England 2024/25

[Geordie]

I think we all agree that he should be made to serve those 5 years consecutively. And that anyone who has heard a Tom Jones song, not only automatically qualifies for Wales, but is also immediately disqualified from playing for England.

Aaaahhh but Delilah is banned from the principality stadium...so no longer applies.

 

[stus768]

Aged 7, by the looks of things.
And from then, has spent about 8-9 months a year in England

Kepu began playing at Panteg RFC and was involved in Pontypool district before winning a scholarship to Caldicott Prep School for Year Seven (so aged 11/12). He credits Harrow, where he moved from the back row to hooker, as a vital stepping stone. -from telegraph article. Obviously has played majority of his rugby in England.

 

[AlRums]

Can't help but feel Scotland on paper are as good as us tbh. A combined starting XV wouldn't be far off an even split of English and Scottish players

Name a combined team for interest

 

[Saintjay]

Name a combined team for interest

I'll pick the Scots I'd go with. I think all those named are in with a shout of touring with the Lions. Darge and DVM being the narrow calls.

Props - Fagerson - Shoeman
Back row - Rory Darge

Backs - Finn Russell, Tuipuloto and Huw Jones. Kinghorn and DVM.

 

[BPM]

I agree with that. Maybe add Matt Fagerson too for sheer consistency.

6 is probably the least clear cut position for the Lions IMO.

Previously, Lawes and O'Mahony would probably have been favourites but Father Time has changed the picture and I don't think there's a really obvious choice. I thought CCS might be a bolter for that shirt but he's had a bit of a dip in form and isn't guaranteed to make England's starting XV right now.

Maybe Lawes and/or O'Mahony still make it? If not, I think it's between Fagerson, Chessum and CCS. Maybe Tom Curry if he's considered a 6.5 type?

As far as a combined XV's concerned. Scotland would have more right now but lots of close calls:

1. Schoeman
2. George (Turner)
3. Z. Fagerson
4. Itoje
5. Martin
6. M. Fagerson (CCS / Chessum)
7. Darge (Underhill / Curry)
8. Earl
9. Mitchell
10. Russell
11. van der Merwe
12. Tuipolotu
13. Jones (Slade / Lawrence)
14. Feyi Waboso (Graham)
15. Kinghorn (Furbank)

I'm basing that largely on form though and I put the most debatable calls in brackets. For example, I think Darge is in better form at this moment in time, but both Underhill and Curry at their best are better players.

I wanted to go for Willis at 8 but until we can conclusively say his domestic and European form translates to test rugby, it wouldn't be fair to include him in a combined XV.

In other areas, combinations come in to consideration. I don't necessarily think Huw Jones is notably better than Slade or Lawrence but he's definitely been in better form and has a great partnership with Tuipolotu.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

What about Bernie at 6?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

What about Bernie at 6?

Yeah I think we see:
4. Itoje
5. McCarthy
6. Beirne

19. Ryan

That kind of setup just seems like an international coach's wet dream.

 

[BPM]

What about Bernie at 6?

Maybe. When was the last time he actually played there though? I don't actually know the answer here - my impression is that he's almost exclusively at lock these days.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Maybe. When was the last time he actually played there though? I don't actually know the answer here - my impression is that he's almost exclusively at lock these days.

Started 3 out of his 4 games this autumn at blindside. So Farrell clearly sees him as an option there.

 

[BPM]

Fair enough. In that case, yeah, he's a shoo-in for the 6 shirt.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Don'r really rate Beirne at 6 at this point in his career. He's not as dynamic and more of a tight runner than before. Hopong Ireland move onto Baird, Ahern or Izuchukwu.

Definitely think there's better 6 options although a weird dearth of talent there in Ireland and the UK rn.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Don'r really rate Beirne at 6 at this point in his career. He's not as dynamic and more of a tight runner than before. Hopong Ireland move onto Baird, Ahern or Izuchukwu.

Definitely think there's better 6 options although a weird dearth of talent there in Ireland and the UK rn.

I think Tadhg Beirne is one of the best players in the world and I would have him as the first name on the Lions team sheet in whatever position he wants to play. Every time I see him I am amazed at his alround game. He can do everything.

 

[duncanb]

I think Tadhg Beirne is one of the best players in the world and I would have him as the first name on the Lions team sheet in whatever position he wants to play. Every time I see him I am amazed at his alround game. He can do everything.

Very good player maybe a shed of armchair pundits me Included would go for Lawes at 6.
Just saying.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think Tadhg Beirne is one of the best players in the world and I would have him as the first name on the Lions team sheet in whatever position he wants to play. Every time I see him I am amazed at his alround game. He can do everything.

As a lock 100%, him and Etzebeth are probably the World XV row. However, he played three games for Ireland at 6 this autumn and was the 2nd best 6 and Ireland's third best backrow on the pitch three times.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

As a lock 100%, him and Etzebeth are probably the World XV row. However, he played three games for Ireland at 6 this autumn and was the 2nd best 6 and Ireland's third best backrow on the pitch three times.

If you had to choose either Itoje or Beirne at 6 which would you? (Out of curiosity)


Who would be your lions 6 then? An in form Curry? (Which may or may not exist at that point) or another I'm forgetting?