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(Very) early thoughts on the 2017 Lions

Sexton is nowhere near nailed on starter, unless Farrell and Ford are both injured there's at least competition. With Faz Sr. on the coaching staff, and Gatland already being a big fan, I wouldn't be surprised to see Farrell as first choice. Wouldn't be overly surprised to see him as Vice Captain as well, everyone was banging on about his leadership after the last tour when he was barely out of nappies.
Murray is the only real nailed on starter, for my money. Youngs was pretty level with him after the autumn series but was dire yesterday - he'll need a big 6N to get out of the 21 shirt.

Binny starts for me every time, but him vs Faletau is a crazy good problem to have. Heaslip will tour but is a step down.
 
Well, Sexton has the established partnership with Murray, which must count for something. I am thinking if Hogg's pace is preferred at full back to HP, then Farrell at 12 maybe the go to option to guarantee the Lions have a 80/90% kicker in the team. That would get both Sexton and Farrell in the team and free up more options in the 22 and 23 shirts, as the Lions won't need 3 fly halves in the 23.
 
The_Blindside said:
Well, Sexton has the established partnership with Murray, which must count for something. I am thinking if Hogg's pace is preferred at full back to HP, then Farrell at 12 maybe the go to option to guarantee the Lions have a 80/90% kicker in the team. That would get both Sexton and Farrell in the team and free up more options in the 22 and 23 shirts, as the Lions won't need 3 fly halves in the 23.
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With Sexton as brittle as he is, even if Faz was starting I'd want another 10 on the bench.
 
Doesn't take much these days, since he got caught juicing he's been pretty poor.
 
Jason O'Halloran is the next coach to turn down the chance to assist Rob Howley in next year's Lions tour.

It just gets better. Gatland is now saying that Scottish players could miss out on the 50/50 calls with no Scottish coach to push forward their case. While I'm on board with the Borthwick and Farrell appointments I think he's made a big mistake making Rob Howley head attack coach when there are better options out there.
 
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As a Welsh fan I am pretty happy with how things are turning out. It looks like given our form and poor attacking play (down to Howley?) very few of our guys are going to get game time. So will be a good chance to recuperate.

Looking at it as a fan of the Lions tour though, I think there is a great chance for at least one win. England (sadly) are looking scary and are only getting better. So with the bulk of the squad likely being English I see some success in NZ.

I'd say the only Welsh guys who should start would be Liam Williams, potentially Rob Evans if he gets back to form after his injury and AWJ.
 
anderton46 said:
As a Welsh fan I am pretty happy with how things are turning out. It looks like given our form and poor attacking play (down to Howley?) very few of our guys are going to get game time. So will be a good chance to recuperate.

Looking at it as a fan of the Lions tour though, I think there is a great chance for at least one win. England (sadly) are looking scary and are only getting better. So with the bulk of the squad likely being English I see some success in NZ.

I'd say the only Welsh guys who should start would be Liam Williams, potentially Rob Evans if he gets back to form after his injury and AWJ.
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I think you're being a bit too harsh on your players! North, Tipuric and Faletau all have decent chances at starting. Webb isn't too far off being in the 23. And whilst Henshaw/Joseph are pretty clear favourites, Scott Williams could break it up with a decent Six Nations. A fit Warburton shouldn't be discounted either.
 
TRF_Olyy said:
Sexton is nowhere near nailed on starter, unless Farrell and Ford are both injured there's at least competition. With Faz Sr. on the coaching staff, and Gatland already being a big fan, I wouldn't be surprised to see Farrell as first choice. Wouldn't be overly surprised to see him as Vice Captain as well, everyone was banging on about his leadership after the last tour when he was barely out of nappies.
Murray is the only real nailed on starter, for my money. Youngs was pretty level with him after the autumn series but was dire yesterday - he'll need a big 6N to get out of the 21 shirt.

Binny starts for me every time, but him vs Faletau is a crazy good problem to have. Heaslip will tour but is a step down.
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Heaslip is probably the best option if you have ball carriers elsewhere. Both himself and Binny have strong claims as the best 8 of 2016. Backrow is one area where Gatland isn't all bosh bosh bosh so he definitely has a chance. I'd have Heaslip ahead of Faletau all day to be honest, he's by far the most intelligent of the three!
 
j'nuh said:
I think you're being a bit too harsh on your players! North, Tipuric and Faletau all have decent chances at starting. Webb isn't too far off being in the 23. And whilst Henshaw/Joseph are pretty clear favourites, Scott Williams could break it up with a decent Six Nations. A fit Warburton shouldn't be discounted either.
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Perhaps a little harsh. But I'd say even the guys you've mentioned are just a bit behind the front runners.

Tipuric gets a lot of plaudits from international fans as he's one of the best open game forward, however most who watch him regularly realise he's not very good at be breakdown and gets bullied at international level there.

Scott is great, however the way Wales play at the moment he rarely gets to shine so it's hard for him to make a case.

this 6 nations will be real interesting to see who steps up though. As there will definitely be 1/2 guys no-one is talking about who end up going.
 
anderton46 said:
this 6 nations will be real interesting to see who steps up though. As there will definitely be 1/2 guys no-one is talking about who end up going.
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All of which will be Welsh or Scottish ;)
 
anderton46 said:
Tipuric gets a lot of plaudits from international fans as he's one of the best open game forward, however most who watch him regularly realise he's not very good at be breakdown and gets bullied at international level there.
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Nail on the head there. Tipuric hasn't a chance of being picked. He's a very classy player but Gatland loves players who are physically confrontational at the breakdown. Warburton and SOB are far more powerful in that area.

I'd have O'Brien all day ahead of him (more strings to his bow) but Warburton is an automatic pick if fit for Gatland imo.
 
Hypothetical but if the Lions were playing next weekend who would be starting at 9, 10, 12 and 13 based on current form? Assuming 1/2P is at 15 so kicking is covered.
 

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