Kiwi picks the Lions

[welshglory]

Against Australia i would start Cole. He offers much more around the field than Jones and will hold the scrum against Australia if not dominate.

 

[Keithmurdoch]

I would have thought dominating was the minimum requirment against the Soss scrum.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I'm really not certain at all how anyone can say Cole isn't much use in the loose, and wonder if they've seen the same games I have. Even allowing for Robshaw's marked improvement, Cole is still our best ballhog, and pretty tidy in all other respects in the loose.

Everytime i see him play for england he never seems to be making runs or tackles....but maybe i have missed him. I guess other players are more noticable, i shall watch the November games in a bit more of an observing manner.
I know his scrummaging work is top notch though.

Is he better than Jones then?

 

[Peat]

Everytime i see him play for england he never seems to be making runs or tackles....but maybe i have missed him. I guess other players are more noticable, i shall watch the November games in a bit more of an observing manner.
I know his scrummaging work is top notch though.

Is he better than Jones then?

He doesn't do much carrying, but he makes his fair share of tackles, and it's his work at the ruck which you've got to watch for - he slows down a lot and steals the odd one.

Better than Jones? That's a hard one to call. I think he's better than Jones in the loose, but still not quite up there with him in the scrum, and in both cases we're talking thin margins.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Aye, people say "Oh Cole gives away a lot of penalties", that's because he's basically playing 7 in the loose, and what good 7 isn't pinged off the park at the ruck?

 

[Peat]

I have to say, I really do love the idea of a Jenkins-Best-Cole front row. The amount of ball it would slow and steal would, theoretically, be phenomenal. No mean bunch at scrum-time either.

 

[big ginger 8]

Since none of us will fully agree on a starting 22 I've decided to do one I think no one will want to tour.

1. Payne
2. Mears
3. Buckley
4. Botha
5. Gaskell
6. Tom Smith
7. Harley
8. Dowson
9. Murray
10. Laidlaw
11. Brew
12. Flutey
13. Lamont
14. Zebo
15. Duffy

I amn't slagging all the players really just saying they shouldn't tour.

 

[Draggs]

Since none of us will fully agree on a starting 22 I've decided to do one I think no one will want to tour.

1. Payne
2. Mears
3. Buckley
4. Botha
5. Gaskell
6. Tom Smith
7. Harley
8. Dowson
9. Murray
10. Laidlaw
11. Brew
12. Flutey
13. Lamont
14. Zebo
15. Duffy

1. ...
Oh F***!

 

[Shovenose]

No BOD?

 

[big ginger 8]

Thanks for that. Really interesting.

Your welcome.

 

[big ginger 8]

So players unable to travel to Hong Kong won't be picked meaning a strong possibility that players based in France won't go.

 

[Draggs]

So players unable to travel to Hong Kong won't be picked meaning a strong possibility that players based in France won't go.

Good, a few less players to worry about getting injured.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

So players unable to travel to Hong Kong won't be picked meaning a strong possibility that players based in France won't go.

Cian Healy thanking his lucky stars

 

[Draggs]

Cian Healy thanking his lucky stars

The might of Sheridan no longer stopping him. That other chap as well, plays in France... Freshwater?

 

[big ginger 8]

Cian Healy thanking his lucky stars

Gethin Jenkins thanking God for an excuse.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The might of Sheridan no longer stopping him.

Aye, though he's missing out on learning from him.
For all of Healy's improvements he's still just a poormans/secondrate Sheridan.

 

[Draggs]

Uh oh. I dun goofed here.

 

[Peat]

So players unable to travel to Hong Kong won't be picked meaning a strong possibility that players based in France won't go.

Which players is this likely to effect?

The only Englishman in France likely to tour would be the Stefler - there's a fair few more Scots and Welsh playing there, but buggered if I can remember who.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Gethin Jenkins would be most affected.
Mike Philips wouldn't go but that's a Godsend, especially as Gatland is in charge so he'd be starting every game if he did.
Other than that I can't think of many/any who would - Byrne has been surpassed for Wales, can't see him going.
Suppose Charteris may have gone, though he's replaceable.
Token Scot in the form of Mike Blair or Max Evans? Again, not tour-ruining if they didn't go.

 

[Peat]

Fortunately, loosehead looks like being one of our strongest positions, so we can do without him if needs be - elsewise, possibly more good than bad there! Isn't Cussiter in France?