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(Very) early thoughts on the 2017 Lions

TRF_Peat said:
We've got a better collective, they're got better stars. Are there any picks you'd disagree with in the here and now?

Over the next year, I think we might see some more England players muscle their way in. I can see them going to having about half the team. But not today. They need to put in those performances that make them international stars first.



Ford is a lot more tactically astute than you give him credit for and his tactical kicking is probably his strongest point.

Roberts I think is now too slow and too battered. I wouldn't consider him.

I went with Joseph with Henshaw because I trust him a little bit more in defence. Henshaw was close. Joseph mightn't get much space, but if he gets 3 chances to go, he'll do damage with all of them and I like that.
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That's fair, Ford still wouldn't work for me if I agreed he was better than Sexton because he is a liability in defence and he requires you to bring in a worse 15 or 12 for kicking. The argument with Joseph and space was justifying bringing in Henshaw, what you lose going forward is gained in the air.

Toby, I did say that I was using some artistic licence in picking O'Mahoney, if he comes back they're golden if not they'll be kind of **** at 6.
 
Sexton is king flake ATM, certainly in 6N's when Youngs made him poop his pants.

But if Schmidt is coach he will def start i guess.

Also would have Davis and JJ over Henshaw.
 
You could tempt me into declaring Henderson for Lions 6. I nearly put a tenner on that back in 2013, I was going to and then he got moved to lock so just as well I didn't...

Ford's liability as a defender and goal kicker are rather overstated imo. Besides, I'm putting in Halfpenny whatever at the moment, he's still the best goalkicker in the NH and the most secure full-back, someone will have to go some to unseat him for me.
 
The Alpha Bro said:
That's fair, Ford still wouldn't work for me if I agreed he was better than Sexton because he is a liability in defence and he requires you to bring in a worse 15 or 12 for kicking. The argument with Joseph and space was justifying bringing in Henshaw, what you lose going forward is gained in the air.

Toby, I did say that I was using some artistic licence in picking O'Mahoney, if he comes back they're golden if not they'll be kind of **** at 6.
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By artistic license I thought you just meant that he hadn't played on the weekend, not that you were assuming he would be in form. Misunderstood there.

- - - Updated - - -

Tigs Man said:
Please Peat Hogg ----> Halfpenny.
Click to expand...

Hogg & Williams > Halfpenny
 
Hogg's a f' up merchant. He has no place in my Lions 23.
 
Tigs Man said:
As opposed to a player who has played how many minutes this season?

Might as well have Manu in.
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Halfpenny may be the wrong one, but that doesn't make Hogg the right one.

And I considered Manu but wanted smarter players. Maybe he'll convert me back again next year.
 
The French would love to release the Lions on the Kiwis.......
 
Aotearoa_ said:
I have been particularly impressed with Williams this tour. More so than I ever have been watching Hogg.
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Hogg has his odd moments of brilliance, but in my mind that is far out weighed by some of the stupid decisions/F ups he makes and all the times he's been run over in defence. How he got MOT 6 Nations is beyond me.
 
TobyBeastTeague said:
Hogg has his odd moments of brilliance, but in my mind that is far out weighed by some of the stupid decisions/F ups he makes and all the times he's been run over in defence. How he got MOT 6 Nations is beyond me.
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Wait what, he was voted best 6 Nations player?
 
Lions XV based purely off of this series:
1. McGrath
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Henderson
5. Itoje
6. Robshaw
7. Haskell
8. Faletau
9. Webb
10. Ford
11. Nowell
12. Farrell
13. Davies
14. Trimble
15. Williams

16. George
17. Vunipola
18. Furlong
19. Lawes
20. Vunipola
21. Murray
22. Jackson
23. Joseph
 
TobyBeastTeague said:
Lions XV based purely off of this series:
1. McGrath
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Henderson
5. Itoje
6. Robshaw
7. Haskell
8. Faletau
9. Webb
10. Ford
11. Nowell
12. Farrell
13. Davies
14. Trimble
15. Williams

16. George
17. Vunipola
18. Furlong
19. Lawes
20. Vunipola
21. Murray
22. Jackson
23. Joseph
Click to expand...

If on this tour form I'd say that fair enough except maybe
Payne at 15
Also think Nowell and Trimble weren't even best wings for country. The back3 is complete lottery. 1 think we've learned though is there will be some pack options
 
Payne at 15? I'd be surprised if he made the squad. Williams has been unbelievable, a very Ben Smith esque FB.

My Squad now would be:
Props:
Nel
Cole
Furlong
McGrath
Vunipola
Marler

Hookers:
Hartley
George
Best

Locks:
Wyn Jones
Itoje
Henderson
Kruis
Lawes

Back Rowers:
Faletau
Vunipola
Warburton
Hardie
Stander
POM (If fit, if not then Haskell)
O'Brien (If fit. If not then Hask. If both POM and SOB unfit then Hask and Robshaw in their places)

Scrum Halves:
Webb
Murray
Davies

Fly Halves:
Farrell
Ford
Sexton

Centres:
Joseph
Roberts
Davies
Henshaw
Taylor

Back Three:
Williams
Halfpenny
Hogg
Watson
North
Nowell
Fitzgerald (If fit. If not then Seymour)
 
TobyBeastTeague said:
Payne at 15? I'd be surprised if he made the squad. Williams has been unbelievable, a very Ben Smith esque FB.

My Squad now would be:
Props:
Nel
Cole
Furlong
McGrath
Vunipola
Marler

Hookers:
Hartley
George
Best

Locks:
Wyn Jones
Itoje
Henderson
Kruis
Lawes

Back Rowers:
Faletau
Vunipola
Warburton
Hardie
Stander
POM (If fit, if not then Haskell)
O'Brien (If fit. If not then Hask. If both POM and SOB unfit then Hask and Robshaw in their places)

Scrum Halves:
Webb
Murray
Davies

Fly Halves:
Farrell
Ford
Sexton

Centres:
Joseph
Roberts
Davies
Henshaw
Taylor

Back Three:
Williams
Halfpenny
Hogg
Watson
North
Nowell
Fitzgerald (If fit. If not then Seymour)
Click to expand...

Payne at 15 is a class act. Best 15 on this side of world in my eyes. He won't tour as his age will possibly go against him. I cant argue on Williams as he has been superb too.
On POM he's fit and was back preseason with Munster yesterday. He's bulked up a bit but still good stamina as his 1km test suggested.

On your squad I think guys like Dillane could bolt there too with a big season. I can see Halfpenny not making it too. Any French based player is hugely disadvantaged
 

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