Lions: Return to Oz

[Peat]

Then what does that make Lydiate?? Super immense, is that a real thing? Yeah.

Not as good as Ferris, that's what it makes him.

Lydiate is a tackle machine. Ferris is a death machine.

 

[Draggs]

Dunno mate. For as highly rated as the Irish backrow is, they have looked second best to ours the last few times we have played them. Not trying to troll, I just think that for everybody who calls Lydiate and Faletau overrated, and then then raves about the Irish back row, they need to look at the matchups.

They simply looked outgunned by ours, or least from what I have seen.

 

[big ginger 8]

Dunno mate. For as highly rated as the Irish backrow is, they have looked second best to ours the last few times we have played them. Not trying to troll, I just think that for everybody who calls Lydiate and Faletau overrated, and then then raves about the Irish back row, they need to look at the matchups.

They simply looked outgunned by ours, or least from what I have seen.

Yes as a unit. As individual players Ferris is better than Lydiate no question. Give the Welsh backrow Ferris and it would be better. Every team except maybe N.Z. would be.

 

[Draggs]

I don't doubt that Ferris is a good player, but I don't think he would fit our backrow. We work well as a unit, very tight defence. We don't use our back row as carriers, so Lydiate, Warburton, and Faletau are not seen in those roles.
Without trying to turn this into an Ireland thread, the back row simply isn't working, who gets dropped?

Lions will certainly have many options for the backrow, they won't want individuals, but a unit.

 

[Eirian]

Yes as a unit. As individual players Ferris is better than Lydiate no question. Give the Welsh backrow Ferris and it would be better. Every team except maybe N.Z. would be.

I wouldn't say no to Ferris.... he would make a great sub

 

[big ginger 8]

I don't doubt that Ferris is a good player, but I don't think he would fit our backrow. We work well as a unit, very tight defence. We don't use our back row as carriers, so Lydiate, Warburton, and Faletau are not seen in those roles.
Without trying to turn this into an Ireland thread, the back row simply isn't working, who gets dropped?

Lions will certainly have many options for the backrow, they won't want individuals, but a unit.

Ferris is not merely a carrier he is also an incredible tackler. I know that's Lydiate's big thing but Ferris can fill any roll asked of him he's incredible really just spend a match watching him. Also it's the Lions of Britain and Ireland not solely Wales. (hopefully). The problem with our backrow is they're too similar. There's no balance it's tough to say who should be dropped. I'd maybe persist for a few more games as SO'B seems to be getting better at 7 I'm not overly hopeful though.

Also I''d say Faletau is a main carrier for Wales in the forwards.

 

[Draggs]

I don't want all Welsh players on the Lions. We always lose plenty to injury and it throws us off for at least a season.
I will strictly refuse to name a pretend Lions squad until after the Six Nations, but please do not think I would do a Welsh XV.

 

[big ginger 8]

I don't want all Welsh players on the Lions. We always lose plenty to injury and it throws us off for at least a season.
I will strictly refuse to name a pretend Lions squad until after the Six Nations, but please do not think I would do a Welsh XV.

Didn't mean to suggest that. Sorry. It's just the way you were talking about your backrow. I'm just kind off worried as Gatland is almost certain for coach and I feel his relationship with Irish players wouldn't be the best to say the least.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Didn't mean to suggest that. Sorry. It's just the way you were talking about your backrow. I'm just kind off worried as Gatland is almost certain for coach and I feel his relationship with Irish players wouldn't be the best to say the least.

I wouldn't worry about it. Gatland was a selector on the last Lions tour and as far as I know there weren't any problems. Whatever you may say about Gats, he's smart enough to not let personal grudges get in the way of trying to win a test series.

 

[McTallshort]

I think Rennie is already as good as Warburton, though.
I'm not saying he needs to develop more, just that he needs to keep his form. Warburton could well improve though.
Warburton is fantastic, and Wales missed him a lot yesterday, but Rennie is also fantastic. The Lions will lose nothing picking either one of them (apart from possibly the captaincy of Warburton, but I'm sure there's someone else who could step up for that).

Elementary anyway, as Gatland will be named headcoach and Warburton will be named captain, Faletau will be named at 8 and Denton/Rennie will be lucky to make the dirt track team.
Ho Hum.

I agree Rennie is a class player everyone baqngs on about Gray but Rennie is the most consistant Scottish play for me

 

[Draggs]

Understandable, certainly. I, personally, don't want to see any home nations coach run the Lions.
I cannot, however, offer a candidate I find suitable at this time.

 

[monkeypigeon]

Understandable, certainly. I, personally, don't want to see any home nations coach run the Lions.
I cannot, however, offer a candidate I find suitable at this time.

Conor O'Shea should be the boss of everything all the time.

Knows the English players very well, in the telebox, he's always full of praise for the Welsh players and obviously he knows Irish players well too. Scotland.


I know it'll never happen and he's not experienced enough...but Conor O'Shea is at man-crush O'Clock.

 

[Draggs]

How about Dai Young?
He is like Conor O'Shea but instead of having an understanding of every nationality, he has an understanding of none?
Still no bias.

 

[Eirian]

My Team:

1. Jones
2. Best
3. Jenkins
4. O'Connell
5. Gray/Lawes
6. Lydiate - Unlucky Ferris
7. Warburton - Unlucky Rennie.
8. Denton/Faletau/Heaslip... Tough call. Faletau gets the edge I think so that you get the Welsh as an unit.
9. Phillips
10. Farrell
11. North
12. Roberts
13. Tuilagi - Davies unlucky, yet to see where O'Driscoll will be...
14. Bowe
15. Hogg/Halfpenny.

FB was tough. Kearney has been absolutely awesome catching the ball, but otherwise defensively, I personally think he's been horrendous. He literally runs away from tackles. Watch him during Davies/North/Gray tries, he goes chasing passes that never happen way too early. Also, v France, he shows Fofana the outside and forgets to step on the gas. For all of these tries, despite being within meters of each tryscorer, he might as well have been in the changing rooms. So no Kearney for my lions XV atm.

Outside half/No.8 is wide open for someone to really step up. Sexton has had more time than Priestland and Farrell to shine, but hasn't.

Roberts/Tuilagi partnership may lack balance.

 

[McTallshort]

1.Jenkins
2.Best
3.Jones
4.Gray
5.Parling
6.Croft
7.Warburton
8. No one stands out yet
9.Phillips
10. Sexton/farrell or Priestland
11.North
12.Roberts
13. Manu
14.Bowe
15.Foden or Kearney

 

[Draggs]

Eirian, that is the closest 22 to mine that I have seen. Halfpenny at 14, Kearney at 15. They can alternate (Kearney FB in attack, HP can cover defence if possible), but North, Halfpenny, Kearney would be a dangerous back three.

 

[monkeypigeon]

1.Jenkins
2.Best
3.Jones
4.Gray
5.Parling
6.Croft
7.Warburton
8. No one stands out yet
9.Phillips
10. Sexton/farrell or Priestland
11.North
12.Roberts
13. Manu
14.Bowe
15.Foden or Kearney

OK...fair enough...but Parling? Really??

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

OK...fair enough...but Parling? Really??

he did have a banger today, and a good 'un last time, but I agree it's too early for him. Needs to sustain his performances over a longer period. Unoriginal, but I'd probs go for Gray and O' Connell at the mo. Although I haven't always rated Charteris, I think he'd be a likely candidate for another spot right now with his performances

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Lydiate over Ferris?!
Kuuurrraaaazzzzeeeee!

I'd question whether Faletau would/should tour, to be honest - Denton and Heaslip are both better (imo) and is there space for three out and out 8s in the squad?

 

[psychic duck]

Lydiate over Ferris?!
Kuuurrraaaazzzzeeeee!

I'd question whether Faletau would/should tour, to be honest - Denton and Heaslip are both better (imo) and is there space for three out and out 8s in the squad?

I wouldn't say Denton is an "out and out 8" as in he can't play anywhere else, he plays at 6 for Edinburgh with Talei at 8, he also has played lock for the junior Scotland team