view. Huw Jones potentially? I'll leave the outside backs until later but my pack and half backs would be as above

Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

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