Imma give you guys my thoughts on ze Lions starting team as I try to procrastinate like a boss:
15) Right, tough call. Hogg, Kearney, Halfpenny and Foden are all very good players and could all do a job if required. They all have their relative strengths and weaknesses and most have been pointed out in this thread. Considering that we're going up against Oz I wouldn't start with Kearney. Great under the high ball, fantastic boot, not skills needed against Australia. Foden is the best attacker, but lacks versitility. However I do like the idea of having another guy who can play 9 on the pitch. Halfpenny's best asset is his goal kicking, which may come in handy should Sexton have a poor day. I don't think Hogg has the outright quality of the others, but it's always hard to assess a Scottish back when you look at what's inside him. He's certainly a good attacker and with the lack of 13's we have he may well travel on a good 6 nations.
Feicarsinn's awesomely awesome verdict: Ben Foden (ENG)
14) Let me preface this by saying that I wont be considering the likes of Tim Visser, Richardt Strauss, etc. Not from these isles, shouldn't be Lions. That said, we still have an abundance of good wingers. While George North hasn't looked as impressive recently as he did in the earlier days of his international career his countryman Alex Cuthbert continues to impress for both club and country. Chris Ashton is a pure bread finisher who would no doubt threaten the Wallaby line while many have talked about putting Manu Tualagi out to the wing where his power game can be used to maximum ability and his lack of a distributive game wont be exposed. Tommy Bowe returned to form on the last week of the AI's while Craig Gilroy made an impressive debut. It's tough to call, but at the moment I'd have Tommy on this side and Ashton on the other. Why? Well, Tommy is a proven Lion who has done it before against Australia and is defensively solid. Ashton scores tries for fun. Come at me Welsh bro's.
Feicarsinn's awesomely awesome verdict: Tommy Bowe (IRE)
13) Oh yes indeed. There are pretenders. Manu Tualagi and Jonathan Davies would have you believe that the future of the outside centre is a big bosh merchant. Well boys, pretenders you will remain for this tour. Brian will start. Best distributor, excellent defender, good relationship with the coach, a good leader, experienced head, still has an eye for the try line. Considering the fact that we're going to have to opt for a big man inside in all likelyhood we need a smart 13. We have a peach of one.
Feicarsinn's awesomely awesome verdict: Brian O'Driscoll (IRE)
12) The centres are something of a problem for us are they not? Look at our starting 12's: Brad Barritt, meh. Gordon D'arcy, yesterday's man. Someone from Scotland, ugh. Jamie Roberts. Eh, yeah that'll do. Big strong guy, works well with the 13 outside him, only 12 we have starting that's worth his salt.
Feicarsinn's awesomely awesome verdict: Jamie Roberts (WAL)
11) See 14.
Feicarsinn's awesomely awesome verdict: Chris Ashton (ENG)
10) Despite a world player of the year (eh?) nomination and an impressive performance against the All Blacks, Owen Farrell still has a long way to go to convince the rugby public that he's the right man to hold the 10 shirt for England, let alone the Lions. England does appear to be the land of promise in this position with Freddie Burns, George Ford, Toby Flood and the aforementioned Farrell all vying for national selection in the 6 nations. Whoever wins that battle should fancy his chances at a seat on the plane. From Scotland the pickings are yet again slim, Laidlaw isn't of the standard required. In Wales Rhys Priestland is finally being exposed for the complete mug he is, Dan Biggar was unfortunate to get crocked when he was starting to show some sustained form, James Hook seems out of consideration and.... well there's always the orange one. Anyway, long story short, give the jersey to Sexton. Top 10. The only one we have.
Feicarsinn's awesomely awesome verdict: Johnny Sexton (IRE)
9) Another position in which we're not blessed. Mike Philips will travel, and probably start given the coach's preference for him. From Ireland neither Eoin Reddan nor Conor Murray are up to scratch, while in England Danny Care is a fine player and Ben Youngs can mix the exceptionally good with the exceptionally poor. Scotland in fairness to them have a really classy operator in Mike Blair, who should certainly tour at the very least. It's a tough one to call, they're all good, but none outstanding. I'd have Danny Care on the bench but for me that Scottish lad is the pick of them.
Feicarsinn's awesomely awesome verdict: Mike Blair (SCO)
8) Cases can and have been made for Toby Faletau, Ben Morgan and Dave Denton. Maybe it's the patriot in me but our Jamie Heaslip stands head and shoulders above the three of them. Most complete game by far. Good on the ground, a strong carrier, decent lineout option, toured previously with distinction. Rated highly enough by management that his name has been thrown around with the captaincy. Should be nailed on for the jersey if fitness and form hold.
Feicarsinn's awesomely awesome verdict: Jamie Healsip (IRE)
7) Tricky one. I dunno. O'Brien can do a job, as can Robshaw, but neither are out and out 7's. Tom Wood is certainly an option. The two Welsh boys will certainly be favorites, with Tipuric probably playing better but Warburton far more established. The 6 nations will no doubt decide it, but at the moment I'd say that Warburton will get the nod, like it or not.
Feicarsinn's awesomely awesome verdict: Sam Warburton (WAL)
6) I may be less than popular for this one. Ferris and Lydiate are loved on this board. O'Brien too has a cult following. I wouldn't start any of them. If one player has screamed Lion over the past year in terms of temperament and desire it's Chris Robshaw. Yes he's made a few dodgy decisions, but he plays with his heart on his sleeve and gives 100% to every game. Stick him at 6 and watch him flourish. Just don't let him make any of the kicking calls eh?
Feicarsinn's awesomely awesome verdict: Chris Robshaw (ENG)
5) We're stacked in the second row. No, really, we are. Essentially you can choose any two you like out of Ryan, O'Connell, Davies, Wyn-Jones, Grey, Parling and Launchbury. The scot gets the nod at 5.
Feicarsinn's awesomely awesome verdict: Richie Grey (SCO)
4) Again, tricky. Ryan has probably been the best of them, but Launchbury has the most potential. Big battle in the 6 nations will decide it. **** it.
Feicarsinn's awesomely awesome verdict: Alun Wyn-Jones (WAL)
3) Heads up Dan Cole vs Adam Jones. Both are great players. Jones is marginally better in the scrum, while Cole is much better around the park. Considering that we'll still dominate Australia in the scrum, I'm going to give it to Cole as I reckon his work in the loose will be imperative to keeping that bugger they have at 7 under wraps.
Feicarsinn's awesomely awesome verdict: Dan Cole (ENG)
2) Short of options here. It's either Rory Best or Dylan Hartley. I don't like Hartley. I do like Best.
Feicarsinn's awesomely awesome verdict: Rory Best (IRE)
1)What a difference a year makes. Gethin Jenkins was untouchable last season. However, a poor season thus far in France, an indifferent showing in the AI's and questions about his availability come May have cast some serious doubts on his participation. The continued excellence of Cian Healy hasn't helped either. Healy should start. Jenkins and Corbisiero to fight it out for the bench spot.
Feicarsinn's awesomely awesome verdict: Cian Healy (IRE)
So, 6 Irishmen, 4 Englishmen, 3 Welshmen and 2 Scots. Thoughts?
