Costelow? Cannot see that. Really debatable if he makes the Welsh 23.
They'll bring Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan, maybe another backrow (Taine Plumtree or Aaron Wainwright IMO). Possibly Tomos Williams as one of the 9s, and maybe an outside back like Rio Dyer (though unlikely).
Scotland had tiny numbers selected on numerous occasions (2005 - 3, 2009 - 4, 2013 - 3, 2o17 -2)
There is nothing unprecedented about them selecting very small numbers from a certain country, so wouldn't be surprised to only see 3 or 4 Welshmen selected.
For me - I don't want to see Irish guys selected because it tends to be disruptive and lead to injuries etc, but I get it's a huge personal honour for the players involved, and you want to see the players get to experience that.
As fun as Lions selections are, it's all relatively pointless til the 6N anyway. There have been some pretty huge shifts in momentum in the past in Lions year 6N.
There is a big difference in defence - FR is an excellent defender while MS a misses a lot of tackles
Quite a lot of cash as well to be fair- probably around 6 figures
FR has not been inconsistent for years
Yeah, in his defence, and I'm definitely not his biggest fan, but he's a far far better player now than the player he was 2 or 3 years ago. There are fewer brainfarts, he still retains a lot of his attacking flair and great passing ability, he's become a lights out goalkicker and his defence is excellent.
I don't think lowe will make it, think they'll go with a more agile winger to better cover the Oz speedsters
From an Ireland point of view I don't
From the players point of view if they want to go then yes
On the last couple of tours any of the irish players who went have come back and struggled with injures and form for the season or two afterwards.
Now that could be down to Gatland and maybe with Farrell it might improve but I would much prefer to have as many of the Irish stars sitting at home watching on the TV. Just my personal opinion
There's little case for taking McCarthy really. A great young player but he's still not the finished article.
Sheahan - well if he's not injured yet again, yes.
The others definitely.
If you are not sure why you think Irelands key players (esp. the forwards) would benefit more by less travel and less rugby instead of more travel and more rugby. Then ok.
e.g. Porter
Without a doubt Irelands most important player. He needs proper R&R.
And I'll add Furlong to that.
This tour is just a place to get tired and injured.
Zero benefit to Ireland.
I have no issue either. but unless Owen Farrell signs for an English club pre tour I can see the RFU having a serious problem with it for obvious reasons
Also if smith and Russell do go and the third pick is Owen Farrell I can see the Irish 10s also having a problem with it , which would be natural especially if either go really well in the 6 nations.
I hope he picks Jack Willis as an English Lion, who isn't playing the England. Would this be allowed? Would love to see him and Doris playing for the lions
absolutely allowed to pick players that their own RFUs dont select.
https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/13046129/andy-farrell-no-rule-that-prohibits-ineligible-test-players-from-playing-for-british-and-irish-lions
Owen Farrell falls under this currently
They've picked players playing outside of Ireland, England, Wales or Scotland on numerous occasions before. The main issue is the French clubs won't release until their playoffs are over, but don't think there are any other impediments:
2005: Stephen Jones (Clermont), Gareth Thomas (Toulouse)
2009: Nathan Hines (Perpignan)
2013: Gethin Jenkins (Toulon), Richie Gray (Castres), Mike Phillips (Bayonne)
2017: Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon)
2021: Finn Russell (Racing 92)
But those players were still playing for their country, right? I think the article is talking about selecting players that aren't currently eligible for their national team.
No, per the link @sydthebeat posted above, there is nothing stopping them picking any of the players playing in France, so the likes of Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes, Henry Arundell etc will all be eligible for selection I think.
I wasn't clear. Finn Russel was playing for Scotland in 2021 when he was selected. Halfpenny was playing for Wales when he was selected.
Farrell who is ineligible for England which is what the discussion was. So i don't see the relevance of the players in your list to the current discussion. And i don't mean that as rude as it reads, i promise.
I loved that Sam Simmonds was picked for the last one despite not getting a run with England. It was before he went to France, he was still with Exeter.
No. Even if you don't like the tour, it generates millions in profit which is shared between the 4 unions. Plus this year, the Aviva hosts the pre-tour game so that's more cash for IRFU coffers, plus it makes our players more marketable which means more money for sponsorships. Considering we ran at a loss last year, this isn't insignificant.
Well, that's the case for every summer tour.
From finishing the last summer tour in SA to starting this season, Porter (like Beirne and Doris) had three months without a match. How much more R&R does a guy need? This idea that we're flogging them overlooks the fact that IRFU have one of the best player management systems going.
To answer your question, ineligibility for your country does not stop you from being selected for the lions.
I cant think of any examples, but thats really down to two things:
this year will really be the first time that realistic selections can be made of players ineligible to play for their unions. Personally i fully expect Owen Farrell to travel. Im not sure Aki will be selected, tuipolotu fills that role. Last time gatland travelled with 4 centres and farrell as an option. This time currently i can see Henshaw, Tuipolotu, Jones and Ringrose, with Farrell as an option again.
What Porter is doing is unique in world rugby.
So how much rest does a guy like that need?
Lets get real….As much as he can get!
its simple in my eyes (Irish!), He is going to benefit more from playing less.
What exactly about what Porter is doing is unique in world rugby?
Playing 92 mins in a European Cup final
Playing 80mins in a 6N match
Playing 25 matches of 70mins and more over the last 3 seasons.
Can you name another Test prop that compares?
You might as well talk about Porter not getting selected for Ireland as talk about him being rested for the Lions. The Lions brings in a lot of money for the IRFU, and for them the bottom line is the bottom line. It's a pointless discussion.
Just to note Porter had one foot in the door for the tour to SA before he had to withdraw with with a toe injury.
Ireland got lucky there.
Convinced Porter, Sexton, James Ryan and vdF all massively benefitted because they didn't go on that tour.
Edit: And War Machine aka POM
Aki has to be the first centre on the team sheet with the level he's been playing at. That's if he continues at that level through the six nations.
He was one of the four nominees for World Rugby player of the year in 2023. He was this years Ireland player's player of the year.
I wouldn't be sure about Ringrose travelling
Henshaw is the best out of our current starters, a shoe in for 13 if he stays fit, although Huw Jones is very good also. Tuipolotu is very popular at the moment, but I haven't seen anything that suggests he's miles better than Aki, or even Farrell potentially.
I don't think he is miles better than Aki but I do think he has a greater passing game and is otherwise on a similar level. If I had to pick between the two right now I'd go for Tuipolotu. Though that doesn't mean both won't travel tbh.
Not really, though I think some of these stats are a damning indictment of our depth moreso than anything miraculous Porter is doing.
He has similar enough minutes to someone like Antonio, but in fewer matches. I don't have the expertise to say if one outcome is better than the other.
Ultimately if he wasn't travelling with the Lions he would be either injured or travelling with Ireland. More Irish players on the Lions means more Irish players are the best players in the Home Nations, and for me that is a good thing.
