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2021 British & Irish Lions Tour
Opening test line up predictions
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<blockquote data-quote="TopTen2003" data-source="post: 859366" data-attributes="member: 75257"><p>I am almost sure that Warren is going to surprise us and part of me wonders whether he may go with both Warburton and O'Brien, with Warburton doing a 50 minute stint and the pair of them just causing absolute havoc at the breakdown. POM can then come on and take over the armband for the last 30. He'd be unlucky not to start, but Gatland will go with what he thinks will suit and for me when Warburton came on at 6 off the bench last week that spoke volumes. I think those two and Faletau would be right in amongst the All Blacks at the breakdown and they have to stop that NZ momentum early- they don't want to go chasing the game.</p><p></p><p>6-Warburton</p><p>7-OBrien</p><p>8-Faletau</p><p></p><p>The tight 5 is intriguing and I'd hazard a guess that Owens/AWJ combo or George/Itoje combo will either be on the field together or off the field together. Gatland has talked loads about impact and depth across the full 80 minutes and I expect that AWJ will start as a key leader behind Sam Warburton. Itoje, George, and POM off the bench would be a mighty trio against tired bodies...</p><p></p><p>1-Vunipola</p><p>2-Owens</p><p>3-Furlong</p><p></p><p>Murray is our gun 9- no question. The headache is 10/12. Personally I feel that no one has put their hand up to play 12 other than the calm and collected performance of Farrell against the Crusaders. With Sextons resurgence, that to me looks the favourite right now. Ben Teo has been the form centre, but deployed at 12 in a power game. I actually think he will be most effective off the bench like he was for England in the 6N and I think the Lions will play more expansive than they have shown this Saturday, providing and relying that Farrell and Sexton kick them into better areas.</p><p></p><p>That logic- again the IMPACT word that Gatland mentioned- would make Jonathan Joseph favourite to start at 13. He blows hot and cold for me and doesn't quite offer enough in tight physical games, but he was GATLANDS pick in this squad and his partnership with Farrell in the England midfield could win him a test spot here, knowing that if he doesn't cause NZ any problems he should be organised in defence and that Teo can bring the physical game if that becomes the emphasis.</p><p> SEXTON-FARRELL-JOSEPH midfield with Teo off the bench.</p><p></p><p>The back 3 should consist of Halfpenny, North, Watson. Halfpenny hasn't set the tour alight like against Australia but looked more like himself against the Maori- he kicked well and was excellent positionally, which incidentally will be important with the Lions rush defence open to grubber kicks and chips.</p><p></p><p>I think North will start, not because he has shone because I think he isn't what he onc was in attack, but he does offer good defence and also that crash ball option with his size. He will be Gatlands safe selection. I think he might make way for Elliot Daly later in the game (Daly will be on the bench for versatility and his kicking range makes him a threat). Watson looks good and covers all back 3 positions, so he and Halfpenny give good kicking game protection from any high balls, as well as electric pace.</p><p></p><p>11-North</p><p>14-Watson</p><p>15-Halfpenny</p><p></p><p>Giving us a starting 15 of:</p><p></p><p>1. Vunipola</p><p>2. Owens</p><p>3. Furlong</p><p>4. AWJ</p><p>5. Kruis</p><p>6. Warburton</p><p>7. SOB</p><p>8. Faletau</p><p>9. Murray</p><p>10. Sexton</p><p>11. North</p><p>12. Farrell</p><p>13. Joseph</p><p>14. Watson</p><p>15. Halfpenny</p><p></p><p>16. George</p><p>17. McGrath</p><p>18. Sinkler</p><p>19. Itoje</p><p>20. POM</p><p>21. Teo</p><p>22. Webb</p><p>23. Daly</p><p></p><p>The bench screams impact. Teo, Daly in the backs and George, Sinckler POM and Itoje in the forwards.</p><p></p><p>That's what I think Gatland will go with - not what I'd necessarily pick but the one he classes as his gun team with genuine impact off the bench.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TopTen2003, post: 859366, member: 75257"] I am almost sure that Warren is going to surprise us and part of me wonders whether he may go with both Warburton and O'Brien, with Warburton doing a 50 minute stint and the pair of them just causing absolute havoc at the breakdown. POM can then come on and take over the armband for the last 30. He'd be unlucky not to start, but Gatland will go with what he thinks will suit and for me when Warburton came on at 6 off the bench last week that spoke volumes. I think those two and Faletau would be right in amongst the All Blacks at the breakdown and they have to stop that NZ momentum early- they don't want to go chasing the game. 6-Warburton 7-OBrien 8-Faletau The tight 5 is intriguing and I'd hazard a guess that Owens/AWJ combo or George/Itoje combo will either be on the field together or off the field together. Gatland has talked loads about impact and depth across the full 80 minutes and I expect that AWJ will start as a key leader behind Sam Warburton. Itoje, George, and POM off the bench would be a mighty trio against tired bodies... 1-Vunipola 2-Owens 3-Furlong Murray is our gun 9- no question. The headache is 10/12. Personally I feel that no one has put their hand up to play 12 other than the calm and collected performance of Farrell against the Crusaders. With Sextons resurgence, that to me looks the favourite right now. Ben Teo has been the form centre, but deployed at 12 in a power game. I actually think he will be most effective off the bench like he was for England in the 6N and I think the Lions will play more expansive than they have shown this Saturday, providing and relying that Farrell and Sexton kick them into better areas. That logic- again the IMPACT word that Gatland mentioned- would make Jonathan Joseph favourite to start at 13. He blows hot and cold for me and doesn't quite offer enough in tight physical games, but he was GATLANDS pick in this squad and his partnership with Farrell in the England midfield could win him a test spot here, knowing that if he doesn't cause NZ any problems he should be organised in defence and that Teo can bring the physical game if that becomes the emphasis. SEXTON-FARRELL-JOSEPH midfield with Teo off the bench. The back 3 should consist of Halfpenny, North, Watson. Halfpenny hasn't set the tour alight like against Australia but looked more like himself against the Maori- he kicked well and was excellent positionally, which incidentally will be important with the Lions rush defence open to grubber kicks and chips. I think North will start, not because he has shone because I think he isn't what he onc was in attack, but he does offer good defence and also that crash ball option with his size. He will be Gatlands safe selection. I think he might make way for Elliot Daly later in the game (Daly will be on the bench for versatility and his kicking range makes him a threat). Watson looks good and covers all back 3 positions, so he and Halfpenny give good kicking game protection from any high balls, as well as electric pace. 11-North 14-Watson 15-Halfpenny Giving us a starting 15 of: 1. Vunipola 2. Owens 3. Furlong 4. AWJ 5. Kruis 6. Warburton 7. SOB 8. Faletau 9. Murray 10. Sexton 11. North 12. Farrell 13. Joseph 14. Watson 15. Halfpenny 16. George 17. McGrath 18. Sinkler 19. Itoje 20. POM 21. Teo 22. Webb 23. Daly The bench screams impact. Teo, Daly in the backs and George, Sinckler POM and Itoje in the forwards. That's what I think Gatland will go with - not what I'd necessarily pick but the one he classes as his gun team with genuine impact off the bench. [/QUOTE]
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