Lions: Return to Oz

[mikefoot1]

possible lions team?
1.Gethin Jenkins
2.Rory Best
3.Adam Jones
4.Richie Gray
5.Paul O'Connell
6.Stephen Ferris
7.Sam Warburton (c)
8.Toby Faletau
9.Mike Philips
10.Johnny Sexton
11.George North
12.Jamie Roberts
13.Manu Tuilagi
14.Tommy Bowe
15.Rob Kearney

Sounds an awesome team! My personal preference would be Farrell at 10, and Halfpenny at 15

 

[psychic duck]

Lol. Lions threads.

Visser has scored more tries than anybody else in Europe this season, has been the leading try scorer in the Rabo Pro 12 for the past three seasons all whilst playing for a side towards the bottom of the table

 

[Feicarsinn]

A shame he's Dutch. I don't want him any where near the Lions touring party.

 

[psychic duck]

A shame he's Dutch. I don't want him any where near the Lions touring party.

a precedent has been set ...

do you mind Court and Strauss in the Ireland team

 

[Aedaphon]

Absolutely supporting Tim Visser in this... Expecting big things from him when he qualifies for Scotland.

 

[cyRil]

A shame he's Dutch. I don't want him any where near the Lions touring party.

We're gonna have Manu and Toby there mind...

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

And Barritt

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Visser continues on his form and then brings it to the table with Scotland then it will be hard press not to select him to tour.

 

[Feicarsinn]

The difference being that both were essentially raised in their native countries and identify themselves as Welsh and English. Would Visser really seem himself as a Scot? I doubt it. I'd be quite against Strauss playing for Ireland now that it is mentioned.

 

[psychic duck]

The difference being that both were essentially raised in their native countries and identify themselves as Welsh and English. Would Visser really seem himself as a Scot? I doubt it. I'd be quite against Strauss playing for Ireland now that it is mentioned.

of course Tuilagi says he's English otherwise there would be media uproar, but he has traditional Samoan tattoos for a reason as well

 

[Feicarsinn]

Aye, but that's duel heritage for you. He grew up in England and came up through the English system. In my mind there's a distinction between that and going over to a country when already an established pro rugby player and then looking to play for said country after x years.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

How do you guys feel about Brad Barritt? He is South African, only moved to England when he was 21 years old. Can't really see him as a player with enough ties to England to represent the Lions.

 

[Draggs]

The difference being that both were essentially raised in their native countries and identify themselves as Welsh and English. Would Visser really seem himself as a Scot? I doubt it. I'd be quite against Strauss playing for Ireland now that it is mentioned.

Tui and Toby are different cases than Visser, et al, I agree.
Considering Toby has played all of his rugby in Wales, lives in Wales, essentially grew up in Wales, has a Gwent accent (poor land, I hear you say), I'll count him.

 

[bushytop]

How do you guys feel about Brad Barritt? He is South African, only moved to England when he was 21 years old. Can't really see him as a player with enough ties to England to represent the Lions.

Decent player... not a test lion imo though.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I am not talking about his skills, I am talking about his heritage. We are talking about Tuilagi and Faletau being in the Lions squad as born PI's. What about Barritt? Would you British lads feel comfortable about him being in the Lions squad?

 

[cyRil]

Hopefully it won't get as bad as when Flutey played for the Lions ever again. That was one of the most embarrassing things that has ever happened in rugby.

 

[Feicarsinn]

It could easily happen. Jamie Roberts is a quality 12, but him aside the pickings are fairly slim. D'arcy is past it, Scotland's centres are terrible and England seem to be happy with Barritt. You could of course argue that if you were to bring Owen Farrell, James Hook and Luke Fitzgerald you mightn't need another specialist 12, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if he travelled. I'd be disappointed, both because he's not good enough and he's a bloody South African.

 

[Draggs]

Step forward Gavlar.

 

[bushytop]

I know he has been on the bench most of the 6N but I'd seriously consider taking Scott Williams too.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I can't see Williams being taken unless he puts in some seriously good performances between now and this time next year. It's quite probable that the Lions will take 3 outside centres: Jonathan Davies, Manu Tualagi & Brian O'Driscoll. With that in mind I don't think more than 1 specialised inside centre will be taken, which would lead me to believe that players like Hook & Farrell who can cover 10 as well as inside centre would be preferable to players like Williams. Tualagi would probably be expected to be able to cover 12 too.

Hmmm, I've just realised that that argument defeats my reasoning on why Barritt might travel. Oh well.