2021 British & Irish Lions Squad

[BPM]

Very meh on Daly. He hasn't got the passing range of the other two and definitely not as good a defender. Still a strike runner just a different type really.

Would have looked to include either ahead of Aki really.

Maybe. Although, my point was simply that Daly is a different type of centre to the rest.

TBH, I would have taken Ringrose and probably gambled on Tuilagi (who is probably in good shape by now) ahead of Aki and Daly.

I guess Daly also offers the option of playing in the back three (not that anyone other than Eddie likes him at 15).

 

[Reiser99]

I've said before that this tour is ideal for Tuilagi. No long term target of a world cup in a couple of years, if he gets crooked it's not like it's going to scupper years of planning. Just go out enjoy some rugby and when his fragile body breaks it's not the end of the world (unless you're Sale who decided to invested one man glass wrecking ball).

 

[MikeTheNative]

Maybe. Although, my point was simply that Daly is a different type of centre to the rest.

TBH, I would have taken Ringrose and probably gambled on Tuilagi (who is probably in good shape by now) ahead of Aki and Daly.

I guess Daly also offers the option of playing in the back three (not that anyone other than Eddie likes him at 15).

Ringrose didn't exactly stand out in this 6 nations either (better than Daly played to be fair though)
Tuilagi got injured again though right?

Yeah he did, this article is from 21st of June where it says he is out for a couple of weeks again.

Manu Tuilagi injury update: Eddie Jones reveals all about latest setback - Ruck

Manu Tuilagi was called up by England only to then be ruled out on Tuesday with what Jones described as a "slight hamstring injury".

www.ruck.co.uk

 

[Rinkadink]

Bar the locks and Smith I reckon that's what the 1st test team will be.

I actually like this selection, not sure how many will make the starting team for first test though.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I think I would leave AWJ out actually and go with this. We'll never see it but I'd like to see this team play the first test. When it loses we can then bring AWJ in to win the next 2 tests.

1. Wyn Jones
2. LCD
3. Furlong
4. Itoje
5. Beirne
6. Curry
7. Watson
8. Faletau
9. Price
10. Biggar
11. Adams
12. Henshaw
13. Daly
14. Watson
15. Hogg

16. George
17. Mako
18. Sinkler
19. Henderson
20. Navidi
21. Murray
22. Farrell
23. Williams

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Beirne's been playing so well at 6 I keep forgetting he's a legit option in the row

 

[Welsh Exile]

Beirne's been playing so well at 6 I keep forgetting he's a legit option in the row

Gatland won't be playing him there obviously. Tbh, I have a horrible feeling he'll be on the bench with Lawes starting at 6 but hope he sticks with Beirne there

EDIT: Lawes has actually been playing well though to be fair to him.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Gatland won't be playing him there obviously. Tbh, I have a horrible feeling he'll be on the bench with Lawes starting at 6 but hope he sticks with Beirne there

EDIT: Lawes has actually been playing well though to be fair to him.

Really hope Lawes isn't a serious option to start at 6. It's a good player but he's not Bearnie level or Curry level.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Really hope Lawes isn't a serious option to start at 6. It's a good player but he's not Bearnie level or Curry level.

I agree but when he's on it he's a problem and as I say, Tbf, he's looked good recently. Even for Northampton towards the end of the season he was really putting it about.

 

[General Melchett]

Townsend has confirmed Russell unlikely to be available for the first test but they are hopeful he'll be back for the last two. Biggar was always going to start the first test so I guess he's only missing 20+- mins off the bench in the first test.

 

[ncurd]

Townsend has confirmed Russell unlikely to be available for the first test but they are hopeful he'll be back for the last two. Biggar was always going to start the first test so I guess he's only missing 20+- mins off the bench in the first test.

Not really missing anything other than the start tomorrow. Despite everything that says it shouldn't happen I don't think were seriously looking past Biggar/Farrell for the 10 shirt especially as Farrell supposedly covers 10/12.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Townsend has confirmed Russell unlikely to be available for the first test but they are hopeful he'll be back for the last two. Biggar was always going to start the first test so I guess he's only missing 20+- mins off the bench in the first test.

The problem with missing the first test is that if the 23 selected win against SA the temptation will be to go for the exact same 23 for the 2nd test.

Plus he's got the fact that Farrell covers 12 going against him for a bench spot. I've stuck up for Farrell (even though I don't particularly like him) but I must admit, in this form, he isn't really worth the risk to even have on the bench. I suspect Gatland will, though.

 

[General Melchett]

The problem with missing the first test is that if the 23 selected win against SA the temptation will be to go for the exact same 23 for the 2nd test.

Plus he's got the fact that Farrell covers 12 going against him for a bench spot. I've stuck up for Farrell (even though I don't particularly like him) but I must admit, in this form, he isn't really worth the risk to even have on the bench. I suspect Gatland will, though.

True. I guess it's still possible to scape a win in the first test and for Farrell to come off the bench and play poorly like he has for most of the tour - not at all beyond the realms of possibility.

Townsend is known for keeping opposition coaches guessing by tweaking the way his teams play and so they may decide to have a slightly different game plan in the second test.

 

[General Melchett]

Not really missing anything other than the start tomorrow. Despite everything that says it shouldn't happen I don't think were seriously looking past Biggar/Farrell for the 10 shirt especially as Farrell supposedly covers 10/12.

I agree with your use of the word supposedly.

 

[ncurd]

I agree with your use of the word supposedly.

My only true hope is he's on the bench as opposed to starting at 12......I'm not betting against it though.

 

[General Melchett]

My only true hope is he's on the bench as opposed to starting at 12......I'm not betting against it though.

Farrell starting at 12 is just a depressing thought. Pray Henshaw comes through tomorrow.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Gareth Davies roasting Hamish 10 seconds in. Lol.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

So peeps' test team for next week?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

1. Jones
2. LCD
3. Furlong
4. Itoje
5. Henderson
6. Beirne
7. Curry
8. Conan
9. Price
10. Biggar
11. DVdM
12. Henshaw
13. Harris
14. Adams
15. Watson

George, Sutherland, Sinckler, Lawes, Watson, Davies, Farrell, Daly

Though I wouldn't be against Faletau > Watson or Murray > Davies


Gatlands will look nothing like that though

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

1. Jones
2. LCD
3. Furlong
4. Itoje
5. Henderson
6. Beirne
7. Curry
8. Conan
9. Price
10. Biggar
11. DVdM
12. Henshaw
13. Harris
14. Adams
15. Watson

George, Sutherland, Sinckler, Lawes, Watson, Davies, Farrell, Daly

Though I wouldn't be against Faletau > Watson or Murray > Davies


Gatlands will look nothing like that though

Add on Daly and Murray and I think that's what Gatland will go with.