Seems fair. Few things I'd disagree with big
6 - Given how little faith Jones has placed in Harrison, I can't see Gatland putting any in him. Wonder how hard Jones is thinking about Henderson/Itoje here.
7 - Murphy should be bottom of that list.
10 - Ford has a lot more experience of running an international game and, biased as I am to Jackson, should be ahead of him. Cipriani has no place on that list and should be replaced with Finn Russell. Gareth Anscombe could be a good sneaky bet for 3rd 10. Madigan, last I heard, wasn't even starting for Bordeaux. Forget him.
12/13 - Te'o is in the running. Gatland loves a gain line merchant and he's about as good as there is available. Huw Williams, as pointed out, is ahead of Bennett for Scotland, so probably ahead of him for the Lions (and more versatile iirc).
15 - Can't see Halfpenny as low at 5th choice in Gatland's thoughts. Again, Anscombe's name deserves a mention. Also, I think Jared Payne might get in as primarily a full-back, as he'd arguably be third best on that list.
Sure, I mean to be clear I think there's close to zero likilhood that Harrison goes, and you could argue that given Lydiates previous, he's more likely to go. Henderson / Itoje / Launchbury could all fit into 6 if needs be as you say.
Re Murphy - that list of opensides is a mixture of A) not in any particular form e.g Warburton B) Injured e.g Haskell C) Coming back to some form and not re-established within Irelands hierarchy - Sean O'Brien and D) Not first choice to begin with, i.e Tipuric. I'd say out of that lot Murphy has continuity on his side and some good form.
Re. Cipriani - this is largely my list of preferences - there's no chance Cipriani really goes, I'm well aware but he's simply better than Russell imo.
Te' o - fair
Yep, agree that Halfpenny is likely to win any tight calls. Mike Brown is almost certainly not touring - Kearney might be hard done by.
I won't reply with quote as it'll take up half the page. Your admission to being ignorant of Scottish rugby certainly shows but I won't hold that against you.
2. Fraser Brown is in great form right now and way ahead of Ross Ford (Brown actually used to play flanker and is very mobile)
3. Nel if fit and on form would be second behind Furlong
4/5. Johnny Gray is better than Devon Toner
10. Finn Russell should be in the top 3 on current form
11. I'd have Seymour ahead of Daly
13. Huw Jones is ahead of Mark Bennett
Thanks, well at least I didn't pretend otherwise!
First two points seem ok to me, but as far as I can see Nel isn't at the top of his game whilst Cole for England at least has been at his most impactful recently around the field.
I do really like Johnny Gray and maybe you're right but I think Toner's underrated and brings something not seen so much elsewhere beyond the likes of Charteris who is lower down. Love his maul work and we have plenty of more athletic second-row types.
Ok yeah, I mean I haven't been much of a fan when I've seen him but if he's on form maybe I just need to watch more of Glasgow
I'd also have Seymour ahead of Daly purely as a left winger, so I guess I wasn't clear - but I think Daly is more likely to tour, and indeed I would rather choose him, because he also plays other positions very well.
Re. Huw Jones - my bad, literally have seen so little of him I can't really comment - except to say I'm sure you're right.
Ringrose is naturally a 13, he'd played all of 70 minutes at 12 all at underage level prior to the AI's.
My extremely biased opinion would be to throw him invetween Daly and Joseph but that's because I think he's better than Daly but not necessarily Bennet or Davies if he ever hits form. I've only seen highlights of Huw Jones so can't really comment on him.
With Murphy's injury yeah, based on international form this year he'd be top of the list for me though.
