2013 British and Irish Lions

[UlsterRugby2012]

Sensible decision. In about 20 appearances as captain he's only had one loss. He's by far and away the best 8 at our disposal, being the only one who has a good carrying game, a good ground game and strong lineout abilities. He's a three times capped Lions so he certainly gets the concept and Gatty has worked with him before.

I really can't figure out why a lot of people outside Ireland really dislike him. The only person who comes close I'd say is Denton.

 

[Draggs]

I really can't figure out why a lot of people outside Ireland really dislike him. The only person who comes close I'd say is Denton.

Wings as captain are never popular.

 

[Amiga500]

I really can't figure out why a lot of people outside Ireland really dislike him.

Because Heaslip doesn't tend to go in for the spectacular 1 handed off-loads with 4 fellas hanging off him (especially when they are not on). 3 HECs and a Grand Slam would indicate he is doing something right.


Heaslip will definitely start* against Australia for the Lions. He is easily the best 8 we have on the ground and that will go some way towards combating the Aussies breakdown work.

*barring injury of course

 

[Joseph14]

Ferris, Armitage and Heaslip. If all are fit. Jobs a good'un. Won't happen though of course, unless Armitage comes back to the UK to play.

Tour captain...BOD. Providing he is fit. Match day captain? Can pick and choose but I would be amazed if a fit BOD even at that age doesn't squeeze himself in to the side if he makes the tour.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I don't really rate Armatige, everyone seems to forget that he looked rubbish when he actually played for england, he was so far off the pace of the game. I know International rugby is a step up in intensisty and i very much doubt he will ever make that standard as acording to Lancaster his fitness is in question.

He's not a bad player but not an amazing player either.
I think Warbuton will be the 7 for the lions no matter what because of Gatland and his connections

6. Robshaw possibly if Gatland rates him but not as a 7? or Ferris/ Lydiate
7. Warbutons - back would might be Barcley?
8. Heaslip/ Denton

Thats who i can see him picking. BUT all be glad that Martin Johnson isn't a Lions coach as we could have had:
6. T Falatue
7. Haskell
8. T Woldrum

2 x foreigners and 2 out of position! Worst back row..ever!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He's no David Seymour, but Armitage is fantastic.
He does pretty darn well in the Top14, which is arguably the strongest forwards league in the world.
I can't remember his game with England particularly well (apart from Sevens, which was a disaster) but weren't they about 4 years ago? A lot can change in that time.

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[nickdnz]

He's no David Seymour, but Armitage is fantastic.
He does pretty darn well in the Top14, which is arguably the strongest forwards league in the world.
I can't remember his game with England particularly well (apart from Sevens, which was a disaster) but weren't they about 4 years ago? A lot can change in that time.

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He played for England a couple of times in 2010 I believe. One was against NZ Maori where he scored a try from a great move by Ashton.



1:39

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ah, forgot about the midweek sides of that tour.
Was very frustrating as we often put out a better side then than in the tests.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...hris-Robshaw-for-Lions-tour-to-Australia.html

Gatland already making a mark around who he does and doesnt want....

Yep, because Wales have done really well with their specialist opensides...
Of course he's not a true 7, I was one of the most vocal about that prior to last six nations and beyond, but when you look at the stats, I think it might have been Olyy who pointed out that Robshaw made the most steals out of any player in the International tours a few months ago... It's hardly been Englands biggest issue, nor has it been an issue for Harlequins who won the premiership with Robshaw at 7 etc etc... I'm not really talking about Gatland specifically anymore but I just think, unless you think it's your sides biggest problem (and for England its definitely not), people shouldn't harp on about it.

This said, I'd love to see Armitage or Seymour in the fold soon, just that I'm currently more worried about other areas of performance. Such as the continued selection of Ben Youngs at 9, who looks likw he's having a fit whenever he gets the ball...
Also, that's no reason why Robshaw can't be picked at 6.

 

[Draggs]

Robshaw, Warburton, Heaslip back row.
They can all have 1/3 of the captaincy, and vote for each call.

Also, Steffon Armitage is a fantastic flanker. I have not seen him play a match for Toulon that was less than satisfactory. I'd bring him.

Opensides: Warburton, Armitage, Wood/Rennie/Tipuric. I do not consider Obrien an openside, before I am Leinstered.

 

[jcahill1]

Robshaw, Warburton, Heaslip back row.
They can all have 1/3 of the captaincy, and vote for each call.

Also, Steffon Armitage is a fantastic flanker. I have not seen him play a match for Toulon that was less than satisfactory. I'd bring him.

Opensides: Warburton, Armitage, Wood/Rennie/Tipuric. I do not consider Obrien an openside, before I am Leinstered.

Would you bring him at blindside then?

 

[psychic duck]

Robshaw, Warburton, Heaslip back row.
They can all have 1/3 of the captaincy, and vote for each call.

Also, Steffon Armitage is a fantastic flanker. I have not seen him play a match for Toulon that was less than satisfactory. I'd bring him.

Opensides: Warburton, Armitage, Wood/Rennie/Tipuric. I do not consider Obrien an openside, before I am Leinstered.

I thought that too. But he improved a lot in that position towards the end of last season with Leinster, and outplayed McCaw at the breakdown in one of the matches against New Zealand in June. Still I think he should tour as a 6 considering there is an 80% chance Ferris will be injured.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

O'Brien should tour regardless if he starts or not - he can cover all 3 back row position fairly well, what more could you want? He's a fantastic player.

 

[Thingimubob]

True, I'd bring O'Brien, though I do prefer Lydiate and Ferris as no.6's. Thought that does depend how much gametime Lydiate gets after his injury and if Ferris continues to to pick up injury after injury.

I've heard Gilroy has been touted as a potential tourist too, which I'm happy about! Really enjoyed watching him play over the last few seasons for Ulster, and glad to see him shine in an Ireland shirt too! Really like that type of winger, and looks like there's gonne be a cracking choice of wingers available (if they're all fit and on form) in Gilroy, Visser, Bowe, North, Cuthbert, Sharples and possibly Hogg (can't see him getting past Kearney and Halfpenny at 15 just yet)

 

[pete82]

Has anyone got any ideas or views on players who may come from nowhere, or are currently playing under the radar who may sneak onto the lions tour??? Discuss.....:umnik2:

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Any Welsh back over 6'3"!

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[big ginger 8]

Has anyone got any ideas or views on players who may come from nowhere, or are currently playing under the radar who may sneak onto the lions tour??? Discuss.....:umnik2:

I was going to ask that.

From an Irish point of view I think the ones people would maybe consider bolters if they made it would be Gilroy, Hederson and McCarthy.

 

[Amiga500]

Has anyone got any ideas or views on players who may come from nowhere, or are currently playing under the radar who may sneak onto the lions tour??? Discuss.....:umnik2:

Paddy Jackson.

If you are looking a 10 that will bring Jamie Roberts into a game effectively, look no further.

 

[Irishflanker]

Has anyone got any ideas or views on players who may come from nowhere, or are currently playing under the radar who may sneak onto the lions tour??? Discuss.....:umnik2:

Hmmm... from Ireland, I guess, Felix Jones, with a return to form he could catch people by surprise.
Gilroy, although he is a bit dodgy in defence and not proven at international level yet.
Ian Henderson.
Just to go left field as f**k Michael Bent- Irelands newest tighthead sensation, and JJ Hanrahan; you never know, if he could get a good run of games at 10 or 12 for Munster he could do a Keith Earls on it (Hopefully with slightly more success).

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Paddy Jackson.

If you are looking a 10 that will bring Jamie Roberts into a game effectively, look no further.

sorry I disagree. He's gained a lot of confidence in the last season - but his kicking was shakey against Fiji and to be honest I think the pressure would be too much for him.

Henderson though I think has a good chance of subbing for some mid week tests.



Did anyone see the Lions index on Rugby Club? 12/15 were Irish! Ha. Gilroy got the highest rating and is their player of the AI.