2013 British and Irish Lions

[Draggs]

Interesting that Bowe is apparently the smallest winger going that says something.

Lighter than Maitland by 1kg it looks like, but Maitland is shorter.

 

[munstermuffin]

Link?

edit: This? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...er-Rory-Best-from-the-squad-is-a-mystery.html

Sorry for delay but just seen it on few sites online Peat and it in 2/3 papers too as you found link. But it is an interesting call.

 

[Amiga500]

Interesting to read that some reporters are saying Bests exclusion was possibly due to an argument before a 6N game before.

Nah, not having that.

I'd think its 'cos of bad lineouts during the 6N. A lot of blame for which I lay at the feet of Donnacha Ryan (as lineout caller). But Id be no better than a pond-scum lawyer if I didn't point out that Rory Best's throwing has got worse since RWC2011.


Its no coincidence that Munster have been getting a lot more joy from the "traditional" aspects of their game since POC's return* - they can put real pressure on the opposition lineout whereas DR is a guts 'n' grunt man, very honest pro, but not an exceptional lineout operator.



*and the clueless clowns in the media haven't copped onto why they can suddenly get results from pinning the opposition back in the corners.

 

[j-dawg]

This.

The competition between Healy and Jenkins will be good for the test side. Add Sheridan, James and Grant then competition would have been tougher.

From what I have read, Jenkins was the only Toulon player to make himself available for the lions on the day of the top 14, I may be wrong. If possible, I would have had Sheridan ahead of Vunipola. Vunipola, a fantastic prospect and already making a name for himself around the pitch, scrums too high for my liking. I just don't feel he's up to lion standard as of yet. Just imagine what it could have added to the tour to have Healy, Jenkins and Sheridan going for the number 1 test shirt, three distinct styles and three distinct identities. Shame this didn't happen but we'll see how the tour goes.

 

[TommyVercetti]

I don't have a problem with the props. Let's be honest, numbers 5 and 6 are largely irrelevant and purely cover for midweek games and such. I would have probably just taken Stevens as he's on good form and can prop on both sides and left Vunipola at home and taken an extra centre. The creativity there is really lacking, I see no real distributor other than BOD, which means leaving out Tuilagi or playing him at 12 where he'll be ineffective. I would have been happy to see somebody like Madigan there despite his lack of experience. Back 3 selections are perfect for me, can't argue with the back-row really, would have possibly taken Care over Youngs but hard to argue one way or the other. Launchbury over Parling possibly for his ball-skills (I think you need a more dynamic second-row just in case, and Gray is out of form although dangerous when on) although Parling might be a good leader within the squad. And clearly Best over Hartley.

 

[Amiga500]

taken an extra centre. The creativity there is really lacking, I see no real distributor other than BOD, which means leaving out Tuilagi or playing him at 12 where he'll be ineffective. I would have been happy to see somebody like Madigan there despite his lack of experience.

It would be remiss of me to not suggest Stuart Olding.

Prob the form player in the Pro12 over the past 2 months [our win over Leinster in the RDS counting against Madigan].

 

[munstermuffin]

Nah, not having that.

I'd think its 'cos of bad lineouts during the 6N. A lot of blame for which I lay at the feet of Donnacha Ryan (as lineout caller). But Id be no better than a pond-scum lawyer if I didn't point out that Rory Best's throwing has got worse since RWC2011.


Its no coincidence that Munster have been getting a lot more joy from the "traditional" aspects of their game since POC's return* - they can put real pressure on the opposition lineout whereas DR is a guts 'n' grunt man, very honest pro, but not an exceptional lineout operator.



*and the clueless clowns in the media haven't copped onto why they can suddenly get results from pinning the opposition back in the corners.

While I agree with you regarding POCs calling but Mick Sherry is in my eyes the best hooker for throwing in to lineout. That helps and is add in to be fair to best options weren't same in terms of Heaslip SOB and POM are options but they're not as easy as likes of POC as targets.

Should say I mean best 2 in Ireland for Sherry comment

 

[MunsterMan]

Rory Best was the best player on the pitch when Ireland beat Wales only a few months ago. Massive omission, considering who has been selected at Hooker, and Rory's own performances against Australia in the past. Australian press certainly seem surprised if not relieved.

How much rugby have Bowe, Croft and Lydiate played recently? Risky call.

Warburton as captain is also risky, but best of luck to him!

I'm also delighted Stuart Hogg got picked, by far my favourite Scottish player to watch play.

 

[Ospreylian]

A few observations after looking through those:

- The transition from Kearney to Bowe makes it look like we're looking at Bowe through a goldfish bowl.
- Cuthbert's neck is wider than his head.
- BOD's nose is just f**ked.
- Tuilagi looks like a cheeky kid that's just done something naughty.
- Farrell's been caught in the headlights.
- Conor Murray looks stoned!
- Matt Stevens is made of plastic.
- Richie Gray's hair now really just looks like a wig.
- Alun-Wyn Jones has a potato for a head.
- O'Connell looks positively crazy.
- Heaslip is a robot.
- Tipuric really does look like Doug (the cartoon character).
- Warburton's neck is also wider than his head.

This post made me laugh. I was thinking the same thing when I looked through those pics. If I may add a few of my own independent observations, however:

- At first I mistook O'Connell for an incredibly large ginger rat
- AW Jones looks a bit like a Derren Brown wannabe
- I was thinking the same about Gray's hair. It has now become a separate entity to the rest of his body.
- Hartley looks like he has stayed up all night playing Rugby Challenge on the xbox
- Stevens looks like he's had his face dunked in a vat of oil
- Dan Cole looks like a sontaran

- Mike Phillips just looks sickeningly photogenic. God damn him.
- Farrell = public school boy
- Cuthbert just looks a complete mess. Get a shave!!

 

[dullonien]

Cuthbert just looks a complete mess. Get a shave!!

Yeah I don't get this. There were a few of them completely unshaven and looking like a mess, I remember Parling being one as well. These are the official photo's that will be used everywhere and seen by millions, wouldn't you want to make yourself look a little presentable?

Heaslip's taken it too far the other direction. There's not a hair out of place on his head, looks more like an android than an actual human.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'll have you know Parling's beard has won him awards!
God knows how, he looks like a tramp :lol:

 

[ratsapprentice]

Dan Cole needs his beard back

Faletau needs his Afro back

 

[dullonien]

I agree.

 

[lynam1104]

Toby looks Vietnamese/Japanese in his photo.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Jon Davies looks like he's got a brain slug.

 

[big ginger 8]

No one commenting on how beat up SO'B looks.

 

[lynam1104]

Thats probably because it's not at all surprising. Also Halfpenny looks like Rob Stark.

 

[Thingimubob]

Thats probably because it's not at all surprising. Also Halfpenny looks like Rob Stark.

Ha, he does a bit!

Kearney and Cuthbert really rocking the neck beard there too...
Also, anyone got any dibs on who's gonna be the O'Leary of this tour and break his leg before the tour even starts?

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Matt Stevens looks a bit like a sweaty coke head in his photo

 

[Amiga500]

Yeah I don't get this. There were a few of them completely unshaven and looking like a mess, I remember Parling being one as well. These are the official photo's that will be used everywhere and seen by millions, wouldn't you want to make yourself look a little presentable?

To be honest, it looks like the photos were taken by a fekin webcam!