LIONS PICK THEMSELVES

[bushytop]

I'm just exited to see which Leinster player spends the few years after the Lions injured and/or out of form (usually both).

2005: BOD
2009: Luke Fitzgerald
2013: Cian Healy
2017: Sean O'Brien AND Jack McGrath

Anyway, I refuse to listen to any team that doesn't have Noel Reid at 10 and 12 (he can do both, and if we absolutely have to we can clone him)

So I've seen the whole Noel Reid-skit previously on here but I must be late to the party (usually the case in fairness) so have no idea of the context... what's the skinny?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

So I've seen the whole Noel Reid-skit previously on here but I must be late to the party (usually the case in fairness) so have no idea of the context... what's the skinny?

He's proper shite - but because he went to Tigers there was attention on him

 

[Redman7]

I've said this before, but please don't take any Welsh players.
Let the other nations grind it out. I'll still support them. But our player pool ain't as deep. We always seem to get inhuries on these things. Keep fresh for the next WC innit

Is this genuine? Because off all the nations I always thought of Wales as the nation that loves the lions the most. The English are a big rugby nation anyways capable of wining a World Cup most tournaments and beating the big boys from the Southern hemisphere. Scotland are a relatively small rugby nation so it's great to see their best players play on a world class team v a world class team. Ireland are highly conflicted as the team used to to be called the British Lions till 2001, the lion on jersey is straight from the English football crest and there will be a ton of union Jack's at every game. But the Welsh always provide plenty of players, think of themselves as a big rugby nation(in the northern hemisphere they are) and are proud brits who(Sean Holley I'm looking at you) always refer to the team as the British Lions and get to compete and sometimes beat one of the great rugby nations which they struggle to do on their own particularly away from home as technically they are a small nation.

 

[MattGaff]

Is this genuine? Because off all the nations I always thought of Wales as the nation that loves the lions the most. The English are a big rugby nation anyways capable of wining a World Cup most tournaments and beating the big boys from the Southern hemisphere. Scotland are a relatively small rugby nation so it's great to see their best players play on a world class team v a world class team. Ireland are highly conflicted as the team used to to be called the British Lions till 2001, the lion on jersey is straight from the English football crest and there will be a ton of union Jack's at every game. But the Welsh always provide plenty of players, think of themselves as a big rugby nation(in the northern hemisphere they are) and are proud brits who(Sean Holley I'm looking at you) always refer to the team as the British Lions and get to compete and sometimes beat one of the great rugby nations which they struggle to do on their own particularly away from home as technically they are a small nation.

Yeah it is, but that's only my opinion.
I loved the 1997 tour, hated the 2005 tour, and every tour since then we've picked up injuries to our key players.
I remember the SA tour in 2009. Adam Jones and Melon both got crocked in the same game for example and were out for a while. But like I said, it's only my own selfish POV. Either way, will support the lions as I am British (regardless of how many Welsh are in the test side)

 

[Redman7]

Yeah it is, but that's only my opinion.
I loved the 1997 tour, hated the 2005 tour, and every tour since then we've picked up injuries to our key players.
I remember the SA tour in 2009. Adam Jones and Melon both got crocked in the same game for example and were out for a while. But like I said, it's only my own selfish POV. Either way, will support the lions as I am British (regardless of how many Welsh are in the test side)

*I am British or Irish

 

[Leinster Fan]

He's proper shite - but because he went to Tigers there was attention on him

The disrespect.

So I've seen the whole Noel Reid-skit previously on here but I must be late to the party (usually the case in fairness) so have no idea of the context... what's the skinny?

He's always been a bit of a meme/running joke around social media. Had a bit of natural talent but didn't have the physicality/brain/consistency or whatever to every really be considered a possibility for Leinster's first choice or push for international caps.

This probably stepped up a bit in his last season with Leinster, he was in good form so he had a fair few highlight moments (which contributed to the greatest player ever thing) and then he signed for Leicester English fans became aware of his existence which (at least on this forum) kicked things into overdrive a bit.

 

[Welsh Exile]

There's a slight issue about not wanting a Wales biased side




View attachment 10058

I don't know if you're aware but he's not Wales manager any more, bud.

 

[Reiser99]

Okay, let's have a go at a squad based on the 6Ns. I'm going to choose based on form and how I think players performed. Reputation will probably only come into it if I can't decide between 2 players on form.

Front row: By my own admission this is the area I struggle with the most, they all look the same in a scrum.
1: Wyn Jones, Sutherland, Healy
2: Owens, LCD, (Honestly not sure about 3rd, **** it let's just go with George)
3: Sinckler, Furlong, Francis

Locks:
4&5: Itoje, Ryan, Henderson, Beirne, Gray

Back Row:
6: Stander, Ritchie, Tipuric
7: Curry, Watson, Navidi
8: Doris, Faletau

Half backs:
9: Williams, Price, Hardy
10: Russell, Biggar, Sheedy

Centres:
12: Henshaw, (Struggling here, so Redpath and Davies, Johnson was on my list too)
13:Ringrose, Slade, North

Wings:
Watson, Van der Merwe, LRZ, May

FB:
Keenan, Hogg, Williams

So total up
Welsh: 14
Irish: 10
Scottish: 9
English: 8

 

[big ginger 8]

Okay, let's have a go at a squad based on the 6Ns. I'm going to choose based on form and how I think players performed. Reputation will probably only come into it if I can't decide between 2 players on form.

Front row: By my own admission this is the area I struggle with the most, they all look the same in a scrum.
1: Wyn Jones, Sutherland, Healy
2: Owens, LCD, (Honestly not sure about 3rd, **** it let's just go with George)
3: Sinckler, Furlong, Francis

Locks:
4&5: Itoje, Ryan, Henderson, Beirne, Gray

Back Row:
6: Stander, Ritchie, Tipuric
7: Curry, Watson, Navidi
8: Doris, Faletau

Half backs:
9: Williams, Price, Hardy
10: Russell, Biggar, Sheedy

Centres:
12: Henshaw, (Struggling here, so Redpath and Davies, Johnson was on my list too)
13:Ringrose, Slade, North

Wings:
Watson, Van der Merwe, LRZ, May

FB:
Keenan, Hogg, Williams

So total up
Welsh: 14
Irish: 10
Scottish: 9
English: 8

So just to go through this from my own countries pov, because that's what you're supposed to do with other people's Lions squads. Also ignoring the viewpoint of not wanting players selected due to injury etc concerns.

First up thank you for picking Doris, a lot of people outside of Ireland don't yet seem to appreciate just how good he is.

Not sure if you have players in order or not so won't make any presumptions there.

Looseheads: I'd pick the exact same, Healy has had a decent last two games but is lucky there's not as much competition here as their has been before.

Hooker: again similar feeling, imagine George will be picked on past performances which is fair enough as the third guy.

Tighthead: would have Porter instead of Francis. Francis is fine and makes a lot of tackles but there's very few teams Porter doesn't start for if they can't pick Furlong.

Locks: yeah, if Beirne is seen as more of a backrow AWJ probably comes in and am borderline between him and Gray.

Backrow: don't really have anything to argue with here. No idea when Underhill is due back but will make things interesting

Scrumhalf: bit of a **** show, don't really rate Price. Could easily see Youngs and or Murray going to the surprise of England and Ireland fans.

Outhalf: I don't know why everyone seems to have written off Sexton so easily. He's not at his 2018 level but I'd say Gatland still wants him more than Sheedy. Missed one kick all tournament and still very capable of pulling the strings, with a lack of standout options I think he's on the plane but for injury.

Centres: no real arguments, hard to really with six players. I think he'll pick Farrell though. Also Huw Jones seems to be coming back to form...

Wings: after yesterday I'm obliged to say Keith Earls. But overall yeah no complaints. LRZ and Watson nailed on with a number of others who are probably much of a muchness.

Fullbacks: if we end up taking three fullbacks those are certainly the most likely. If we only take two I'd imagine Keenan drops out even if he's been the epitome of solid this tournament he doesn't provide the spark the other two do or have the same history.

 

[Reiser99]

So just to go through this from my own countries pov, because that's what you're supposed to do with other people's Lions squads. Also ignoring the viewpoint of not wanting players selected due to injury etc concerns.

First up thank you for picking Doris, a lot of people outside of Ireland don't yet seem to appreciate just how good he is.

Not sure if you have players in order or not so won't make any presumptions there.

Looseheads: I'd pick the exact same, Healy has had a decent last two games but is lucky there's not as much competition here as their has been before.

Hooker: again similar feeling, imagine George will be picked on past performances which is fair enough as the third guy.

Tighthead: would have Porter instead of Francis. Francis is fine and makes a lot of tackles but there's very few teams Porter doesn't start for if they can't pick Furlong.

Locks: yeah, if Beirne is seen as more of a backrow AWJ probably comes in and am borderline between him and Gray.

Backrow: don't really have anything to argue with here. No idea when Underhill is due back but will make things interesting

Scrumhalf: bit of a **** show, don't really rate Price. Could easily see Youngs and or Murray going to the surprise of England and Ireland fans.

Outhalf: I don't know why everyone seems to have written off Sexton so easily. He's not at his 2018 level but I'd say Gatland still wants him more than Sheedy. Missed one kick all tournament and still very capable of pulling the strings, with a lack of standout options I think he's on the plane but for injury.

Centres: no real arguments, hard to really with six players. I think he'll pick Farrell though. Also Huw Jones seems to be coming back to form...

Wings: after yesterday I'm obliged to say Keith Earls. But overall yeah no complaints. LRZ and Watson nailed on with a number of others who are probably much of a muchness.

Fullbacks: if we end up taking three fullbacks those are certainly the most likely. If we only take two I'd imagine Keenan drops out even if he's been the epitome of solid this tournament he doesn't provide the spark the other two do or have the same history.

Agree with most of that. Tbh it was my picks. If I was picking who Gatland would pick, then there would be a few differences.

On Sexton, yeah he's still playing well and maybe the Lions who aren't looking towards 2023 is perfect for him. However, he's not at his best and I feel that Biggar can perform a similar role to Sexton, while Sheedy and Russell are much more exciting. I honestly though expect Gatland to pick Sexton.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Can we make a whole lions 15 of foreign players? Gatland would love a lions 15 of imports.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I hope the Lions are packed with English players, preferably the Sarries contingent. I feel unless his hand is forced, Jones will continue to select them so please take them away!

Also take Launchbury, I want him in the England setup but that man deserves a Lions spot.

 

[Reiser99]

I hope the Lions are packed with English players, preferably the Sarries contingent. I feel unless his hand is forced, Jones will continue to select them so please take them away!

Also take Launchbury, I want him in the England setup but that man deserves a Lions spot.

Don't get my hopes up.

 

[Welsh Exile]

1.Sutherland
2. Owens
3. Furlong
4. AWJ
5. Ryan
6. Beirne
7. Curry
8. Faletau
9. Williams
10. Russell
11. Adams
12. Henshaw
13. North
14. LRZ
15. Hogg.

 

[jcahill1]

1.Sutherland
2. Owens
3. Furlong
4. AWJ
5. Ryan
6. Beirne
7. Curry
8. Faletau
9. Williams
10. Russell
11. Adams
12. Henshaw
13. North
14. LRZ
15. Hogg.

Quite like this team honestly. Not sure about Adams or North but otherwise seems pretty spot on.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Quite like this team honestly. Not sure about Adams or North but otherwise seems pretty spot on.

I'd love to see Underhill in as I'm a fan but it's a bit of a risk and not sure you really deserve it when you haven't played. I'll be mildly surprised if Gats doesn't take him, though.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He had to withdraw from the 6N squad but Underhills been playing for Bath all month, so realistically he only missed two games over the 6N period (but will be playing for Bath while internationals are rested now so will probably end up with the same amount of minutes if he'd played the 6N)

 

[Welsh Exile]

He had to withdraw from the 6N squad but Underhills been playing for Bath all month, so realistically he only missed two games over the 6N period (but will be playing for Bath while internationals are rested now so will probably end up with the same amount of minutes if he'd played the 6N)

Ahhh ok, I did see him the other week but I guess ideally you'd want some international minutes under your belt. Underhill is one of those players that I don't think that would be any issue for though to be honest. And the South Africans are going to be way more undercooked anyway.

The back row is just ridiculously hard to nail down to just 4 (including the bench) my mind changes almost daily on it.

 

[bushytop]

For me, nailed on starters 3. Furlong, 4. AWJ (yes 'groan'), 6. Berne, 8. Faletau, 12/13 Henshaw & 14. LRZ

 

[Son of glyndwr]

I think the Lions should be

1. Bevan Rodd (Isle of Mann)
2. Curtis Langdon (England)
3. WillGriff John (Wales)
4. Maro Itoje (England)
5. George Kruis (England)
6. Ben Curry (England)
7. Tom Curry (England)
8. CJ Stander (South Af...Ireland)
9. Ben Spencer (England)
10. Marcus Smith (England)
11. Marland Yarde (England)
12. Cameron Redpath (Eng...Scotland)
13. Manu Tuilagi (England)
14. Anthony Watson (England)
15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

Ashman (Sco), Marler (Eng), Sinckler (Eng), Beaumont (Eng), Ross (Eng), Quirke (Eng), Simmonds (Eng), Odogwu (Eng)

9 Northerners,
6 Northerns-by-Proxy

The only way to beat South(ern fairies) Africa is the with a bunch of big angry Northerners


Anyone who disagrees is getting banned

England finished fifth m8 ? An to be fair they were lucky against Italy 2 of there tries should have been disallowed and most of Italy's points in the
Tournament came against a very very poor England team you've gone backwards ! FACT !