The Lions squad for 2021 prediction

[Jakedood]

Absolutely it can, but to the probable detriment to performance. In Itoje's case being on the edge is the nature of the beast, and whether fairly or otherwise he has a reputation for pens and every ref on the planet knows it.

Alex Ferguson used to tell Roy Keane to go out and play his natural game in the full knowledge he'd spend a third of the season suspended. Simply because a more controlled Keane without the rage was a much inferior player. It's a similar principle with Itoje - if you want the big performances he has to be given licence in full acceptance of the potential downsides.

It depends, it's not about him being hotheaded or losing the aggression though, in which case this would be valid.. its decision making regarding what the refs are hot on these days
One thing Refs are getting hot on that I do think he needs to work on, is jumping across the lineout, thats the only repeated offense Ive seen from him

I watched the Northampton game last night. Biggar has to start. Almost reaching god like status at the moment.

Theres only one god. And his name is Finn

If Itoje does keep discipline in tact then he is a a serious weapon and him and Beirne could be serious weapons with 1 at 6. On the pens conceded I must admit I did not look too closely to see if he was harshly reffed but have noticed it alot with Munster players in Pro14 that refs are a bit different and some pens conceded could easily be pens won.

On injury call ups. I presume they are all ok or does there need to be some sort of isolation etc. Not sure.

Unsure about isolation protocols, thats a good point.. another reason why a small squad makes less sense to me

Thats fair, I just remember thinking how harsh some seemed, in that they were penalties maybe by the letter of the law, but never seen them pinged before if that makes sense?
Like no one binds at a ruck really, but thats never penalised

 

[Jakedood]

If he's only almost reaching Sexton like status why would he start ahead of him?

Damn , beat me to the punchline

 

[Dean Cooperfield-West]

When do we hear about North and Tuilagi's definite return in May.

 

[Welsh Exile]

If he's only almost reaching Sexton like status why would he start ahead of him?

I don't know what god(s) you believe in but they're meant to be a bit tougher than sick note Sexton. God doesn't spend half his career in the hospital.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Rules out Biggar as well, then, tbf
Soft as puppy shite

 

[Welsh Exile]

Rules out Biggar as well, then, tbf
Soft as puppy shite

You probably expect all your fly halfs to do a 12 hour night shift down the local mine before playing a full 80 min game or some ****. If they don't eat rocks for breakfast and wrestle bears then they're southern fairies.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Joking aside I think Gatland will go Sexton with Russell on the bench as a game changer. Bigs will come in if we lose the first test and 1, or both, play badly.

 

[Jakedood]

Sadly

Joking aside I think Gatland will go Sexton with Russell on the bench as a game changer. Bigs will come in if we lose the first test and 1, or both, play badly.

Sadly its likely only 2 of these 3 will tour. I think its almost guaranteed Farrell is going, despite recent form
Could be wrong but given everybody he's ever played near not just praising him but giving him hugs praise, i just think he's a gatland boy after all, to the coward for the countys dismay

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Even if he has been dog **** for the past year (plus) I'd still have way more confidence in Farrell vs the Springboks than Russell

 

[Welsh Exile]

Sadly

Sadly its likely only 2 of these 3 will tour. I think its almost guaranteed Farrell is going, despite recent form
Could be wrong but given everybody he's ever played near not just praising him but giving him hugs praise, i just think he's a gatland boy after all, to the coward for the countys dismay

You're probably right but with North out he might take Sexton,Bigs and Russell as 10s and group Farrel in with the centers. **** knows. I think it would be so harsh on Biggar to not get selected but you can make that case for any of them really. Less so Farrell as his form has been **** but the guy has a lot of credit in the bank.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

 

[Jakedood]

Even if he has been dog **** for the past year (plus) I'd still have way more confidence in Farrell vs the Springboks than Russell

Russell of a few years ago, fair enough. I think Russell this last year has been different, still all the skills but far less mistakes and a more pragmatic approach. Plus he has a much bigger booty and given the kicking game at altitude is massive... Well him.and Hogg were masterful in first 2/3 games of six nations in this area, so there's that
Don't you wanna see some fabulous rugby as well? You just know there's the potential there with him at 10

 

[Jakedood]

You're probably right but with North out he might take Sexton,Bigs and Russell as 10s and group Farrel in with the centers. **** knows. I think it would be so harsh on Biggar to not get selected but you can make that case for any of them really. Less so Farrell as his form has been **** but the guy has a lot of credit in the bank.

If north is out, He's more likely to include slate, if he doesn't go tuilagi, also harris and maybe an outside chance of Elliott Daly.
There's enough options there that he won't have Farrell and Henshaw alone as 12 options, meaning farrell will double probably as a 10
Whens the actual announcement?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Plus he has a much bigger booty

 

[TRF_Olyy]

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

With the squad size, I'm expecting 3 9s (Murray, Davies, Price/Youngs), 2 10s (Sexton and Biggar) and Faz as a centre. A 36 man squad is just too small for anything else realistically.

What I think he will go with is this (I reckon we'll also see a shadow squad esque list as well which I'll put in brackets)

That provides cover for lots of positions as well as being gatland esque I think. The reason I've included so few flankers is I think we'll probably see Itoje/Bierne/Lawes at 6 a lot

English -13
Irish - 9
Welsh - 10
Scottish - 4

1. Mako, Jones, Sutherland (Marler and Genge)
2. Owens, George, Cowan-Dickie (Turner)
3. Furlong, Sinkler, Porter (Fagerson)
4/5. Itoje, AWJ, Ryan, Bierne, Lawes (someone welsh/Gray/Hill)
6/7. Curry, Tipuric, Watson, (Underhill)
8. Stander, Faletau, Vunipola

9. Murray, Davies, Price (youngs)
10. Sexton, Biggar (Russell)
12/13. Farrell, Henshaw, Slade, Ringrose, Lawrence (Tuilagi, JD2)
11/14. Watson, LRZ, North, May (Adams, Nowell, Van Der Merwe)
15. Williams, Hogg (Halfpenny)

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Clip

Agree with you on the vast majority of this but there's no way Gats is taking Lawrence over JD2. Would also be very surprised if VDM doesn't go; he's everything Gatland looks for in a winger.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Nothing would make a saffa team less comfortable than a man who shows his vulnerable side.

 

[Jakedood]

With the squad size, I'm expecting 3 9s (Murray, Davies, Price/Youngs), 2 10s (Sexton and Biggar) and Faz as a centre. A 36 man squad is just too small for anything else realistically.

What I think he will go with is this (I reckon we'll also see a shadow squad esque list as well which I'll put in brackets)

That provides cover for lots of positions as well as being gatland esque I think. The reason I've included so few flankers is I think we'll probably see Itoje/Bierne/Lawes at 6 a lot

English -13
Irish - 9
Welsh - 10
Scottish - 4

1. Mako, Jones, Sutherland (Marler and Genge)
2. Owens, George, Cowan-Dickie (Turner)
3. Furlong, Sinkler, Porter (Fagerson)
4/5. Itoje, AWJ, Ryan, Bierne, Lawes (someone welsh/Gray/Hill)
6/7. Curry, Tipuric, Watson, (Underhill)
8. Stander, Faletau, Vunipola

9. Murray, Davies, Price (youngs)
10. Sexton, Biggar (Russell)
12/13. Farrell, Henshaw, Slade, Ringrose, Lawrence (Tuilagi, JD2)
11/14. Watson, LRZ, North, May (Adams, Nowell, Van Der Merwe)
15. Williams, Hogg (Halfpenny)

I think there may only be 5 spots in back 3, meaning that (North wont be there through injury so more likely DvDM instead of May who hasnt been in great form you could say?)
Lawes also unlikely I'd say, Henderson has been immense and should be on that plane, Gray as a backup. Actually maybe Gray as well, with Beirne covering BR & SR really, I think 7 across the back row makes sense, especially as youll find a lot more wear and tear injuries in the pack, or Underhill, either way
Lawrence also wont be anywhere near barr some big injuries, Chris Harris looked very good in 6 Nations, and obviously Tuilagi if at all possible for Gats
Also after his demolition in 2019 and poor scrummaging in 6N, I think Mako may be on the outside. An English LH would more likely be Marler

 

[ncurd]

Same as 4 years ago Sexton, Farrell and Biggar travel.

Sexton on form aside Ford and Russell are exactly what I want in a fly half but cleary not Gatland's cup of tea.



I'll be honest SA rustyness aside 9/10/12 are just too much of a **** show in NH currently for me to see us winning.