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2013 British and Irish Lions

Mike Phillips by far.
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1YdTjHUICVs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Holy production quality, Batman!

But seriously, how much bigger would the Lions be as an event if it was shown on the BBC and RTE?
If the same team that did the Olympic coverage did the Lions... one can dream.
 
I'm fairly certain you could find it on youtube I've definitely seen the 1st one on there.
 
The Lions tours on non subscription TV would be nice.. Luckily as it stands I'm home over summer so get to watch them live / record them for later.

Also with that video you can tell they aren't actors xD
 
so hey, haven't followed the debate. Who's for Jonny, who's for Farrell here ??
 
Aussie players looking dangerous. Work is cut-out for the Lions. But I hope you guys take it out.

Or we'll never hear the end of it for the next 2 years...
 
What's the general opinion for the South African and New Zealanders, would you rather see the Lions win or Aussies win? Or not really bothered?
 
yoe91 said:
so hey, haven't followed the debate. Who's for Jonny, who's for Farrell here ??
Click to expand...

As I understand it Wilkinson ruled himslf out despite being offered a tour spot. This then changed Gatland's thinking and he decided to not take 3 fly halves at all.

My biggest concern with the squad is that players who had a bl**dy good season and mounted a pretty great challenge for a lions spot, have got to the end of the season, by this time nackered, and have been beaten aside by a small handful of guys who just had to turn up for 2 matches at the end of the sason, fresh as a daisy after returning from injury, and they just walk into the squad. I just don't agre with this at all. Naturally you're going to look good by comparison when your season starts in week 45 of the season.

My question is this: If for example Paul O'Connell had played every game in every competition this season, would he have still been able to have the impact in those last few games which essentially secured him a touring spot? Surely not. Compare him to Joe Launchbury who has had a massive and long season both for Wasps and England. In my opinion, the same goes for Croft and Lydiate. They've played about 3 games between them, and that's deemed enough to push ahead of the competition. I really can't agree with this thinking.
 
I think the case with these players returning late in season being picked is justified by their proven performances on previous tours and seasonsand being fresh at this stage in the season is actually a bit of an advantage. Launchbury is massively unlucky to miss out, I feel that he should be there ahead of Gray however not POC.
 
HenryChinaski said:
As I understand it Wilkinson ruled himslf out despite being offered a tour spot. This then changed Gatland's thinking and he decided to not take 3 fly halves at all.

My biggest concern with the squad is that players who had a bl**dy good season and mounted a pretty great challenge for a lions spot, have got to the end of the season, by this time nackered, and have been beaten aside by a small handful of guys who just had to turn up for 2 matches at the end of the sason, fresh as a daisy after returning from injury, and they just walk into the squad. I just don't agre with this at all. Naturally you're going to look good by comparison when your season starts in week 45 of the season.

My question is this: If for example Paul O'Connell had played every game in every competition this season, would he have still been able to have the impact in those last few games which essentially secured him a touring spot? Surely not. Compare him to Joe Launchbury who has had a massive and long season both for Wasps and England. In my opinion, the same goes for Croft and Lydiate. They've played about 3 games between them, and that's deemed enough to push ahead of the competition. I really can't agree with this thinking.
Click to expand...

The Lions tour is a gruelling test at the end of an already long season. If some players were wilting due to the amount of rugby played, then it was probably right for Gatland to leave them out because they won't have the impact that the fresh players will have on tour.

Had Paul O'Connell played every game of the season and was looking drained then he'd probably struggle to make the plane as well. The Aus players are going to be relatively fresh and raring to go, there's no room for those who can't keep pace.

I'm not convinced with all Gatland's choices regarding the returning players. I'm sure the inclusion of Lydiate is difficult for some to take, but then again his opportunities to shine in a sh*thouse Dragons team wasn't exactly fair compared to Bowe returning to a great Ulster team for example. Lydiate also offers something a little different that stands him out from the crowd.
 
Disagree because players like POC and others like Sexton to a lesser extent regards injury have had much better seasons than Launchbury for example has had this season and done it for alot more than just 1 season for club and country. And returning injured players deserve credit also for coming back and being straight on form that's hard thing to do
 

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