2017 British & Irish Lions Squad Announcement

[munstermuffin]

As I said the bull**** you put about AWJ being captain at 1/100 (when it was clear as night and day Warburton was) and Launchbury ruling himself out because he was getting married. As the fable says no one believes a liar even when they do tell the truth.

Easy to bring out google stories where they are buried knee deep several pages back and only come up at top in where you're located. Those were not coming up where I am.

So in other words you can't back up the accusations fair enough. Guess you were feeling good yet can't back up 1 ounce as I said in original posts. It reported. Never said rumours ha but as I say maybe you should practice what your preach or at least try back up 1 bit.
Guess the Transfer Rumours thread gets you going daily and again what did I make up. I've shown samples of where I got it ha. You still can't even back up actually back up 1 bit just more exposed yourself.

Simple questions.
1. What did I make up?
2. Can you show how?
3. You put up a story about boy who cried wolf. So 1 you're calling me a liar along way or what. So at least maybe show 1 bit of proof. The links are where I saw them. So were they reported somewhere yes or no?
Yes.

Was it light and day distance. Maybe but I just posted what was reported and well you tried to be smart and simply just came out looking worst.

Just looking back too and Blindside you really can answer this too. Are you a hypocritical man or what. On all my posts I stated "rumoured" or "reported". Yet there is 1 post from you saying I'm being mischievous and #FakeNews. Yet you posted the rumoured squad with Earls and Donnacha Ryan in it?

So let me ask
1. Are you a Bull****ter too? Like me you done same
2. Are you #FakeNews too making up things. At least I said reported or rumoured you were straight in.
3. Can you please just man up and putproof on table. After all you post a story where the end now maybe should relate to Us

 

[The Jones Boy]

Children, desist.
This is a thread about the Lions tour and their squad.
Please keep your Thames estuary leet speak to the PM system.

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First comment on the squad.
I know we(Wales) have a rather large contingent, but they're mostly multiple copies of the same position. Ok, Scotland somehow beat us, but of the Welsh players going, there's maybe 1 or 2 that Scotland could say 'our guy is as good'. The bulk of the positions are covered by England (which is pretty spot on), but there is then quite a nice bit of depth taking from the other nations.
Launchbury not going is probably a bigger shock than any Scot not going, and that's because there is an absolutely ridiculous number of top quality 2nd rows at the moment.
If Hogg wasn't picked, then I'd understand completely, but I can't see a single stand out player that isn't in that squad (apart from the aforementioned, and even then I can see why).
.

I'm gonna upset a few people and say I don't think Launchbury should be going. I don't think he's good enough.
I can see why Gatland did not pick him.
I was shocked that Launchbury was given MotM awards in the 6Nations when there were clearly players more deserving.
It made me wonder what northern hemisphere blokes are looking at.

I'm not saying Launchbury isn't a 'good player', he is a fine player, he's just not special.
Joe Launchbury is a yeoman, much like Robshaw. He doesn't do anything briliiantly, but he has an all round game that gets him there and he backs it up with a great engine.
He doesn't have great hands and I don't feel he's a real thinker, and maybe thats fine at international level but you need players who can go beyond the tight focus on their own performance and read the game at all times. Those are the cream players.
This is where someone like Alun Wyn Jones has a key advantage. He plays hard and does well in lots of areas, his engine may now be the weakest of all the locks on the Lions tour but his brain is ahread of them in reading the game, his experience has an edge, and he is a great player and great players lift themselves physically for the big occasion.
Look at players like Richie McCaw who was written off physically before the last RWC.
When you are picking the cream at the top for the Lions there are players who Gatland will feel offer more in the lineouet, or the scrum, or the loose.
Launchbury scores well in all of these areas but other players, will show up better in singular areas, perhaps the lineout, and possibly the loose. Their engines may be on a par...
You need players to peak at their maximum capability in their areas of expertise.
All rounders can have a place, but it's generally on the bench where they can cover a variety of positions in case of unexpected injury or cards.
Launchbury plays only one position.
His omission was a clever selection for a coach who is determined to gain victory in the international rugby boneyard for visiting teams.
It's not good enough to match the All Blacks, you've got to be better.
Gatland is selecting the cream in their positions and this is a fantastic looking Lions squad.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Children, desist.
This is a thread about the Lions tour and their squad.
Please keep your Thames estuary leet speak to the PM system.

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I'm gonna upset a few people and say I don't think Launchbury should be going. I don't think he's good enough.
I can see why Gatland did not pick him.
I was shocked that Launchbury was given MotM awards in the 6Nations when there were clearly players more deserving.
It made me wonder what northern hemisphere blokes are looking at.

I'm not saying Launchbury isn't a 'good player', he is a fine player, he's just not special.
Joe Launchbury is a yeoman, much like Robshaw. He doesn't do anything briliiantly, but he has an all round game that gets him there and he backs it up with a great engine.
He doesn't have great hands and I don't feel he's a real thinker, and maybe thats fine at international level but you need players who can go beyond the tight focus on their own performance and read the game at all times. Those are the cream players.
This is where someone like Alun Wyn Jones has a key advantage. He plays hard and does well in lots of areas, his engine may now be the weakest of all the locks on the Lions tour but his brain is ahread of them in reading the game, his experience has an edge, and he is a great player and great players lift themselves physically for the big occasion.
Look at players like Richie McCaw who was written off physically before the last RWC.
When you are picking the cream at the top for the Lions there are players who Gatland will feel offer more in the lineouet, or the scrum, or the loose.
Launchbury scores well in all of these areas but other players, will show up better in singular areas, perhaps the lineout, and possibly the loose. Their engines may be on a par...
You need players to peak at their maximum capability in their areas of expertise.
All rounders can have a place, but it's generally on the bench where they can cover a variety of positions in case of unexpected injury or cards.
Launchbury plays only one position.
His omission was a clever selection for a coach who is determined to gain victory in the international rugby boneyard for visiting teams.
It's not good enough to match the All Blacks, you've got to be better.
Gatland is selecting the cream in their positions and this is a fantastic looking Lions squad.

Lauchberry has really good hands and is a great thinker of a player.

I'm not really sure you watch many NH games by most of your comments though.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Launchbury was just about the only England player to adapt to Italy's tactics before half time. He's a very intelligent player and has the engine and physical attributes to boot. He shouldn't just be on tour, he should be starting.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Launchbury was just about the only England player to adapt to Italy's tactics before half time. He's a very intelligent player and has the engine and physical attributes to boot. He shouldn't just be on tour, he should be starting.

For a start he's better than Lawes.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Not in the lineout and he's not as quick as Lawes either, but he does tend to have a better temperament most of the time when he's not kicking Fijians in the head.
Launchbury is a journeyman.
In a similar way to Robshaw.
A very good journeyman but nonetheless he lacks the natural talent of those who were chosen ahead of him.
He doesn't have great hands. He played above himself in the 6 Nations but he was never MotM for me. Not once.
Lawes and Kruis are better in the lineout.
It comes as no surprise to me that he was ommitted.
I would have left him on the standby list for injuries call up.
I'm not a massive fan of Gatland but he got this call right, just like he got it right when he controversially dropped an ageing slow Brian whatsisname and the Lions won by a bundle.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Isn't launch faster than lawes? And also better in the lineout?
Lacks natural talent? Bad hands?
Are you sure you're thinking of the right person?
I'm genuinely confused :lol:

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Lawes is a crap carrier, But aggressive SOB.

Was really impressed with him in the 6N's.

don't think Launch is a better lineout jumper maybe just a little bit better maybe neither are line out callers.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Isn't launch faster than lawes? And also better in the lineout?
Lacks natural talent? Bad hands?
Are you sure you're thinking of the right person?
I'm genuinely confused :lol:

Tbf, I think Launch is better than Lawes but Lawes in undeniably better in the lineout and faster. Agree though that I have no clue where this idea that he has bad hands is coming from.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I must be getting launch's defensive lineout work mixed in, I've seen him steal a few in his time

 

[munstermuffin]

It seems agression is a key attraction in Gatlands ratings

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Not in the lineout and he's not as quick as Lawes either, but he does tend to have a better temperament most of the time when he's not kicking Fijians in the head.
Launchbury is a journeyman.
In a similar way to Robshaw.
A very good journeyman but nonetheless he lacks the natural talent of those who were chosen ahead of him.
He doesn't have great hands. He played above himself in the 6 Nations but he was never MotM for me. Not once.
Lawes and Kruis are better in the lineout.
It comes as no surprise to me that he was ommitted.
I would have left him on the standby list for injuries call up.
I'm not a massive fan of Gatland but he got this call right, just like he got it right when he controversially dropped an ageing slow Brian whatsisname and the Lions won by a bundle.

Such a load of crap. Like, utterly, utterly, retardedly stupid. I don't know if you've actually watched him play at all, I'm going to hazard a guess that you haven't.

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It seems agression is a key attraction in Gatlands ratings

This makes more sense.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

wasps fan being biased about Launch Shocker.

 

[munstermuffin]

Such a load of crap. Like, utterly, utterly, retardedly stupid. I don't know if you've actually watched him play at all, I'm going to hazard a guess that you haven't.

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This makes more sense.

Of course it does. Players are monitored these day on rucks they hit, how they hit them etc. And most picked are lads that hit them dynamically as natural part of game.
Even now backs can be accessed to every little detail. The boys in Munster are analysed down to what foot they step off and I sure that type of attention to detail is across board. Joe Schmidt is known for even looking at body positions at lineouts he said in 1 interview.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Such a load of crap. Like, utterly, utterly, retardedly stupid. I don't know if you've actually watched him play at all, I'm going to hazard a guess that you haven't.

I watched all his 6 Nations performances, I saw his AI's.
Thats enough to check on his quality for the top level.
It's pointless watching club level games to judge credibility for a Lions tour.
He's a good player, no question, but for me, he's not top drawer, he's a yeoman with a good engine and a great attitude to empty the tank and leave it all on the park.
He's definitely not a thinker.
Sorry but he's not.
Fiji game was a shocker for him.
I'd pick Itoje and Lawes over him everytime, they are both quick, I'd also pick Kruis ahead of him for the lineout but I can see that he has that ability like Robshaw to help build the team spirit. Thats nice and I'm sure it helps in the England camp but its not enough to make the Lions.

 

[General Melchett]

It seems agression is a key attraction in Gatlands ratings

Gatland is on record as saying as much by claiming he likes a player with a bit of mongrel in them.

With that in mind, I think Ryan will be the first lock to be called up as an injury replacement with Launch behind him in the pecking order.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Going back to these rumours, I have to admit that when you do any sort of internet search regarding Alun-Wyn Jones its extremely hard to find anything at all of substance. And none of the main outlets are reporting it.

Secondly, I'd advise caution with many of the rumours on rugbynetwork.net - there are plenty of people there who like to make others think they are in the know but really are not at all. It's often not the best place to pick up rumours.

However, if that link is accurate Charteris is in line after Ryan. I find that very hard to believe, despite being historically a fan of him.

 

[Timbo]

Alun Wyn Jones will be fine. Stuff about him missing the tour is made up nonsense.

 

[munstermuffin]

Alun Wyn Jones will be fine. Stuff about him missing the tour is made up nonsense.

If true that's great news. But it was said yesterday on BBC coverage if Ulster game that he was meeting specialist next Thursday and that will determine everything.
Equally they said that he may play for Ospreys this season too.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Was going to take a break from the Forum till the Lions tour depending on how i feel.

But Ben Youngs has withdrawn from the lions tour due to family reason.

I have an idea why but not going to post anything.

Just that i has the utmost respect for his decision and admire him for it.

okay Tigers have just released a statement and it says why.


Leicester Tigers scrum-half Ben Youngs has withdrawn from the squad for the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand for family reasons.
The wife of Ben's brother Tom has been battling cancer for three years and the family has now received the devastating news that the illness is terminal.

Ben Youngs was included in a 41-man squad for his second tour with the British & Irish Lions but this weekend informed head coach Warren Gatland of his decision to remain at home.

"We are a very close family and, as I am sure everyone can respect, time is now precious together," said Ben.

"The most important thing for me at this difficult time is to be able to offer as much support as I can to Tom and his family in the remaining time we all have together.

"It is a great honour to be selected as a member of the British & Irish Lions squad and I would like to thank Warren Gatland, the staff and the other players for their understanding in this situation. I wish them well and, like all rugby supporters in British and Ireland, hope they have a successful tour."

Tom and Ben will still play their part in the remainder of the season for the Tigers.

Both families hope their privacy can be respected at this difficult time. There will be no further comment from Tom, Ben or from Leicester Tigers at this point.

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/26676.php

Just want to say what a guy Tom is aswell.