British & Irish Lions Back Row

[UlsterRugby2012]

Lawes is possibly a potential option here as well.

Please no

 

[Darwin]

I'm no expert on Lions rugby, but I think an important thing that need to be considered is what the Wallabies loose-forward trio will look like.

Assuming Pocock is fit you can be assured he will be starting, but that is probably all you can be sure of. The next best loose forward in Australia at the moment is probably Michael Hooper, who like Pocock is an openside flanker. I think it is very likely by the time the Lions tour Australia will be opting for dual opensides, and possibly even have a third openside on the bench in Liam Gill. Assuming this is the case I think the Lions may need to do something to combat this. This doesn't necessarily mean picking dual opensides like Australia (though is in an option) - it could mean picking bigger loose-forwards to exploit Australia's lack of size in this area. I think Australia's lineout is one area where the Lions should look to target - assuming Australia go in with Pocock and Hooper (both at around 6'0), and have Timani at lock (who is not really a lineout option), they are likely to only have two lineout options. If the Lions were to pick a couple of strong lineout options in their loose-forwards they could completely dominate in this area.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Far as I'm concerned, Warburton, Tipuric and Lydiate (If fit & with gametime under his belt, natch) are good as gone. O'Brien, Ferris, Croft and Morgan aren't a million miles off, but that's already 7 backrowers, and only Croft can be passed off as being second row cover if we're justifying taking too many flankers. Even then, we'd have to lose one of AWJ/Evans/POC/Kellock/Charteris/Lawes/D Ryan. (Richie Gray is probably the only player whos' seat on the plane is already booked. Him and Adam Jones, anyway) And then you look at Ryan Jones, who is one of the form players in Europe, but even with Lydiate injured may not make the Wales side. (Personally, I'd play Warburton at 6 and Tipuric at 7)

I think we've just got to wish Gatland the best of luck in making his mind up, then resort to moaning when he doesn't pick our personal favourites.

 

[Twebby]

Surprised that nobody has even mentioned Tom Wood as a possibility. Was arguably England's stand out forward before he got injured last season - if he manages to stay injury free this year and get his form back then I don't think it would be impossible for him to make the touring squad.

Not necessarily going to start in the test team on paper, but I could imagine him being the sort of guy you would want in your party.

Plus - it's a Lions year! Anything can happen between now and the end of the season.

 

[Draggs]

Surprised that nobody has even mentioned Tom Wood as a possibility. Was arguably England's stand out forward before he got injured last season - if he manages to stay injury free this year and get his form back then I don't think it would be impossible for him to make the touring squad.

Not necessarily going to start in the test team on paper, but I could imagine him being the sort of guy you would want in your party.

Plus - it's a Lions year! Anything can happen between now and the end of the season.

Tom Wood is a good flanker. I rate him higher than Croft, et al.

Back row is the one area where the Lions are spoiled for choice.
I'll nominate Ryan Jones. Can cover SR, Blindside and Eight. Experienced and in great form.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Right, let's do this properly. Ferris is the most destructive back rower in B&I, therefore he gets the 6. Warburton in the best openside, so he gets 7. 8 is still up for grabs, with Heaslip, Denton and Morgan all making strong claims. At the moment Denton is the man on form.

Next off, the most versitile back row we have is Sean O'Brien, having played 6,7 and 8 to a high standard at international level. He should bench. One of Ross Rennie or Justin Tipuric should travel, most likely Tipuric considering the manager's preference. Ryan Jones is then in with a shout, being able to cover lock, 6 and 8 to a good standard. Chris Robshaw should fancy his chances too. Lydiate is a strong contender for the 6 shirt
I'd go with:

6) Ferris
7) Warburton
8) Denton

19) O'Brien

Squad: Lydiate, Tipuric, Heaslip.

Sorry England

 

[coonor]

I think a problem with Tipuric is the lack of game time between now and the tour that he will gain. Is he going to start any 6N games at 7 if Warburton is available? Its going to be about getting the right balance.

 

[Draggs]

I think a problem with Tipuric is the lack of game time between now and the tour that he will gain. Is he going to start any 6N games at 7 if Warburton is available? Its going to be about getting the right balance.

I hope so. Warburton has had some injuries lately, so one way or another Tipuric should get some time. I can see us starting him against either Argentina or Samoa, probably the latter.
Some want Tipuric and Warburton in the same back row. I don't think it would work, as we need a specialist blindside. Granted, Tipuric and Nugget for twenty minutes against the Barbarians was pretty effective.

 

[Peat]

Sorry England

Nought to apologise for, it's up to English players to put that right. Robshaw might muscle his way in, he has 'perfect tourist' stamped all over him and he is highly versatile, but as you rightly note he's up against it. Wood likewise but he needs to perform in an international jersey again pronto. If Croft gets himself fit he's in with a chance - down the pecking order at the moment, yes, but if you need to combat two 7s and want to target the lineout, then he's nigh tailor-made for the job.

Really though, I think our best hope might lie in the bolters section. Billy Vunipola is looking very impressive. If Matt Kvesic can get a start, then he's got a lot of quality and could sneak in as the 2nd 7 - while Joe Launchbury would make a very good lock/6 choice and is well placed to make his claim in terms of gametime. But it'll be difficult.

I hope so. Warburton has had some injuries lately, so one way or another Tipuric should get some time. I can see us starting him against either Argentina or Samoa, probably the latter.
Some want Tipuric and Warburton in the same back row. I don't think it would work, as we need a specialist blindside. Granted, Tipuric and Nugget for twenty minutes against the Barbarians was pretty effective.

Dunno about that, I'm seeing little reason Waburton couldn't play Richard Hill to Tipuric's Neil Back - worth a look at surely, even if neither's quite at that level yet...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

CarlFearnsCarlFearnsCarlFearnsCarlFearnsCarlFearnsCarlFearnsCarlFearnsCarlFearnsCarlFearns*






I don't think for a second he'd even be considered, but he's playing out of his skin at the moment. Fantastic player.

 

[big ginger 8]

6. Ferris (my reasons are well known at this stage) suits any gameplan
7. Warbuton - best openside in Europe
8. Denton/Heaslip - depends what type of game you want to play and what you want your eight to do. You simply want to steamroll the Aussies Denton if you want a smarter footballer and better linkman Heaslip. As a side note with the Lions scrum likely to do pretty well control at the base could be important. IMO Heaslip is the best at this as he has shown numerous times on rapidly retreating scrums.

20. O'Brien - not the best in any of the positions and not necessarily but the best option who can play all three backrow positions.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

"The Lions scrull will steamroller the Aussies so you should select Heaslip cause he's always going backwards"

Sound logic.



I get what you're saying though. I'd still go for Denton - for a token Scot you could do a lot worse!
To be fair I'd go for anyone over Faletau.

 

[SelimNiai]

6. Ferris (my reasons are well known at this stage) suits any gameplan
7. Warbuton - best openside in Europe
8. Denton/Heaslip - depends what type of game you want to play and what you want your eight to do. You simply want to steamroll the Aussies Denton if you want a smarter footballer and better linkman Heaslip. As a side note with the Lions scrum likely to do pretty well control at the base could be important. IMO Heaslip is the best at this as he has shown numerous times on rapidly retreating scrums.

20. O'Brien - not the best in any of the positions and not necessarily but the best option who can play all three backrow positions.

<img style="-webkit-user-select: none" src="http://myfivebest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/grindsmygears-150x150.jpg">

You mean smarter rugby player

Yes its rugby football but its rugby first

 

[big ginger 8]

"The Lions scrull will steamroller the Aussies so you should select Heaslip cause he's always going backwards"

Sound logic.



I get what you're saying though. I'd still go for Denton - for a token Scot you could do a lot worse!
To be fair I'd go for anyone over Faletau.

Yeah was a bit lazy with the example. Gray'd be my token Scot though I do really like Denton.

 

[psychic duck]

Right, let's do this properly. Ferris is the most destructive back rower in B&I, therefore he gets the 6. Warburton in the best openside, so he gets 7. 8 is still up for grabs, with Heaslip, Denton and Morgan all making strong claims. At the moment Denton is the man on form.

What has Denton done to be "the man on form"? He's been struggling with a string of minor injuries since the 6 Nations and only played 6 matches in the past 7 months.

The same O'Brien that has and will destroy all before him.

 

[profitius]

SOB > Ferris. He is a better ball carrier, better at the breakdown and have better skills too. I'd have SOB playing 6 or 8. We saw the damage SOB can do when playing 6.

 

[lucky number 7]

What has Denton done to be "the man on form"? He's been struggling with a string of minor injuries since the 6 Nations and only played 6 matches in the past 7 months.

He fell off a tackle I'm over that...

He's won many Heineken cups and ****s **** up on the reg

I'm all for his inclusion

 

[lucky number 7]

lest we forget.


the ultimate alpha male.

 

[Peat]

SOB > Ferris. He is a better ball carrier, better at the breakdown and have better skills too. I'd have SOB playing 6 or 8. We saw the damage SOB can do when playing 6.

O'Brien's never proved himself a better ball carrier at international level and imo last season struggled to replicate the carrying of his break out season at a domestic level. He's a better jackal, but not a better counter-rucker or ruck-clearer - I'd probably give the latter to Ferris, but that might just be bias speaking. Better skills? Can't say I've seen much evidence of that and would point out that Ferris offloaded more often than O'Brien last Six Nations. And last Heineken Cup too.

I'd also point out I see Ferris used more as a lineout option than O'Brien. He's also quicker. He's also a more destructive tackler.

And so on. And, like, you're wrong.

 

[lucky number 7]

In Fairness he's still a wrecking ball in attack...And he has proven his ball carrying at international level plenty of video evidence of him pounding over and around the opponents.

He's being used as a 7 now and as such has to adapt to fit that role , he's got the highest tackle count in any game I've cared to check the stats at and still is always up there with yards gained...

And with ball carrying like him even if he get's stopped at the gainline. incredibly rare for him to be stopped he'll have sucked in 2-3 defenders.


He's godlike.