(Very) early thoughts on the 2017 Lions

[Reiser99]

I still don't think AWJ is the best lock. Yes he's generally consistent, though I think he missed 3 tackles last weekend, which isn't great. However he does nothing special in my opinion and is not the best lock. I'd take Lawes, J.Gray, Itoje Launchbury and if fit, Kruis over him. His captancy has also been called into question with the whole kicking for posts/corner incident.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

So with 4 rounds gone I've changed my mind a bit. For the next 72 hours this is set in stone:

1. McGrath. Still think Mako's best from the bench.

2. God knows. Owens is probably the form horse. George is favoured by many, but he's been exclusively used by Eng from the bench and I think that will count against him and be his fate again. If Eng win back to back GS it's very hard to look beyond Hartley - he's clearly bringing something to the party and he'd be super motivated against NZ (which could be dangerous). Should ensure set piece solidity.

3. Furlong. Might Sinckler might a be a surprise bolter for the bench?

4. Launchbury. Looks an unlikely athlete and perenially knackered, but a class act who's too good to leave out.

5. AWJ. Mr Consistent. You know he'll be up for the fight and experience counts in his favour.

6. Stander. Handful for anyone. He'll take the fight to the ABs and won't die wondering.

7. Warbs. Back to the heights of old and I think looking odds on to reprise the captain's role. Tough on Tips.

8. Vunipola, B. He'll cause anyone problems. Sometime's he's been Eng's only carrier, pairing him with another big carrier in Stander might mean he's not as closely marked.

9. Murray. Not been hitting the real heights, but still inked in.

10. Bit of a volte face going on here. Ford. You have to be smart as well as physical to beat the ABs and I'm beginning to think the best chance may be with 2 play makers. If going that way I can't see beyond Ford and Farrell as they know each other so well, irrespective of the individual merits of Sexton etc.

11. North. Big game player who'll add physicality to the back line. Just give him the bloody ball.

12. Farrell. Another with big match temperament. As good as any from the tee and under rated in attack.

13. JJ. Shouldn't be any argument, a real class act in both attack and defence.

14. Watson. Any side fears real pace. May work well with Hogg.

15. Hogg. Not the percentage option, but a potential game breaker.

Bench: Mako, George, Cole, Itoje, Tips, Webb, Henshaw, Daly

You forgot Sam Davies who is certain to start for the lions in the first test.

 

[MikeTheNative]

Do we think there will be any left field choices? Players who haven't played this 6 nations... cough... cough... Gavin Henson....

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Do we think there will be any left field choices? Players who haven't played this 6 nations... cough... cough... Gavin Henson....

It'll be hot in New Zealand, fake tan won't be necessary.

Honestly I mean Gatland just doesn't have to dig very deep at all... most nations now have competent coaches with the exception of Wales which means most deserving players have already been capped. Yep, the exception is clearly Wales. But do any of the talented but uncapped/ low caps youngsters really bring anything which can't be found elsewhere? I don't think so.

Honestly I think as left-field as it could go is taking the likes of....I dunno, Ringrose? Daly? Huw Jones? Well Daly is completely deserving so it wouldn't be left-field, just I'm not expecting it. I guess you could also point to areas like the scrum where Gatland might decide he wants the 3rd righted (after Furlong and Cole) to be better and more experienced so it's theoretically possible that like last time, some grizzly tighthead could come from nowhere. Mike Ross lols. But I doubt it.

 

[McTallshort]

Yes Chris Robshaw

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Do we think there will be any left field choices? Players who haven't played this 6 nations... cough... cough... Gavin Henson....

I doubt Henson's really in contention:

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Yes Chris Robshaw

good point, forget about that.

- - - Updated - - -

Just thought of another one...Payne! Now starting for Ireland.

 

[MikeTheNative]

Does Kruis count? Lydiate is injured and we know how much Gatland likes him.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Poor Dan needs to be put down, the amount he's had to go through.

 

[ALJ]

Is there anyone based in France who might be considered? Armitage maybe?

<ducks/>

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Lol
The Armitage's are so far off the radar I'm probably in contention.
England/Wales/Ireland/Scotland all have players better than them

 

[Which Tyler]

Lol
The Armitage's are so far off the radar I'm probably in contention.
England/Wales/Ireland/Scotland all have players better than them

I think he might be on a 1/2p WUM

 

[General Melchett]

Don't think there will be a jaw dropping Matt Stevens-esque announcement this year

 

[Goodey]

Don't think there will be a jaw dropping Matt Stevens-esque announcement this year

There will almost certainly be players getting in on club form, particularly in the ECC.

Some value bets might be George Kruis, Josh van der Flier.

 

[Which Tyler]

There will almost certainly be players getting in on club form, particularly in the ECC.

Some value bets might be George Kruis, Josh van der Flier.

Not forgetting Christopher

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

There will almost certainly be players getting in on club form, particularly in the ECC.

Some value bets might be George Kruis, Josh van der Flier.

I think VdF is about a year out, his form had taken a noticeable dip prior to injury.

 

[Goodey]

Not forgetting Christopher

I was about to say Robshaw, but then stopped myself because I can't really see Harlequins being in any big end of season finals ad they don't have any European games. Hard for him to impress. I think he's going to miss out on the Lions again.

 

[Which Tyler]

I was about to say Robshaw, but then stopped myself because I can't really see Harlequins being in any big end of season finals ad they don't have any European games. Hard for him to impress. I think he's going to miss out on the Lions again.

Yeah - he'd be going not so much on end-of-season form; but historical record, and one of those personalities who are invaluable on a lions tour.
Unfortunately for Chris, there's a lot of competition in the backrow, and some big names are likely to miss out (initially), he isn't Welsh, and Gatland doesn't seem the type to give a toss about personalities or team-building.

Robshaw would be the ideal sort of personality to mould the dirt trackers into a cohesive team, taking pride from what they bring to the touring party. Gatland seems more likely to take the SCW approach and cut the dirt-trackers out of the whole, to concentrate on the test side.

 

[General Melchett]

There will almost certainly be players getting in on club form, particularly in the ECC.

Some value bets might be George Kruis, Josh van der Flier.

Indeed. Saracens v Glasgow could see a few Scots looking to restore some credibility after last week's horror show. I imagine Gatland might be a keen spectator at this one.

 

[dullonien]

My current test side would be:

01 Jack McGrath. Solid at the set-piece, and puts himself around. Vunipola to add considerable impact off the bench.
02 Ken Owens. Has had a great 6 nations, whilst his competition have fallen away. Impact from George off the bench.
03 Tadgh Furlong. Impressive scrummager, and adds valuable work in the loose. Sinckler would be my pick on the bench if we're looking for maximum impact.
04 Joe Launchbury. Risen to the top of the second-row pile this 6 nations, such has been his consistent excellence.
05 AWJ (c). I feel that we'll need his experience, leadership, and consistent quality he brings. Hasn't been at his very best this 6 nations, but has looked very comfortable in an expansive Ospreys side this year, where his work in the loose has been excellent. Massive competition probably makes this a slightly biased selection.
06 CJ Stander. Another tough selection. Itoje could easily slot in here, although I feel he's destined for a bench spot covering 4, 5 & 6.
07 Justin Tipuric. Warburton another obvious candidate, but for me Tips is the right choice if we want to win test matches, not just compete.
08 Taulupe Faletau. For me it's still between Billy and Taulupe. Both been injured, but both world class. I think with Stander at 6, Faletau's all round class is more important in the starting lineup than Billy's all out power. Vunipola to make one hell of an impact off the bench! There's the obvious issue of Faletau not starting any 6 nations matches, but plenty of the season left to regain full fitness, and everyone knows how consistent Faletau is.

09 Rhys Webb. Not expecting many to agree, but for me Webb will cause the AB's more problems than Murray. Considering his injury issues since before the WC, Webb's form in the 6 nations has been nothing short of spectacular! A few mistakes, but nothing too bad, and given a run of fitness he'll iron those out.
10 Johnny Sexton. If fit, I'd play him. Ford is tempting, but Sexton's leadership and authority at 10 could prove crucial.
11 George North. Give him a little room and he could terrorize NZ like he did in Wales' first test out there in the summer.
12 Owen Farrell. Henshaw is tempting as well, but I really like the 2nd 5/8th option of Farrell. Options of playing left and right then if Gatland could get it to work.
13 Jonathan Joseph. All round the best option. Imo Davies is the better defensive 13, but I'm placing more emphasis on attacking in this side.
14 Watson. Really like Watson, really classy player with no real weaknesses. Pace will be important.
15 Stuart Hogg. Again, I'm picking with an emphasis on attack, and Hogg on the counter with North and Watson backing him up could be devastating.

16 Jamie George. Only obvious option who'd offer real impact.
17 Mako Vunipola. Bring him on to carry against tiring defenders.
18 Kyle Sinkler. Another to offer some good impact off the bench.
19 Maro Itoje. Could easily be a starter, and I probably would if we had another obvious captain in the pack.
20 Billy Vunipola. The ultimate impact sub?
21 Connor Murray. Could very well start with Webb offering impact off the bench.
22 Henshaw. With Farrell covering 10, Henshaw would be a good option coming off the bench.
23 Liam Williams. Daly would cover more positions, but Liam brings a little more experience + Henshaw would cover 13 before Daly imo.

9 English
7 Welsh
6 Irish
1 Scott