British & Irish Lions Back Row

[UlsterRugby2012]

Yeah i agree, Warburton is the man for the future i think but is not quite up to the job yet. Gatland/Howley will probably either hand the captaincy straight back to Warburton or they will pass it around the numerous older heads in the team like A W Jones, R Jones and Jenkins as they almost always perform under the pressure and all have the right traits. I hope they leave it for a year or two before reinstating Warburton. Having said that, if he captains the lions, then maybe we can assume that he will do so for Wales too following the tour.

So you consider Warburton, AW Jones, R Jones and Jenkins all ahead of O'Driscoll?
Seems to be a bit of a trend with Welsh players........

 

[j'nuh]

So you consider Warburton, AW Jones, R Jones and Jenkins all ahead of O'Driscoll?
Seems to be a bit of a trend with Welsh players........

BOD is a fantastic player and could captain a lot of teams, but I'm not sure the Welsh national rugby team is one of them...

(Given context, I think it was pretty clear he was talking about the Welsh captaincy, not the Lions one.)

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

BOD is a fantastic player and could captain a lot of teams, but I'm not sure the Welsh national rugby team is one of them...

(Given context, I think it was pretty clear he was talking about the Welsh captaincy, not the Lions one.)

Apologies, only skipped through it quickly.

 

[Rich Taff]

Yeah sorry, reading that again, it is a bit ambiguous.

I mentioned R Jones as we saw what happened in the 6n, when the pressure (relatively light compared to the Lions) put Warburton off his game (amongst other factors).

I feel BOD would be the ideal Lions captain, if he can guarantee his place (or at least start as number one choice). Otherwise, I'd go for any of the more experienced campaigners who are so used to preparation for the game itself, that they won't be knocked 'off kilter'.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

He would be my personal choice - I don't think it's certain for him to even start though, and i think the others are viable options but BOD is not that far down the pecking order. I just assumed it was the Lions since we're on the B&I thread.

 

[Peat]

Not really, when you consider England, Ireland and Scotland have all beaten Australia by themselves relatively recently (within the past couple of seasons, anyhow) with England and Scotland winning in Australia.

I'm by no means saying don't play Welsh players due to previous results vs Aus, nor am I saying playing other nations because of their results vs Aus. Just go with the best players regardless.

It's a fairly frequent affair - one nation is expected to make up the bulk of the Lions - and it frequently doesn't; injuries occur, players shine with brighter lights around them, some people simply want it more. You can make a case for a predominantly Welsh team. You can make a case for a team that contains barely any - I think openside is the only position where I now absolutely expect to see a Welshman start. If every player plays to their potential, I'm expecting five to six Welshmen , seven at most, assuming no injuries. I do think they've got more out and out talent than the other nations. But that's all. They are certainly not better than the rest of us man for man on that scale. Some people will make the case for bringing your cohesion out there - but I don't think that works with the Lions.

 

[Aedaphon]

Gareth Delve. Solid player, knows the Aussie teams well.

Great shout- I've been such a fan of Delve for years (it's also my bias towards players that share my partially Asian heritage though)

Also think of him as a complete legend after this:

GARETH Delve arrived in Melbourne to play with Super Rugby's newest franchise, the Rebels, last year expecting plenty of sporting brutality once the season began. What he didn't expect was that he would face violence off the field, but the veteran Welsh forward did not hesitate to intervene to help a stranger who he believed was being assaulted.Delve said he had been househunting with his partner late last year in South Yarra when he noticed a disturbing scene where a man allegedly appeared to be ''roughing up this lady a little bit'' and attempting to push her into a car.
The 28-year-old, who is listed as 191 centimetres and 114 kilograms, approached the couple. The man then allegedly directed his anger at Delve, forcing him to dodge punches and to defend himself. The solidly built Delve, who said he was simply in the ''right place at the wrong time'', soon ended the situation by knocking the man to the ground and calling the police.
''He was trying to bundle her into a car so it looked pretty ominous,'' Delve said. ''It didn't look like your average domestic argument so I just went to see if she was OK and he didn't take too kindly to that.
<small style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Advertisement</small>
''The good thing was that he started being aggressive towards me instead of towards the woman … the way I was brought up you don't like seeing things like that happen. In the situation it felt like the right thing to step in. Melbourne's a beautiful place and thankfully that incident has been the exception.''


Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-unio...-super-hero-20110111-19mof.html#ixzz2OKaS2vbH

Still, probably wishful thinking. He's been out of the loop of test match loop for a while now.

 

[KAPman]

Depends on type of game you are looking to play. If Gatland wants to play an open game, I'd go for
6: Warburton
7: Tipruric
8: Faletau.

But If you are looking to play a bit tighter and more physical, looking for a more grit up front and natural blindside flanker. Id go

6: Dan Lydiate (If fit and in form, if not then Tom Wood)
7: Warburton
8: Faletau

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Well Croft had a fantastic game today - I've said before I've never been a fan of his because he just isn't built and lanky. But really I think he might be the best bet against Aus - great for the line out and will have good pace.

Genuinely wouldn't start Waburton - pity he's captain and is guaranteed now.

Id go for:
6: Croft
7: O'Brien
8: Faletau

But I reckon it will be:
6: Waburton
7: Tipuric
8: Heaslip

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Croft vs Higginbotham would be interesting - very similar players.

Interesting to see SOB had to miss Leinsters game today - presumably fit for the tour, but if not....
Robshaw also not fit ATM, who would be next in line to replace?
Brown? Wood?

 

[psychic duck]

Well Croft had a fantastic game today - I've said before I've never been a fan of his because he just isn't built and lanky. But really I think he might be the best bet against Aus - great for the line out and will have good pace.

Genuinely wouldn't start Waburton - pity he's captain and is guaranteed now.

Id go for:
6: Croft
7: O'Brien
8: Faletau

But I reckon it will be:
6: Waburton
7: Tipuric
8: Heaslip

Alright having a good game today, but where was he when in direct competition with Warburton/Tipuric?

(Note: GIF not intended to say that sole knock on and comedy slice was him having bad game, although he didn't have a great game)

 

[j'nuh]

Robshaw also not fit ATM, who would be next in line to replace?
Brown? Wood?

100% Wood if a flanker.

Although considering Wood doesn't really bring anything new to the table and wouldn't really challenge SOB/Warbs/Tipuric, I'd personally use the chance to call up Morgan.

Alright having a good game today, but where was he when in direct competition with Warburton/Tipuric?

(Note: GIF not intended to say that sole knock on and comedy slice was him having bad game, although he didn't have a great game)

The whole England team was blown away that day. It would be like not picking McCaw for what happened in the autumn.

Plus, he'd just come back from a career-threatening injury around that time. He had to limit the number of games he could play due to concerns over his health. Most English fans questioned why Lancaster brought him back into the EPS so fast.

Croft is in-form and provides a unique set of skills for a flanker to the Lions. I can see why he's been taken now. I'm not sure over whether I'd start him, but if not, I'd definitely have him on the bench.

 

[psychic duck]

The whole England team was blown away that day. It would be like not picking McCaw for what happened in the autumn.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Likewise where has Warburton been the last 10 months?

By that logic the whole Welsh team should be the Lions. You've shown me one clip of him dropping a ball when the game was lost and nothing was going their way. Well done.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Alright having a good game today, but where was he when in direct competition with Warburton/Tipuric?

(Note: GIF not intended to say that sole knock on and comedy slice was him having bad game, although he didn't have a great game)

All right, Wales might have had a good Six Nation, but when was the last time they beat Australia?
Leave the whole lot of them behind, I say.

I might even go so far as to say Warren Gatland should be fired out of a cannon directly into the sun for bringing such shame on our beautiful hemisphere (8 straight losses in the last four years, come on).

 

[j'nuh]

Croft had only had 5 starts and one bench appearance in the 11 months preceding the Wales game.

 

[McTallshort]

When was the last time Warburton or Tirpuric scored a try against France like Croft did? Or a try like croft scored today. Warburton has made captain out of 1 good game in a whole season and Robshaw was shoved out by someone who has hardly played any rugby at all but then Gatland knows best

 

[psychic duck]

Likewise where has Warburton been the last 10 months?

By that logic the whole Welsh team should be the Lions. You've shown me one clip of him dropping a ball when the game was lost and nothing was going their way. Well done.

In fairness that's because he didn't do anything apart from drop the ball there in that match. The stats say he made 9 tackles compared to 18 by Robshaw and 24 by Wood which sums up who was doing the hard work for England really.

The only other clips would just involve him hanging out on the wing. Like this one ...

When was the last time Warburton or Tirpuric scored a try against France like Croft did? Or a try like croft scored today. Warburton has made captain out of 1 good game in a whole season and Robshaw was shoved out by someone who has hardly played any rugby at all but then Gatland knows best

Both play different positions. The Wales winger scored a try like that against France too last year (http://youtu.be/G7N6XAjym70?t=3m12s).

(Although Tipuric has scored good tries before since you ask http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFvtYbnKJj8 and also set up the second try vs England, which Warburton also helped to do).

As for Warburton being captain "out of 1 good game". You couldn't be more wrong.

Interesting you are only noting Welsh players there, and ignoring Sean O'Brien who actually wears the same shirt number.

All right, Wales might have had a good Six Nation, but when was the last time they beat Australia?
Leave the whole lot of them behind, I say.

Cracking idea. Seriously would be nice not to have the upcoming season sabotaged by this. Also would be good if Gatland hadn't been appointed, disruptive to Wales and his Cementball tactics haven't worked against Australia.

 

[munstermuffin]

Just on this Wales had good 6Nations etc.... Can I say something that lots may argue but the standard of 6Nations this year was all round 1 of worst in years. Been honest how many times will you hear a team loose their first game at home and win it out.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

In fairness that's because he didn't do anything apart from drop the ball there in that match. The stats say he made 9 tackles compared to 18 by Robshaw and 24 by Wood which sums up who was doing the hard work for England really.

The only other clips would just involve him hanging out on the wing. Like this one ...

Both play different positions. The Wales winger scored a try like that against France too last year (http://youtu.be/G7N6XAjym70?t=3m12s).

(Although Tipuric has scored good tries before since you ask http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFvtYbnKJj8 and also set up the second try vs England, which Warburton also helped to do).

As for Warburton being captain "out of 1 good game". You couldn't be more wrong.

Interesting you are only noting Welsh players there, and ignoring Sean O'Brien who actually wears the same shirt number.



Cracking idea. Seriously would be nice not to have the upcoming season sabotaged by this. Also would be good if Gatland hadn't been appointed, disruptive to Wales and his Cementball tactics haven't worked against Australia.

I fail to see the point here?
If it was a reply to the comment about Robshaw being shoved out by Warburton - and suggesting O'Brien was the one who did that - you couldn't be more wrong.
Id take O'Brien over Warburton any day, and yes that would include the number 7 shirt.

I hope he can keep up this "form" (1 - 2 games is hardly form), and that it doesn't come back to haunt Gatland after making him captain.