2017 British & Irish Lions Squad Announcement

[pagliaccio_euforico]

You'd do well to do that in the 15th minute of a test match!

Injuries are a risk in every side selection.

I look forward to having this discussion on every squad selection til the end of time.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Injuries are a risk in every side selection.

I look forward to having this discussion on every squad selection til the end of time.

As usually occurs on match day threads? Having a bench that can cope with awkward injuries is part of the game, part of why Australia lost the first test last series, you could argue.

You might as well dismiss debating who to play at fly-half.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

As usually occurs on match day threads? Having a bench that can cope with awkward injuries is part of the game, part of why Australia lost the first test last series, you could argue.

You might as well dismiss debating who to play at fly-half.

This dissent is coming from someone who has an usual hatred of teo.

I'm not dismissing having a conversation of who covers center for lions, I'm just sick of seeing the goalposts moved for teo whenever his selection comes up.

 

[Groundhog]

This dissent is coming from someone who has an usual hatred of teo.

I'm not dismissing having a conversation of who covers center for lions, I'm just sick of seeing the goalposts moved for teo whenever his selection comes up.

What's moving the goalposts in pointing out that should Te'o be bench cover and have to come on for an injured/horribly misfiring Joseph the back line would be extremely imbalanced? You can say we're talking in hypothetical and moving the goalposts, but that's very much the logic used in picking a bench. You account for as many hypotheticals as possible. Having as many potential weaknesses covered by the 8 guys on the bench who can also bring the 'impact' Gatland has been talking about needing to beat the All Blacks is the name of the game when it comes to the bench. I see Te'o as solid in his defence and good as a power runner, but I don't think he's a guy you bring on to chase a game.
That said as it stands I'm not sure many of our potential bench options for the centre will bring impact, but Farrell would definitely suit the situation better.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

This dissent is coming from someone who has an usual hatred of teo.

I'm not dismissing having a conversation of who covers center for lions, I'm just sick of seeing the goalposts moved for teo whenever his selection comes up.

How are the goalposts moving, its accepted that Te'o is a useful "finisher", its not accepted that thats a sufficient reason to pick him for a Lions tour especially at the expense of a player who could play his way into the starting XV in Ringrose, Te'o will have to try to play his way into the 22 shirt. His selection relies completely on Farrell getting the 12 shirt ahead of Henshaw. Personally I wouldn't have Te'o or Davies on the tour and would have Ringrose but Gatland knows he doesn't have the know how or resources to use good footballers and instead will try to run over NZ for the 10th, 11th and 12th time in his career and hope to infinitely improve his record.

The Premiership are making noise about shortening the tour, they're getting criticised left, right and centre right now but they'll probably have a few more on their side after a tour of uninspiring rugby, 4+ losses and a rake of injuries!

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

IMO if T'eo is going MOC should be taken as backs coach.

Tigers can then look for another HC elsewhere who isn't called Mike Ford.....

 

[munstermuffin]

IMO if T'eo is going MOC should be taken as backs coach.

Tigers can then look for another HC elsewhere who isn't called Mike Ford.....

Eddie O Sullivan is free

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Eddie O Sullivan is free

Murphy would love that..............................................................................

 

[TheSaffycen]

This dissent is coming from someone who has an usual hatred of teo.

I'm not dismissing having a conversation of who covers center for lions, I'm just sick of seeing the goalposts moved for teo whenever his selection comes up.

Are you talking about me? I don't think I've mentioned that much about Teo. And goal post haven't been moved, everyone has said he's a good finisher, but it is a genuine concern that if someone gets injured early in the game will he be good against a fresh team?
His international games have been off the bench, we don't know how he will do from early on. I'm sure we will find out during the tour.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Are you talking about me? I don't think I've mentioned that much about Teo. And goal post haven't been moved, everyone has said he's a good finisher, but it is a genuine concern that if someone gets injured early in the game will he be good against a fresh team?
His international games have been off the bench, we don't know how he will do from early on. I'm sure we will find out during the tour.

Crush this saboteur!

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Eddie O Sullivan is free 

I definitely did not just confuse him with Ronnie O'Sullivan and wonder wtf was happening to cause that

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Thinking about it now, I reckon we can blame Biggar on Howley more than Gatland. Gatland didn't choose him in 2013 and took a long time to drop him in favour of Priestland. I don't think he's a paid-up member to that fan club. Howley is another matter as we know with Wales right now.

Place your bets now on who will be the first injury casualty before June.

I'm going with O'Brien.

 

[General Melchett]

Thinking about it now, I reckon we can blame Biggar on Howley more than Gatland. Gatland didn't choose him in 2013 and took a long time to drop him in favour of Priestland. I don't think he's a paid-up member to that fan club. Howley is another matter as we know with Wales right now.

Place your bets now on who will be the first injury casualty before June.

I'm going with O'Brien.

It's hard to know for sure. On the day of the squad being announced Gatland was asked about Farrell being picked as a 10 and how he would compete with Sexton and he dismissed the question and responded with 'Don't write off Dan Biggar, who's a very tough competitor'. I think Gatland is very much the organ grinder in that relationship.

O'Brien is a leading contender. Place your bets on the first injury replacement to fly out to NZ. I'm going with Jamie Roberts.

 

[munstermuffin]

Rumours are AW Jones is out.

 

[Groundhog]

Rumors that D.Ryan is in for him if so.

 

[munstermuffin]

Rumors that D.Ryan is in for him if so.

Not sure he's here in Italy. I'd have imagined Launchbury would be possibly there too.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Imagine if Launchbury wasn't the replacement. It'd be hilarious!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Imagine if Launchbury wasn't the replacement. It'd be hilarious!

Have you heard Launch talk? He's like the most English guy ever, Gatlands been in Wales long enough to hate that.
He's not touring.
He's happy taking the bath boys because it's so close to Wales, Cole gets in because he also looks like a melted welly filled with mashed potato.
Farrell has a funny accent and Gats hasn't realised he's English yet.

 

[munstermuffin]

I'd rule out J Gray anyways. He's played terrible since 6 Nations and isn't much better tonight

 

[General Melchett]

I'd rule out J Gray anyways. He's played terrible since 6 Nations and isn't much better tonight

To be fair it's a dead rubber for Glasgow and J Gray needs a proper rest. I doubt that impressing Gatland is at the forefront of his mind given that he'd be bottom of the pecking order if he did get called up. He needs to rest and be ready for Scotland's tour of Australia/Fiji.