Backline Dilemma for Gatland in the British Lions Team

[martinspoonboy1]

What are the odds on neither?

Haha! I reckon evens.

Let's go for a sportman's bet. (Since I'm most certainly not a licensed bookmaker!) I'm betting Brown will make the squad. You reckon he won't.

'Simples'. (Man, I love that Soviet Meerkat).

 

[TheSaffycen]

Brown won't make the squad. Halfpenny and Hogg are above him, Kearney before injury was. He doesn't play European rugby which can't help his chances.

If I were to pick 7 it would be-
Hogg, Williams, Watson, North, Zebo, Seymour, Daly

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

If I were to pick 7 it would be-
Hogg, Williams, Watson, North, Zebo, Seymour, Daly

I wouldn't pick any of those players at 7

Agreed that Brown won't make the plane.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I wouldn't pick any of those players at 7

Agreed that Brown won't make the plane.

Of course not, May's bolted on at 7

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Of course not, May's bolted on at 7

Don't tell Mako, he'll deliberately injure himself

 

[Saint4805]

6N performances will only determine squad places. Gatland still has an opportunity to finalise his test side when they start playing games out there. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Halfpenny (15), Warburton, Biggar (assuming Sexton is out) and North all start the first test.

 

[Reiser99]

I still reckon Sam will be captain again. I think him and Gatland had a discussion about stepping down to get some form and then coming back for the lions.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38993073

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Halfpenny going has to be a joke. Are we going to see lots of Welsh players who arnt in form, haven't won anything and we're beaten by England and Ireland tour above talented English and Irish players.

I hope not.

Remember that all coaches and Welsh people seem to think he's chips.

Ulsterfan - is 'lethal attacking threat' not overegging it a bit for Payne? Think what he's up against as well.

 

[munstermuffin]

Remember that all coaches and Welsh people seem to think he's chips.

Ulsterfan - is 'lethal attacking threat' not overegging it a bit for Payne? Think what he's up against as well.

No I'd agree as a 15 Payne is lethal attacking

 

[martinspoonboy1]

From what we've seen from the centres so far in this year's 6N, in my opinion the following should be getting their passports renewed:

12s:
Henshaw
Farrell (could play 10)
Scott Willaims

13s:
JJ
JD
Ringrose

Thoughts?

 

[munstermuffin]

Think Te'o is a typical Gatland player. As for Ringrose I can't see him going as Gatland mentioned his physicality not being there yet due to being young. Can see him being left out for that reason possibly. Think you may see a Scottish centre go too

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

The centres I'd take would be:
12s - Henshaw, Dunbar (Faz as a 10, covering 12)
13s - JJ, Jones, Daly

 

[martinspoonboy1]

The centres I'd take would be:
12s - Henshaw, Dunbar (Faz as a 10, covering 12)
13s - JJ, Jones, Daly

Agreed that either Daly or Jones should probably go, but there's no way Gatland is leaving out JD. Apart from the horror kick, he was great vs England.

Also, if Daly goes, I imagine it will be primarily as a back 3 option. Leaving another Centre space.

 

[Saint4805]

I like Ringrose but performances against Italy shouldn't count for much. He needs to prove himself in the remaining games.

Huw Jones also has work to do but Dunbar has done pretty well so far and is a contender to go as a 12.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I hope Ringrose doesn't go, two tests in Japan as the more experienced guy in midfield will do him well. He'll go in four years.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I hope Ringrose doesn't go

Hardly a controversial statement

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Hardly a controversial statement

Don't know about that, 12 months ago he was the better player in a centre partnership with England's current best player!

If there were three spots for out and out 13's I'd assume it'd be a for Gatland toss up between him and Jones after JJ and JD, Ringrose is the better rugby player whereas Jones is bigger and stronger and brings aspects of play that come with that into the game like offloading. If it's going to be a 38 man squad I'd bring 5 centres, they'd be Henshaw, Farrell, Dunbar, JJ and Payne.

 

[munstermuffin]

Don't know about that, 12 months ago he was the better player in a centre partnership with England's current best player!

If there were three spots for out and out 13's I'd assume it'd be a for Gatland toss up between him and Jones after JJ and JD, Ringrose is the better rugby player whereas Jones is bigger and stronger and brings aspects of play that come with that into the game like offloading. If it's going to be a 38 man squad I'd bring 5 centres, they'd be Henshaw, Farrell, Dunbar, JJ and Payne.

Think Ringrose's talents wouldn't be useful to Gatland is issue. Centres I've a feeling will need to be physically built and primarily crash ball with offloading. Think Ringrose is better off as you say learning to be a senior guy in squad this summer in Japan. Equally think Te'o is better for England than Leinster as gameplan is perfect for him.

 

[big ginger 8]

Probably blasphemous to even suggest it on this forum...but has JJ's form been not so hot this 6N? For my mind he hasn't been as good as previous years. Obviously he has enough credit in the bank and will travel but should we be worried?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Probably blasphemous to even suggest it on this forum...but has JJ's form been not so hot this 6N? For my mind he hasn't been as good as previous years. Obviously he has enough credit in the bank and will travel but should we be worried?

I disagree, I just think he's completely switched his strengths and weaknesses and so now it seems as though he's gone down in form, because he's not doing nearly as much as he used to in attack, but I'd say he's become the best defensive 13 in the world ATM. I'd also say that although reliable, Farrell isn't much of an individual threat at 12 meaning defences can focus on JJ. It was the 2015 season even outside a 17 stone Burrell for England and an in form Eastmond at Bath meant that he had the space to work in attack. Working outside Henshaw would give him that space again.