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Lions 2017 [MOD WARNING IN OP]

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Comments

  • #1622
    irishman86
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,814 ✭✭✭irishman86


    12 Welsh is a joke


  • #1623
    HigginsJ
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,317 ✭✭✭HigginsJ


    Is Ian Henderson very lucky to get in here? Wouldn't have really considered him for the Lions. Launchbury being left out is mad.


  • #1624
    bilston
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,058 ✭✭✭✭bilston


    prettyboy81 wrote: »
    That's some pick Moriarty...what are they smoking!

    He was Wales's best player against England before Howler bizarrely took him off.


  • #1625
    Buer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,258 ✭✭✭✭Buer


    errlloyd wrote: »
    You have to feel bad for the Scots. 2 players - after that 6 Nations. Slightly ridiculous.

    Well, 2 players and they name the biggest squad since 2005 is a real kick in the teeth.

    Feel they should have left a back row player out and brought another back.

    With a 41 man squad you can be guaranteed there are going to be a couple of lads there who will barely feature.


  • #1626
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers, Paid Member Posts: 43,703 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    im actually gland of the "surprise" calls

    Nowell is a better wing than some of the guys starting ahead of him in white *ahem May ahem*

    Laws 'can' be very good at times but is inconsistent and can be a penalty machine. Kruis is a workhorse... but i wouldnt have had either ahead of Launchbury, who for me was player of the 6N competition and a major reason for englands long unbeaten run.

    Bring the welsh 8 and sub 8 is a bit OTT to be honest. It will be VERY interesting to see who gets the 20 shirt on test day.


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  • #1627
    donfers
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,006 ✭✭✭donfers


    Name your notable absentees

    From and Irish perspective: Earls, Zebo, Ringrose, D Ryan, Healy and Heaslip

    others - J Roberts, launchbury, hartley, johnny gray and ???


  • #1628
    GymJim
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 448 ✭✭GymJim


    I think the most unlucky guy of all has to be Jonny Gray. The guy is a leader and hasn't missed a tackle in over 12 months - I can't quite fathom that one. Lawes is a good athlete but had to be Gray for me. No issue with the remainder of the second rows


  • #1629
    bilston
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,058 ✭✭✭✭bilston


    HigginsJ wrote: »
    Is Ian Henderson very lucky to get in here? Wouldn't have really considered him for the Lions. Launchbury being left out is mad.

    Outplayed the English lineout a few weeks back and plays second row and back row.

    Still think Launchbury is very unlucky.


  • #1630
    Sangre
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,221 ✭✭✭✭Sangre


    Launchbury is the obvious naming missing in my opinion. Arguably player of the tournament.


  • #1631
    kilns
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    It doesnt matter what squad they pick, the problem is the coaching ticket.  Gatland is not sophisticated enough as a coach and does not have a game plan which can beat the All Blacks and he picks an attack coach who is simply not up to it as evident in the way he plays
    If the Lions were going to NZ with a Schmidt/Townsend ticket then there would be a great chance
    But now my money is going a NZ whitewash at 10/11


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  • #1632
    PTH2009
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,109 ✭✭✭✭PTH2009


    sad to say but there will be injuries and guys will be flown over to join up


  • #1633
    preddy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 645 ✭✭✭preddy


    Where does Payne fit in Full back or centre?

    Raging Te'o got in at all, who starts at 13?


  • #1634
    thomond2006
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    errlloyd wrote: »
    You have to feel bad for the Scots. 2 players - after that 6 Nations. Slightly ridiculous.

    They don't really have many standout individuals really. I would have brought Jonny Gray though.

    By Position:

    Rory Best, Jamie George, Ken Owens
    Mako Vunipola, Jack McGrath, Joe Marler
    Dan Cole, Tadhg Furlong, Kyle Sinckler,
    Iain Henderson, Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones, George Kruis, Courtney Lawes
    CJ Stander, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony
    Taulupe Faletau, Billy Vunipola, Ross Moriarty

    Rhys Webb, Ben Youngs, Conor Murray
    Dan Biggar, Jonathan Sexton
    Jonathan Davies, Owen Farrell, Robbie Henshaw, Jonathan Joseph, Jared Payne, Ben Te'o
    George North, Jack Nowell, Tommy Seymour, Anthony Watson, Liam Williams, Elliot Daly
    Stuart Hogg, Leigh Halfpenny


  • #1635
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 20,606 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    donfers wrote: »
    Name your notable absentees

    From and Irish perspective: Earls, Zebo, Ringrose, D Ryan, Healy and Heaslip

    others - J Roberts, launchbury, hartley, johnny gray and ???

    Only one from an Irish perspective that I'd have in there is Heaslip and he is touch and go (though apparently recovering). I suspect had he not been injured he would have been a good shot for the team.

    Other than that I'm surprised Johnn Gray nor Launchbury made it and I'm surprised Lawes did. I'm a little bit surprised at Owens and Moriarty as I don't particularly rate either.

    I don't think Ringrose was massively in the running though I'm sure he isn't far off.

    Earls similary may have had a shot but Zebo would have been in ahead of him for me.


  • #1636
    Buer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,258 ✭✭✭✭Buer


    They've gone with a very physical and mobile pack. If you don't fit that description, you're not there. I think AWJ is the only lock who doesn't have significant blindside experience.


  • #1637
    molloyjh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,772 ✭✭✭✭molloyjh


    kilns wrote: »
    It doesnt matter what squad they pick, the problem is the coaching ticket.  Gatland is not sophisticated enough as a coach and does not have a game plan which can beat the All Blacks and he picks an attack coach who is simply not up to it as evident in the way he plays
    If the Lions were going to NZ with a Schmidt/Townsend ticket then there would be a great chance
    But now my money is going a NZ whitewash at 10/11

    Quite how anyone can put together a squad to be competitive with NZ in a matter of weeks at the tail end of the season I don't really know. I can't see any coach being able for it. If Gatland can manage it then fair play to him, but it's a huge ask.

    After going down to Australia 4 years ago for it and watching the utter dirge on show for 2 and a bit Tests where the Lions nearly lost to the worst Aussie side I've ever seen I just can't get enthused about this at all tbh. That might change closer to the time when the 6Ns, Pro12 and Champions Cup are all in the rear view.


  • #1638
    swiwi_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,561 ✭✭✭swiwi_


    errlloyd wrote: »
    You have to feel bad for the Scots. 2 players - after that 6 Nations. Slightly ridiculous.

    Not really. The only unlucky player imo is Gray J, and possibly Laidlaw. Everyone loves the Scots but they were more the sum of their parts than too many outstanding individuals - their pack was average, and their halves too deep all tournament.

    I'm happy for Henshaw, that's a deserved pick.

    Payne must be pinching himself.

    Do I think this side can beat NZ? Potentially yes. Hooker is weakish, but the pack is otherwise pretty comparable with both sides having strenghths and weaknesses.

    Fancy NZ to have the edge in the backs though - there is massive gap between injury-prone Sexton and out-of-form Biggar, midfield we will see, outside backs potentially up there, but the Lions will need to avoid injury.

    Worst pick: Ben Teo. Still looks like a league player learning union, but I suppose he will be used for bench impact.

    There is one easy game for the Lions (even then it is not that easy), so this will be a big challenge.

    Looking forward to it.

    Glad all the hot air is over with the millions of inaccurate posts these last few days. Joseph was not supposed to make it I recall, Roberts would be in etc.


  • #1639
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers, Paid Member Posts: 43,703 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    PTH2009 wrote: »
    sad to say but there will be injuries and guys will be flown over to join up

    brought by train down


    FYP


  • #1640
    death1234567
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,365 ✭✭✭death1234567


    errlloyd wrote: »
    You have to feel bad for the Scots. 2 players - after that 6 Nations. Slightly ridiculous.
    What's much more ridculous is when you realise that there are more New Zealanders in the Lions squad than Scots.


  • #1641
    irishman86
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,814 ✭✭✭irishman86


    Gatland shouldnt be coach, pretty simple really. He nearly butchered winning against the weakest Wallabies team in years. Only for a missed kick by Beale they would have. The Wales manager shouldnt have a current connection to any of the Nations. What logic is bring 12 Welsh to 2 Scots when they beat them earlier this year and finished 5th out of 6 teams.
    Biggar/Davies/HP have players ahead of them in most coachs eyes
    I personally would have Jackson miles ahead of him


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  • #1642
    .ak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,308 ✭✭✭✭.ak


    I'm happy with that squad. Good mix of power and guile. Some clever footballers in there. Looks like we'll be looking to win the chess game with them anyway.

    Moriarty has been a beast, but you get the feeling he's there because Heaslip isn't fit.


  • #1643
    TomsOnTheRoof
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,150 ✭✭✭TomsOnTheRoof


    Te'o, Henderson, Biggar and Moriarty all blessed. Luckiest lions since Hape.


  • #1644
    PTH2009
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,109 ✭✭✭✭PTH2009


    cant wait to watch the fly on the wall doc at christmas

    there always great productions


  • #1645
    Buer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,258 ✭✭✭✭Buer


    32/37....I'll take that! Still find it unbelievable that Launchbury is being left out.

    Hookers: Best, Owens, Hartley
    Props, McGrath, Healy, Furlong, Vunipola, Sinckler, Cole (I think we might well see a left field pick here though, don't rule out someone like John Ryan who can cover both sides).
    Locks: Itoje, Henderson, Launchbury, AWJ, Johnny Gray
    Back row: Vunipola, Warburton, Tipuric, Stander, SOB, Faletau, POM (straight call between POM and Moriarty for last spot)
    Scrum half: Murray, Webb, Youngs
    Outhalf: Sexton, Farrell, Carbery
    Centre: Henshaw, Joseph, Davies, Payne
    Wingers: Watson, North, Liam Williams, Daly
    Full Back: Hogg, Halfpenny


  • #1646
    ucd.1985
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 871 ✭✭✭ucd.1985


    death1234567 wrote: »
    What's much more ridculous is when you realise that there are more New Zealanders in the Lions squad than Scots.

    Who?


  • #1647
    irishbucsfan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,978 ✭✭✭✭irishbucsfan


    Imagine the Scotland heads exploding right now that Lawes and Henderson travel ahead of the consistent, indestructible, unquestionable, wolverine like Richie Gray.

    I'm actually snortling on my cappucino of choice. Just wait for the pages and pages of hyperbole and hysteria with a dash of knee jerk topped off with imho.

    It makes the Top 14s rewarding of contracts even more laughable and nostalgic.

    Sweet lunches chaps.


  • #1648
    kilns
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    I wonder if Heaslip was fit would he have gone instead of Moriarty, I suspect so
    I think Full Back is a very weak area too, Halpenny is not the player he was and it was a Welsh call to pick him and I would not trust Hogg against NZ defensively.  I could see Payne starting there by the 2nd test


  • #1649
    irishbucsfan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,978 ✭✭✭✭irishbucsfan


    ucd.1985 wrote: »
    Who?

    Jared Payne, Ben Te'o, Dylan Hartley


  • #1650
    preddy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 645 ✭✭✭preddy


    Happy enough with Biggar big game player with experience if needed.


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  • #1651
    Buer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,258 ✭✭✭✭Buer


    .ak wrote: »
    I'm happy with that squad. Good mix of power and guile. Some clever footballers in there. Looks like we'll be looking to win the chess game with them anyway.

    Moriarty has been a beast, but you get the feeling he's there because Heaslip isn't fit.

    Yup. I wasn't sure Heaslip would have definitely made the squad if he was fit. I'd have said he was 70/30. But seeing that they've brought Faletau and Moriarty makes me 99% sure he'd have been picked now if he didn't have surgery.

    Still might go but if his back is healing slowly, he'd be better off taking the summer off at this point.


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