[2021 Six Nations] England Squad

[TRF_Olyy]

Gatland

You answered your own question

 

[Welsh Exile]

...Ben Youngs...

There's always one. How many lions caps
Has he got?

 

[ncurd]

Ha ha. Ok bud. If you say so.

What is going to be the reason for Gatland picking him this summer then?

Because Gatland will favour **** Welsh players he knows over better players from the other nations like he did the last 2 tours.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

You don't get 150 odd caps and go on 4
Lions tours (soon to be 4) by having 2-3 good years mate. You have to be world class (I.e put in consistent performances)

It's like the bear scenario. You don't have to run faster than a bear, you just have to run faster than the other guys. AWJ hasn't been a great lock for a while, he has simply been better than all the other Welsh locks.

 

[Welsh Exile]

You answered your own question

Ahh, but he's not the Wales coach any more so what will be his reason?

 

[Welsh Exile]

Because Gatland will favour **** Welsh players he knows over better players from the other nations like he did the last 2 tours.

So bitter. So so bitter. Lol.

 

[TommiG88]

AWJ is a consummate professional and has been at the top of his game for many years, longer than most.
However, I still don't put him in the top band of Locks to play the game.

 

[Welsh Exile]

It's like the bear scenario. You don't have to run faster than a bear, you just have to run faster than the other guys. AWJ hasn't been a great lock for a while, he has simply been better than all the other Welsh locks.

And the reason he gets picked for
Lions tours is purely because Gats knows him even though he must also know deep down he is ****. Lol. Yeah, makes sense.

Makes even more sense that now he is freed from the burden of coaching Wales that he will still pick him for the squad. Makes you think, maybe, just maybe, he's a pretty good player.

 

[ncurd]

With everyone fit and available AWJ wouldn't even make the England squad. And that's been the case for years.

 

[Reiser99]

And the reason he gets picked for
Lions tours is purely because Gats knows him even though he must also know deep down he is ****. Lol. Yeah, makes sense.

Makes even more sense that now he is freed from the burden of coaching Wales that he will still pick him for the squad. Makes you think, maybe, just maybe, he's a pretty good player.

Thing is no one has ever said that AWJ is a bad player. Just that he's not one of the best in his position. Very rarely would you have put him in the top 5 locks in the world. He's a been a great player for most of his career, but not to the point where he should be going on this Lions tour and keeping younger, better players out.

 

[Welsh Exile]

With everyone fit and available AWJ wouldn't even make the England squad. And that's been the case for years.

You say this like it's some kind of fact when it reality it's a just a, being nice, opinion.

You clearly know a lot more than Gatland about what makes a world class rugby player.

 

[ncurd]

You say this like it's some kind of fact when it reality it's a just a, being nice, opinion.

You clearly know a lot more than Gatland about what makes a world class rugby player.

Ah the coach knows everything so nobody can have an different opinion ever arguement. Time to shut down the forum as it's a waste of time.

Gatland also not a very highly regarded coach outside Wales.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Thing is no one has ever said that AWJ is a bad player. Just that he's not one of the best in his position. Very rarely would you have put him in the top 5 locks in the world. He's a been a great player for most of his career, but not to the point where he should be going on this Lions tour and keeping younger, better players out.

Ummm, I've been on the forum a couple of days and seen him been called **** numerous times.

Another one that knows more about rugby than Gatland and just about anyone in the rugby community who hail him a one of the greats.

He's actually better in a lot of ways than he was 10 years ago. You're also not considering the effect he has on his teammates I.e his
Mentality and leadership which are more
Off the pitch type stuff that coaches can value more than anything else.

 

[Jakedood]

Would it be fair to say Jonny Gray brings everything AWJ does, only slightly better? Big workhorse, big engine, solid, depndable... and just slightly more energy to it all. I'd say AWJ is going on tour, he's just barring injury going to be 3rd choice at best

 

[Welsh Exile]

Ah the coach knows everything so nobody can have an different opinion ever arguement. Time to shut down the forum as it's a waste of time.

Gatland also not a very highly regarded coach outside Wales.

Shall I go through a list of people that have hailed him as a great player so you can group all of them in the "I know more than them" box along with Gats?

 

[TommiG88]

Would it be fair to say Jonny Gray brings everything AWJ does, only slightly better? Big workhorse, big engine, solid, depndable... and just slightly more energy to it all. I'd say AWJ is going on tour, he's just barring injury going to be 3rd choice at best

I don't think he'll make the test squad when you have Itoje, Ryan and Gray. Not to mention Henderson as well.

 

[Jakedood]

Ummm, I've been on the forum a couple of days and seen him been called **** numerous times.

Another one that knows more about rugby than Gatland and just about anyone in the rugby community who hail him a one of the greats.

He's actually better in a lot of ways than he was 10 years ago. You're also not considering the effect he has on his teammates I.e his
Mentality and leadership which are more
Off the pitch type stuff that coaches can value more than anything else.

You can talk of leadership all you want, and you need that win at all costs mentality for sure. But he doesnt need to start the games to bring that ethos to training, and the Lions will have that in abundance. Hogg is certainly a competitive guy in every chance he gets to compete, Itoje too, Ryan doesnt take a step back, then you have The Farrell's of the world, I think there's enough of this "off pitch stuff" that the Lions wont be lacking for it. Add to that the English players will be chomping at the bit to get back at SA

 

[Jakedood]

I don't think he'll make the test squad when you have Itoje, Ryan and Gray. Not to mention Henderson as well.

I love Henderson too, just need him to be fully switched on and he's a monster. Im unsure if he will, wouldnt say there's a lot of difference in competitors for the 19 shirt. I think Gray is better but dont get me wrong, but wouldnt be a huge difference in class

 

[Welsh Exile]

Would it be fair to say Jonny Gray brings everything AWJ does, only slightly better? Big workhorse, big engine, solid, depndable... and just slightly more energy to it all. I'd say AWJ is going on tour, he's just barring injury going to be 3rd choice at best

He can't lift a team above their ability and drag them over the winning line though. AWJ inspires and raises standards and thus the performanes of his team mates.

 

[ncurd]

Shall I go through a list of people that have hailed him as a great player so you can group all of them in the "I know more than them" box along with Gats?

You could but they'd also be the same idiots who have hailed Farrell for being world class for years without really showing it.