British and Irish Lions Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

The Guardian

Kearney is third choice now without a doubt
Halpenny has this nailed
Rob can concentrate on getting his brylcreem right

MOD EDIT: Banned

FellasFellas

ajmcginnz wrote: »

You make a couple of valid points however, ferris is confident he will be back in april, kearney is the best fullback in the northern hemisphere. He didnt put a single bad performance in this six nations. All be it not a great one either but he still managed to shine through a pathetic ireland team couched by an idiot and even if gatland favours halfpenny which im sure he does, in the lions warm up games kearney will prove he is far superior and he has to go with the lions if he doesnt it would be ludacris.

Perhaps lawes wont travel but he should, incredible athlete. And the welsh backrow is glorified. Last year i definately would have put warburton over robshaw but now he doesnt deserve it. Tuperic had a couple a good performances but has always been a background player. He will be off the international stage soon. Maybe falatau should start over o'brien. To be honest o'brien is nothing like he used to be and is just a decent player. Not great anymore

Lawes shouldn't travel, we have enough quality second rows that put in shifts week in, week out. Lawes flits in and out of form.

Warburton played fantastically against Scotland and England and with that kind of form definitely should travel at the very least, with a view to start in the back row.

Tipuric has been the stand out up and coming forward in Europe for the past year, he most certainly isn't a "background player" and I'm sure he'll still be on the International stage for years to come and should also travel on the tour.

And O'Brien proved for Leinster last year that he isn't an 8, I'd far prefer to see Faletau in the slot.

ssaye

The Guardian wrote: »

Kearney is third choice now without a doubt
Halpenny has this nailed
Rob can concentrate on getting his brylcreem right

How are you not banned?

Buer

The Guardian wrote: »

Kearney is third choice now without a doubt
Halpenny has this nailed
Rob can concentrate on getting his brylcreem right

Nothing is nailed at this point. Things change very quickly on tour. Shane Williams was "nailed" in 2009 and didn't make the team because he couldn't catch a cold in the warm up games in South Africa. Ugo Monye had a brilliant run in those games and leapfrogged him. Tom Croft went as a replacement, hit the ground running and made the first test selection. Lee Mears was a rank outsider and made the first test.

Whilst there are clear favourites, there's rarely a player nailed on for their position unless they're a once in their generation type in their position like BOD, POC, Johnson or Hill. I don't think there's anyone in that bracket this time around with Adam Jones being the closest thing.

Buer

FellasFellas wrote: »

Lawes shouldn't travel, we have enough quality second rows that put in shifts week in, week out. Lawes flits in and out of form.

Lawes is a moron but has a great chance of travelling as one of the very few players that is genuinely comfortable equally in the second row or at flanker. The harder grounds of Australia could be well suited to him also. If Gatland is only bringing 4 out and out locks, I'd strongly suspect he'll bring someone in the backrow that has lined out at lock for a large portion of their career or vice versa like Hines in 2009 although I don't think Hines has the legs for that job anymore.

FellasFellas

Buer wrote: »

Lawes is a moron but has a great chance of travelling as one of the very few players that is genuinely comfortable equally in the second row or at flanker. The harder grounds of Australia could be well suited to him also. If Gatland is only bringing 4 out and out locks, I'd strongly suspect he'll bring someone in the backrow that has lined out at lock for a large portion of their career or vice versa like Hines in 2009 although I don't think Hines has the legs for that job anymore.

Lawes proved to us all that he can't play 6 this year.

.ak

The Guardian wrote: »

Kearney is third choice now without a doubt
Halpenny has this nailed
Rob can concentrate on getting his brylcreem right

MOD EDIT: Banned

Only recently back from a ban and this is your addition? 2 week ban. Improve your posting style upon your return.

schmanga

there is a possibility kearney won't be on plane at all. Halfpenny had a super 6N, Hogg was good for scotland. Brown can cover F/B. Buer is spot on, there will be a couple of bolters between now and 1st test, and there is the chance of a replacement coming in mid tour and making a big impact. Definite starters are very few and mostly welsh: Jones, BOD, Halfpenny. Tricky after that.

Tigerandahalf

sting60 wrote: »

Ireland had one of the worst stats per line outs won ever against Italy[poor throwing mainly] and you state Best has no competition.According to your selections Ireland won the Six Nations and not finish where they did.

Not sure what you are on about here.
I think I picked that team before the weekend games. 9 Welsh men are in it and they are the Champions. I have 4 Irishmen in it.
Best is still in the driving seat. Hibbard is riding on the back of the Welsh success. He only started for Wales this year. We havent seen him exposed yet. Also Best has the H Cup to showcase his talents, Hibbard wont.

Teferi

At the end of last year Kearns was all but definitely on the plane, he hasn't done anything particularly poorly recently simply others have had a better 6N. Hopefully he'll tear it up for the rest of the season.

Kiwi_knock

Is Kearney suited to the game plan that the Aussies will use? I can not see them kicking too much ball away so his skill under the high ball may not be needed. I think he has to show a lot more in attack over the next few weeks to show he deserves to go.

the baby bull elephant

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

Is Kearney suited to the game plan that the Aussies will use? I can not see them kicking too much ball away so his skill under the high ball may not be needed. I think he has to show a lot more in attack over the next few weeks to show he deserves to go.

Australia kick plenty of ball.

Swiwi

the baby bull elephant wrote: »

Australia kick plenty of ball.

No you're confusing them with SA

the baby bull elephant

Swiwi wrote: »

No you're confusing them with SA

Nah people seem to think they don't and yeah definitely compared to SA they don't but Cooper kicks a lot and has done so this year, Genia loves his boxkicks particualary on turnovers, Barnes if playing is a kickaholic and Beale like Kearney is a fan of the up and under.

Quint2010

To be honest the Welsh are going to dominate this with a good few English thrown in. Rowntree (part of the back room team) coming out today saying he is confident there will be a good few English involved. Of the Irish I can only see Healy, SOB, BOD and Sexton definite tourists. Best, Heaslip and Kearney have all slipped to at best 3rd place in their respective positions whilst right now POC has Parling, AWJ, Hamilton, Launchbury and probably Richie Gray all ahead of him. Tommy Bowe is in trouble too-with both Welsh wingers and possibly Mike Brown, Maitland and Visser ahead of him. One possible Irish bolter is Murray. Thought he had a decent 6N and with Philips ensured of the 9 shirt and Ben Youngs having a bit of a mare on Sat the SH position doesn't really have too much depth.

Swiwi

the baby bull elephant wrote: »

Nah people seem to think they don't and yeah definitely compared to SA they don't but Cooper kicks a lot and has done so this year, Genia loves his boxkicks particualary on turnovers, Barnes if playing is a kickaholic and Beale like Kearney is a fan of the up and under.

Cooper shouldn't make the Aussie team (woeful form/injury over last 12 months), neither should Barnes, he's solid & dependable but isn't Lions series-winning material, but I grant you Genia & Beale, however Genia is more known for his scything runs rather than his box-kicks, Beale likes to run too. All teams have to kick, but only SA (& Scotland) would base a whole gameplan around it (oh, and Ireland in the weekend, but that was an aberration, or at least I hope so!)

the baby bull elephant

Swiwi wrote: »

Cooper shouldn't make the Aussie team (woeful form/injury over last 12 months), neither should Barnes, he's solid & dependable but isn't Lions series-winning material, but I grant you Genia & Beale, however Genia is more known for his scything runs rather than his box-kicks, Beale likes to run too. All teams have to kick, but only SA (& Scotland) would base a whole gameplan around it (oh, and Ireland in the weekend, but that was an aberration, or at least I hope so!)

Meant to say if Barnes is picked. Cooper seems to me to be a favorite of Deans even though he has been woeful. Lealiifano isn't scared of putting boot to ball either.

I'm well aware of their running threats. Just pointing out they do kick it a lot though yes it is not their entire gameplan. I'm saying it because some seem to think the reason Kearney shouldn't go is because Australia "don't kick". I'm pretty sure I saw a stat that when Aus won the tri-nations in 2011 they kicked the ball more than the other two.

Swiwi

the baby bull elephant wrote: »

Meant to say if Barnes is picked. Cooper seems to me to be a favorite of Deans even though he has been woeful. Lealiifano isn't scared of putting boot to ball either.

I'm well aware of their running threats. Just pointing out they do kick it a lot though yes it is not their entire gameplan. I'm saying it because some seem to think the reason Kearney shouldn't go is because Australia "don't kick". I'm pretty sure I saw a stat that when Aus won the tri-nations in 2011 they kicked the ball more than the other two.

Yeah, I agree I'm only messing. Kearney has more to his game than just fielding high balls, so I don't think whether Australia will kick or not should come into his selection process. However, he's a specialist FB, and not currently in the form he has shown in the past, so he's definitely not a certainty to travel, in fact I would tend to think he will miss out, but his previous Lions record (demonstrating big match temperament) might save him.

its_phil

Quint2010 wrote: »

Of the Irish I can only see Healy, SOB, BOD and Sexton definite tourists.

Best, Heaslip and Kearney have all slipped to at best 3rd place in their respective positions whilst right now POC has Parling, AWJ, Hamilton, Launchbury and probably Richie Gray all ahead of him.

Tommy Bowe is in trouble too-with both Welsh wingers and possibly Mike Brown, Maitland and Visser ahead of him.

One possible Irish bolter is Murray. Thought he had a decent 6N and with Philips ensured of the 9 shirt and Ben Youngs having a bit of a mare on Sat the SH position doesn't really have too much depth.

Yep they are the only four definites that I would be surprised to see left out. I don't think it is that Kearney is in bad form (I actually thought he was decent) but Hogg and Halfpenny have been fantastic. Teams just refused to take Ireland on with the garryowen because they know Kearney is excellent under the high ball. He needs to have a big game against Wasps. I wouldn't be surprised to see all 3 brought with Hogg being able to cover wing, center and full back.

Murray is battling Care for the 3rd spot in that game against Quins IMO. Care has been excellent for Quins this year and is just as vital to them as Robshaw or Evans. I fancy Care to get it though. I don't think Laidlaw is better than either of them and his boot might have got him on the plane but Halfpenny, Sexton and Farrell are excellent goalkickers.

Swiwi

its_phil wrote: »

Yep they are the only four definites that I would be surprised to see left out. I don't think it is that Kearney is in bad form (I actually thought he was decent) but Hogg and Halfpenny have been fantastic. Teams just refused to take Ireland on with the garryowen because they know Kearney is excellent under the high ball. He needs to have a big game against Wasps. I wouldn't be surprised to see all 3 brought with Hogg being able to cover wing, center and full back.

Murray is battling Care for the 3rd spot in that game against Quins IMO. Care has been excellent for Quins this year and is just as vital to them as Robshaw or Evans. I fancy Care to get it though. I don't think Laidlaw is better than either of them and his boot might have got him on the plane but Halfpenny, Sexton and Farrell are excellent goalkickers.

If Laidlaw gets picked I'd just about cry as much as if Barritt gets a ticket. The Lions wont be short of goalkickers (HP, Sexton...), and any SH worth his salt has the boxkick in his bag of tricks. I agree that Murray is probably battling with Care - Youngs and Philips (after the weekend) seem certainties now.

Kiwi_knock

Personally I want Murray, Care and Youngs to travel; but Phillips is a cert to go. I think his performance against England overshadowed the fact he had a pretty average tournament. I think the other three scrum halfs had better tournaments than him. I do not think he is the man to unleash our back line as well, far too slow and predictable at the break down. Personally I would Youngs starting and Care on the bench, as I think he is the best option for the bench amongst the contenders. I fully expect though for Phillips to line out at 9 for the three tests.

Swiwi

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

Personally I want Murray, Care and Youngs to travel; but Phillips is a cert to go. I think his performance against England overshadowed the fact he had a pretty average tournament. I think the other three scrum halfs had better tournaments than him. I do not think he is the man to unleash our back line as well, far too slow and predictable at the break down. Personally I would Youngs starting and Care on the bench, as I think he is the best option for the bench amongst the contenders. I fully expect though for Phillips to line out at 9 for the three tests.

I agree, he has been fairly dreadful all year, but he was damn good in the weekend with front foot ball. I'm sure WG is a fan, and I expect he'll travel.

wittycynic

The Guardian wrote: »

Kearney is third choice now without a doubt
Halpenny has this nailed
Rob can concentrate on getting his brylcreem right

MOD EDIT: Banned

Well if that's what gets you a ban on here, someone should take a look at the Heaslip Captaincy thread. Hot damn!

Taco Corp

Cuthbert could be ruled out

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/cuthbert-could-miss-lions-tour-1.1332649

thomond2006

Captain_Hindsight wrote: »

Cuthbert could be ruled out

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/cuthbert-could-miss-lions-tour-1.1332649

Cardiff's last game of the season is away to Ulster on the 3rd of May. If he's out for six weeks then he may not be back in time.

accidentprone1

Captain_Hindsight wrote: »

Cuthbert could be ruled out

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/cuthbert-could-miss-lions-tour-1.1332649

Seriously impressed that he managed to battle on through that and score a brace of tries in the second half.

Kiwi_knock

When is Tommy Bowe back? I doubt the Lions would bring two wingers who are short of match practice. Ashton's chances of travelling have gone up.

conf101

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

When is Tommy Bowe back? I doubt the Lions would bring two wingers who are short of match practice. Ashton's chances of travelling have gone up.

With 6 or 7 games before the tests I don't think they'd be too worried about someone like Cuthbert being a bit short on match fitness as long as he's fit from the very beginning of the tour

WrongWay

Lions Test Team -

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Jones
4. A-W Jones
5. O'Connell
6. Wood
7. Warburton
8. Heaslip
9. Phillips
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Roberts
13. O'Driscoll
14. Maitland
15. Halfpenny

16. Sheridan
17. Hibbard
18. Jenkins
19. Parling
20. O'Brien
21. Youngs
22. Farrell
23. Tuilangi

sting60

Warburton is now 2/1 to captain the Lions with Heaslip 50/1.With the talent at no 8 my opinion is Heaslip is in big trouble to be on the plane.The team will be largely based on the Welsh but Gatland may want someone other than a Welsh captain to keep harmony in the squad.With Gatland having thrown many a spanner in the works over the years do not be surprised if he picks a captain who has never captained his country in the past [Sexton if fit 40/1].The outstanding player of the 6 nations was 1/2P followed by Hogg.My certs to start are 1/2P,A Jones,Sexton[if fit],Hibbert,Warburton,A W Jones and J Roberts with M Philips likely to start.I still believe BOD will not travel as he is not a certain starter may want to stay at home changing nappies [the image could be damaged if sitting on the bench] only time will tell.