Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Buer I honestly thought you'd get a job writing for a better crowd than this

Money is tight.

It was either that or wash awec's bedsheets.

As I said earlier, the Lions can't play expansive, daring rugby. They simply don't have the preparation to do so. For a team to click like that and be competitive, they need far more time together to gel.

The Lions will focus on a number of elements and build their game plan around them. Ball retention, a solid set piece, getting over the gain line with big carries and their defence. Anything beyond that will be up to the 9, 10 and 12 to dictate if and when the opportunities present themselves.

Billy Beautiful Guillotine wrote: »

Eh? He's played loads of pro rugby at 15.

thomond2006 wrote: »

.ak doesn't count appearances for the Leinster academy.

Where did I said he hadn't?

But when was the last time he played at fullback?

Am I the only one that's noticed his massive change in physique since he's made 12 his primary position? He's massive now. He doesn't glide over the surface like he did for Connacht, a couple of seasons ago when he was a lot more lean. We've seen him make breaks for Leinster and Ireland and not be able to finish them because he's a big, big unit and doesn't have the top end speed anymore.

I'd wince seeing him named at 15 now, he'd be out of puff in 10 minutes.





Sorry, but no.

Billy Beautiful Guillotine wrote: »

Guy in being bigger when he's 24 than when he's 18 or shocker.

Out of puff after 10 mins? He's one of the highest work rates on any team he plays on. That's serious nonsense ak, cmon.

There's a massive, massive difference in playing 15 than 12.

I'm not sure why you're taking such offence to this. He's turned into a brilliant player, arguably the best 12 in the British Isles, but he has TURNED into a different player than when he was younger. He's not the agile speedster we saw at Connacht, and that's my point. Not a chance he'll play any test footy at 15 unless he sheds the inside centre bulk.

Billy Beautiful Guillotine wrote: »

He's been 100kg or so for two years at least now. Nothing has changed massively this season.

Neither Leinster nor Ireland seem to have any interest in playing him there so that would be much more of a limiting factor.

Ah I'm sorry, I'm sure all the stats and websites have him as not moving a kg, but I'm not blind. He's defo heavier now, his physique has changed significantly since moving to inside centre for Ireland and Leinster, and he's almost certainly slower.

It's all moot, he won't get picked at 15 for Ireland because there's about 4 or 5 choices infront of him. He certainly won't get picked there for the Lions.

Former Former wrote: »

Ah lads, Henshaw hasn't played meaningful rugby at full back in years and he has definitely bulked up. There's no way the Lions are looking at him as anything other than a centre

Well I do believe he was playing full back last season but lets pretend he wasn't because I don't trust my memory and Bazzo is a shifty Connacht supporter.

Casting all that aside, who do you think is more qualified... Robbie Henshaw as a full back (where he has played at every level...) or Stuart Hogg as a 10?

Clegg wrote: »

If Roberts and Te'o are selected at the expense of Joseph, Gatland is effectively telling us that Henshaw will be starting for the test side whether it be at 12 or 13.

I don't think so. I could see someone like Te'o really going well down there. I'm sure it's not lost on Gatland that Te'o has played outside Sexton just as much as Henshaw has in the past 18 months.

Gatland has no loyalty to Henshaw at all. If others outperform him in the midweek games, they'll get the nod ahead of him, I reckon.

I wouldn't rule out a selection fo Sexton, Farrell and Jonathan Davies for the first test.

Henshaw is far better than Te'o and Roberts in every department. I can't see any scenario where either is ahead on him.

Well, Roberts is Welsh so he may get the nod there I suppose.

Buer wrote: »

I don't think so. I could see someone like Te'o really going well down there. I'm sure it's not lost on Gatland that Te'o has played outside Sexton just as much as Henshaw has in the past 18 months.

Gatland has no loyalty to Henshaw at all. If others outperform him in the midweek games, they'll get the nod ahead of him, I reckon.

I wouldn't rule out a selection fo Sexton, Farrell and Jonathan Davies for the first test.

Am I going mad?

EDIT: Confirmed