2013 British and Irish Lions

[j'nuh]

Heaslip won man of the match in his last game of course he's on form

Sorry, but one decent game when your team is beating the opposite team comfortably doesn't overturn a Six Nations of nothing. If Heaslip can only perform in a comfortably winning team, then I have bad news for when he plays vs. Australia...

Morgan's last game was also good and won MOTM, and that was against Sarries...

Having a big, loose ball carrier would have been so helpful. I suppose SOB can do that work, but that would probably mean one of Warburton or Tipuric misses out. I wouldn't actually mind Warbs missing out, but he's the captain...

 

[dullonien]

It's interesting to see some people's starting lineups, selecting a bench with big impact. It's been mentioned a few times (including on the last podcast) about Jenkins possibly starting, with Healy on the bench to really impact the game on the 50 minute mark or so. With this in mind, what's the biggest impact bench we could have without taking too much away from the starting 15? Mine would be:

16 Tom Youngs
17 Healy/Vinipola (both would really impact a game)
18 Dan Cole
19 Tom Croft
20 Justin Tipuric
21 Ben Youngs
22
23 Alex Cuthbert

Unfortunately Farrell offer little impact from the bench, and there are no other 10's. A few players could offer impact from the 23 shirt including Hogg and Kearney.

I see the Jenkins hate is coming out again. I think people need to go back to the 6 nations and watch him dominate at scrum time against Italy and England. Jenkins has been a member of a strong Welsh scrum for quite a while now, and you don't manage that without being able to scrummage. He's still great in the loose. I'd still have Healy ahead of him, because he's been more consistent of late, but Jenkins will push him close, and may have overtaken him come the first test, especially if Gats decides to use Healy as an impact sub.

 

[big ginger 8]

Sorry, but one decent game when your team is beating the opposite team comfortably doesn't overturn a Six Nations of nothing. If Heaslip can only perform in a comfortably winning team, then I have bad news for when he plays vs. Australia...

Morgan's last game was also good and won MOTM, and that was against Sarries...

Having a big, loose ball carrier would have been so helpful. I suppose SOB can do that work, but that would probably mean one of Warburton or Tipuric misses out. I wouldn't actually mind Warbs missing out, but he's the captain...

Might want to read what I said after...

Heaslip nearly always performs just not the way that people immeidiately notice. Heaslip can and will do the big carrying if needed it's no coincidence that he carries more noticeably when SO'B isn't there. He'll do whatever's asked.

 

[j-dawg]

What do Healy and Sheridan have in common? They've both smashed the Australians.

Jenkins is a fine player, but a top prop he is not. And top props are what the lions need.





and if you insist on 'going back' to watch him 'dominate' in the six nations, I could easily put it to you that you 'go back' to Sunday and watch him get thrown into a dominate scrum and turn it into a dominated scrum. It would be unfair to blame Jenkin's entirely, but the evidence is incriminating.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

We all knew there would be a large Leinster contingent, so it isn't that shocking

I said first not best, might want to check the leaderboards there Draggs.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

What do Healy and Sheridan have in common? They've both smashed the Australians.

Jenkins is a fine player, but a top prop he is not. And top props are what the lions need.

Bit of a compromise here, Jenkins is a quality player, but maybe not as a good as some of the Welsh boys hype him up to be. Definitely could push Healy for the starting spot.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Where's Midwest

Agree though nice options add in Hogg too

Feic I agree alot will be fresher than usual but a big thing too will be how the lads gel

I got mainland on the leftwing as well, I need to stop using my phone on here.
A second rate Aussie centre partnership would be obliterated.

 

[irelandfan123]

Gutted I wasn't named I had a class game last time I played, shame I couldn't come back from a hammy injury, Lions coulda needed a scrummy like me 9 stone of pure muscle and 5'4 of pure bulk... Aw well I'm still young in four years when I'm 22 maybe but I plan to be 11 stone which could intimidate the Lion coaches as it is sooooo huge

 

[psychic duck]

What do Healy and Sheridan have in common? They've both smashed the Australians.

Jenkins is a fine player, but a top prop he is not. And top props are what the lions need.

Jenkins was better than Healy and Sheridan at his best. He has been first choice on two Lions tours for a reason, just his form has dipped last 12 months. Still a top prop though.

 

[irelandfan123]

Jenkins was better than Healy and Sheridan at his best. He has been first choice on two Lions tours for a reason, just his form has dipped last 12 months. Still a top prop though.

That was 8 years ago, if i used that type of evidence I would have Umaga being an All Black captian

 

[munstermuffin]

Might want to read what I said after...

Heaslip nearly always performs just not the way that people immeidiately notice. Heaslip can and will do the big carrying if needed it's no coincidence that he carries more noticeably when SO'B isn't there. He'll do whatever's asked.

As I said in my reasons just in my view its there are better players to do jobs and Heaslip in my eyes has been poor. Of all provinces I think even Williams and Coughlan have been playing the better stuff lately. (This doesn't mean I'm saying they're better). But I think worst thing that happened Heaslip is captaincy of Ireland. Which brings me to captaincy issue. I've seen players like Heaslip and Warburton go down astep when given that burden which worries me as Warburton has had issues recently. BOD POC are just 2 I can think of off top of head that keep high standards when captain maybe welsh can advise on welsh players but just it issue I worry about as is fact Warburton guaranteed a spot which mean 1 of 3 in most competitive area is gone.
Just another absentee who I think is unlucky having had fine form is Ryan Jones

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Gutted I wasn't named I had a class game last time I played, shame I couldn't come back from a hammy injury, Lions coulda needed a scrummy like me 9 stone of pure muscle and 5'4 of pure bulk... Aw well I'm still young in four years when I'm 22 maybe but I plan to be 11 stone which could intimidate the Lion coaches as it is sooooo huge

I'll be looking to beat you to it mate, at 5'9 and 77kg I reckon I'll be the more physical option, I've also got age on my side I'll be 21 then.

 

[smartcooky]

The Wallabies will likely choose a loose forward trio from

Scott Higginbotham (6 & 8)
Liam Gill (7)
Wycliffe Palu (8)
Michael Hooper (7)
Ben Mowen (6 & 8)

This is a very, very highly skilled set of players. Higginbotham in particular has the speed of an outside back, the kicking skills of an inside back, and physical strength to match any of the world's best loosies. The Wallabies wasted his skills last year by using him as an "enforcer", as a bit of a thug; to ****le and intimidate opposition. Having seen his stand-out performances in a losing side this year when he has been allowed to play his own game, I don't think Robbie Deans will make that same mistake again. Have a look at his performance for the Rebels against the Crusaders last weekend for an example.

Also, if you think the Wallabies have lost a lot with David Pocock ruled out with injury, then you haven't seen Liam Gill play. The guy is quicker than greased weasel **** at the breakdown.

Its in the loose forwards that I feel the Lions will be over-matched. They simply won't have the speed and athleticism of the Wallabies, so they are going to have to come up with a plan to deal with that.

 

[irelandfan123]

I'll be looking to beat you to it mate, at 5'9 and 77kg I reckon I'll be the more physical option, I've also got age on my side I'll be 21 then.

You're no spring chicken might as well retire plus I cover wing and have 2 senior caps for my local 3's. And I pure run the 100 metres in over 12 seconds (not gunna say how much over 12 seconds) which is pure class

 

[McTallshort]

Suprised no one has mentioned Nathan Haines would have had him over Gray any day of the week, month, year.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

You're no spring chicken might as well retire plus I cover wing and have 2 senior caps for my local 3's. And I pure run the 100 metres in over 12 seconds (not gunna say how much over 12 seconds) which is pure class

Actually that reminds me, am I the only person on the forum who was told personally by the Lions that I wouldn't be touring?

 

[irelandfan123]

Actually that reminds me, am I the only person on the forum who was told personally by the Lions that I wouldn't be touring?

I got a letter but the Scotsman ignored me when I told them

 

[McTallshort]

Got an Email from Lion payday Loans if that counts?

 

[munstermuffin]

Suprised no one has mentioned Nathan Haines would have had him over Gray any day of the week, month, year.

Best lock in Europe at moment but obviously fell foul of French ruling. He probably needs the break too. Shaw wouldn't have been too far away either

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

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