2013 British and Irish Lions

[ratsapprentice]

Mike Phillips is an odious ****... comes across as a genuinely nasty person.
He was pretty good when at his best, but like Croft his biggest strength (his size for a 9, like Croft's pace for a flanker/Lock) hides his average fundamentals.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I ****ing love Mike Phillips.
The facts that everybody else hates him just makes that even stronger. He could probably play anywhere on the field and still manage to **** off most of the oppo. I'd love a few Phillips clones, he played inside centre for a bit against the Boks for the Lions in the second test, and against the All Blacks in 2010 when Knoyle came on.

I like Mike Phillips, I don't see why everyone hates him either there's numerous more hateful welsh players than him. He's a very good player too and always pulls tries out of nowhere when there needed.

 

[Maverickscotty]

Christ why is everybody bashing croft . He was 1 of the stand out players in the last lions and also last 6N . Got unfortunalty injured last year but is easily a match for any opposite number in NH .

 

[Draggs]

Because he is a misguided wing.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Christ why is everybody bashing croft . He was 1 of the stand out players in the last lions and also last 6N . Got unfortunalty injured last year but is easily a match for any opposite number in NH .

I'm not bashing Croft, I'm just waiting for a mate.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Christ why is everybody bashing croft . He was 1 of the stand out players in the last lions and also last 6N . Got unfortunalty injured last year but is easily a match for any opposite number in NH .

Because he's overrated as **** by people that can't see that he is very average at the fundamentals of forward play.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Because he's overrated as **** by people that can't see that he is very average at the fundamentals of forward play.

Very Correct! His strengths are that of a centre or something not a back row. yes he has pace but he can't put in massive hits, he can't do the tight work and he is always on the wing looking for a glory try rather than being in the tick of it. I think he was part of the reasons england were so bad at teh breakdown because our number 6 was on the bloody wing!

 

[big ginger 8]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2013/0308/1224330909257.html

It probably is far too late for him still great to see him return. Such a talisman.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Last time I said Croft isn't as good as people think I had about 4 replies saying he could be starting Lions.

 

[Taylo2]

Its all well and good syaing X is overrated, Y isn't as good as people think and Z should play instead.....it all comes down to the coaching team. Who they want to take will depend on the rugby they want to try and play, keeping in mind who they are likely to face. The lions selection team should have a pretty good idea of who is likely to play for Oz, and therefore the style that they are likely to play. The starting Test XV can be chosen with that in mind. Of course it isn't that simple, else Lions would win every test, but in theory, having a bigger pool of players to select from, should help.

I'm sure we all have our own fave XVs, with players we rate and those we don't, which don't always match other peoples ideals. I like Croft, he brings a lot of athleticism to the forwards, while, contrary to popular belief, does get stuck in the grunt work too. Others disagree, thats fine, I'm not a Lions selector. I'm not a huge fan of Nick Easters, yet others still want him in the England set up...each to their own, the selectors will make the final choice though.

It is important to find that balance, not only in the starting XV, but in the squad, that gives the coaches options should plan A fail.

 

[munstermuffin]

Crazy I know but has Laidlaw a chance of Lions. Can cover 9/10 and has played grand in 6Nations while being starter.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Crazy I know but has Laidlaw a chance of Lions. Can cover 9/10 and has played grand in 6Nations while being starter.

It's not crazy, I have him going on my provisional of 3 scrum halves to tour.

 

[jordiev]

Crazy I know but has Laidlaw a chance of Lions. Can cover 9/10 and has played grand in 6Nations while being starter.

i most certainly hope not nothing but kicks -.- heh

 

[munstermuffin]

I think that unfair jordiev. He's playing in a very limited team that are set up with Weir to kick and counter attack with back 3. Laidlaw seems to be a better 9 than 10 and I think he'd be decent enough maybe with a good back line

 

[jordiev]

its not really... we have decent backs for the first time in a long time that just don't get used due to laidlaw and weir both kicking away opportunities to run it but tbh how much of that is the game plan i don't know, that's fair enough he would maybe be a decent squad player or maybe a decent option considering the lack at 9

 

[munstermuffin]

I think it is game plan and also Scotland have poor standard centres that also restrict use of back 3

 

[Draggs]

Richie Gray expected to miss rest of season with a hamstring injury.

David Pocock out for six months with a knee injury.

 

[j'nuh]

Might be controversial, but I never saw Gray as a Lion to begin with.

Somewhat big blow for Sale though.

 

[big ginger 8]

Anyone else think Heaslip put a lot of credit back on his side?

 

[munstermuffin]

Anyone else think Heaslip put a lot of credit back on his side?

100% agree. He stood up today and looked like Heaslip of old