(Very) early thoughts on the 2017 Lions

[munstermuffin]

I think if Gatland wasn't in charge then halfpenny wouldn't really be in the conversation.
Liam Williams and Hogg are both clearly better

To be fair Liam Williams is the form 15 at this point for sure.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

To be fair Liam Williams is the form 15 at this point for sure.

Yep But will no doubt be played on Wing with Halfpenny @15......

I genuinely can see Gatland picking a outside backs of
11) North
12) Roberts
13) Davies
14) Williams
15) Halfpenny

And that annoys me.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Then backline I'd like to see picked:
9. Murray
10. Sexton/Farrell (Depending on if Sexton can stay in one piece)
11. North
12. Henshaw
13. Joseph/Jones (Depending on whether Jones' current form is temporary or permanent)
14. Whichever of the English 3 is in form (Watson/Nowell/May)
15. Williams

21. Webb
22. Farrell/Ford
23. So many options

 

[munstermuffin]

Yep But will no doubt be played on Wing with Halfpenny @15......

I genuinely can see Gatland picking a outside backs of
11) North
12) Roberts
13) Davies
14) Williams
15) Halfpenny

And that annoys me.

Don't disagree with you. I've accepted majority of this squad won't be on form.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Yep But will no doubt be played on Wing with Halfpenny @15......

I genuinely can see Gatland picking a outside backs of
11) North
12) Roberts
13) Davies
14) Williams
15) Halfpenny

And that annoys me.

He's more than likely to save that for the last test, if he knows that the series is well and truly over and he knows he has to face the music with the Wales squad afterwards. There's no getting away from the Politics of the Lions.

I like Woodward's advice to Gatland for next year: "Good luck."

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Laurence Dallaglio's Lions' XV to start first test from the Sunday Times:

1. Vunipola, Mako.
2. Hartley
3. Furlong
4. Itoje
5. AWJ
6. SOB
7. Tipuric
8. Billy Vunipola

9. Murray
10. Sexton
12. Farrell
13. Davies

11. North
15. Hogg
14. Liam Williams.

Not a bad selection. Not sure about the centres though. Personally I am leaning towards a Henshaw-JJ pairing.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Laurence Dallaglio's Lions' XV to start first test from the Sunday Times:

1. Vunipola, Mako.
2. Hartley
3. Furlong
4. Itoje
5. AWJ
6. SOB
7. Tipuric
8. Billy Vunipola

9. Murray
10. Sexton
12. Farrell
13. Davies

11. North
15. Hogg
14. Liam Williams.

Not a bad selection. Not sure about the centres though. Personally I am leaning towards a Henshaw-JJ pairing.

That's my back row of choice. Not sure about that backline, agree with your henshaw - JJ combo

 

[McTallshort]

Is Davis really better than JJ?

Also Jonny Grey is in far better form than AWJ

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Is Davis really better than JJ?

Also Jonny Grey is in far better form than AWJ

I think the Lawrence chose Davies and AWJ for their "experience". Form wise, no as you said ATM there are players playing better - Davies has come off of a ACL and that kind of injury takes players a long time to recover their top form. I think the Lions need a mix of both experience and form players to make the most potent team to take on the ABs. I can see Gatland being a bit cautious for the 1st test and players who finished and won the last test v Australia may have an edge in selection if it's a 50/50 call.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Henshaw and JJ is an orgasm infucing prospect if they click though. Lions experience is no difference to test match experience if you ask me, pick your best players and not guys who can bring the Lions' "ethos" and the only thing to blame for losing is the stupid schedule and outdated idea!

 

[BPM]

Is Davis really better than JJ?

Also Jonny Grey is in far better form than AWJ

In the battle of the Jonathans, Joseph is ahead by some distance. Some of the Welsh posters are even questioning 'Foxy's place in their starting XV. Unless he has a massive 6N, I'd put Joseph and Payne ahead of him. Also, as much as I'm very much on board with the idea of Henshaw at 12, he's also a very capable 13, so depending on how Gatland wants to lineup, I wouldn't rule out the idea of him playing as an outside centre.

 

[MikeTheNative]

I'd rather Joseph to be honest. Davies has seemingly lost the ability to pass and to draw the man and give recently. I would take him on tour as he can play 12 as well but he would not be in my starting line up with current forum.

 

[Which Tyler]

Sorry - wrong window

 

[ALJ]

There's depth everywhere it seems, which is gratifying.

Who would you say are nailed on selections right now? Murray, maybe Hogg but that's about it.

E.g.
2nd row - Toner, Kruiz, Itoje, Gray, AWJ.
8 - Faletau, Vunipola or Heaslip.

Everyone has their preferences but no matter how you cut it, this is looking like the strongest Lions line up in an awfully long time.

 

[westernforce]

1. McGrath
2. Hartley, could depend on form
3. Furlong, cole could get the nod
4. Henderson, power/speed/ball handling is outstanding
5. Itoje, has to start
6. Stander, work rate is immence
7. Warburton, will get the nod, no real stand out player here unless o'brien can stay injury free
8. Vunipola, best 8 in NH
9. Murray, best 9 in world possibly
10. Farrell, good tackling and kicking. sexton wont survive in NZ,
11. North, not playing his best
12. Henshaw
13. Joseph, would be an exciting combo in the centre
14. Watson, yarde will push for position
15. Payne, hogg is also in with a big shout here

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Dallaglio was one of 4 pundits to name their teams in the Times. Mako was one of very few they all named - don't see it myself but what do I know.

As far as nailed on at the moment goes I'd say only: Furlong, O'Brien, Murray, Henshaw & JJ. If fit I'd add Watson to that list. Lot of places up for garbs.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

1. McGrath
2. Hartley, could depend on form
3. Furlong, cole could get the nod
4. Henderson, power/speed/ball handling is outstanding
5. Itoje, has to start
6. Stander, work rate is immence
7. Warburton, will get the nod, no real stand out player here unless o'brien can stay injury free
8. Vunipola, best 8 in NH
9. Murray, best 9 in world possibly
10. Farrell, good tackling and kicking. sexton wont survive in NZ,
11. North, not playing his best
12. Henshaw
13. Joseph, would be an exciting combo in the centre
14. Watson, yarde will push for position
15. Payne, hogg is also in with a big shout here

SOB at 6 and then Tuipric at 7,he's the stand out 7 from the home nations. Warberton should no way start or bench.

As for Yarde pushing for a place, you had to be joking. He's looking very out of place playing for England let alone the lions. Liam Williams or Nowell or Seymour are some of the other wing names flying around all much better than Yarde.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I don't understand so many selections picking North... When was the last time he did anything that really stood out as being superior to what any other NH winger has managed? Granted he doesn't get used well by Wales at all but it really feels that most of the Welsh selections are picked on past form, ie over a year ago at least.

 

[ncurd]

He gets knocked out and continues playing morris often than the other wingers in contention.....

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Yeh North hasn't impressed since moving from Wales TBH.