Lions Tour

Paul Smeenus

Jump_In_Jack wrote: »

With vaccination coming on stream now, why couldn't all the touring players be vaccinated before the tour?
Whatever about no crowds, once the players are vaccinated what's the problem with it going ahead?
Is there any reason the players wouldn't be able to get vaccinated before the summer?

a) very hard to justify vaccinating sportsmen ahead of police, teachers etc, never mind health care workers
b) they might be fine, but it hasn't been proven that the vaccine actually stops you passing it on. Transmission is as much of an issue as an individual's health, if not more so

Louis Friend

There’s very little money in that. The Lions makes a truckload of cash for the local union. No fans means no cash.

sydthebeat

https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/british-and-irish-lions-committed-to-staging-a-%27traditional-tour-of-south-africa%27/636327

British and Irish Lions chairman Jason Leonard says it may take until April to make a final decision on the tour to South Africa.

Leonard says the board remains committed to staging a “traditional tour of South Africa” this summer but the final decision may have to wait up to two months.

The former British and Irish Lion spoke about the tour at the relaunch of the Front Row Club, a fundraising platform for his charity The Atlas Foundation and was quoted by the Telegraph.

“It is all fluid, there could be a decision in one next week, there could be one in four, six or eight weeks’ time,” said Leonard

“There is nothing on the table at this moment in time where we are saying ‘this is what we need to do’.

“We are still working with all involved to give ourselves the best option of hopefully trying to provide a traditional Lions tour – at least as much as a traditional Lions tour as we possibly can. Obviously, it is not a traditional year so a traditional Lions tour could well be impossible to deliver."

The Inbetween is mine

The Titanic is sinking and Jason Leonard is using a colander to bail out the water

Boscoirl

“There is nothing on the table at this moment in time where we are saying ‘this is what we need to do’.

Bull****. There is zero chance of having B&I fans in SA this year. At least make a call on that so those of who have already paid for a trip can start getting our money back.

Paul Smeenus

"South Africa in shock after AstraZeneca vaccine rollout halted"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-55999678

Sheep Shagger

Nphet virologist: Lions tour to South Africa neither feasible nor safe (via @IrishTimes) https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/nphet-virologist-lions-tour-to-south-africa-neither-feasible-nor-safe-1.4483053

The Inbetween is mine

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

Nphet virologist: Lions tour to South Africa neither feasible nor safe (via @IrishTimes) https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/nphet-virologist-lions-tour-to-south-africa-neither-feasible-nor-safe-1.4483053

And in other news, water is wet and grass is green..
Of course it's unsafe and the very fact it hasn't been postponed already is stupid in the extreme.

Ruggabugga101

The Inbetween is mine wrote: »

And in other news, water is wet and grass is green..
Of course it's unsafe and the very fact it hasn't been postponed already is stupid in the extreme.

It's an opinion piece and not news....how anyone can think the tour can still go ahead is beyond me. Is dead for 2021 anyway.

Louis Friend

Well it’s not dead per se.

The prospect of fans being there is dead.

It’ll either be played this summer in empty stadiums or postponed until 2022.

The other options such as playing it here, in Australia, or in Japan just aren’t a runner.

The Inbetween is mine

Louis Friend wrote: »

Well it’s not dead per se.

The prospect of fans being there is dead.

It’ll either be played this summer in empty stadiums or postponed until 2022.

The other options such as playing it here, in Australia, or in Japan just aren’t a runner.

It's dead...can't be played in 2022 as the calendar is already full

LuckyLloyd

Just play the test matches.

Louis Friend

The Inbetween is mine wrote: »

It's dead...can't be played in 2022 as the calendar is already full

Yes it can.

The Lions is a financial juggernaut and the Unions are all strapped for cash.

Ireland, as an example, would happily go to New Zealand with some of their frontline guys if they’re paid for the privilege.

lawrencesummers

Louis Friend wrote: »

Yes it can.

The Lions is a financial juggernaut and the Unions are all strapped for cash.

Ireland, as an example, would happily go to New Zealand with some of their frontline guys if they’re paid for the privilege.

As it stands the lions selection will have very very little impact on Ireland.

Louis Friend

lawrencesummers wrote: »

As it stands the lions selection will have very very little impact on Ireland.

Indeed.

At the moment, in terms of dead certs you’d probably only say Henshaw and Ryan.

Realistically, Healy and Furlong should go if fit. Henderson did well in 2017. If Murray and Sexton find form, maybe. Ringrose maybe. Someone like Keenan could be a bolter. Maybe Stockdale if fit and in form. Stander maybe? Van der Flier?

lawrencesummers

Beirne is Irelands only dead cert.

Pudsy33

Henshaw is absolutely nailed on

Louis Friend

lawrencesummers wrote: »

Beirne is Irelands only dead cert.

Ah come on.

Ryan is in the Test XV for most pundits and fans.

And Henshaw will travel.

lawrencesummers

Louis Friend wrote: »

Ah come on.

Ryan is in the Test XV for most pundits and fans.

And Henshaw will travel.

Maybe, but as things stand Beirne is a dead cert travel.

Ryan, henshaw, Doris, CJ, Murray all have a decent chance of making the plane once their fitness plays ball over the next few weeks.

Louis Friend

lawrencesummers wrote: »

Maybe, but as things stand Beirne is a dead cert travel.

Ryan, henshaw, Doris, CJ, Murray all have a decent chance of making the plane once their fitness plays ball over the next few weeks.

Ryan?

As in James Ryan?

lawrencesummers

Louis Friend wrote: »

Ryan?

As in James Ryan?

Well Hardly Gerry.

Louis Friend

lawrencesummers wrote: »

Well Hardly Gerry.

Lottie or Bonnie would probably force their way onto the plane with Barry Egan of the Sunday Independent cheering them on.

Buddy Bubs

I don't think James Ryan is the nailed on test starter people think he is, if tour even happens.
I wouldn't put him on another level to most of our forwards to be honest. Good player but wouldn't consider him massively better than Henderson or Beirne really.
Then you've Itoje, AWJ, Grey to compete with for Lions.

Louis Friend

Buddy Bubs wrote: »

I don't think James Ryan is the nailed on test starter people think he is, if tour even happens.
I wouldn't put him on another level to most of our forwards to be honest. Good player but wouldn't consider him massively better than Henderson or Beirne really.
Then you've Itoje, AWJ, Grey to compete with for Lions.

The argument that was being made is that he’s not nailed on to make it onto the plane which I think is wrong. The Test XV, we’ll see (if it goes ahead), but James Ryan isn’t missing out, injury permitting.

Dav010

Ryan a starter for me, Furlong if fit, Henshaw on the bench. Apart from that, any other Irish guys who travel will be squad players for non-test games.

irishbucsfan

Dav010 wrote: »

Ryan a starter for me, Furlong if fit, Henshaw on the bench. Apart from that, any other Irish guys who travel will be squad players for non-test games.

Assuming Farrell is going to be 10, who would start at 12 over Henshaw?

It's South Africa we'd be playing in a fantasy situation where this tour happens, so the midfield is going to need size. And its Gatland who is picking the side who has always considered that a big priority in midfield.

I'd say the ideal starting midfield for Gatland would be Henshaw and Davies if they're both fit. I think the back 3 is the big open question, Liam Williams is the only cert there that I can see.

Louis Friend

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Assuming Farrell is going to be 10, who would start at 12 over Henshaw?

It's South Africa we'd be playing in a fantasy situation where this tour happens, so the midfield is going to need size. And its Gatland who is picking the side who has always considered that a big priority in midfield.

I'd say the ideal starting midfield for Gatland would be Henshaw and Davies if they're both fit. I think the back 3 is the big open question, Liam Williams is the only cert there that I can see.

Ah, I’d say Johnny May is a shoo-in.

Louis Rees-Zammit is seriously putting his hand up for the right wing.

Buer

After watching the opening two rounds, I'm sure of only one thing.

Warren Gatland is praying this tour is cancelled.

Lucas44

My 35 man lions squad

Props
Wyn Jones
Furlong
Mako
Sinkler
Sutherland
Porter

Hookers
George
Cowan dickie
G turner/mcinally

Second rows
Lawes
Itoje
Ryan
Awj - C
Henderson/gray/kruis

Br
Curry
Underhill
Tipuric
Falateu
Earl
Cj

Halfbacks
Davies
Webb
Murray
Farrell
Russel
Biggar

Centres
Manu
Davies
Ringrose
Henshaw or slade

OB
Daly
Watson
May
Williams
Rees zammit

sydthebeat

For those talking "dead certs" to travel.

Henshaw is 6/5
James Ryan 1/10
Beirne 3/1
Ringrose 4/7
Furlong 1/5
Porter 13/8
CJ 8/11
Harry Byrne 100/1