I normally get right into it when the Lions tour comes around, but this time I genuinely couldn't give a toss about it. This reeks of 2005 all over again - jobs for the boys, and a squad that will probably not be picked on form. The only difference is that this Lions team could win the series because they're up against an improving, but still relatively weak Australian side.
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- Thread starter AlRums
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How do you come to that conclusion?
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Farrell has complete faith in Leinster preparing players for international rugby, hence the lopsided number of players, it'd be lads from the rest of the provinces getting a look. Maybe Osborne and Prendergast too
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Is Ireland not having a summer tour?
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You're not getting my point. Who in Leinster needs developed? They're almost all 20+ cap internationals.
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Well Prentagas needs developing doesn't he? From a Leinster and Ireland point of view having him on a winnable Lions tour being mentored by Jonny Sexton and being almost guaranteed a test start will be great development for him/Leinster/Ireland. Also Sexton is taking up a coaching role with Leinster so it's good development for him as well.
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He has one with Ireland doesn't he?
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Christ this has turned mental. Ireland are the best team and have the best coaches and have been for four years. It'll be very Irish, as it was English in 2017 and Welsh in 2013.
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Has the Lions ever been about rugby? It's always been about going on a jolly (and pocketing a load of cash along the way)
A very green (in experience and jersey) kicking coach going along for the freebies doesn't change anything
A very green (in experience and jersey) kicking coach going along for the freebies doesn't change anything
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What has that got to do with anything we have talked about? Has anyone denied Ireland won a triple crown? No. This is about why an ex player has been selected for a lions tour as a coach when he's not even a coach now.
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He has been a coach since November. He's the only member of the coaching staff who has played for the Lions which they've always had. It was him or Townsend who wouldn't work under Farrell.
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This exactly. It is a fancy corporate commercial gig.
Only thing is thankfully this tour will be less taxing as Aus while improving would do well to beat Ireland or England at home in a summer tour never mind add in a few Scots and Welsh.
I can see Lions win every game relatively comfortable.
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Sure hasn't Sexton already been the Lions attack coach?
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It's obviously up to Faz snr who he wants in his coaching set up but it does look like he'll be returning to a happy Irish camp after the tour. Not a criticism of him as I suspect most people in his shoes would do the same when they have to keep one eye on their normal day job and they also want trustworthy people on tour who know what it takes to win under him.
All I want is players picked on merit and for them all to be given a fair crack - that's it. Will reserve judgement until the squad is announced. If Owen gets selected then it'll say a lot about how contrived that interview was with Sexton a few weeks ago when he said Owen would be his starting 10 which was silly stuff given his form in recent years. Even Dan Biggar who was of a similar mould to Sexton mindset wise had Russell as his starting 10 on his youtube channel.
No problem with Prendergast being the starting 10 as long as he earns the jersey by outperforming his peers while on tour. No special treatment or armchair rides because anything other than merit based selections and players getting a fair crack will see me lose interest pretty quickly.
All I want is players picked on merit and for them all to be given a fair crack - that's it. Will reserve judgement until the squad is announced. If Owen gets selected then it'll say a lot about how contrived that interview was with Sexton a few weeks ago when he said Owen would be his starting 10 which was silly stuff given his form in recent years. Even Dan Biggar who was of a similar mould to Sexton mindset wise had Russell as his starting 10 on his youtube channel.
No problem with Prendergast being the starting 10 as long as he earns the jersey by outperforming his peers while on tour. No special treatment or armchair rides because anything other than merit based selections and players getting a fair crack will see me lose interest pretty quickly.
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Players need to be picked on form not on 'Ireland won something three years ago' as there are quite a few aging Irish players who are on the wane but also good Irish players who I hope he does pick.
It's all about balance and we will see if Farrell has that when he announces his squad.
It's all about balance and we will see if Farrell has that when he announces his squad.
Ireland have lost one game against England, Scotland and Wales in the four years since the last Lions tour. That was by a point, against England in Twickenham, with the last kick of the game. 4-0 against Wales, 5-0 against Scotland, 4-1 against England.
A 13-1 winning record. Absolute domination. Ireland beat all three of them again this year, two of them away from home, two of them with bonus points, on the way to a Triple Crown.
The squad will reflect this domination IMO.
A 13-1 winning record. Absolute domination. Ireland beat all three of them again this year, two of them away from home, two of them with bonus points, on the way to a Triple Crown.
The squad will reflect this domination IMO.
Is Johnny Sexton's Lions appointment doomsday for Finn Russell?
Given the history between new Lions coach Johnny Sexton and Finn Russell, the Scotland fly-half's fate on the tour to Australia is up for debate, writes Tom English.
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Is Johnny Sexton's Lions appointment doomsday for Finn Russell?
Given the history between new Lions coach Johnny Sexton and Finn Russell, the Scotland fly-half's fate on the tour to Australia is up for debate, writes Tom English.
It is bizarre how the beef has been one way and that any fanfaring of Russell by ex players/journos in the media seems to get under Sexton's skin. Russell has only ever said good things about Sexton and recently said that he doesn't really know him personally other than shaking hands after games.
You'd like to hope that there are no agendas this summer and that both will work well together assuming Russell isn't left out of the squad.
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