2021 British & Irish Lions Squad

[Reiser99]

Just lol

 

[dullonien]

Gutted for AWJ and Tipuric, was hoping both could prove some people wrong this summer Also 2 of the most durable players over the past decade, neither have missed many games, especially Tips who's only extended period on the sidelines was concussion a while back!

Navidi good call, personally would have had Gray as next lock. Beard has been good recently, but always felt that he doesn't play his size. He's improved in that area, but enough to be on a lions tour? I dunno bout that! Gats has always been a big admirer though, so not overly surprised by his selection.

With Murray named captain, think that shows that Owens won't be starting at hooker, because he would otherwise be the obvious choice having captained Scarlets for 7 seasons now + taking over from AWJ v Japan. May as well have gone with Itoje though, surely a certain starter now in the row? Biggar could have been a decent option too, but suppose it depends on how Gats sees the battle for 10. Biggs looked in fine fettle today though.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Gutted for AWJ and Tipuric, was hoping both could prove some people wrong this summer Also 2 of the most durable players over the past decade, neither have missed many games, especially Tips who's only extended period on the sidelines was concussion a while back!

Navidi good call, personally would have had Gray as next lock. Beard has been good recently, but always felt that he doesn't play his size. He's improved in that area, but enough to be on a lions tour? I dunno bout that! Gats has always been a big admirer though, so not overly surprised by his selection.

With Murray named captain, think that shows that Owens won't be starting at hooker, because he would otherwise be the obvious choice having captained Scarlets for 7 seasons now + taking over from AWJ v Japan. May as well have gone with Itoje though, surely a certain starter now in the row? Biggar could have been a decent option too, but suppose it depends on how Gats sees the battle for 10. Biggs looked in fine fettle today though.

You stay itoje is a certain starter but just wait for beard to become the starter.

 

[ncurd]

I take a break for 24 hours and somehow Gtas compounds previously bad decisions with even worse ones...

 

[MikeTheNative]

I'll defend Beard in that's he's not as bad as people are making out. Saying that though l, how has Grey not been called up?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I was always a bit bemused that Itoje was talked up as a potential captain, but not sure what Murray's appointment says about him given all the pre tour hype. Looks like he was never seriously in the race, less likely maybe he didn't want it.

He was supposed to be the great leadership hope yet none of club, country or now Lions have given him the top job.

No comment on him as a player and I'm sure he'll be part of the leadership group, but looks like several coaches think he falls a little short in the leadership department.

Suspect it's not the case, but possibly a sign that he's not as guaranteed to be a test starter as we all think?

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I take a break for 24 hours and somehow Gtas compounds previously bad decisions with even worse ones...

It's not like he doesn't have previous, look out for members of the Welsh squad who by pure coincidence are on holiday in South Africa.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Are we still moaning about Welsh bias even though that was all exposed as BS with this squad selection. You know, the fact that England were absolute trash and got their pants pulled down by all the home nations (and SA in the final obviously) but yet still he takes more English than any other nation. I mean, Johnny Hill FFS. Johnny Hill is a lot more controversial pick than Beard at least Beard has actually won stuff and is proven at international level as opposed to Hill who looked out of his depth.

 

[Welsh Exile]

You stay itoje is a certain starter but just wait for beard to become the starter.

You don't honestly believe that do you?

 

[ncurd]

Snip

Honestly you look at Farrell who's gets the most votes as leadership team (who is the group you'd think the captain would come out of) and doesn't get picked either. I don't like him as captain but it's just feels like Gats would never seriously consider an English captain.

I can not in a million years belive for a second Murray was second choice captain in AWJ had dislocated his shoulder in the 6 nations.

All speaks of panic and just picking who he knows rather than who's best.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Are we still moaning about Welsh bias

You must've missed the callups yesterday

 

[ncurd]

You don't honestly believe that do you?

Lawes was on the bench for some mad reason instead of him, so yes I can see it happening.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Honestly you look at Farrell who's gets the most votes as leadership team (who is the group you'd think the captain would come out of) and doesn't get picked either. I don't like him as captain but it's just feels like Gats would never seriously consider an English captain.

I can not in a million years belive for a second Murray was second choice captain in AWJ had dislocated his shoulder in the 6 nations.

All speaks of panic and just picking who he knows rather than who's best.

You're a clever bloke. Do you honestly think Gatland thinks about what nationality someone is when making a decision about who should be captain?

 

[Welsh Exile]

You must've missed the callups yesterday

You must've missed the squad announcement.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Lawes was on the bench for some mad reason instead of him, so yes I can see it happening.

What do you think the chances are that he starts Beard over Itoje, assuming they're both fit? Give me a rough percentage so I can garner how mad you are.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

You don't honestly believe that do you?

Unlikely but not beyond the realm of possibility. Remember the geography callups he did last time. Everyone was saying there was no way he would do something like that, until he did.

 

[General Melchett]

As far as the leadership group vote goes it's actually no surprise that Farrell picked up the most votes. With AWJ already picked as tour captain I guess he was excluded from the vote which means all the English lads would have voted for Farrell and with no Sexton there some of the Irish would have voted for him too. I imagine the Welsh voted for Owens and the Scots voted for Hogg.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

all the English lads would have voted for Farrell

Weren't there only two English guys in camp at the time?

 

[General Melchett]

Weren't there only two English guys in camp at the time?

Yeah but I imagine all squad members were given a vote regardless of whether they were in Jersey or not. I'm sure Gatland said they did the vote on the Administration day 2-3 weeks ago which probably meant everyone voted for who they already knew. Probably went something like...

England players - Farrell
Ireland players - Murray and a few for Farrell
Wales players - Owens
Scotland players - Hogg

 

[Welsh Exile]

Unlikely but not beyond the realm of possibility. Remember the geography callups he did last time. Everyone was saying there was no way he would do something like that, until he did.

I mean, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that I bump into Gal Gadot and she offers me back to her place. It's possible.

What do you think the chances are? Give me a percentage.