British & Irish Lions Back Row

[tompaton]

Hill and Back both played 7 for their clubs, but played together at international to form one of the greatest back row combinations of the professional era.

Warburton and Tipuric should have played together back since November instead of wasting time finding out that Scarlets back rowers Turnbull/McCusker/Shingler weren't good enough.

So true. It's about the balance of the back-row and those combine so well every time. Warburton is such a good ball carrier and is destructive in the tackle while Tipuric is a low tackler and a great link man. Both wreck havoc at the breakdown - which is the most important feature because teams second guess before going into contact as they have to think of the threat of these two. Also, when both are on the field, they both take their games up a major notch as they are essentially competing against each other while playing with each other if that makes sense. Faletau also covers all bases in carries, defence and breakdown prominence. I almost feel compelled to say that we're covering more bases with this back row than with Lydiate at 6. We lose a little bit of physicality but gain an abundance of breakdown presence and a superb link man. Depends on who you're playing I suppose. Either, that was the most complete, balanced, overall back row performance by a Welsh team I've ever seen (up there with SA in 2011).

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

If you were going to have Tipuric and Warburton as the flankers I'd think that O'Brien is the best 8 to have. He's been the most destructive runner and is a huge tackler, when he doesn't have to focus too much on the breakdown which he wouldn't with Tipuric, Warburton and Healy he is even more effective. He's given away a few to many penalties this competition but when you're the only performing player in the pack like he was it's going to happen.

 

[lucky number 7]

Plenty of noise for Tipuric and warburton as shoe ins for the test squad after the win yesterday , no doubt an exceptional performance , I would say the best of the year so far. However it seems that everyone is forgetting how undeniably **** warbuton has been all season in the build up to this game.

I'm quite a fan of Tipuric and reckon he should have been well ahead of warbs in the pecking order all season , but I think there is an awful lot of hype after one game for this partnership.

The stand out performers this 6N in the back row IMO would have been Robshaw(a player I never rated highly) SOB (consistently Ireland's best player) and Beattie ( solid as ****) after yesterday Warbuton will be brought on the basis of reputation and that game , and either tipuric (imo the better player) will lose out to him or one of the three aforementioned players will , who's consistency and class have really shown all season.

 

[Peat]

Not neccessarily. Take this for back row...

Blindsides: O'Brien, Robshaw
Opensides: Warburton, Tipuric
8s: Beattie, Faletau/Morgan/Heaslip - delete as you see appropriate.

Problem solved. Hard lines on Tom Wood.

 

[Gavin]

The backrow is interesting. The Aussie's how great depth at 7 so it would be nice to see two fetchers on the Lion's team.

 

[Aedaphon]

The backrow is interesting. The Aussie's how great depth at 7 so it would be nice to see two fetchers on the Lion's team.

Not now that Pocock's out for the series...

 

[Peat]

Not now that Pocock's out for the series...

Oh no, they only have Hooper and Gill.

 

[Aedaphon]

Oh no, they only have Hooper and Gill.

I accept they have good depth, but no team in the world can shrug off losing Pocock <_<

 

[psychic duck]

Robshaw was a loser in terms of Lions selection after the Wales match. He struggled to defend the predictable one dimensional Jamie Roberts running in a straight line move. A move that every other single team throughout the tournament has defended with ease.

 

[big ginger 8]

Robshaw was a loser in terms of Lions selection after the Wales match. He struggled to defend the predictable one dimensional Jamie Roberts running in a straight line move. A move that every other single team throughout the tournament has defended with ease.

Seriously? That was the first time Roberts was actually running properly hard at a retreating defence this tournament.

He was by no means great but suggesting because a battering ram like Roberts ran through him means he shouldn't go? Aus have no one close to Roberts strength in the backs.

 

[dullonien]

I don't think Robshaw had the greatest of games either. His work rate was still high, but he was shown up for pace against the Welsh back row, and he missed a few tackles.

I'd still have him on the plane, but he's lost a little ground to SOB and Warburton.

I still think he could work well on the blindside as part of a balanced back row, alongside Tipuric/Warburton and Faletau/Morgan.

 

[Gavin]

Oh no, they only have Hooper and Gill.

Add to that George Smith

 

[TRF_Cymro]

One bad game doesn't rule Robshaw out.

 

[Amiga500]

If I had to pick the back row right now...

6 - SOB
7 - Tipuric
8 - Faletau

Warburton has played 2 good games. In about 12 months. Tipuric has played about 22 good games in those same 12 months. I know who I'd rather rely on right now.

Obviously, Warburton goes in the squad (along with Robshaw and Beattie - and prob Heaslip too), but I'd have Tipuric ahead of him in the team right now.

 

[dullonien]

If I had to pick the back row right now...

6 - SOB
7 - Tipuric
8 - Faletau

Warburton has played 2 good games. In about 12 months. Tipuric has played about 22 good games in those same 12 months. I know who I'd rather rely on right now.

Obviously, Warburton goes in the squad (along with Robshaw and Beattie - and prob Heaslip too), but I'd have Tipuric ahead of him in the team right now.

Regarding Warburton, I understand the viewpoint. But imo, like Jenkins, he's a class player who had lost form. Now he's re-discovered that form, it's here to stay for the foreseeable future and if selected I think Warbs would have a barnstorming Lions tour.

SOB is also a class player, so I'd be happy with that back row you've suggested. Actually I'd be happy with a back row that consists of any combination of the following:

06: Warburton/SOB/Robshaw
07: Warburton/Tipuric
08: Faletau/Morgan

 

[psychic duck]

Seriously? That was the first time Roberts was actually running properly hard at a retreating defence this tournament.

He was by no means great but suggesting because a battering ram like Roberts ran through him means he shouldn't go? Aus have no one close to Roberts strength in the backs.

Since the last World Cup, no other international team, or domestic team for that matter has had any problem nullifying Jamie Roberts. Considering he's not all that dynamic in the loose, and tackling is his main strength he has fallen down the pecking order for me.

If Gatland is taking 4 flankers. Then Warburton, Tipuric, O'Brien and Tom Wood are all ahead imo, as would be Lydiate and Ferris in the unlikely case they have time to get back.

Robshaw is more on a level with Kelly Brown. He's a good player, and still has time to play himself back in with Harlequins, but his reputation as a force has been a little bit overhyped of late in my opinion, mainly due to him simply being captain.

But I don't see him as much as a certainty as others do, and I also think Tom Wood is a better, more dynamic player who brings more intensity and was the man of the match against New Zealand but who receives less credit than Robshaw. Looking back at the previous games, I don't see why Robshaw is supposedly much better than Wood.

Having said that though, if he can get good form for Harlequins the rest of the season, then I may take him as a midweek captain. Seems a good personality to have in the s quad.

Regarding Warburton, I understand the viewpoint. But imo, like Jenkins, he's a class player who had lost form. Now he's re-discovered that form, it's here to stay for the foreseeable future and if selected I think Warbs would have a barnstorming Lions tour.

Warburton's lost form was overblown anyway. There's no shame in getting outplayed at the breakdown by the outstanding Pocock. That happens to a lot of teams.

Whilst not at his best. He wasn't that awful either, he was okay, just not at the heights he was in 2011. His loss of form is not in the same league as Gethin who got destroyed by in the Top 14 with Toulon, and by Samoa in November. Jenkins didn't have all that great a game against England either tbh, Paul James can consider himself very unlucky to not get more starts for Wales.

 

[Peat]

Why in god's name did we only have one man hitting Roberts anyway? If ever there was a man you wanted to double tackle...

(not to excuse Robshaw mind, although he's still on the plane and the tour will settle all).

 

[big ginger 8]

Since the last World Cup, no other international team, or domestic team for that matter has had any problem nullifying Jamie Roberts. Considering he's not all that dynamic in the loose, and tackling is his main strength he has fallen down the pecking order for me.

If Gatland is taking 4 flankers. Then Warburton, Tipuric, O'Brien and Tom Wood are all ahead imo, as would be Lydiate and Ferris in the unlikely case they have time to get back.

Robshaw is more on a level with Kelly Brown. He's a good player, and still has time to play himself back in with Harlequins, but his reputation as a force has been a little bit overhyped of late in my opinion, mainly due to him simply being captain.

But I don't see him as much as a certainty as others do, and I also think Tom Wood is a better, more dynamic player who brings more intensity and was the man of the match against New Zealand but who receives less credit than Robshaw. Looking back at the previous games, I don't see why Robshaw is supposedly much better than Wood.

Having said that though, if he can get good form for Harlequins the rest of the season, then I may take him as a midweek captain. Seems a good personality to have in the s quad.



Warburton's lost form was overblown anyway. There's no shame in getting outplayed at the breakdown by the outstanding Pocock. That happens to a lot of teams.

Whilst not at his best. He wasn't that awful either, he was okay, just not at the heights he was in 2011. His loss of form is not in the same league as Gethin who got destroyed by in the Top 14 with Toulon, and by Samoa in November. Jenkins didn't have all that great a game against England either tbh, Paul James can consider himself very unlucky to not get more starts for Wales.

That's not true we sure as hell struggled to deal with him! How often have Wales actually had go forward ball from which to launch him where IMO he is most effective. Robshaw wouldn't be in my 23 I just felt your initial comments were harsh.

 

[psychic duck]

That's not true we sure as hell struggled to deal with him! How often have Wales actually had go forward ball from which to launch him where IMO he is most effective. Robshaw wouldn't be in my 23 I just felt your initial comments were harsh.

The match in 2012 against Ireland is the last time Welsh one dimensional bosh tactics have actually worked really well.

Wales had plenty of "go forward ball" throughout the last 6 Nations, the pack was on immense form. However it being slowed down by Phillips hasn't helped. After the first couple of matches that tries have largely came from loose play rather than Welsh backline play. Turnovers that created tries for Cuthbert vs France 2012 and England 2013 are good examples. We still can't break down a defence which is organised. Just look how all opposition shut the attack down in November.

Even Ireland seemed to figure defending against the giant backline this year after they were the only team last year who really struggled.

 

[psychic duck]

Just seen this. Not good viewing for Robshaw at all.

Firstly after Faletau jinks into midfield, Robshaw ambles at snail's pace towards the ruck. Then on the second GIF, he is too slow and out of position and Warburton runs through the gap. And then he appears to put his head down and put his all into the chase but his pace just looks incredibly slow compared to Warburton and he appears to be going backwards, and he fails to get to the ruck and try and compete and slow down Welsh ball. Several other English forwards got back quicker than Robshaw despite him being the closest to Warburton.

For somebody who's work rate and fitness is supposed to be their major strength this doesn't look that good (somebody on the match thread thought Robshaw would be too fit over the 80 for Tipuric).