2013 British and Irish Lions

[TRF_Olyy]

Balshaw!?

Surely he'll be starting the tests, not dirt-tracking it!

 

[Ozzay]

If Sextons mid week who would be your 10?

 

[Jockstap]

Jockstap's super happy funtime team

15 Halfpenny - beats Kearney because of his boot
14 Bowe
13 Davies
12 Tualagi
11 Visser
10 Sexton
9 Care
8 O'Brien
7 Warburton
6 Lydiate
5 Ryan
4 Gray
3 Cole
2 Strauss
1 Healy

16 Best
17 Jones
18 Jenkins
19 Palmer
20 Ferris
21 Youngs
22 Flood
23 Kearney

 

[pete82]

If Sextons mid week who would be your 10?

I would go with Wilkinson, But to be honest there would not be much in it, He is playing well for Toulon and has a big game pedigree...

 

[Thingimubob]

How about this for a midweek XV?

15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow and Scotland)
14. George North (Scarlets and Wales)
13. Brian O'Driscoll Capt. (Leinster and Ireland)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens and England)
11. Christian Wade (Wasps)
10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster and Ireland)
9. Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow and Scotland)

1. Joe Marler (Harlequins and England)
2. Rory Best ( Ulster and Ireland)
3. Euan Murray (Agen and Scotland)
4. Nathan Hines (Clermont)
5. Paul O'Connell (Munster and Ireland)
6. Tom Croft (Leicester and England)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
8. Gareth Delve (Melbourne rebels)

16. Dylan Hartley (Northampton and England)
17. Gethin Jenkins (Toulon and Wales)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester and England)
19. Luke Charteris (Perpingian and Wales)
20. Stephen Ferris (Ulster and Ireland)
21. Paul Marshall (Ulster and Ireland)
22. James Hook (Perpingian and Wales)
23. Iain Balshaw (Biarritz)

Constructive criticism welcome

Interesting choice of Ian Balshaw cant help but think of that charge down from England vs Wales in 2008 when he's mentioned. Good times...

Not a bad midweek side though, personally I'd have Paul Marshall starting - or actually at least on the bench for the test side. Huge fan of him, hope he starts a 6 Nations game so we see how he does in a proper international.
Not sure if Wade will go, I'd love to see him in contention, but you know what England are like with ignoring classy wingers for ages so will be interesting to see if his club form is enough to get him on the plane (if Lancaster doesn't give him a chance in the 6N anyway)
Interesting choice of Delve too, he's certainly a shout if a no.8 gets injured out there, seeing as he lives in Melbourne and all. Wales did it for their midweek game vs the Brumbies. Pity he didn't get a chance in a test though with Faletau injured.

 

[nickdnz]

Interesting choice of Ian Balshaw cant help but think of that charge down from England vs Wales in 2008 when he's mentioned. Good times...

Not a bad midweek side though, personally I'd have Paul Marshall starting - or actually at least on the bench for the test side. Huge fan of him, hope he starts a 6 Nations game so we see how he does in a proper international.
Not sure if Wade will go, I'd love to see him in contention, but you know what England are like with ignoring classy wingers for ages so will be interesting to see if his club form is enough to get him on the plane (if Lancaster doesn't give him a chance in the 6N anyway)
Interesting choice of Delve too, he's certainly a shout if a no.8 gets injured out there, seeing as he lives in Melbourne and all. Wales did it for their midweek game vs the Brumbies. Pity he didn't get a chance in a test though with Faletau injured.

I'd love to see Wade there (rate him as the most exciting winger I've seen at the JWC besides Savea). However besides Lancaster probably not giving him much of a shot - Warren Gatland seems somewhat partial to massive wingers.

 

[lucky number 7]

I don't understand the inclusion of Wilkinson...I haven't seen a lot of him recently but last I remember he looked decidedly average , and unless he's tearing **** up big style in the south of France I wouldn't consider him.

That said Sexton is the only top class established ten floating around in the Home nations national sides at the moment..Although I'd like to see Freddie Burns get a dig at a few 6N games

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I don't understand the inclusion of Wilkinson...I haven't seen a lot of him recently but last I remember he looked decidedly average , and unless he's tearing **** up big style in the south of France I wouldn't consider him.

That said Sexton is the only top class established ten floating around in the Home nations national sides at the moment..Although I'd like to see Freddie Burns get a dig at a few 6N games

The problem is you need a back up who is reliable and solid and i can't think of any of the 10s that do that aprt from Wilkinson? Or dare i say
Farrell Jnr but i hope Gatland sees that Farrell is average in every other aspect of his game and never picks him ever!

Players i don't want going -Preistland, Biggar, ROG, Flood, Farrell, Laidlaw we really need another 10 to stake his claim!

 

[nickdnz]

I don't understand the inclusion of Wilkinson...I haven't seen a lot of him recently but last I remember he looked decidedly average , and unless he's tearing **** up big style in the south of France I wouldn't consider him.

That said Sexton is the only top class established ten floating around in the Home nations national sides at the moment..Although I'd like to see Freddie Burns get a dig at a few 6N games

Wonder if Wilkinson knew - in 2003 - that the drop goal against Australia - would ensure him of a Lions tour spot a decade later.

On a different note - from what little I have been able to watch of the Top 14, he has looked like his usual composed self. The problem is that he hasn't been tested at international level since the last RWC - where he was decidedly average. When I watch him - he looks like running to break the line is the least desirable notion in the world. If he does play then penalties and drop goals are on the cards - but I think Sexton's running game is much better. As you mention though - there does seem a situation of 'who else is there?'. Sexton is certainly going.

Possible 10's.
Rhys Priestland - Probably the least popular player in Wales at the moment.
Greig Laidlaw - Would certainly be a left field pick - hardly makes Scotland run smoothly (not that he is really to blame).
Toby Flood - Not really in inspiring form for England but I wouldn't be suprised to see him called up.
James Hook - Bench man for Wales. Can't see Gatland loving him and leaving him out constantly.
Stephen Jones - Pretty far past it now and had plenty of injuries. Managed a game yet for Wasps?
Dan Biggar - After the Samoa result I don't see him being in the Lions. Would need a very big 6 Nations.
Gavin Henson - Lol.
Freddie Burns - Arguably the most promising, but hasn't started yet for England. If he has a big game against AB's then he may get a look in.
Owen Farrell - IRB Player of the Year shortlist. Lol..
Ronan O'Gara - Very old and would be assassinated before making it onto the plane after 2009.
Johnny Wilkinson - Seems like a possibility. Old, slow and uncreative but he's still good at doing what he's always done.

 

[pete82]

I don't understand the inclusion of Wilkinson...I haven't seen a lot of him recently but last I remember he looked decidedly average , and unless he's tearing **** up big style in the south of France I wouldn't consider him.

That said Sexton is the only top class established ten floating around in the Home nations national sides at the moment..Although I'd like to see Freddie Burns get a dig at a few 6N games

Wilkinson playing really well this season, consistent with the boot and can keep the scoreboard ticking over, in one game (cant remember who it was against sorry) kicked all of toulons 24 points to win a game, someone like that is handy to have on board.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Props - Cian Healy, Gethin Jenkins, Alex Corbisiero, Adam Jones, Dan Cole, Mike Ross
Hookers - Rory Best, Dylan Hartley, Richardt Strauss
Locks - Richie Gray, Donnacha Ryan, Paul O'Connell, Alun-Wyn Jones, Geoff Parling
Blindside flanker - Dan Lydiate, Stephen Ferris, Sean O'Brien
Openside flanker - Sam Warburton, Ross Rennie
Number Eight - Jamie Heaslip, Toby Faletau
Scrum Half - Danny Care, Tavis Knoyle, Conor Murray
Outside Half - Jonathan Sexton, James Hook, Jonny Wilkinson
Centres - Manu Tuilagi, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Brian O'Driscoll
Wings - George North, Tommy Bowe, Craig Gilroy, Tim Visser.
Full Backs - Rob Kearney, Stuart Hogg, Leigh Halfpenny

My starting team.

1. Healy, 2. Best, 3. Jones, 4. Gray, 5. Ryan, 6. Lydiate, 7. Warburton, 8. Ferris, 9. Care, 10. Sexton, 11. North, 12. Davies, 13. Tuilagi, 14. Bowe, 15. Kearney

I think that's not a bad selection. I disagree with some, like Wilkinson and some others, but it's a squad that could be picked without a bigger-than-usual media and fan outbreak.

 

[Thingimubob]

Wilkinson playing really well this season, consistent with the boot and can keep the scoreboard ticking over, in one game (cant remember who it was against sorry) kicked all of toulons 24 points to win a game, someone like that is handy to have on board.

To be fair, both Sexton and Halfpenny are both superb World Class kickers, so kind of already have the 'keep the scoreboard ticking over' role filled between the two of them. Cant help but feel that Sexton offers more than Wilkinson in open play too.

On that note, who would have kicking duties if both Sexton and Halfpenny start? I'm guessing Halfpenny has a slightly longer kick on him so would have the long range duties while Sexton would have the rest?

 

[nickdnz]

Wilkinson playing really well this season, consistent with the boot and can keep the scoreboard ticking over, in one game (cant remember who it was against sorry) kicked all of toulons 24 points to win a game, someone like that is handy to have on board.

Maybe - but that's because the forwards are earning penalties - Toulon have an insanely good forward pack. Yes he's a very reliable boot - but is he much more than that?

 

[pete82]

Just looked it up, it was Toulon 21-15 Perpignan, or, Wilkinson 21-15 Hook lol!

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Maybe - but that's because the forwards are earning penalties - Toulon have an insanely good forward pack. Yes he's a very reliable boot - but is he much more than that?

I think he has the best defense of any 10 in the world. When playing for Toulon he even tries to open play a little bit. Although much of the credit for when Toulon plays open goes to Giteau and Mermoz.

 

[psychic duck]

Wilkinson is doing well at Toulon because he suits their style of play well and is reliable, and also ZeFrenchy is spot on that there he seems to find it easier playing with Toulon as he has a class player called Matt Giteau outside him not Shontayne Hape, who takes the pressure off him as Giteau can provide much of the spark in attack the side needs which Wilkinson alone may not be able to offer.

That said though, I would personally go for Sexton as Lions 10.

 

[dullonien]

Dan Biggar - After the Samoa result I don't see him being in the Lions. Would need a very big 6 Nations.

Wow, that's unfair on Biggar. He get's knocked out by a reckless clear-out and he's completely ruled out because of it. He was playing very well up until that point as well.

Biggar still needs to prove himself at international level, but tbh if we're looking for a reliable goal kicking 10, Biggar if a better option than Wilkinson imo. Hopefully Biggar will get plenty of game-time tomorrow after Priestland does something moronic and get's subbed.

Sexton is rightly the nailed on first choice 10 at the moment. For people to be considering Wilkinson ahead of him is crazy. Who else will go is difficult, and I do understand why Wilkinson's name is being brought up. Hook will travel I'm guessing, his versatility will be seen as important for the bench.

I'm not going to rule out Henson lol. All the interviews I've seen of him recently, he seems like a completely different guy. No longer are we hearing "I only need 3 games to get back into the Wales squad", instead he's saying that he's pleased with how he's done but is still far from where he wants to be. He seems to be enjoying himself again too.

Who I really don't want to see: Priestland (unless something remarkable happens), Farrell (rubbish player), O'Gara (hell no!), Stephen Jones (past it), Wilkinson (past it a long time ago). Undecided on Laidlaw. I think Flood can be a very good 10 on his day. Burns looks exciting, but I'm not sure we'll see enough of him for England with Farrell there.

In regards to who would kick between Sexton and Halfpenny. Halfpenny every time. I was shocked to see him miss two conversions from wide out v NZ, he rarely misses (but does have the very odd off game like many kickers).

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

In regards to who would kick between Sexton and Halfpenny. Halfpenny every time. I was shocked to see him miss two conversions from wide out v NZ, he rarely misses (but does have the very odd off game like many kickers).

Assuming he starts over Kearney

 

[Draggs]

Assuming he starts over Kearney

Why would Morgan Stoddart start for the Lions?
Halfpenny on the wing, with Foden at fullback, I think we will see. Other wing, no clue.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

I agree Halfpenny should start, I'd rather see Kearney at fullback and H/P on the wing. But I don't know, I think H/P will get the nod if it comes down to it.

Not worried about the other wing, I'd be just as happy to see North or Bowe or Visser

edit: Are you saying Foden is better than Kearney?