(Very) early thoughts on the 2017 Lions

[Ragey Erasmus]

Cian Healy is stupid as **** and shouldn't be allowed near planes in general for the safety of other passengers, nevermind one carrying a squad of Ireland's and Britain's best players. Discuss.

He'll be fine as long as nobody tells him that the fairies that make the plane fly have flown away.

 

[valley commando]

Very true, Ben youngs is no way near those amateurs, I hope one day the 6 nation winning player can get to the level of those two semi professional inbred players.

Oh by the way I think Wales sucks, you might want to check that against score lines, but pretty sure they are a pile of dog poo.

You are a ****

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Very true, Ben youngs is no way near those amateurs, I hope one day the 6 nation winning player can get to the level of those two semi professional inbred players.

Oh by the way I think Wales sucks, you might want to check that against score lines, but pretty sure they are a pile of dog poo.

Okay knob head wait and see who gets selected, Webb will go, Youngs won't, you stuck up prat

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

You are a ****

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Okay knob head wait and see who gets selected, Webb will go, Youngs won't, you stuck up prat

Aw we all know the real reason you want Ben Youngs to stay is that he sells the best dummies and you seem to have thrown yours out of the pram.

 

[TW27BA]

You are a ****

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Okay knob head wait and see who gets selected, Webb will go, Youngs won't, you stuck up prat

Are you a troll on any other forums?
Your rugby knowledge is zero judging your recent diatribe.

 

[AzaMatt]

Are you a troll on any other forums?
Your rugby knowledge is zero judging your recent diatribe.

its not even intelligent trolling. seems like a child

 

[MarkyH]

Christ! I browse more than post but that Valley Commado fella really seems to have issues. I can almost handle the bias, but if you disagree then the toys really come out the pram. If he says Sam Davies is better then he must be better, no arguments. If he says it's fact it must be. If Sam Davies keeps improving, then he will, at his age 23 he can improve so much more. How old is George Ford again?

I've not bitterness to other nations, I like most nations despite being an England fan, and I like watching good players. But what I would like to know is if Wales have so many World class players, and such depth in key positions, then why was 2016 so terrible for Wales? Actually, apart from knocking a **** England team out of a WC why are Wales not constantly beating SH teams?

Anyway, this is more aimed at that child than other Welsh posters....

While I'm here, and jff... My 15 for Lions, it wasn't easy in the 2nd or backrow...

1. Mako
2. Hartley
3. Furlong
4. Henderson
5. Itoje
6. Faletau
7. Warburton
8. Billy

9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Henshaw
13. Joseph
14. Watson
15. Hogg

Cole, Best, Mcgrath, AWJ, CJ Stander, Youngs, Farrell, Williams

6 Eng + 3 on bench
5 Ire + 2 on bench
3 Wales + 2 on bench
1 Scot

Massive shame that, I like Paddy Jackson, Ringrose, Webb, SOB, Halfpenny.... Ask me next week and I'll choose a totally different 15

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I'd be sad if North played, he hasn't done much to merit it and is relying on potential but more importantly I think he needs a long break from rugby. 1 more concussion and he could be forced to retire.

 

[Super 2s]

The problem from a Scottish perspective is going to be not having a voice in the selection meetings. If O'Halloran had gone as a backs coach, you could see him championing the cause of a good few Scottish players who would grow and develop on this tour playing with quality operators around them. Having Finn Russell playing behind a pack with go forward ball and good service could really bring the best out in him. Instead I fear players like Russell, Jones, Seymour won't even get a look in for the squad

 

[Peat]

Didn't Gatland ask both Townsend and O'Halloran and was told no?

In fairness, you can well understand why their reaction to assisting Howley - not even being the main man - was "Err, no"...

 

[Saint4805]

The problem from a Scottish perspective is going to be not having a voice in the selection meetings. If O'Halloran had gone as a backs coach, you could see him championing the cause of a good few Scottish players who would grow and develop on this tour playing with quality operators around them. Having Finn Russell playing behind a pack with go forward ball and good service could really bring the best out in him. Instead I fear players like Russell, Jones, Seymour won't even get a look in for the squad

I agree but the root cause here is Gatland's decision to appoint Rob Howley as head attack coach. Loyalty has led to a big mistake. I think Gregor Townsend might have been open to that role but the offer of assisting Howley was quite frankly insulting. Also, O'Halloran is moving to Glasgow to work with Dave Rennie who may have preferred him to stay at home the new coaching team gets to work.

 

[Super 2s]

Agree with the decision taken by Townsend but feel O'Halloran could have gone and been an asset - even as an assistant attack coach. Gatland did blunder massively by appointing Howley as the lead attack coach and Townsend has made the correct decision to sit this out and focus on Scotland. Just would like to see someone in that tour who would put forward the Scottish guys case as you feel any 50/50 choice now between a Scots or Welsh player and the Scottish guy is missing out.

Players are sticking their hands up now like Maitland, Gray and Hogg, but that might be about the lot for Scottish Lions in 2017

 

[Lancashire Nick]

Looking at the various selections above ........... It appears that most posters don't value Halfpenny at full back. Whilst acknowledging that he may not be the best at his position, don't we need his goalkicking in the team? I can't see us beating the All Blacks on tries alone.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Halfpenny is not the only goal kicker in the world, though.
England and Ireland managed to beat the all blacks with farrell and sexton kicking.

 

[Lancashire Nick]

Halfpenny is not the only goal kicker in the world, though.
England and Ireland managed to beat the all blacks with farrell and sexton kicking.

True, but most people seem to be going in with only one kicker (usually Sexton at FH) ........... What if they're off form that day, what if they pick up an injury? It's not the only consideration when selecting a team; but relying on one guy to kick your goals (especially when it is likely that the All Blacks will score more tries) is a risky strategy.

 

[munstermuffin]

True, but most people seem to be going in with only one kicker (usually Sexton at FH) ........... What if they're off form that day, what if they pick up an injury? It's not the only consideration when selecting a team; but relying on one guy to kick your goals (especially when it is likely that the All Blacks will score more tries) is a risky strategy.

Farrell would be 2nd choice 10 possibly starting 12. I'd argue he could even kick if at 12. Not much between him and Sexton as kickers.

 

[Lancashire Nick]

Farrell would be 2nd choice 10 possibly starting 12. I'd argue he could even kick if at 12. Not much between him and Sexton as kickers.

I'd be quite happy to go in with Sexton at 10, Farrell at 12, and exclude Halfpenny .......... I just think we need to accept that we're unlikely to score more tries than the All Blacks, so we have to try and keep it tight, gain good field position and kick ALL our goals.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I'd be quite happy to go in with Sexton at 10, Farrell at 12, and exclude Halfpenny .......... I just think we need to accept that we're unlikely to score more tries than the All Blacks, so we have to try and keep it tight, gain good field position and kick ALL our goals.

If we don't score more tries than the all blacks we have lost, end of. We need to attack them and put them under pressure. We don't need half penny or Farrell.

Sexton, henshaw, JJ with Hogg or Liam Williams at FB would have a much better chance of beating the all blacks rather than relying on penalties.

 

[ncurd]

Yup the margins in better goal kickers won't make the fifference required to win.

 

[Saint4805]

Just wait and see. My money is on Gatland picking 1/2P no matter how well Hogg is playing. Farrell will probably lose out at 12 in an attempt to justify 1/2P's selection as goal kicker although he's up against it with Henshaw at 12 anyway

 

[TRF_Olyy]

True, but most people seem to be going in with only one kicker (usually Sexton at FH) ........... What if they're off form that day, what if they pick up an injury? It's not the only consideration when selecting a team; but relying on one guy to kick your goals (especially when it is likely that the All Blacks will score more tries) is a risky strategy.

what if halfpenny has an off day?
There aren't many sides that have two kickers in their XV.

Halfpenny will likely go, and likely start, cause he's one of Gatland's boys, but I wouldn't be rushing to start him in case our flyhalf has an off day.