The Lions squad for 2021 prediction

[Welsh Exile]

There is no way Hamish Watson doesn't tour. Same for Curry, obviously.

I think whether you love him or hate him people know Farrell is going so have already accepted it.

 

[ncurd]

There is no way Hamish Watson doesn't tour. Same for Curry, obviously.

I think whether you love him or hate him people know Farrell is going so have already accepted it.

And everyone said the same thing about Launchburry last time. Yet his face probably looked like this

 

[TRF_Olyy]

There is no way Hamish Watson doesn't tour. Same for Curry, obviously.

So you admit that Tipuric is out then?

No way they take 3 dedicated opensides in a squad that size

 

[Welsh Exile]

And everyone said the same thing about Launchburry last time. Yet his face probably looked like this

View attachment 10769

I didn't say that about Launchbury. Maybe it was an English thing. I do remember AWJ getting a load of abuse for getting selected though so it makes sense.

 

[Welsh Exile]

So you admit that Tipuric is out then?

No way they take 3 dedicated opensides in a squad that size

If that was the case then I'd say it's more likely Watson goes over Tipuric tbh.

 

[ncurd]

I didn't say that about Launchbury. Maybe it was an English thing. I do remember AWJ getting a load of abuse for getting selected though so it makes sense.

Well one was the standout lock of the tournament and shortlisted for player of the tournament, the other was not.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Well one was the standout lock of the tournament and shortlisted for player of the tournament, the other was not.

And one is about to go on his 4th Lions tour and another is about to get left out, again.

 

[Jakedood]

So you admit that Tipuric is out then?

No way they take 3 dedicated opensides in a squad that size

I think they might.. went with dual opensides in NZ, think its quite possible he will again. Favoured it towards the end of his Wales reign too, when the options are good enough

Also loathe to call Curry a Dedicated openside, given how well he now plays in the role of a blindside flanker, as well as getting time at 8 internationally. Might not be near it as an 8, but he's a very good blindside

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

And one is about to go on his 4th Lions tour and another is about to get left out, again.

He is very broken as well. Like very very very broken

 

[ncurd]

And one is about to go on his 4th Lions tour and another is about to get left out, again.

He's injured.....

Anyway context of the time, England had just won the tournament, Launchburry had won two man of the match awards and been shortlisted as player of the tournament.

Wales came 5th, AWJ had no awards what so ever but I supposed he was captain.

So yeah its fair to say people thought Gatland had made a huge blunder and just went with picking people he knew (and they were right).

 

[Welsh Exile]

He is very broken as well. Like very very very broken

You think it would've made a difference had he been fit?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He is very broken as well. Like very very very broken

To be fair AWJ could tour with a ruptured ACL and you'd never notice
Don't need one to lean on rucks

 

[Welsh Exile]

He's injured.....

Anyway context of the time, England had just won the tournament, Launchburry had won two man of the match awards and been shortlisted as player of the tournament.

Wales came 5th, AWJ had no awards what so ever but I supposed he was captain.

So yeah its fair to say people thought Gatland had made a huge blunder and just went with picking people he knew (and they were right).

Were they? I see this said a lot with no real evidence to back it up. I'm sure Gatland picks who he thinks are the best players. It's all opinions at the end of the day. Gatland probably thinks Launchbury isn't cut from the same cloth as AWJ and I'd agree. Others would disagree which is fine obviously

 

[Welsh Exile]

I saw some pie charts the other day that gave a breakdown of the last 6 or 7 lions tours and while the Welsh contingent has slightly increased under Gatland you're talking a matter of 1-2%. And that's considering how bad Wales were in the 90s so the old argument that Gats just picks inferior Welsh players doesn't really stack up that well.

 

[ncurd]

Were they? I see this said a lot with no real evidence to back it up. I'm sure Gatland picks who he thinks are the best players. It's all opinions at the end of the day. Gatland probably thinks Launchbury isn't cut from the same cloth as AWJ and I'd agree. Others would disagree which is fine obviously

Had access to exactly the same Irish players as Joe Schmitt and more,

Wins against NZ

Schmitt: 2
Galtand:1

 

[Welsh Exile]

Had access to exactly the same Irish players as Joe Schmitt and more,

Wins against NZ

Schmitt: 2
Galtand:1

You've lost me bud. Not sure how that is relevant but all good.

 

[ncurd]

You've lost me bud. Not sure how that is relevant but all good.

Took 12 Welsh guys and 11 Irish

Caps 18 Irish, 20 Welsh

Ireland wins against NZ in cycle: 2
England wins against NZ in cycle: 1 (only played twice)
Wales wins against NZ in cycle: 0
Lions wins: 1

Simply put Gatland's selections clearly crippled two sides that could both beat NZ and combined should win most of the time.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Took 12 Welsh guys and 11 Irish

Caps 18 Irish, 20 Welsh

Ireland wins against NZ in cycle: 2
England wins against NZ in cycle: 1 (only played twice)
Wales wins against NZ in cycle: 0
Lions wins: 1

Simply put Gatland's selections clearly crippled two sides that could both beat NZ and combined should win most of the time.

I'm pretty sure that's not how it works and ignores loads of factors/variables but I can't really be arsed to go into it tbh.

 

[ncurd]

I'm pretty sure that's not how it works and ignores loads of factors/variables but I can't really be arsed to go into it tbh.

Nah i understand Wales are like 'Woo we beat NZ' and everyone else is like 'yeah we've done that'.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Nah i understand Wales are like 'Woo we beat NZ' and everyone else is like 'yeah we've done that'.

Ok