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2021 British & Irish Lions Tour
Opening test line up predictions
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<blockquote data-quote="Bruce_ma gooshvili" data-source="post: 856096" data-attributes="member: 74121"><p>Random thoughts following the Crusader game.</p><p></p><p>i) Watson has firmly stuck his hand up to be in the 23 and is the main talking point and positive of the match (outside of the Farrell / Sexton combination and the performance of the pack), showing ability at wing and fullback and making him a valuable squad player. Form is important but getting poked in the eye is hardly Hogg's fault. I'd still have Liam Williams ahead of Watson at fullback, but I'd say Watson must surely have comfortably jumped Halfpenny (I know he won't have in Gatland's eyes). Liam Williams must be starting to feel a bit of pressure though. Fantastic at fullback, good at wing, but he's had a lot of game time and not done a lot with it. I'd also put Watson, North and Seymour as my top three starting wing options.</p><p></p><p>ii) Teo is an option at 12 as there isn't great options beyond the Sexton / Farrell tandem which must surely be the preference. I'd put Teo ahead of Henshaw at the moment as Henshaw has not impressed me for club or country this season after a great 2016. Henshaw / Davies would in theory be my preferred centre combination in terms of defence, distribution and athleticism, so hopefully Henshaw can do well mid-week and stick his hand up for selection. Alex Dunbar will be quite aggreived watching all this on the TV though, posters' comments before the game about Teo's distribution appear valid to me. </p><p></p><p>iii) The Lions deserve credit for creating chances, but it was screaming out for some Scotsmen from 10-15. In the last three games, the Lions have scored 13, 16 and 12 points if I'm not mistaken. That is abysmal and unacceptable even if they were playing the likes of NZ and Australia, never mind against club sides. As per my repetitive boring point, the Scots get the least quality ball in the opponents 22 out of the Home Nations due to their pack, but they score comparable, or more points, than Ireland and Wales. In the last two years I'd argue that the Scots consistently convert a higher proportion of their opportunities than the Welsh, Irish or English options. The failure to select Scottish options from 10-15 for the squad and for the starting XV will be the single greatest contributing factor to a 3-0 series loss, as the Lions will get loads of good possession against the ABs, but will squander it.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Bruce_ma gooshvili, post: 856096, member: 74121"] Random thoughts following the Crusader game. i) Watson has firmly stuck his hand up to be in the 23 and is the main talking point and positive of the match (outside of the Farrell / Sexton combination and the performance of the pack), showing ability at wing and fullback and making him a valuable squad player. Form is important but getting poked in the eye is hardly Hogg's fault. I'd still have Liam Williams ahead of Watson at fullback, but I'd say Watson must surely have comfortably jumped Halfpenny (I know he won't have in Gatland's eyes). Liam Williams must be starting to feel a bit of pressure though. Fantastic at fullback, good at wing, but he's had a lot of game time and not done a lot with it. I'd also put Watson, North and Seymour as my top three starting wing options. ii) Teo is an option at 12 as there isn't great options beyond the Sexton / Farrell tandem which must surely be the preference. I'd put Teo ahead of Henshaw at the moment as Henshaw has not impressed me for club or country this season after a great 2016. Henshaw / Davies would in theory be my preferred centre combination in terms of defence, distribution and athleticism, so hopefully Henshaw can do well mid-week and stick his hand up for selection. Alex Dunbar will be quite aggreived watching all this on the TV though, posters' comments before the game about Teo's distribution appear valid to me. iii) The Lions deserve credit for creating chances, but it was screaming out for some Scotsmen from 10-15. In the last three games, the Lions have scored 13, 16 and 12 points if I'm not mistaken. That is abysmal and unacceptable even if they were playing the likes of NZ and Australia, never mind against club sides. As per my repetitive boring point, the Scots get the least quality ball in the opponents 22 out of the Home Nations due to their pack, but they score comparable, or more points, than Ireland and Wales. In the last two years I'd argue that the Scots consistently convert a higher proportion of their opportunities than the Welsh, Irish or English options. The failure to select Scottish options from 10-15 for the squad and for the starting XV will be the single greatest contributing factor to a 3-0 series loss, as the Lions will get loads of good possession against the ABs, but will squander it. [/QUOTE]
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