British and Irish Lions Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

vienne86

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I expect up to the minute coverage on boards.ie by those of us inconvenienced by stupid work

Not sure I can type fast enough, but will try!

rrpc

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Strong rumours that Madigan is in the squad. Backed into 1/8 from 12/1. Saw it on Irish Times blog.

There's some merit in bringing him as he can operate quite well in a number of positions other than ten and is good defensively as well as in attack.

Rowntreee and Howley saw him play at 12 for the first time last Saturday and couldn't have been disappointed. Gatland could bring two tens and Madigan and would have ample cover.

Principal Skinner

Here's a prediction: Joe Schmidt will be a coach on the next lions tour, the only question is whether its coaching the lions or new zeland

totallegend

I just can't understand why you would go over there with only two out-halves; I know that Gatland has says he wants each to get enough game time before the tests, but it means that each guy has to either play or be on the bench for every game and if there's an injury, we're f**ked.

So I think one of Laidlaw, Hook or Madigan will travel. Jonny Wilkinson is, on form, the second-best out-half available but I don't think he'll go.

Grimebox

Is it streaming live anywhere?

MattD

The Lions have three goal-kickers nailed on in Sexton, Farrell and Halfpenny. So Laidlaw, who I'd see as a goal-kicking SH (and not the third best scrumhalf available for selection), shouldn't be picked. Hook has his timetable concerns with Toulon, so Madigan seems like the most likely choice as the cover flyhalf.

thomond2006

MattD wrote: »

The Lions have three goal-kickers nailed on in Sexton, Farrell and Halfpenny. So Laidlaw, who I'd see as a goal-kicking SH (and not the third best scrumhalf available for selection), shouldn't be picked. Hook has his timetable concerns with Toulon, so Madigan seems like the most likely choice as the cover flyhalf.

Hook plays for Perpignan so no timetable issues for him, I think you're mixing him up with Wilkinson.

bilston

Principal Skinner wrote: »

Here's a prediction: Joe Schmidt will be a coach on the next lions tour, the only question is whether its coaching the lions or new zeland

Good call although I wonder though if he would be able to jump straight from the Ireland job to the AB one. I think he would have to spend a year or two with a Super 15 side first or at the very least as assistant to someone.

Quint2010

I hope I am wrong but I sincerely doubt Madigan will go.

bilston

There was a report on the BBC website this morning mentioning Madigan as a possible bolter which is the first time I've seen him mentioned in mainstream media outside of Ireland. It could happen, I still suspect not, but it could.

Artful_Badger

For all the rumours and as much as id love to see it I just can't see Madigan travelling.

Principal Skinner

Just heard a rumour Devin Toners the lions captain, can anyone confirm?

phog

Names I heard are Madigan, Heaslip, Healy, SOB, BOD, POC, D Ryan, Murray & Zebo. No mention of Kearney but I'd guess he's on it.

If this turns out to be true then 'm suprised with Ryan's inclusion and delighted for Madigan and Zebo.

TheGoldenAges

bilston wrote: »

There was a report on the BBC website this morning mentioning Madigan as a possible bolter which is the first time I've seen him mentioned in mainstream media outside of Ireland. It could happen, I still suspect not, but it could.

Saw it on skysports as well. Possibly I reckon

Grimebox

Wilkinson ahead of Farrell which then pushes Farrell out in favour of Madigan. Sexton and Wilkinson cover 10 so there is no point in bringing another 10. Madigan comes in as a utility back rather than a specific 10.

totallegend

Don't think I've done one of these before, so here's my guess at the squad:

Props (6): Jenkins, Healy, Cole, A Jones, Vunipola, Ross
Hookers (3): T Youngs, Hibbard, Best
Second Row (4): AW Jones, O'Connell, Parling, Evans
Flanks (5): Tipuric, Warburton, O'Brien, Lydiate, Croft
no. 8 (2): Faletau, Heaslip
SH (3): Youngs, Phillips, Care
OH (3): Sexton, Farrell, Hook
Centre (4): BOD, Roberts, Tuilagi, Davies
Wing (4): North, Cuthbert, Bowe, Maitland
FB (3): Halfpenny, Hogg, Kearney

That's only two Scots so someone like Kelly Brown or Euan Murray might get in ahead of Croft or Ross to balance up the numbers, maybe Richie Gray or Jim Hamiton as a fifth lock.

I think what we're all forgetting in this thread is that every Lions tour suffers a mass of injuries, so the fringe Irish guys like Zebo, O'Mahony, Strauss and Madigan have excellent chances of seeing a red jersey at some stage (particularly since the Leinster guys have 3-4 more games to impress).

whatawaster

I can't see Farrell not being picked. It would just seem odd with his Dad involved with the set up.

That said, I don't think he's been good enough to go. If Sexton is out Halfpenny can take up the kicking duties. I think someone like Hook or Madigan or both are a better shout.

trouttrout

Lads is this going to be streamed anywhere?

TheGoldenAges

trouttrout wrote: »

Lads is this going to be streamed anywhere?

Someone posted a link further up the thread

RuggieBear

Do not post links to streams sites.

Swiwi

Is RTE or BBC doing a radio stream live?

Spud83

RuggieBear wrote: »

Do not post links to streams sites.

What if its legal?

thomond2006

Should we have a seperate thread for the live announcement?

Bogota

There's a lot of talk of Madigan being included today.

trouttrout

Really hope Madigan goes

Buer

Farrell will travel as, aside from being very, very likely to go as one of the two outhalves, he has significant experience in the centre also. He has started two of his last three AP games at 12, for example. He has also started a number of games at 13. Madigan has one start in his career at 12. I just can't see him going ahead of Farrell.

RuggieBear

Spud83 wrote: »

What if its legal?

that's fine

sydthebeat

Props: Jones, Cole, Ross, Jenkins, Healy, James
Hooker: Hibbard, Youngs, Best
SR: POC, AWJ, Parling, Evans, Hamilton
Flanker: Warburton, Tipuric, SOB, Robshaw, POM
8: Heaslip, Faletau

9: Phillips, Youngs, Laidlaw
10: Sexton, Farrell

Centers: Tuilagi, BOD, Roberts, Barritt, Madigan
Wings: Cuthbert, North, Bowe, Zebo
Fullback: Hogg, Halfpenny, Kearney

Spud83

RuggieBear wrote: »

that's fine

Cool then try these Aussie sites at 10.45

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/rugby-gold/live-british-and-irish-lions-squad-announcement/story-fn8ouxrc-1226632394868

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby-gold/live-british-and-irish-lions-squad-announcement/story-fn8tk0tu-1226632394868

They may IP restrict it when the stream goes live.

Hersheys

This also might work

http://sport.uk.msn.com/rugby-union/lions-tour-2013/live.aspx