Lions - Six Nations 2025 Auditions

[mikebrownsauce1512]

He'd provide strong and cushioned support for hus team.

True, I heard he is a wizard with the women as well.

 

[Saintjay]

Would guess they are going for three tens. Would think Russell goes then on the back of this weekend Prendergast and Fin Smith.

Mainly on the basis Mitchell and JGP likely to go.

 

[LIONSxv]

Ma

Would guess they are going for three tens. Would think Russell goes then on the back of this weekend Prendergast and Fin Smith.

Mainly on the basis Mitchell and JGP likely to go.

Marcus will still go as he is now a "utility back"

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Would guess they are going for three tens. Would think Russell goes then on the back of this weekend Prendergast and Fin Smith.

Mainly on the basis Mitchell and JGP likely to go.

I wonder if Farrell will go for two potential starters and a utility 10. His interest is Frawley and now Crowley as a bench option covering 10 and other positions in Ireland suggests he is very interested in this approach.

Russell in the driving seat for me but under far more pressure now that Fin Smith looks like he'll get very meaningful minutes. Marcus Smith as the 22 / 23 option, he's at least as good a 15 and definitely not as good a 12 option as Crowley but he's the better rugby player.

I'm anti Lions but will enjoy this tour between Schmidt, Farrell and a large Irish contingent.

 

[Saintjay]

Ma

Marcus will still go as he is now a "utility back"

That's why god created Elliot Daly. For all your Lions tour eventualities.

 

[AlRums]

That's why god created Elliot Daly. For all your Lions tour eventualities.

That's put me right off the Lions, Daly was dreadful on the last tour, couldn't tackle, never passed and kicked away all possession.

 

[retired9]

I wonder if Farrell will go for two potential starters and a utility 10. His interest is Frawley and now Crowley as a bench option covering 10 and other positions in Ireland suggests he is very interested in this approach.

Russell in the driving seat for me but under far more pressure now that Fin Smith looks like he'll get very meaningful minutes. Marcus Smith as the 22 / 23 option, he's at least as good a 15 and definitely not as good a 12 option as Crowley but he's the better rugby player.

I'm anti Lions but will enjoy this tour between Schmidt, Farrell and a large Irish contingent.

Russell gets my vote too, we were a different looking team last tour when he started.

Like most 10s, when the forwards are struggling no one looks very good, a combined B&I pack will be very strong and JGP/Russell should be tasty at 9/10.

After that Ireland game I still think Fagerson has a good shout in the front row, he did some good things and is hitting his prime now.

I think VDM will tour purely because of his strike rate, I feel like a different coaching environment might bring more out of him. Huw jones had a rep for weak defence (slightly unfairly) but has changed that in recent years, VDM just hasn't been moulded that way and it would add a lot to his game all round.

Centres have to be a mix of Jones, ringer, henshaw, tuipolotu (hopefully), Lawrence might get a look in? Tom Jordan has promise but need to see more of him, he can play a few positions too.

Feel like Keenan is over shadowing kinghorn at the moment for 15, Graham and Lowe would be fun?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Centres have to be a mix of Jones, ringer, henshaw, tuipolotu (hopefully), Lawrence might get a look in? Tom Jordan has promise but need to see more of him, he can play a few positions too.

There's no way Aki doesn't tour. Think we end up seeing all 3 of the Irish centres plus Huwipulotu. Lawrence will just miss out.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

There's no way Aki doesn't tour. Think we end up seeing all 3 of the Irish centres plus Huwipulotu. Lawrence will just miss out.

Lawrence shades Henshaw for me rn. Whether or not it'll go that way with how much of a fan Farrell is is a different q.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Lawrence shades Henshaw for me rn. Whether or not it'll go that way with how much of a fan Farrell is is a different q.

Yep, this is pretty much my exact thinking. Even if Lawrence is slightly more in form, I see Faz going with who he knows.

 

[Becca]

Yep, this is pretty much my exact thinking. Even if Lawrence is slightly more in form, I see Faz going with who he knows.

Oh it'll be the Ireland team then ? A multinational band who aren't British or Irish!

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

It makes sense to have an Irish core with other stardust sprinkled in but I hope there is less bias than when Gatland kept on with his Welsh favourites.

I like Lawrence and he's great for England but I get the impression he doesn't have that iron core that Farrell might want from his players. Hope I'm wrong though as he poops all over Henshaw.

 

[General Melchett]

What might slightly favour Lawrence is his understanding and experience playing with Russell at Bath assuming Farrell sees Russell as his starting 10. Same with Huwpolotu. Ringrose also nailed.

Even though he's injured I think Tuipolotu should be nailed on at 12. He's just a phenomenal player and has the lot. Can carry hard into contact, defend, be playmaker, grubber kicks and most importantly his rugby brain when it comes to running lines and reading plays. He also has leadership qualities that should appeal to AF. Wouldn't look out of place if he played for the Boks, France or ABs. All depends on what Farrell wants his 12 to do of course.

Have a feeling that one of the 50/50 calls will be Darge or Morgan with the latter getting the nod which I'd have no issue with as Morgan is quality.

 

[Rinkadink]

Not mentioned in thread so far; Wainwright.

Even though he's injured I think Tuipolotu should be nailed on at 12.

Absolutely. Can't think of a better all round 12 who's eligible for the Lions.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

There are some excellent 7s around. But if T Curry can stay fit and retain the form he's now showing it's going to be virtually impossible to overlook him (yes I know he's been wearing 6).

A small number of Welshmen may travel, but it's hard to think of (m)any making the test 23. Bench 9 and back row possibly, but that's about it. This isn't total win at all costs stuff so there should be a rule that there must be at least 2 starters from each country.

 

[General Melchett]

There are some excellent 7s around. But if T Curry can stay fit and retain the form he's now showing it's going to be virtually impossible to overlook him (yes I know he's been wearing 6).

A small number of Welshmen may travel, but it's hard to think of (m)any making the test 23. Bench 9 and back row possibly, but that's about it. This isn't total win at all costs stuff so there should be a rule that there must be at least 2 starters from each country.

It would be good if all four nations are represented in the squad so that everyone feels invested in the tour. At the same time I do hope it's merit based as opposed to diversity box ticking (can't believe I'm agreeing with Trump for once). I think some Welsh picks may well be 50/50 calls like the example cited above and if they are players like Jac Morgan or Wainwright then I'd have no issue at all because I doubt they'd look out of place or let anyone down.

It's also worth remembering that it's not necessarily the best players in their respective position in isolation but the best players to do the job as part of AF's overall gameplan.

 

[Rinkadink]

For me it can be over-simplified as two cores; Irish pack, Scottish backs with some changes and additions from other nations to the 23 like JGP starting at 9 or Wainwright on the bench.

That'll do. Don't care for having to include a minimum or maximum from each country.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

It would be good if all four nations are represented in the squad so that everyone feels invested in the tour. At the same time I do hope it's merit based as opposed to diversity box ticking (can't believe I'm agreeing with Trump for once). I think some Welsh picks may well be 50/50 calls like the example cited above and if they are players like Jac Morgan or Wainwright then I'd have no issue at all because I doubt they'd look out of place or let anyone down.

It's also worth remembering that it's not necessarily the best players in their respective position in isolation but the best players to do the job as part of AF's overall gameplan.

Don't disagree at all.

Due to their familiarity and cohesion the team best placed to carry out AF's strategy would be Ireland from 1-15. They're also much higher ranked than Aus. I'd expect them to beat Aus, even away from home, 9 times out of 10 at the moment. Job done.

But the point of a Lions tour is to see how traditional opponents and players of different styles meld together. So while every tour has a country that provides a spine of the team it's not in the spirit for any side to be really badly represented either in the team or wider squad. I'm usually of the whatever it takes to win mentality but I kind of see the Lions, if not exactly like the Baa/Baas then still having a bit of that same Corinthian spirit.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Yep, this is pretty much my exact thinking. Even if Lawrence is slightly more in form, I see Faz going with who he knows.

It'll be interesting, I think Farrell can remove himself a bit from Ireland, he was a Lions coach first after all. I hope he does too for Henshaw's sake, Lions tours have wrecked the man twice. But that's definitely the fight for the last spot for me, Aki, Tuipuluto, Ringrose and Jones travelling as 12s or 13s only with a guy who can do both would be my expected approach. Henshaw as a 12 edges Lawrence but Lawrence is some way ahead as a 13 for me.

Is Aki v Tuipuluto that cut and dry? Aki's form has been so so but he has a lot of attributes that can't be replicated. I reckon Aki is shading it currently, helped by his run of fitness.

From an Irish POV I think our break down is

Nailed on starters: Porter, Sheehan, Beirne, Doris, JGP.

Likely starters: VdF, Ringrose, Lowe, Aki

Likely to travel and in the hunt for a start / bench spot: Kelleher, Furlong (if fit), Bealham, McCarthy, Keenan.

Fighting for a spot on the plane: Ryan, Prendergast / Crowley, Conan

Unlikely potential bolters if they show up for their provinces: Casey, Osborne

I think 15-17 tourists sounds about right unless there's drastic shifts in form for the remainder of the championship.

Don't love it, insane workload for the players but summer and autumn should be an opportunity to refresh the Ireland squad in places.