British and Irish Lions Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Fishooks13

Nervous Nigel wrote: »

Fair enough, but I disagree.

When I watch Earls, he reminds me of a sprinter that's just pitched up on the day to play his first game of rugby. Great running in a straight line with ball in hand but pretty much zero understanding of the subtleties of the game.

He seems like a decent and honest lad. I just don't rate him...at all.

Ah now

Higher

Nervous Nigel wrote: »

Fair enough, but I disagree.

When I watch Earls, he reminds me of a sprinter that's just pitched up on the day to play his first game of rugby. Great running in a straight line with ball in hand but pretty much zero understanding of the subtleties of the game.

He seems like a decent and honest lad. I just don't rate him...at all.

To be honest I don't think Keith Earls is world class or anything but hes definitely a decent player. I think he gets an extra hard time from some people because of the ridiculous over the top hype he got when he emerged. People said he was going to be better than BOD, one of the world's greatest etc. and it was just ridiculous.

He shouldn't start any test games for the Lions to be honest. I'm not even sure whether he should tour. But hes not THAT bad.

Deano7788

Nervous Nigel wrote: »

Fair enough, but I disagree.

When I watch Earls, he reminds me of a sprinter that's just pitched up on the day to play his first game of rugby. Great running in a straight line with ball in hand but pretty much zero understanding of the subtleties of the game.

He seems like a decent and honest lad. I just don't rate him...at all.

In fairness, he must have some bit of understanding if he's able to play at least competently all across the backline. He's easily been Munster's best centre this year.

Deano7788

Higher wrote: »

To be honest I don't think Keith Earls is world class or anything but hes definitely a decent player. I think he gets an extra hard time from some people because of the ridiculous over the top hype he got when he emerged. People said he was going to be better than BOD, one of the world's greatest etc. and it was just ridiculous.

He shouldn't start any test games for the Lions to be honest. I'm not even sure whether he should tour. But hes not THAT bad.

Who the hell said he'd be better than BOD? That would be a stupid comment to make about any up and coming player. It's like saying an outhalf will be better than Carter or a 7 will be better than McCaw. I'd doubt if anyone sane actually said that.

English Lurker

Tox56 wrote: »

I'm another in the Care ahead of Youngs camp, can't see why Care was dropped during the AI's. Wouldn't be surprised to see 2 Irish hookers in the test squad either.

Me neither. To go back to a post I made a long way back in this thread - I started thinking about a breakdown monkey in the front row because to me, Best is nailed on. And Strauss is probably the closest man to displacing him. The standard of play in number 2 jerseys in these isles is pretty bloody poor right now.

I'm also slightly surprised by the level of support for Ritchie Gray. Am I the only person who think he's an overrated ruck inspector who needs to pull his socks up and show consistent form around the park to reach the test team? His form for Sale has been pretty atrocious too - and while it's never easy to be part of a struggling team, when you've got a rep like his you're meant to ensure it's not a struggling team to begin with. I've got a fairly long list of people I'd take ahead of him...

phog

Higher wrote: »

To be honest I don't think Keith Earls is world class or anything but hes definitely a decent player. I think he gets an extra hard time from some people because of the ridiculous over the top hype he got when he emerged. People said he was going to be better than BOD, one of the world's greatest etc. and it was just ridiculous.

He shouldn't start any test games for the Lions to be honest. I'm not even sure whether he should tour. But hes not THAT bad.

He may never be better than BOD but he's shown he can certainly take over from him as our international 13. Talk of him being useless and only good for a milk run is childish jibberish.

Higher

phog wrote: »

He may never be better than BOD but he's shown he can certainly take over from him as our international 13. Talk of him being useless and only good for a milk run is childish jibberish.

I never said that Phog. You're responding to the wrong poster.

phog

Higher wrote: »

I never said that Phog. You're responding to the wrong poster.

I never said you did.

Higher

phog wrote: »

I never said you did.

you responded to me, it appeared that way.

I think Earls is servicable at international level. Not great but can do a job. I am hoping that a new 13 will burst onto the scene soon though.

Nervous Nigel

I would not like to see Earls taking over from O'Driscoll at 13.

Of course there's an element of hyperbole to what I'm saying (i.e. he's not just good for the milk run), but I firmly believe that he's not international class. As for securing the 11 jersey for the Lions, I think that's ludicrous.

Higher

Nervous Nigel wrote: »

I would not like to see Earls taking over from O'Driscoll at 13.

Of course there's an element of hyperbole to what I'm saying (i.e. he's not just good for the milk run), but I firmly believe that he's not international class. As for securing the 11 jersey for the Lions, I think that's ludicrous.

Most people outside of Ireland that I've talked to agree. O/T but its actually odd how high an opinion that English people seem to have of Luke Fitzgerald considering his from has at times been patchy and hes been injured for so long.

Fishooks13

Nervous Nigel wrote: »

I would not like to see Earls taking over from O'Driscoll at 13.

Of course there's an element of hyperbole to what I'm saying (i.e. he's not just good for the milk run), but I firmly believe that he's not international class. As for securing the 11 jersey for the Lions, I think that's ludicrous.

It's not ludicrous at all. Earls has been brilliant for Ireland at 11

phog

Higher wrote: »

you responded to me, it appeared that way.

I think Earls is servicable at international level. Not great but can do a job. I am hoping that a new 13 will burst onto the scene soon though.

I agreed with you, that I don't see Keith being as good as BOD, I doubt we'll see another BOD tbh.

Earls has been far more than serviceable at international level.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Fishooks13 wrote: »

It's not ludicrous at all. Earls has been brilliant for Ireland at 11

Earls played 11 once during the summer against NZ for Ireland and once for Munster (against Aironi) since the WC

He needs a lot more time in position before he plays at 11 for Ireland or the Lions.

I'd rather have Bowe, Trimble, Gilroy, TOH, McFadden, and Zebo ahead of him as wingers at the moment simply because they are playing as wingers.

phog

Nervous Nigel wrote: »

I would not like to see Earls taking over from O'Driscoll at 13.

Of course there's an element of hyperbole to what I'm saying (i.e. he's not just good for the milk run), but I firmly believe that he's not international class. As for securing the 11 jersey for the Lions, I think that's ludicrous.

You may not like to see it but that doesn't mean he's the wrong choice. At the moment he's the best option to take over from BOD, as the time passes Cave may yet pass Earls out for that mantle.

Nervous Nigel

phog wrote: »

You may not like to see it but that doesn't mean he's the wrong choice. At the moment he's the best option to take over from BOD, as the time passes Cave may yet pass Earls out for that mantle.

What about Bowe? He's a better option at 13 than Earls in my view.

phog

Nervous Nigel wrote: »

What about Bowe? He's a better option at 13 than Earls in my view.

Would prefer Bows on the wing and Earls at centre.

His many great games has Bows at 13? He's our best winger.

Kiwi_knock

Munster have confirmed that POC will undergo surgery.

"Following consultation between IRFU and Munster medical staff and the player himself, it has been decided that Paul O'Connell will undergo back surgery at the earliest opportunity."

You have to imagine that his chances for making the Lions Tour are gone, as he will most likely be out for the season and even longer.

With Charteris also missing, it should create good competition to see who gets the places. Gray seems the only certainty, even though I am not entirely sure he deserves it but Scotland need to have some representation. Be a lot competition between the Irish, Welsh and English locks over the coming months.

thomond2006

Launchbury looks a very good prospect. Someone said (it might have been here), Launchbury has Lawes like physicality but unlike Lawes doesn't use it to cheap shot other players.

Podge_irl

phog wrote: »

Earls has been far more than serviceable at international level.

He's been far more than serviceable at times. I'm a bit of a convert in terms of seeing his ability at 13 and am happy enough with him taking over. In terms of the Lions in think he has a chance of touring but little chance of starting.

twinytwo

Podge_irl wrote: »

He's been far more than serviceable at times. I'm a bit of a convert in terms of seeing his ability at 13 and am happy enough with him taking over. In terms of the Lions in think he has a chance of touring but little chance of starting.

i feel the same, he wont start, expect all the backs to be welsh with the exception of sexton and kearney.. maybe drico but i doubt gatland will be having that.

Nervous Nigel

twinytwo wrote: »

i feel the same, he wont start, expect all the backs to be welsh with the exception of sexton and kearney.. maybe drico but i doubt gatland will be having that.

Surely the likes of Tuilagi and Ashton will have something to say about that?

In my view, Gatland will be keen to avoid accusations of bias (witness his selection of Farrell over Edwards). On this basis, any marginal calls are likely to go against the Welsh player in question.

I was out on the sauce last night (good times) and quite a few people were talking up Wilkinson's chances. An indictment of what's out there really.

Sindri

phog wrote: »

You may not like to see it but that doesn't mean he's the wrong choice. At the moment he's the best option to take over from BOD, as the time passes Cave may yet pass Earls out for that mantle.

Personally I think Cave is better than Earls at 13. He reads the game better, nearly always chooses or attempts the right option and is more intelligent (he's a pretty intelligent player) even though he doesn't have the same explosiveness or risk taking as Earls. He just looks (and is) more like a natural 13 than Earls.

Nervous Nigel

Sky Sports News reporting that Paul O'Connell is having back surgery and will miss the Six Nations and the Lions tour.

Sad news.

Tigerandahalf

Cave is too slow. Luke Marshall and Earls are a likey future centre partnership.
As for the Lions Gatland will be getting worried about the injury toll. A pity for OConnell but if Nathan Hines travels he probably wouldnt have made the team. How good Gray is a point of debate. He does spectacular stuff in the loose but his job will be to win lineouts and disrupt the opposition throw. Not sure how good he is at that. If Hines starts at 4 you need a lineout specialist at 5. D Ryan has shown great hands in the lineout and is probably underused as for some reason Irish teams dont contest the opposition throw. You would expect Gatland to put a big focus on the set pieces.

Tox56

phog wrote: »

You may not like to see it but that doesn't mean he's the wrong choice. At the moment he's the best option to take over from BOD, as the time passes Cave may yet pass Earls out for that mantle.

But how does he do that? He is playing a central role in arguably the form team in Europe, and (in his own words) he has looked comfortable at the top end H Cup level. He was probably Ulster's MOTM in the Heineken Cup final when his opposite number was BOD.

I'm a bit biased because I love the Cave type of player, but the only step-up for him to make is international level. There isn't much more he can do to "pass Earls out" with his performances at club level, so he needs to be given a chance for Ireland at some point.

Earls has been better than many (myself included) thought he would be, but both Earls and Cave should be given equal opportunity to take the 13 jersey post-BOD.

thomond2006

Clermont will reach the latter stages of the Top14 so that puts Hines' availability in doubt. I know he left USAP to go in 2009, don't know if he would do that again.

Sindri

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Cave is too slow.

He's not a winger. Centre play isn't dictated by how fast you are.

jm08

Tox56 wrote: »

But how does he do that? He is playing a central role in arguably the form team in Europe, and (in his own words) he has looked comfortable at the top end H Cup level. He was probably Ulster's MOTM in the Heineken Cup final when his opposite number was BOD.

I'm a bit biased because I love the Cave type of player, but the only step-up for him to make is international level. There isn't much more he can do to "pass Earls out" with his performances at club level, so he needs to be given a chance for Ireland at some point.

Earls has been better than many (myself included) thought he would be, but both Earls and Cave should be given equal opportunity to take the 13 jersey post-BOD.

Earls is ahead of him because he has been able to pick up plenty of international experience playing in several positions. Earls has only played a couple of games for Ireland in the centre, but his international experience and versatility will give him the edge. Cave missed a chance last 6Ns by being injured when BOD & Earls were unavailable and Ferg McFadden was used instead against Wales.

Cave's lack of versatility is going against him and the line-up of upcoming fixtures with hopefully BOD fit who will start is going against him. He is back to where he was 4 years ago - USA & Canada!

By the way, Paddy Wallace is also playing at a similar level to Cave, but he was just about adequate at international level.

Fishooks13

jm08 wrote: »

Earls is ahead of him because he has been able to pick up plenty of international experience playing in several positions. Earls has only played a couple of games for Ireland in the centre, but his international experience and versatility will give him the edge. Cave missed a chance last 6Ns by being injured when BOD & Earls were unavailable and Ferg McFadden was used instead against Wales.

Cave's lack of versatility is going against him and the line-up of upcoming fixtures with hopefully BOD fit who will start is going against him. He is back to where he was 4 years ago - USA & Canada!

By the way, Paddy Wallace is also playing at a similar level to Cave, but he was just about adequate at international level.

So you're basically saying Cave shouldn't be picked at 13 because Earls has played more and Cave can't play on the wing and fullback.

Oh and Paddy Wallace was never great at international level, so for some reason that means Cave won't be great either?

Absolute rubbish