Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

The real mccoy 91 · 26-02-2017 07:36PM

Cosmo Kramer wrote:

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.

It wouldn't suprise me at all if gatland had a chat with Warburton before and told him to resign and get his game right and then he'd be lions captain in the summer. Can't be having best hartley or awj who seem to be the 3 favs

The real mccoy 91 · 26-02-2017 07:38PM

swiwi_ wrote:

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.

Itoje is playing out of position tho take that into consideration. Not sure who was motm today but I would have gave it to him

The real mccoy 91 · 26-02-2017 07:39PM

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.

Itoje is surely the first name on the team sheet as lock? With Mr I don't miss tackles johnny gray atm

The real mccoy 91 · 26-02-2017 07:40PM

Teferi wrote:

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

He got made a show of against the grays in the Scotland game that was him off the plane for me

awec · 26-02-2017 07:44PM

Bridge93 wrote: »

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

Be very surprised if he leaves out Faletau.

Sephiral · 26-02-2017 08:02PM

awec wrote: »

Be very surprised if he leaves out Faletau.

Heaslip and a fit Vunipola are both ahead of him as dedicated 8s. Other squad picks will probably provide cover. If he is selected, it is purely on the basis of national bias currently.

Bridge93 · 26-02-2017 08:13PM

awec wrote: »

Be very surprised if he leaves out Faletau.

Sadly I'd probably agree with you. If forced to have a Welsh 8 id rather moriarty at this point. Faletau cant get a game and has played little rugby for bath too. But as you say, it'll be more of a surprise if he's left out

Buer · 26-02-2017 08:17PM

awec wrote: »

Be very surprised if he leaves out Faletau.

I would say Faletau is 50/50 at this point and that is purely because Gatland is coach. If it was anyone else, I would say he's out of the running. The guy hasn't started a game for Wales since last summer and has lost his place to Ross Moriarty who has been good but not spectacular.

I think one of Vunipola or Faletau will go but not both. I think Heaslip has forced his way onto the plane at this point both by virtue of his performances and his history with Gatland and the Lions.

I think Moriarty will go now too. He has been solid and had a really good tour in NZ last summer where he comfortably played flanker in all three tests.

Vunipola isn't going to feature at all in the 6N. The Lions squad will be named on April 19th. That gives Vunipola about 4 games for Saracens to force himself onto the plane (assuming he's available straight after the 6N). I would imagine he's touch and go. He has struggled with weight and fitness in the past so it will be interesting to see what condition he returns in.

Faletau needs to start a game in this year's tournament badly and to put in a big showing in it to get himself back into a strong position.

awec · 26-02-2017 08:45PM

Buer wrote: »

I would say Faletau is 50/50 at this point and that is purely because Gatland is coach. If it was anyone else, I would say he's out of the running. The guy hasn't started a game for Wales since last summer and has lost his place to Ross Moriarty who has been good but not spectacular.

I think one of Vunipola or Faletau will go but not both. I think Heaslip has forced his way onto the plane at this point both by virtue of his performances and his history with Gatland and the Lions.

I think Moriarty will go now too. He has been solid and had a really good tour in NZ last summer where he comfortably played flanker in all three tests.

Vunipola isn't going to feature at all in the 6N. The Lions squad will be named on April 19th. That gives Vunipola about 4 games for Saracens to force himself onto the plane (assuming he's available straight after the 6N). I would imagine he's touch and go. He has struggled with weight and fitness in the past so it will be interesting to see what condition he returns in.

Faletau needs to start a game in this year's tournament badly and to put in a big showing in it to get himself back into a strong position.

Was mentioned today that Vunipola may be fit for the Ireland game.

English Lurker · 26-02-2017 08:56PM

Bridge93 wrote: »

Sadly I'd probably agree with you. If forced to have a Welsh 8 id rather moriarty at this point. Faletau cant get a game and has played little rugby for bath too. But as you say, it'll be more of a surprise if he's left out

He's only just back from injury, no?

The One Truth · 26-02-2017 08:57PM

English Lurker wrote: »

He's only just back from injury, no?

So is sexton, Faletau is a fave of Gatland's, if he's able to stand upright he'll pick him I fear

Buer · 26-02-2017 08:58PM

awec wrote:

Was mentioned today that Vunipola may be fit for the Ireland game.

He said himself a few days ago that it's unlikely he'll be available for it.

razorblunt · 26-02-2017 09:05PM

The One Truth wrote: »

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

You know what you're getting with every player, that's a nonsensical argument.
He offers nothing more than the other guys do, they surpass him in the loose.

Boscoirl · 26-02-2017 09:28PM

AWJ doesn't do himself any favours here

http://m.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39092731

razorblunt · 26-02-2017 09:52PM

Boscoirl wrote: »

AWJ doesn't do himself any favours here

http://m.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39092731

I was wondering what happened there as I definitely saw AWJ tell Biggar to go for the posts almost as soon as the penalty was given.

The One Truth · 26-02-2017 09:58PM

razorblunt wrote: »

You know what you're getting with every player, that's a nonsensical argument.
He offers nothing more than the other guys do, they surpass him in the loose.

He's actually a lot better on the deck than ma y give him credit for, he's well capable of jackaling and winning turnover ball.
His maul and lineout prowess is a given

Clegg · 26-02-2017 10:19PM

Tighthead selection will be interesting. Furlong has a firm grip on the starting shirt. That leaves Dan Cole on a bad position imo as for me he either starts or isn't in the squad at all.

Cosmo Kramer · 26-02-2017 11:08PM

Clegg wrote: »

Tighthead selection will be interesting. Furlong has a firm grip on the starting shirt. That leaves Dan Cole on a bad position imo as for me he either starts or isn't in the squad at all.

Not too many other tight head options though. No way you'd want to take the field against the ABs with any of the current Welsh or Scottish props.

Bridge93 · 26-02-2017 11:19PM

English Lurker wrote: »

He's only just back from injury, no?

Yeah only really recently. Hasn't gotten s chance to stake a claim for club or country

The Pheasant2 · 27-02-2017 12:23AM

When is WP Nel due back actually?

titan18 · 27-02-2017 12:31AM

Any chance someone like Armitage or Abendanon get in? I couldn't imagine Gatland going with Abendanon (although I think he's good enough), but surely Armitage would have a shot

Teferi · 27-02-2017 12:34AM

The Pheasant2 wrote: »

When is WP Nel due back actually?

He's out for the entire campaign I think!

Cosmo Kramer · 27-02-2017 12:39AM

The Pheasant2 wrote: »

When is WP Nel due back actually?

Potentially may not be back according to some sources. Serious neck injury - not what you want as a prop.

blindside88 · 27-02-2017 12:41AM

I would have thought that Murray, Sexton, Farrell and Hogg were nailed on Lions starters, I even had Farrell as a possible Lions captain but today must have been one of his poorest performances in an England jersey. I saw him brown the pants in thomond for sarries but today was worse than that

Faugheen · 27-02-2017 01:09AM

Lads

Could Sexton for Lions captain be completely out of the question?

The man is a natural leader, both leading by example and in organisation.

Teferi · 27-02-2017 01:31AM

Faugheen wrote: »

Lads

Could Sexton for Lions captain be completely out of the question?

The man is a natural leader, both leading by example and in organisation.

I'd say questions around his durability rule him out. Probably not the best lad to be dealing with a ref in a tense situation either. He's more a team/squad leader than a captain.

razorblunt · 27-02-2017 08:50AM

The One Truth wrote: »

He's actually a lot better on the deck than ma y give him credit for, he's well capable of jackaling and winning turnover ball.
His maul and lineout prowess is a given

I've yet to see him win a turnover, there were 2 occasions were there was ample opportunity for a pick but he stood as a pillar instead, similarly in the Scottish game, right before their 2nd penalty to last penalty he didn't bother trying to pick.

titan18 wrote: »

Any chance someone like Armitage or Abendanon get in? I couldn't imagine Gatland going with Abendanon (although I think he's good enough), but surely Armitage would have a shot

I think the days of a non International (current at least) getting picked are gone, in terms of "bolters" I think the likes of Ringrose and Daly would fit that mantle these days. Daly's versatility (though I think he excels at 13) should even see him force his way into the Test XV.

Tigerandahalf · 27-02-2017 11:23AM

Beginning to think that Stuart Hogg will end up at 14 with Halfpenny at 15. Liam Williams would probably be 11. I think that is the best back 3 combination.

Henshaw has been disappointing for me at 12. He goes into contact too often and doesn't release players into space enough. His distribution wouldn't be his biggest asset. Ringrose as a result hasn't had the platform to attack space. I wonder will Gatland try him at 15 in the warm up games.

I still think he will be in the team somewhere as he is very reliable making few mistakes or handling errors but he could be vulnerable if Farrell and Davies combine well together as a 12/13 combination.

In truth the Lions are fairly weak in the centre but Gatland tends to like a big guy at 12 so Henshaw is probably favoured.

I think Jared Payne has been completely forgotten about. Given that he is a top class performer at 13/15 bringing him would seem like a smart option. I'd imagine Joe Schimdt will bring him in if he is fit. He will also be very fresh for a Lions tour.

With two big games against Wales and England and the Scottish/Eng game a lot of guys could play themselves in or out of the picture.

The one notable thing so far is the lack of serious injuries. Hopefully there will be a full hand to play with.

It is still hard to call the team but the squad is looking a lot more certain.

I wouldn't be as confident as swiwi about NZ. They have had a lot of changes in personnel. Their backrow has struggled and Read is the only top performer there now unless Kaino comes back to form. Given that the weather conditions for the tour could be wet and windy will Barrett give them enough control in the 10 position? Plus there has been a lot of change in their 12/13 positions. Who would start for them there?

They do still have that natural counter attacking flair that would make you think they will score more tries than the Lions.

I wonder how Gatland will approach the tour. Will he want the ball kept tight and force penalties or will he give the backs more freedom to attack?

penybont exile · 27-02-2017 04:59PM

Faugheen wrote: »

Lads

Could Sexton for Lions captain be completely out of the question?

The man is a natural leader, both leading by example and in organisation.

Fly-halves make bad captains ...... from a fly-half and an (occasional) ex-captain ..........

AbusesToilets · 27-02-2017 05:55PM

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Beginning to think that Stuart Hogg will end up at 14 with Halfpenny at 15. Liam Williams would probably be 11. I think that is the best back 3 combination.

Henshaw has been disappointing for me at 12. He goes into contact too often and doesn't release players into space enough. His distribution wouldn't be his biggest asset. Ringrose as a result hasn't had the platform to attack space. I wonder will Gatland try him at 15 in the warm up games.

I still think he will be in the team somewhere as he is very reliable making few mistakes or handling errors but he could be vulnerable if Farrell and Davies combine well together as a 12/13 combination.

In truth the Lions are fairly weak in the centre but Gatland tends to like a big guy at 12 so Henshaw is probably favoured.

I think Jared Payne has been completely forgotten about. Given that he is a top class performer at 13/15 bringing him would seem like a smart option. I'd imagine Joe Schimdt will bring him in if he is fit. He will also be very fresh for a Lions tour.

With two big games against Wales and England and the Scottish/Eng game a lot of guys could play themselves in or out of the picture.

The one notable thing so far is the lack of serious injuries. Hopefully there will be a full hand to play with.

It is still hard to call the team but the squad is looking a lot more certain.

I wouldn't be as confident as swiwi about NZ. They have had a lot of changes in personnel. Their backrow has struggled and Read is the only top performer there now unless Kaino comes back to form. Given that the weather conditions for the tour could be wet and windy will Barrett give them enough control in the 10 position? Plus there has been a lot of change in their 12/13 positions. Who would start for them there?

They do still have that natural counter attacking flair that would make you think they will score more tries than the Lions.

I wonder how Gatland will approach the tour. Will he want the ball kept tight and force penalties or will he give the backs more freedom to attack?

I wouldn't have 1/2p in the team currently. Both Sexton and Farrell are excellent kickers, with Murray capable as well. I'd have Hogg, L. Williams and ANother as the back 3.

Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

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