British & Irish Lions 2017 Thread (7 Viewers)

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

Might as well start one off on the day of the squad announcement.

Plenty of Welsh in there, deservedly so? I'm not so sure.

Launchbury, Zebo & a couple of the Scottish players namely the Gray brother (forget which one) unlucky to miss out.

Still fancy the Lions 2-1

 

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[Gazolba]

I'm sure they have to include one or more players from each nation for political reasons.

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

I'm sure they have to include one or more players from each nation for political reasons.

Probably but Scotland only have 2 included probably at least 2 others deserve to be in there.

Gatland picking so many Welsh isn't a surprise but disappointing that 'better' and more in form players miss out.

 

[SBAndy]

If any side were to have a lot of players miss out it should have been Wales. Well below par for the Six Nations and very few stand-out players nowadays. Scotland should have at least 5 in the squad.

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

If any side were to have a lot of players miss out it should have been Wales. Well below par for the Six Nations and very few stand-out players nowadays. Scotland should have at least 5 in the squad.

Agree.

The starting 15 is pretty obvious and even the bench but we all know at least 1 probably 2 of the starting line up will be injured before the first test think the squad of 23 that the majority would pick for the first test is very strong but the squad lacks in depth should they pick up 4/5 injuries.

 

[SBAndy]

I'd have liked to see Richie Gray in there as well as at least 1 of the Scottish starting back row. Also surprised to see no Jamie Heaslip, injured I take it?

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

O'Mahoney & Stander have overtaken him in the Ireland pecking order think he isn't injured.

Yeah one of the Grays should be going at least!

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

The loss of all losses.

Arguably the best player pound for pound in the world at the minute!

 

[Moff]

The loss of all losses.

Arguably the best player pound for pound in the world at the minute!

Terrible loss, compounded by calling up Haskell who is brawn but no brain. Frankly not worthy of a place.

 

[Sky_Blue_Daz]

Anyone been watching the lions specials on Sky ? Fantastic footage

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

Anyone been watching the lions specials on Sky ? Fantastic footage

Watched all of them apart from 2013, downloaded it last night.

Absolutely fantastic set of docs!

Wish we could see more of sport from that perspective.

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

Hmm nothing like losing to NZ's weakest side in Super Rugby to get the alarm bells ringing, especially after Saturdays poor showing!

 

[hotrod]

Hmm nothing like losing to NZ's weakest side in Super Rugby to get the alarm bells ringing, especially after Saturdays poor showing!

Not helped by picking too many Welsh players who were the weakest of the Home Nations in the recent Six Nations competition.

Regards.

 

[Moff]

Not helped by picking too many Welsh players who were the weakest of the Home Nations in the recent Six Nations competition.

Regards.

Not sure it was the Welsh players fault.
Re the Welsh players I thought Ken Owens played well, Tipuric was impressive and Webb played well, and Halfpenny kicked his kicks as normal. Thought Liam Williams was a bit too over exuberant for his yellow card, but no points scored whilst he was off the pitch, whilst Biggar went off early with a head injury.

CJ Stander, Itoje and Lawes had very good games.

Thought Newell was terrible, and Haskell was a lump like he always is, expertly missing his tackle for the first Blues try.

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

Itoje & Lawes HAVE to be the starting second row.

Back row will be Warburton, Stander and one of Faletu or Tipuric.

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

Test and a half this morning v the Crusaders who've won 14 out of 14 in super rugby this season!

Full of internationals & the massive threat of Israel Dagg at full back!

Fear for the Lions today!!

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

Fantastic result, a few individual performances of the higher standard as well today!
Tour needs to start now!

 

[Sky_Blue_Daz]

Enjoyed that, but for some drops at crucial times could of got more

 

[scottccfc]

Today we clicked a lot better, I think we are starting to gel and click as a unit, plus it's always good to beat the crusaders

 

[SBAndy]

Only caught the second half but thought Ben Te'o was dreadful. Surprised me he got in the squad to be honest. Farrell has to start at 12 in the tests for me.

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

Another defeat, not going well.

I genuinely thought they could win the series as well!

0-3 all over it!

 

[scottccfc]

I fear this tour will turn into an embarrassment, we haven't selected enough players with enough grunt and experience (Hartley et al)

 

[Moff]

I fear this tour will turn into an embarrassment, we haven't selected enough players with enough grunt and experience (Hartley et al)

I would have taken Hartley as well. He knows New Zealand well (brought up there) and so would hopefully have a point to prove, is a nasty grunt of a player and a leader. He would have given more than what I think Jamie George does.

 

[Otis]

I would have taken Hartley as well. He knows New Zealand well (brought up there) and so would hopefully have a point to prove, is a nasty grunt of a player and a leader. He would have given more than what I think Jamie George does.

Now we're in a jam I would definitely have taken Hartley.

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

Well comfortable performance today.

I could not pick a starting 15 for next Saturday at the min!

I guess we can exclude those that start on Tuesday as not being in the Test side!

Also 6 called up 2 Scots 4 Welsh Finn Russell the only one deservedly so!

Launchbury & Hartley should be on the next flight from Argentina imo but Gatlands gone for those in Aus already. Disappointing!

The Lions jersey should be deserved not just dished out for being right place right time!

 

[bringbackrattles]

Still need to improve to beat the All Blacks. Which I'm sure they will as it is a strong squad.

 

[scottccfc]

There are rumours that there will be 2 English players called up after tonight's game, hoping for Hartley and launchbery, will probably end up with it the physio and kit man!

 

[SBAndy]

Good performance this morning, albeit against a severely under-strength Chiefs side. I really like Jack Nowell, brings far more to the team than George North who looks a shadow of his former self.

Still can't look past an ABs whitewash.

 

[scottccfc]

As a saints fan I've been disappointed in north for a long time , sad to say I think his recent bout of concussions are taking full effect

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

Struggling to pick a Test side but I think AB win Saturday 34-16

 

[SBAndy]

As a saints fan I've been disappointed in north for a long time , sad to say I think his recent bout of concussions are taking full effect

He just looks far slower than he was 4 years ago, which considering his age is a bit of a disappointment.

With regards to test side, I would go something like:

Vunipola, George, Furlong; Kruis, Itoje; O'Mahony, O'Brien, Stander; Murray, Sexton; Watson, Farrell, Davies, Nowell; Halfpenny.

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

He just looks far slower than he was 4 years ago, which considering his age is a bit of a disappointment.

With regards to test side, I would go something like:

Vunipola, George, Furlong; Kruis, Itoje; O'Mahony, O'Brien, Stander; Murray, Sexton; Watson, Farrell, Davies, Nowell; Halfpenny.

I prefer that side to the one WG will go with! All Irish back row is the way to go with Faletau off the bench.

Murray and sexton work well, Farrell easily slots to 12 harsh on T'eo who has been the surprise of the tour!

 

[superskyblue]

Mine not too dissimilar from SBAndy's:

Vunipola, George, Furlong; Kruis, Itoje; O'Mahony (C), O'Brien, Faletau; Murray, Farrell; Watson, Teo, Daly, North; Halfpenny.

 

[scottccfc]

British & Irish Lions (v New Zealand, 1st Test, Saturday, June 24, 7.35pm NZST, 8.35am BST)
15. Liam Williams – Scarlets, Wales, #833
14. Anthony Watson – Bath Rugby, England, #816
13. Jonathan Davies – Scarlets, Wales, #778
12. Ben Te’o – Worcester Warriors, England, #815
11. Elliot Daly – Wasps, England, #822
10. Owen Farrell – Saracens, England, #780
9. Conor Murray – Munster, Ireland, #790

1. Mako Vunipola – Saracens, England, #787
2. Jamie George – Saracens, England, #819
3. Tadhg Furlong – Leinster, Ireland, #818
4. Alun Wyn Jones – Ospreys, Wales, #761
5. George Kruis – Saracens, England, #817
6. Peter O’Mahony (capt) – Munster, Ireland, #832
7. Sean O’Brien – Leinster, Ireland, #796
8. Taulupe Faletau – Bath Rugby, Wales, #779

Replacements
16. Ken Owens – Scarlets, Wales, #829
17. Jack McGrath – Leinster, Ireland, #827
18. Kyle Sinckler – Harlequins, England, #814
19. Maro Itoje – Saracens, England, #825
20. Sam Warburton – Cardiff Blues, Wales, #800
21. Rhys Webb – Ospreys, Wales, #820
22. Johnny Sexton – Leinster, Ireland, #791
23. Leigh Halfpenny – Toulon, Wales, #775


No George north but includes a certain mr daly

 

[SBAndy]

AWJ starting over Itoje raises some serious questions.

Not been impressed with Te'o myself but it seems I'm in the minority so I'll let that slide.

Delighted that there's no North, and can only assume Daly's been included for long range kicking.