Backline Dilemma for Gatland in the British Lions Team

[Maverick1987]

Faz to be lions captain?



Up there with the greats Lebron, Serena, Phelps, Brady and Farrell.

not Sexton, not Barrett.

But Owen Farrell.

Mate in this video there is Le'Veon Bell and Owen Farrell, one is a absolute legend and the other is the running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers ...

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Mate in this video there is Le'Veon Bell and Owen Farrell, one is a absolute legend and the other is the running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers ... ��������

nah, video's got tom brady and owen farrell... one's a fancy dog who shies away from contact... the other has multiple super bowl rings
don't kill me

from 'merica with love

 

[ncurd]

Farrell is a weird one for endorsements he was heavilly featured in campaigns leading the rugby world cup as well, even though his starting position was very much in question at the time.

*shurgs shoulders* I don't even know why hes marketable, I don't imagine man kids growing up wanting to be like Farrell, men don't want to be him and women don't want him. He just seams to have good agent.

 

[Every Time Ref]

I know what you mean, he's not exactly box office

 

[Zed]

There aren't many world class backs available to Gatland, its an area they may struggle in, that said I thought the same before they toured Australia.. they didn't set the world on fire with their back play, but certainly played a lot better than I thought they would. Farrell is a player who I very begrudging rate, he's slow, offers little in attack and is easy to defend against, yet England seem to do well with him in their side.

Key for the Lions is Tuilagi, they need him.

 

[dullonien]

Key for the Lions is Tuilagi, they need him.

Tuilagi key? Tuilagi won't be touring. He's been injured for the last two years, and is out again for the season.

 

[ncurd]

Yeah Tuilagi isn't even key for England currently he might be if he ever gets fit again but that seams unlikely. Do you actually watch NH rugby?

 

[Groundhog]

Henshchrist > The Ghost of Tuilagi.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

In terms of backs the key to the Lions success is Johnny Sexton's hamstrings, a fit J10 is the only guy who can live with and perform against Beauden Barrett. There'll be at least two world class in every other position.

9. Murray*, Webb, Youngs
12. Henshaw*, Farrell
13. Joseph, (at least one of the following post 6n) Ringrose, Jones, Bennett
11 & 14. Nowell*, North, Watson, Seymour, Zebo
15. Williams, Hogg

*denotes member of my World XV.

I wouldn't call Ford, Russell, Farrell or Jackson world class 10's, to beat the big boys with a team put in place like the Lions (impossible regardless) you need a 10 who can read a game and structure his team accordingly. J10 is the only option.

 

[munstermuffin]

In terms of backs the key to the Lions success is Johnny Sexton's hamstrings, a fit J10 is the only guy who can live with and perform against Beauden Barrett. There'll be at least two world class in every other position.

9. Murray*, Webb, Youngs
12. Henshaw*, Farrell
13. Joseph, (at least one of the following post 6n) Ringrose, Jones, Bennett
11 & 14. Nowell*, North, Watson, Seymour, Zebo
15. Williams, Hogg

*denotes member of my World XV.

I wouldn't call Ford, Russell, Farrell or Jackson world class 10's, to beat the big boys with a team put in place like the Lions (impossible regardless) you need a 10 who can read a game and structure his team accordingly. J10 is the only option.

THing is Sexton won't make tests. He's completed only 1 game this season and rest he hasn't made a full half without going down.
Issue is his body is struggling and he'd need to be wrapped in cotton wool majorly. But issue is you can't do that because the tour is long and they can't afford to bring a 10 who'll be a spectator for first few weeks. Also he'd need to gel with others as its unlike Ireland where he knows majority.
If they were to play him he'd never make it that far. His body is simply not able and there is 1 guarantee every game played will be like a cup final to hosting team.
Is Sexton best 10. Yes but he physically will struggle and dare I say Sexton is suffering effects of 2 years in France now

 

[Saint4805]

I'll also be pleasantly surprised if Sexton is still standing when the three tests come around. It's a bruising schedule and he'll be a target for those hungry and exuberant club players.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I don't think Sexton will be as much a target in the Southern Hemisphere, he has been Ireland and Leinster rugby for a while now and has been targeted accordingly but I don't think he's the star in Lions' sides containing the likes of Murray, SOB, Farrell, Itoje etc... who get a lot more coverage in NZ from what I can tell. That doesn't mean he'll make the tests having only missed one 6n game in three years you can't categorically say it won't happen. I hope he doesn't tour though, he's got his series win and was the biggest difference in the final test (dragged off asap because Gatland and Dad were coaching...) and he has bigger and more rewarding things to win in blue and green if he stays fit and firing.

 

[Groundhog]

Also hope Sexton doesn't tour for the longevity of his career. He needs the entire summer off and then some probably. We have the potential in the pack to best New Zealand, but they should be a notch above in the backs. That means our main avenue will be to boss them in the set peace, strangle them of the ball and score early and often, because you're unlikely to beat the ABs in a low scoring affair. We simply won't win this playing Warrenball.

 

[munstermuffin]

I don't think Sexton will be as much a target in the Southern Hemisphere, he has been Ireland and Leinster rugby for a while now and has been targeted accordingly but I don't think he's the star in Lions' sides containing the likes of Murray, SOB, Farrell, Itoje etc... who get a lot more coverage in NZ from what I can tell. That doesn't mean he'll make the tests having only missed one 6n game in three years you can't categorically say it won't happen. I hope he doesn't tour though, he's got his series win and was the biggest difference in the final test (dragged off asap because Gatland and Dad were coaching...) and he has bigger and more rewarding things to win in blue and green if he stays fit and firing.

Thing is though this season he's really looked bad physically in terms of keeping fitness. And has only 1 game of 80mins. It's nothing to do with being targeted more to survive tour you've to survive the physicality of it regardless of being targeted and I don't think he will.
Even for 6 Nations this year I think he will be wrapped a bit and won't play vs Italy as Schmidt may rotate and protect him a bit.
And its ok saying he's only missed 1 game but he has struggled hugely in every big game this year. Not in performance but physically like it's normal to see him going down with issue these days. There's no question he's best 10 but he's a player now who needs to be watched for rest of his career and play maybe 18 to 20 games max a season

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I'm no Farrell fan but I must say I think he has a chance of starting at 10 for the lions. He's definitely more of an attacking threat than he was a year or two ago and the rest of his play is top notch.

He's not far off a world class 10 really. The rate he's improving year on year he'll get there one day.

 

[munstermuffin]

I'm no Farrell fan but I must say I think he has a chance of starting at 10 for the lions. He's definitely more of an attacking threat than he was a year or two ago and the rest of his play is top notch.

He's not far off a world class 10 really. The rate he's improving year on year he'll get there one day.

I don't get why people don't think highly of Farrell in terms of being no fan of him. I'm huge fan of him and think he's a brilliant 10. I think Sexton is a better 10 but if Sexton was out I'd prefer him as next in line.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I don't get why people don't think highly of Farrell in terms of being no fan of him. I'm huge fan of him and think he's a brilliant 10. I think Sexton is a better 10 but if Sexton was out I'd prefer him as next in line.

Well after watching him since he started out he probably didn't deserve an England stop to begin with. It's hard then to change your mind on a player when they do improve but players grow.

I think a lot of England fans think he can't attack. It's only when you watch him in a sarries shirt you realise how improved he is.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I don't get why people don't think highly of Farrell in terms of being no fan of him. I'm huge fan of him and think he's a brilliant 10. I think Sexton is a better 10 but if Sexton was out I'd prefer him as next in line.

Same
He'd 100% be in my 23, and I'd think long and hard (giggedy) about a start at 10 or 12.
Don't think there's a real standout at either spot (Sexton clearly the frontrunner for 10, especially with his Murray link, but not without his question marks over consistency - would be my first choice, though).

 

[munstermuffin]

I've always thought if him as a class act. He can be bit of dick at times on field but every top 10 has that trait.
I know people talk about link Murray and Sexton have. I think Murray is nailed on for 9. But Farrell did stay friendly with Murray and I'd have no fear of them linking up as I think they'd suit each other

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Murray/Farrell would be pound for pound least likeable half back partnership in the world.
Both class, both ***** :lol: