The Lions squad for 2021 prediction

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Care was never even that good anyway.

Ok deep breaths.

Love it when people clearly don't watch enough of the Prem but **** on the players anyway.

Have you actually seen him play regularly since 2018?

 

[Welsh Exile]

He was like Youngs, whoever wasn't starting was the better player. He's had some great games for England and some appalling ones.

Fair.

if he tours I think we can put "winding up Eddie Jones" higher on Gatlands list of reasons to pick players for the lions than "knowing Welsh players better"

 

[TRF_Olyy]

if he tours I think we can put "winding up Eddie Jones" higher on Gatlands list of reasons to pick players for the lions than "knowing Welsh players better"

There's no way that didn't play at least a tiny tiny factor in (potentially) selecting Simmonds and Care

 

[Welsh Exile]

Love it when people clearly don't watch enough of the Prem but **** on the players anyway.

Have you actually seen him play regularly since 2018?

Not regularly but I've seen him play a handful of games this season. Not sure why you think this matters to me when my whole argument is I'm not overly concerned with club form. I'm much more interested in him at the highest level.

Rhys Webb has played great for the Ospreys this season. Don't care.

 

[Jakedood]

There's no way that didn't play at least a tiny tiny factor in (potentially) selecting Simmonds and Care

More simmonds, Care wouldnt be playing this summer, so less likely to windup, whereas I think Simmonds may have been

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Why does no one care that Simmonds hasn't played internationally since TV was in black and white?

 

[Welsh Exile]

There's no way that didn't play at least a tiny tiny factor in (potentially) selecting Simmonds and Care

I agree. I know we're on border line conspiracy theory territory here but as you say, I think it's played a tiny part in his decision making. That and Adam Jones maybe.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Why does no one care that Simmonds hasn't played internationally since TV was in black and white?

I do.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Could the reason perhaps be that Sexton won't be touring is because of his concussion issues, and the fact that our stadiums are a bit harder underfoot, as well as us being a more physical team, especially in contact situations, that it's purely for the safety of Sexton, and that he might be more susceptible to getting another concussion.

 

[will311293]

Why does no one care that Simmonds hasn't played internationally since TV was in black and white?

Hasn't stopped Gats picking a player before.

Remember Christian Wade couldn't get near the England squad but made the Lions. It is still mad he has played for England once.... and the lions once

RugbyInsideLine came out with Odogwu as a bolter this morning which i thought was a little much.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hasn't stopped Gats picking a player before.

Oh aye, I've no issue with it (I've issue with Simmonds being picked - just not because he didn't play in this 6N) - just there's a lot of talk about Care having an extra 11months between caps than the Springboks will have

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Love it when people clearly don't watch enough of the Prem but **** on the players anyway.

Have you actually seen him play regularly since 2018?

I think the premiership and pro14 give easy rides to 9s who follow the play well. Luke McGrath, Caolin Blade and John Cooney regularly look like superstars in the pro 14. Stringer was going for 7 years after he was dropped by Ireland and a few mediocre Aussies and Kiwis have gone very well in both leagues.

I think 9 and 10 are the positions where the step up to international level is toughest and probably ones that you'd want a current international or someone playing well in the latter stages of the Heineken at worst. (Citing Wilkinson in 2013 for the last one where he earned a spot and turned it down iirc)

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Just heard Dan Cole is lined up as a bolter

 

[Welsh Exile]

Just heard Dan Cole is lined up as a bolter

We're not that desperate.

 

[ncurd]

We're not that desperate.

Played 78mins last time SA played a game, wasn't the problem in the scrum

 

[Groundhog]

Sam Simmonds? Oh you mean older, lighter, smaller and less versatile Gavin Coombes?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

 

[Welsh Exile]

If Cole, Care and Simmonds go I'm rallying up all my family here and abroad to create accounts to cause havoc.

 

[Geordie]

Has AWJ been confirmed as Captain yet....or is it due to be shortly?

 

[Welsh Exile]

Has AWJ been confirmed as Captain yet....or is it due to be shortly?

Think it's meant to be around midday. Not 100% sure though.