The Lions squad for 2021 prediction

[ncurd]

He's had something to prove every year for at least the last 4 years or so as people keep on writing him off. Wasn't good enough for the last lions tour, not good enough to lead Wales, he's past his best etc etc etc. A successful lions tour, a Grand Slam, a WC semi final, a 6 nations championship and soon to be lions captain later and people still write him off. I'm sure he absolutely loves it but it's nothing new

Farrell led his side to a RWC Final, 6 Nations ***le and Autumn International Cup Final. But he's a shite captain and nobody in their right mind wants him as Lions captain.

 

[Dean Cooperfield-West]

In fairness have you seen Wales' other second rows? They regularly start Adam Beard.

I'd rather Beard than AWJ. Beard is massive and he'd bring physicality to South Africa. I like Rowlands at the Wasps too. There you go, two players who should be ahead of AWJ.

 

[Welsh Exile]

In fairness have you seen Wales' other second rows? They regularly start Adam Beard.

This is another fair point as we're not exactly blessed in the 2nd row department like Ireland or England. However, Beard has really come on in my opinion and is till only a young lad. A solid international. But yeah, fair point.

 

[Dean Cooperfield-West]

What do you think the Wales players and coaching staff would say to the bollix you just wrote?

They know him. They are neutral when looking at it. They suffer from seeing his past glory rather than his ability as a player. Or, they are choosing him for his captaincy skills rather than his playing ability. You need someone neutral to realise how overrated he is.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I'd rather Beard than AWJ. Beard is massive and he'd bring physicality to South Africa. I like Rowlands at the Wasps too. There you go, two players who should be ahead of AWJ.

Ok, you're either trolling or know F all about rugby.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He's had something to prove every year for at least the last 4 years or so as people keep on writing him off. Wasn't good enough for the last lions tour, not good enough to lead Wales, he's past his best etc etc etc. A successful lions tour, a Grand Slam, a WC semi final, a 6 nations championship and soon to be lions captain later and people still write him off. I'm sure he absolutely loves it but it's nothing new

Hahahaaaaaa

It's honestly impressive he's as grounded as he is considering the constant stream of fluff pieces written about him by the press, and social media.

Portraying him as some underdog written off player grinding away in the darkness for recognition is genuinely funny

 

[Welsh Exile]

They know him. They are neutral when looking at it. They suffer from seeing his past glory rather than his ability as a player. Or, they are choosing him for his captaincy skills rather than his playing ability. You need someone neutral to realise how overrated he is.

Ok bud.

 

[big ginger 8]

Who do people think are nailed on for the squad? This is what the sages at WOL think.

Back three
Certainties:Stuart Hogg, Liam Williams, Anthony Watson, Josh Adams

Centres
Certainties:Robbie Henshaw, George North

Fly-halves
Certainty:Owen Farrell

Scrum-halves
Certainty:Conor Murray

Props
Certainties:Wyn Jones, Mako Vunipola, Tadhg Furlong, Kyle Sinckler

Hookers
Certainties:Ken Owens, Jamie George

Second rows

Certainties:Alun Wyn Jones, Maro Itoje, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne

Back row

Certainties:Taulupe Faletau, Tom Curry, Justin Tipuric, CJ Stander, Hamish Watson

Think they've gone very conservative there and weirdly not even just from a Wales pov.

A lot of the might be but I would hope Adams, Farrell, Murray, Mako, George and pretty much every backrow slot are considered nailed on. Sure many of them could end up going and there's a lack of top class games for them before May 6th but would not consider them nailed on over likely.

Also not sure how aware people outside of Ireland are of this but Ryan had two concussions in the 6N and hasn't played since the Scotland game. There's rumours he'll be back for the semi but just something to keep an eye on.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Hahahaaaaaa

It's honestly impressive he's as grounded as he is considering the constant stream of fluff pieces written about him by the press, and social media.

Portraying him as some underdog written off player grinding away in the darkness for recognition is genuinely funny

I think we're all guilty of focussing on news that fits our view. I've seen many rugby people over the years such as Ian Macheegan and Guscott and Jim Hamilton and loads of others who have slated him over the years who have since had to backtrack but sure, he gets positive press too. Personally, though I think he's had his fair share of negative press (until the press are forced to change the narrative coz of the things he's won) I was more talking about you're average fan outside of Wales.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Farrell led his side to a RWC Final, 6 Nations ***le and Autumn International Cup Final. But he's a shite captain and nobody in their right mind wants him as Lions captain.

I wasn't really talking from a captain point of view but from a player point of view. I think Farrell is a world class player. He's not performing at the moment but I don't think that's something you lose over night especially at his age. He could just be on the decline a bit like Billy is but I'd still back him tbh.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Think they've gone very conservative there and weirdly not even just from a Wales pov.

A lot of the might be but I would hope Adams, Farrell, Murray, Mako, George and pretty much every backrow slot are considered nailed on. Sure many of them could end up going and there's a lack of top class games for them before May 6th but would not consider them nailed on over likely.

Also not sure how aware people outside of Ireland are of this but Ryan had two concussions in the 6N and hasn't played since the Scotland game. There's rumours he'll be back for the semi but just something to keep an eye on.

Would be a real shame if Ryan missed out but as long as my boy Beirne is playing I'm happy.

 

[Jakedood]

Shaw

Even AWJ has something to prove on this tour after being dropped for Shaw after the first test In 2009.

was excellent however, in fairness to him. A tighthead lock is essential in SA, its why I think Henderson might be a good left field pick. Strong scrummager, defensive mauls, and in defensive rucks, as well as a good ball carrier. Not always flashy, but highly effective

 

[Jakedood]

What do you think the Wales players and coaching staff would say to the bollix you just wrote?

"If only we had a good crop of second rows, and send him on his merry way"?

 

[Welsh Exile]

I think it's a bit rich playing the "AWJ is so overrated or over hyped" card when I have literally never in my life read a negative piece or heard of a single negative comment come out of a pundits mouth about Itoje.

Some of the press and pundits have to backtrack on AWJ coz you look a bit of a t**t when the guy leads Wales to win stuff but what's Itoje's excuse? Now, for the record, I think Itoje is a brilliant player and largely deserves all the plaudits he gets, but he hasn't come close to achieving what AWJ has in the game. Maybe he will as his career progresses but the level of vitriol AWJ gets from fans outside of Wales and how some of the English press say how AWJ is past it or what have you, is totally unbalanced in my humble opinion but I might not be aware of any negative stuff that gets said about Itoje.

 

[big ginger 8]

Shaw

was excellent however, in fairness to him. A tighthead lock is essential in SA, its why I think Henderson might be a good left field pick. Strong scrummager, defensive mauls, and in defensive rucks, as well as a good ball carrier. Not always flashy, but highly effective

I don't think Henderson should even be considered left field, he's a frontrunner for my money. On performances he's there the only reason to leave him out is national politicing.

Just depends how bad his injury is though he also seems to be expected back for his semifinal. Weird himself, Beirne and Ryan all got injured at the around the same time.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I don't think Henderson should even be considered left field, he's a frontrunner for my money. On performances he's there the only reason to leave him out is national politicing.

Just depends how bad his injury is though he also seems to be expected back for his semifinal. Weird himself, Beirne and Ryan all got injured at the around the same time.

I remember him playing great on the last tour when he got the opportunity too. Now he is a genuinely underrated player.

 

[Jakedood]

I don't think Henderson should even be considered left field, he's a frontrunner for my money. On performances he's there the only reason to leave him out is national politicing.

Just depends how bad his injury is though he also seems to be expected back for his semifinal. Weird himself, Beirne and Ryan all got injured at the around the same time.

I heard he might have made it back for the QF, but just being cautious with it, so I'd say 100% back for the semi

Sometimes he gets overlooked with all the plaudits given to Ryan, and more recently Beirne, but I'd genuinely start him as the tighthead lock at this point. He's also become a lot more consistent since he's taken on more leadership roles for club and country



0:34 for absolute porn, albeit against a small forward pack in Saracens

 

[Jakedood]

Do people actually like the idea of a tour captain who might not necessarily make the bench let alone start (this is the theory not the player don't make this about AWJ)? It just feels wrong, surely they should be part of the leadership but the captain should be the guy leading from the front on the field in the matches and nailed on to do that.

Personally I much prefer the idea that it isn't any nations current captain as well but slightly different topic.

I'd say the thing about a captain is most of the duties are done before the game day, its about driving standards, being a conduit between players and coaches, and you kinda set the tone for sessions. In that regard, absolutely no issue with it, but as with all teams you'll find a leadership group emerges, likely featuring Sexton & Farrell, Hogg, Russell, these sorts of players who have all played at crazy high levels, and captained sides, so with the experience there'll be in camp, I think the on field captain matters a little bit less, whichever team is picked. Thats not even including the likes of Curry, Itoje, Ryan, Furlong, Henderson all players who've shown quality in the biggest moments, Watson & Liam Williams. This will be a very experienced side playing Im sure

Also means you're not guaranteed a place in the side, so every place is up for grabs. There's a lot of warmup games and training to be done to fit players into the systems, so no mercy if you're not the best player for the job

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Shaw

was excellent however, in fairness to him. A tighthead lock is essential in SA, its why I think Henderson might be a good left field pick. Strong scrummager, defensive mauls, and in defensive rucks, as well as a good ball carrier. Not always flashy, but highly effective

Yep, always rated Shaw. He was just unlucky to play in the same position and same time as Johnno. Still, couldn't understand in 2005 why SCW didn't pick Shaw for any of the tests v the ABs.

 

[Dean Cooperfield-West]

I've pulled a few of the 2021 XVs made in 2017 after the last tour. It's crazy how times change (and how much hype certain players revealed).

Jack McGrath
Neil Scannell
Ryan Elias
Zack Mercer
Dan Leavy
Charlie Ewels
Mark Wilson
Ross Moriarty
Harry Mallinder
Joe Marchant
Sam Davies
Harry Mallinder
Joe Marchant
Joe Cokanasiga
Steff Evans
Keelan Giles

Coach: Eddie Jones was most popular followed by Joe Schmidt and then Dai Young if you exclude Gatland.

Whatever happened to those people? They seem to have dropped off the face of the rugby planet (excluding the English ones I know from their clubs)