The Lions squad for 2021 prediction

[MikeTheNative]

Gatland's Saracen biased confirmed
Not sure what to think, some choices I'm happy with, others are a bit of a head scratcher

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

It's a bad sign when the Scots are happy with a team selection I'll leave it at that.

 

[ncurd]

It's a bad sign when the Scots are happy with a team selection I'll leave it at that.

They haven't looked past their own players yet....

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The amount of people on twitter who seem to think Sam Simmonds is going to get capped for the Lions before his first England cap

....when he has 7 international caps already

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

The amount of people on twitter who seem to think Sam Simmonds is going to get capped for the Lions before his first England cap

....when he has 7 international caps already

The fact people think this will make Eddie change his mind also.

 

[FLOBALOB]

Just for a piece of equilibrium. Jonny Hill been the best lock in the premiership for the last 2 years.
I thought Ryan was invisible last week, and, from what I've seen from him recently, slightly underwhelming.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

It's a bad sign when the Scots are happy with a team selection I'll leave it at that.

Scotland were by far the second best Lions nation in the 6n despite losing to and finishing behind Ireland so it's fair.

Those centre options are beyond bleak. Aki Henshaw is about as exciting as it could get and that's not exciting at all.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Surprised Navidi didn't make it or JD2.

 

[Leinster Fan]

Anyone have a by position breakdown?

 

[big ginger 8]

1. Healy
2. Kelleher
3. Sinckler
4. Gray
5. Ryan
6. Navidi
7. Underhill
8. Stander
9. Care
10. Sexton
11. Stockdale
12. Slade
13. Ringrose
14. May
15. Keenan

Probably give any selected team from the squad a good run. And I'm definitely forgetting people.

Is every selected centre (except arguably Farrell) over 100kg?

 

[MikeTheNative]

Navidi, yes he played well but JD2 has looked off pace for a while. He would have got in on reputation alone as he has played well since the World Cup

 

[McTallshort]

So a starting test side of

Jones, Owens, Furlong, AWJ, Itoje, Curry, Tipric, Faletau, Davies, Bigger, Adams, Farrell, Henshaw, Watson, Williams

Starting midweek of

Fagerson, Cowen-Dickie, Porter, Hill, Henderson, Lawes, Watson, Simmonds, Price, Russell, Zammit, Aki, Harris, Van der Merwe, Daly

Floaters/Test possibles/Spares/Repairs

Mako, George, Beirne, Conan, Hogg, Murray,

Obviously the tight heads will bench or play every game but I think some of the players have been picked because they would be happy to be midweek so Gatland and co can concentrate on the test starters and floaters.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Thought JD2 played well with North

speaking of North anyone else reckon Aki got the call up cause he was first down in the call book of International 13's when Gatland looked for a last minute replacement

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Reduced squad seems daft now that the full tour is happening - I understood it when it was a reduced tour in the UK, but with full midweeks etc. I think you need at least two full 23s

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Is every selected centre (except arguably Farrell) over 100kg?

Think Daly's a fair bit under these days.

 

[Jakedood]

Reduced squad seems daft now that the full tour is happening - I understood it when it was a reduced tour in the UK, but with full midweeks etc. I think you need at least two full 23s

Have they reduced the number of matches? With full models, that's a hell of a lot of rugby to be playing, against physical sides. Could be injury mayhem

 

[ncurd]

Can we call up these guys? Probably have a better chance.

1997 British Lions tour to South Africa - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Scotland were by far the second best Lions nation in the 6n despite losing to and finishing behind Ireland so it's fair.

Those centre options are beyond bleak. Aki Henshaw is about as exciting as it could get and that's not exciting at all.

I dunno, Tips is a pretty handy centre, and winger.

 

[Welsh Exile]

**** me. As others have said Hill over Ryan is literally the definition of insanity. Whenever I've seen Hill for Exeter I think yeah he's a good player and then against Wales you think there's still a player in there but he's not quite ready for big internationals games yet but yeah let's take him on a lions tour. Mad.

Sinkler not in is crazy as well. Aki is almost as mental but he's been brought in as some bulk in midfield in absence of North. I actually can understand Daly as a versatile utility back I suppose, again, to cover the absence of North who could play 13 and wing.

I can't moan too much about J.Davies as his club form is shocking and while he got better as the 6N went on and finished with a decent game against France he's nowhere near his best but I thought with North out he'd make it but can't say I'm annoyed but looking at our centers is very meh. Would've like Ringrose or Slade in there. Think the starting partnership will be Henshaw and Harris.

Gatland not even taking Wales' best 9 is funny too but whatever.

I reckon back row for first test will be

6. Lawes
7. Curry
8.Faletau

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Have they reduced the number of matches? With full models, that's a hell of a lot of rugby to be playing, against physical sides. Could be injury mayhem

Not sure if it differs from the original schedule but there's no games in between tests, but games every three days before them

26th June (Japan)
3rd July (Stormers)
7th July (SA Invitation XV)
10th July (Sharks)
14th July (Springboks A)
17th July (Bulls)
24th/31st/7th (Tests)