The Lions squad for 2021 prediction

[Jakedood]

**** 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

If he played lawes at 6 I'd riot.

Im thinking given he hasn't picked an actual regular blindside (tadgh at a push) we know its gonna be either dusk open sides, which he has favoured in the past, or 3 second rows

 

[big ginger 8]

Think Daly's a fair bit under these days.

Do you reckon Daly will actually start any games at centre?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Do you reckon Daly will actually start any games at centre?

I'd imagine so, yeah. On his selection page he was listed as a centre and if he's in there as a back three then it's 7 back threes, 3 centres and 3 fly halves which doesn't really seem right.

 

[MikeTheNative]

I know that centres was an issue with injuries and other big name players not hitting form but the more you look at the centre options the more depressing it looks.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

from reddit
https://streamable.com/330fqn

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Slade must be livid, Ringer is understandable because he's the opposite of a Gatland player and in poor form but Slade with his boot and in good form is just nuts.

 

[MikeTheNative]

That's false, we clearly know that AWJ would be machamp

 

[MikeTheNative]

Slade must be livid, Ringer is understandable because he's the opposite of a Gatland player and in poor form but Slade with his boot and in good form is just nuts.

Having one dependable more than flashy option is fair enough (Harris vs Aki) but they don't need both. Not also helped by the 'maverick' centre being Daly who couldn't catch the ball when the played there for England.

 

[Welsh Exile]

If you took out Hill for Ryan, Fagerson for Sinkler, Lawes or Simmonds for Navidi, Davies or Price for Williams and got one of Slade or Ringrose then I'd be happy.

 

[TommiG88]

from reddit
https://streamable.com/330fqn

That made me laugh out loud

 

[TRF_heineken]

Please address me as Grond van der Hogg from now on.

In Afrikaans a groundhog is called a Marmot.

Ser Jhorra!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ser Jhorra!

Wasn't he the one obsessed with Daenerys Targaryen?

 

[ncurd]

Having one dependable more than flashy option is fair enough (Harris vs Aki) but they don't need both. Not also helped by the 'maverick' centre being Daly who couldn't catch the ball when the played there for England.

I'd be more worried about Daly's tackling, just think we could have Farrell and Daly in the centers!

 

[Leinster Fan]

Got to agree with others here, can understand the reasons Ringrose isn't going but not taking either him or Slade is bonkers. A bit of tactical flexibility wouldn't hurt anyone.

Although whatever else Henshaw could probably sleep his way through the tour and make the test team, given the chosen alternatives.

 

[MikeTheNative]

Thought Fagerson played well despite the silly Red to be fair. Not sure how Vunipola gets in and Stander played as well as Faletau in the 6 nations IMO

 

[Welsh Exile]

Reckon Gatland will be doing something like this for the first test

Wyn Jones LCD Furlong
Itoje AWJ
Lawes Curry
Faletau

Murray
Biggar

Henshaw
Harris

Watson Williams
Hogg

Bench: Sutherland, Owens, Fagerson, Henderson, Simmonds, Davies, Farrell, Daly

If it is close to that I'd have to say I find it underwhelming and wouldn't be very confident. That team can win though.

 

[Jakedood]

Woulodnt it be brilliant to have Gatland actually explain his selections instead of that televised dross? I chose Hill over Gray/Ryan because
I took an INjury risk on Lawes, but not Tuilagi because
Why Conan over Navidi etc (Think Navidi is so hard done by)

 

[Leinster Fan]

Since I haven't been able to find one anywhere, here goes

Loosehead: Wyn Jones, Sutherland, Mako
Hooker: Owens, George, LCD
Tighthead: Furlong, Porter, Fagerson
Lock: AWJ, Itoje, Henderson, Beirne, Lawes, Hill
Back Row: Curry, Watson, Tipuric, Faletau, Conan, Simmonds

Scrum Half: Davies, Price, Murray
Out Half: Biggar, Russell, Farrell
Centre: Aki, Henshaw, Harris, Daly
Wing: Adams, LRZ, Van der Merwe, Watson
Fullback: Hogg, Williams

 

[Leinster Fan]

Seeing it written out makes you realise there isn't a dedicated 6. Not a surprise but probably between Beirne and Curry, right?

 

[Welsh Exile]

You gotta praise Gatland for achieving the impossible and making everyone reasonably unhappy with the squad.