Opening Lions side

[An Tarbh]

So with the Blues and Munster favourites to make the HEC final are we to assume that their players won't be inovled in the opening game?

If so what sort of side can we expect to see first up?

would have thought something like this

Lee Byrne
Tommy Bowe
Brian O'Driscoll
Luke Fitzgerald
Shane Williams
Stephen Jones
Mike Phillips
Andrew Sheridan
Lee Mears
Adam Jones
Nathan Hines
Alan Wyn Jones
Stephen Ferris
Joe Worsley
Jamie Heaslip

 

[MunsterMan]

Flutey for Fitz is the only change I would make. Second row looks very good. I can't believe Mears and Rees have been selected with Best and Ford at home

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Apr 22 2009, 03:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Flutey for Fitz is the only change I would make. Second row looks very good. I can't believe Mears and Rees have been selected with Best and Ford at home[/b]

left Flutey on the bench to cover 10.

 

[An Tarbh]

well the task has been made a lot easier for McGeechan after the semi-finals, ideal outcome for him bar Quinlan losing the plot but there's better replacement options.

 

[MunsterMan]

1. Jenkins
2. Flannery
3. A Jones
4. AW Jones
5. O'Connell ©
6. Ferris
7. Williams
8. Wallace
9. Phillips
10. Jones
11. Williams
12. Flutey
13. Roberts
14. Bowe
15. Byrne

16. Rees
17. Vickery
18. O'Callaghan
19. Powell
20. ?? (New SH)
21. O'Gara
22. Earls

I presume Euan Murray won't be available due to the ECC? Earls ahead of Shanklin because of Impact of the bench and because he covers fullback. Looks pretty strong B)

 

[An Tarbh]

yeah been having another think about this as well.

15. Byrne - the only full back, granted there's still cover but start with the specialist
14. Halfpenny - 50/50 call with Bowe for the test spot so lets see how the youngster gets on in the opener while Bowe can have the next start.
13. Shanklin - would still have him second in line behind O'Driscoll so he may as well start the opener, Earls can come on for the last 20
12. Roberts - some combinations are worth having a look at though
11. Monye
10. O'Gara
9. Phillips - may end up in the tests together so good to get some game time together early on
1. Jenkins - banker to start the tests so again no point in him starting midweek games even early in the tour.
2. Flannery - as above
3. Jones - no Murray and don't want Vickery near the team if it can be helped.
4. Wyn Jones
5. POC - not convinced the partnership with AWJ is the right option but would be good to try it out in the first game
6. Ferris - with likely Quinlan replacement Croft probably not selected Ferris is the logical choice, Worsley can have the midweek games
7. Wallace - should be test openside now after Williams poor performance today so no point in him playing any midweek matches.
8. Powell - with Heaslip not likely to be selected he's the only option.

16. Mears, 17. Vickery, 18. O'Callaghan, 19. Worsley, 20. ???, 21. Jones, 22. Earls

Certainly made more changes from the first side I picked than just adjusting for the different finalists but given this one a little more thought, other team was thrown together a bit.

 

[cyRil]

Do I need to tattoo 'O'Gara won't start a test' on my forehead or something?

 

[Fa'atau82]

I thought Roberts was excellent vs Tigers. I really rate the Blues backline.. but club form and test form are a world apart. I think Halfpenny will just lap this tour up. I don't see nerves being an issue for him.. he has a big boot on him, can kick under pressure better than some of the more reknowned goalkickers.