2013 British and Irish Lions

[Aedaphon]

Clearly need to re-evaluate some statements on SOB, and looking at his stats he has gotten through a fair bit of work. The last 2 Ireland games have been too miserable for me to have caught that though.

I'll maintain that he's not done enough for me to warrant a starting Lions spot, nor does he have the coverage to knock Wood off the bench spot. With Robshaw looking as a near certain, and (hopefully) a specialist 7 out there to counter Pocock, I can't see SOB starting. If Lydiate can come back strong, I'd much prefer to have him on the tour.

No. 8 is actually a position that's giving me surprising difficulty. As much as I'd love for Armitage to be taken on tour (perennial soft spot there), I suppose it must be between Faletau/Heaslip as the better's choices. Any thoughts?

 

[Ospreylian]

Healy, Best, Jones, Launchbury, Hamilton, Robshaw, Tipuric, Faletau;

Youngs/Phillips, Farrell/Biggar, Visser, O'Driscoll, Tuilagi, Cuthbert, Halfpenny

 

[munstermuffin]

Can't see Cuthbert near squad and no Sextonin that squad is big call as I think he best 10 of all. Also Adam Jones is a top class prop but I think Dan Cole could be the man here and Hartley could get a challenge for 2 jersey. Also think back 5 of scrum could go anyway. Also back 3 is same way with Hogg, Halfpenny and few others are versatile.

 

[Teh Mite]

Can't see Cuthbert near squad and no Sextonin that squad is big call as I think he best 10 of all. Also Adam Jones is a top class prop but I think Dan Cole could be the man here and Hartley could get a challenge for 2 jersey. Also think back 5 of scrum could go anyway. Also back 3 is same way with Hogg, Halfpenny and few others are versatile.

Probably right, but he's been poor of late. O'Chokes hillarious howlers have for the most part over-shadowed that Sexton hasn't been performing.

 

[mattykay69]

Wood has been the standout backrower in the 6 nations for me . My backrow as it stands now would be Wood (6) Beattie (8) Robshaw (7) with S0B on the bench. ( sorry Wales )
Beattie best out & out 8 in the 6 nations
Robshaw Can’t do much wrong at the min
SOB Impact from the bench to worry the Aus

Other backrow options that are putting their hand up for selection : Brown has been very consistent, Tipuric best of the welsh backrow , Ryan Jones playing the best rugby I have ever seen from him.

Warburton from reputation could make the tour â€" He shouldn’t IMO
Lydiate class player if he proves that he is over his injury in time then ?? â€" Wood & Brown could spoil his chance tho
Healsip same as Warburton â€" Not with his form at minute
Morgan If he carries on where he left off against Scotland then he could push Beattie hard
Faletau The game against England could be his chance to prove his should be ahead of Morgan
POM I like his aggression but I think we have better options

 

[munstermuffin]

Probably right, but he's been poor of late. O'Chokes hillarious howlers have for the most part over-shadowed that Sexton hasn't been performing.

True to a sense but would you trust Biggar in a Lions shirt????
Farrell I can say is doing OK not great but ok and Priestland has alot of ground to cover.

As for Irelands travelling party I have rough idea:
Healy, Best, Ryan/POC, SOB, Heaslip (on name), Sexton, BOD and Kearney. Maybe Zebo, Murray, Ross and Ryan if POC goes too although think it between them

 

[lynam1104]

True to a sense but would you trust Biggar in a Lions shirt????
Farrell I can say is doing OK not great but ok and Priestland has alot of ground to cover.

As for Irelands travelling party I have rough idea:
Healy, Best, Ryan/POC, SOB, Heaslip (on name), Sexton, BOD and Kearney. Maybe Zebo, Murray, Ross and Ryan if POC goes too although think it between them

Whens POC back QF's? If not hes going to have a big a lot of work to do to get into the squad. TBH he didn't really impress me last season for Ireland or Munster. Haven't see a lot of him this season. Not saying hes not a great player, just not on form the last time he pulled on the green. It is showing how much we miss him at the moment with the lineout going to **** mostly I feel due to calling and timing not being right.

 

[munstermuffin]

Whens POC back QF's? If not hes going to have a big a lot of work to do to get into the squad. TBH he didn't really impress me last season for Ireland or Munster. Haven't see a lot of him this season. Not saying hes not a great player, just not on form the last time he pulled on the green. It is showing how much we miss him at the moment with the lineout going to **** mostly I feel due to calling and timing not being right.

He's on track for QF but well it still 1 of them that is far from certain and thing about Paulie is he does get to form very quick and I think he was very good last season when returnin, maybe a bit rusty this year but Gatland I think will take him IF he is up to it. Gatland rates him very highly and it's no secret that on the last tour he was highly respected as a captain and was a big part of integrating the squad and blending everyone on and off the field but I think Gatland will want him mainly because whatever about anything else the expertise he offers on lineouts (and I don't mean just calling them but on training field video room etc) is streets ahead of everyone else and Gatland I think appreciates this but used it last time.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

What does everyone else think about Wood's chances? He's put in a lot of hard graft this competition, after a couple of years popping in and out of the England 22, and I honestly think he'd make a fantastic lion (provides excellent back-row cover and could even push for a start if he keeps up this form)

Provided Lydiate's still out, I'd start him. He's the sort of player Gatland loves- a quiet grafter, capable of shifting around. I would be surprised if he doesn't go.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Anyone else think that Heaslip will really start to play well in Australia if he makes it?
I think he's the sort of player who when the pressure is off not being captain will really come out of his shell and play some great rugby. I also think that if Tommy Bowe is fit he should go on tour, he is far and away the best winger of the four countries and will relish a shot on the Lions.

I think at this stage three fullbacks must go, it could be a risk but both Halfpenny and Kearney always tour well and Hogg has been great this 6n.

Robshaw at this stage should start, not as captain that can wait four years, but his leadership is needed.

I'd love to see Hines tour too, I'd say he'd at least get a bench spot.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I don't see a reason Robshaw couldn't captain. He'd be 2nd on my list behind BOD, but then (for me) he's edging BOD in who is more likely to be in the test XV, based on this 6N.

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[Leonormous Boozer]

I don't see a reason Robshaw couldn't captain. He'd be 2nd on my list behind BOD, but then (for me) he's edging BOD in who is more likely to be in the test XV, based on this 6N.

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Well that's the reason I wouldn't have him as captain. As for BO'D starting, he'll want to go out on the highest stage, O'Driscoll + Pumped + Lions + against Australia you are mad not to start him in my eyes. I also think he's still better than Tuilagi but I don't want to bother arguing that.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I don't see a reason Robshaw couldn't captain. He'd be 2nd on my list behind BOD, but then (for me) he's edging BOD in who is more likely to be in the test XV, based on this 6N.

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I'd also have no problem with Robshaw as captain. Having himself and BOD in the team togehter would be excellent, it'd give a nice forwards general and backs general feel to the leadership setup.

 

[munstermuffin]

Whoever get it will have plenty of support. Again would have no problem with Robshaw as captain but is he a serious contender in terms of it'll be some rise in 18 months for him

Just noticed no one said here but Ferris out for further 3 months so I presume that is his chances done

 

[Teh Mite]

TBF, there were calls for Robshaw to be capped a good 3 years before Johnson was given the boot.

 

[munstermuffin]

TBF, there were calls for Robshaw to be capped a good 3 years before Johnson was given the boot.

No doubt but it'd still be a massive rise. But I think he might have a shot as there is English influence on that coaching ticket and he is leading England superbly which adds to his stock too

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I'm surprised that noone has mentioned Rory best in connection with the captaincy. He's an old head doing a pretty fine job for this club, and actuallhe's probably been the most unanimous choice for a starting spot based on everyones ps in this thread.
Agree with olyy though, at the moment robshaw is as if not more likely to start than BOD.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

I'm surprised that noone has mentioned Rory best in connection with the captaincy. He's an old head doing a pretty fine job for this club, and actuallhe's probably been the most unanimous choice for a starting spot based on everyones ps in this thread.
Agree with olyy though, at the moment robshaw is as if not more likely to start than BOD.

His line-out has gone to complete **** and I don't know why, so I don't think he's that nailed on. He is by a long way the best off-ball and in the loose hooker. However we will want a solid line out vs Australia.

 

[dullonien]

His line-out has gone to complete **** and I don't know why, so I don't think he's that nailed on. He is by a long way the best off-ball and in the loose hooker. However we will want a solid line out vs Australia.

Debatable. Depends what you want from your hooker. Hibbard is pretty handy in the loose with his excellent carrying game and strong defence. He's also imo the best scrummaging hooker available. Youngs has been great in the loose, and Ken Owens offers a big presence in the loose as well. Hartley also comes into it, but I've always thought he's a little overrated. If Best isn't solid in the lineout, then the other options who are all also a little suspect in the throwing department come into the reckoning.

 

[big ginger 8]

And Cronin and Strauss and Ford are no slouches in the loose. Still think Best has a little something extra.