Definite starters for Lions 2013

by westernosprey Fri 18 Nov 2011, 9:52 pm

First topic message reminder :

15.
14.
13.
12.
11.
10. Priestland

9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.

by Guest Sat 19 Nov 2011, 11:40 pm

Are you following me?

by Glas a du Sat 19 Nov 2011, 11:41 pm

Priestland will be injured for the third test, who do you go for then?

by Guest Sat 19 Nov 2011, 11:41 pm

If your lonely just pick up your jacket and go out for a drink and meet some new people, Cry

much more fun than trying to correct grammar and spelling on the internet

by England rugby fan Sat 19 Nov 2011, 11:49 pm

So, it wasn't a "swan dive" by Williams against Fiji then ?

by EngInAuck Sun 20 Nov 2011, 1:00 am

viewtothegym wrote:Hey may have once or twice like most wingers but he doesn't do it for every time he scores even thou he has plenty more reason to seeing as he set up most of his own tries and is the third all time try scorer in world rugby!

And beeing joint top try scorer in the World cup and the 6 nations and having won IRB try of the year isn't a reason to celebrate ? laughing

Not to mention his try to game ratio which is much better than Williams.

Still Have not explained why "Ashton is a Joke"

Or is it simply because he s English ? king

by EngInAuck Sun 20 Nov 2011, 1:04 am

viewtothegym wrote:
Its just your typical lack of knowledge Sky rugby club brain dead fans spinning the same lines every season just insert a different name.

And i suppose Scrum V are far more Less Bias and better advised ..........

by sirtidychris Sun 20 Nov 2011, 1:10 am

15.1/2 penny
14.Ashton
13.North
12.Roberts
11.Bowe
10.Priestland
9.Youngs

8.Faletau
7.Warburton
6.SOB
5.Lawes
4.Gray
3.Jones
2.Hartley
1.Jenkins

by Knowsit17 Sun 20 Nov 2011, 1:42 am

So, it wasn't a "swan dive" by Williams against Fiji then ?

As already stated, Williams has made a couple of dives in his career when he's scored good individual tries, such as that in the video you linked when he ran most of the way and sidestepped 2 or 3 defenders in the process. Ashton just wants to dive at every opportunity, which frankly to me comes across as plain arrogant, don't know about you of course.

Still Have not explained why "Ashton is a Joke"

Again, see my point above plus my original post.

by Guest Sun 20 Nov 2011, 10:08 am

Actually scrumV is a Welsh Rugby program so how can it e biased? Laugh

tool.

But we look to Sky during the HC with its talking up of Foden,Lawes and Banahan etc calling them world class all the time,
then the clueless English lot repeating it like its fact.
How very sad.

Reason #215 on why Ashton is a Joke "he can't even tackle head on"

by Morgannwg Sun 20 Nov 2011, 12:04 pm

Look, Ashton just got skinned by a back-row forward as his team went down 4 tries at home. Hardly worth bigging him up right now is it, especially when you're comparing him to a record try scorer, former IRB player of the year and legend of a player.

I remember the time Ashton thought he was in under the sticks against France. He did the swan dive, threw the ball into the crowd and jumped up n down like he was on pills listening to Cream Ibiza; only for it to be called back for a forward pass! laughing

by EngInAuck Sun 20 Nov 2011, 7:43 pm

viewtothegym wrote:Actually scrumV is a Welsh Rugby program so how can it e biased?

So what your saying is:

When Shane does a swan dive its its tasteful ok he can do nothing wrong angel

But when an Englishman Does it he is arrogant and a joke and despite being the top try scorer in every international competition he has played in this year and the fact he has won IRB try of the year and the fact he has scored 15 times out of 18 caps he doesnt deserve to be in the Lions because he is a joke ...................Yes....... yes i suppose that makes sense............... clap

by Morgannwg Sun 20 Nov 2011, 8:03 pm

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

by Glas a du Sun 20 Nov 2011, 9:33 pm

No. It's Ashtons face. There I've said it. I don't like his face and everything about annoys me. Completely irrational I know. But there you are.

by welshy824 Sun 20 Nov 2011, 10:14 pm

ahh this is soo funny to read, keep it up english "fans" so funny, repeating the same things over and over despite being answered your questions

by munkian Sun 20 Nov 2011, 10:25 pm

Glas a du wrote:No. It's Ashtons face. There I've said it. I don't like his face and everything about annoys me. Completely irrational I know. But there you are.

I'm with you there, there's just something about it, same with Ben Youngs. I could happily pound it with a brick all day. Its nothing rational, they just look like complete douche bags.

They could be born down the road from me, play for the Dragons and coach the local youth team, I'd still get bile in my mouth watching them play.

Phew, that was quite therapeutic thumbsup

by SubsBench Sun 20 Nov 2011, 10:34 pm

munkian wrote:
Glas a du wrote:No. It's Ashtons face. There I've said it. I don't like his face and everything about annoys me. Completely irrational I know. But there you are.

I'm with you there, there's just something about it, same with Ben Youngs. I could happily pound it with a brick all day. Its nothing rational, they just look like complete douche bags.

They could be born down the road from me, play for the Dragons and coach the local youth team, I'd still get bile in my mouth watching them play.

Phew, that was quite therapeutic

by England rugby fan Sun 20 Nov 2011, 10:38 pm

What's a douche bag ?

I'm sure if Shane Williams was English you really would think it was perfectly acceptable for him to do a "swan dive" after he'd scored a try.

by munkian Sun 20 Nov 2011, 10:42 pm

He has dozens and dozens of test caps, loads of Lions caps, former IRB player of the year and despite all the nay sayers due to his size has gone on to become a rugby legend.

Ashton is none of these things, yet. He hasn't earned the right to be a bit cocky now and again.

by England rugby fan Sun 20 Nov 2011, 11:11 pm

Williams has 4 Lions caps, that's not exactly loads.

Oh dear, it gets worse. How many tries do you have to have scored if you're not Welsh before you can do a "swan dive" or earn the right "to be a bit cocky now and again. " ?

by munkian Sun 20 Nov 2011, 11:14 pm

by Gatts Sun 20 Nov 2011, 11:16 pm

I strongly suspect it won't be a problem, doubt any English players will make the side

comparisons between Shane and ashton are pointless, the one is a class act at the end of his career, the other a showboat who needs to put his ego away

by Breadvan Mon 21 Nov 2011, 6:52 pm

Morgannwg wrote:Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Good retort.... Doh

by beshocked Tue 22 Nov 2011, 8:37 am

The British and Irish Lions is meant to be about uniting the power of four.

Why all the hatred guys? Ashton is a young but good player. He hasn't achieved as much as ickle Shane but one is 34, the other 24.

We'll have to wait and see whether Ashton can be successful as ickle Shane.

In regards to Ashton's so called showboating if he wants to dive let him. Imagine if the ball drops out of his hand as he is showing off......

I like Ashton, I like ickle Shane.

Ashton has the potential to be a Lion.

by Geordie Tue 22 Nov 2011, 8:55 am

You know sometimes i really get bored of all the anti English c**p.

As beshocked says its supposed to be the best of all four nations....

At present (today) there are not many English players who would make the side....but who knows in two years....

However...whilst Ashton has his haters...there cant be any doubt that he is a good player...and in a lions team he could excel with his lines of running, playing off the likes of Roberts, O'Brien etc.

Time to drop this "anyone but England" rubbish.....

by munkian Tue 22 Nov 2011, 9:13 am

Hey, I said it was an irrational hatred whatever his nationality. My adopted Father is English, my Brother is half English and I live in England. My housemate is English and he criticises the English team and players far more than I do as does my Dad.

The lions are obviously a touring side and the coaches not only pick on abiltiy they will pick people with the right attitude.

Ashton was only one of the several English players in the news for bad behaviour as guests in a foreign country.

by beshocked Tue 22 Nov 2011, 9:19 am

Munkian I just dislike it when the Welsh players are hyped up to the maximum. Numerous Welsh players on Lion's XVs but when one Englishman pops up it's a sin.

I think the only English qualified player who could get in the Lion's XV on current form is Tuilagi.

A lot of the Welsh boyos are still inexperienced.

by Geordie Tue 22 Nov 2011, 9:21 am

Munkian,

Im the first to say (and i said it above) that our players are not worth a spot at the moment....the are players from Wales, Ireland and Scotland that are performing far superior.

But it just irritates me when a genuinely good player is rubbished. Yes Ashton had a little issue in NZ...but like i have said previously...MJ's handling of the disciplinary and off pitch goings on was incredibly poor. Any good manager would manage Ashton easily.

Ashton is a player who has just been labled as a player that noone likes so everyone jumps on the bandwagon like sheep....

PS...You say pick on ability....but Ashton does what he's supposed to ....he scores tries....even in a poor England side...

by munkian Tue 22 Nov 2011, 9:25 am

Ok, trying to be neutral as possible, he hasn't exactly shown much since the WC scoring tries against 3rd/4th tier teams.

What they hell was he doing when he knocked and then just turned his back on play and let the Scarlets score ? Its like he gave up and didnn't want to play anymore because his side was losing and he wasn't getting a chance to score points.

by thebandwagonsociety Tue 22 Nov 2011, 9:29 am

There are no definite starters for the Lions this far out from the tournament.
For potential to make the squad, from an Irish side of things;
backrow players - Ferris, SOB both high possibility (someone like POM might come to the fore in the next 2 years)
second row - limited options from Ireland this far out
front row - Healy into the squad is a high possibility
scrum half - Murray into the squad is a possibility
out half - limited options, Sexton has a high possiblity of getting into the squad
centres - definite opportunities for a bolter in the next 2 years, no definites at the minute from Ireland, a small possibility for BOD if he is healthy and still around (wise head in the squad, though would he be a starter!)
back3 - Kearney is a high possibility of making the squad, so too is Earls for making a squad.

So Ireland could be chipping in Ferris, SOB, Sexton, Kearney & Earls into the squad. Too far out to go any further than that.

by munkian Tue 22 Nov 2011, 9:31 am

If Bowe is still playing well then Earles won't make the squad again - he was lucky to the first time.

Who's the big blonde Ulster centre ? - he has potential to be a really good crash ball player

by thebandwagonsociety Tue 22 Nov 2011, 9:37 am

GeordieFalcon wrote:Munkian,

Im the first to say (and i said it above) that our players are not worth a spot at the moment....the are players from Wales, Ireland and Scotland that are performing far superior.

But it just irritates me when a genuinely good player is rubbished. Yes Ashton had a little issue in NZ...but like i have said previously...MJ's handling of the disciplinary and off pitch goings on was incredibly poor. Any good manager would manage Ashton easily.

Ashton is a player who has just been labled as a player that noone likes so everyone jumps on the bandwagon like sheep....

PS...You say pick on ability....but Ashton does what he's supposed to ....he scores tries....even in a poor England side...

It's tough for an Irishman to say this but..... deep breath..... the Lions squad would be mad not to be considering Ashton, Foden, Youngs, Tuilagi. If someone gets Lawes focused on the game and the second row fundamentals then he is definitely in there mixing it with Gray and Charteris for the second row. Dan Cole will be a well seasoned but still young tighthead by the time the Lions comes around and will definitely be in the mix for the squad. Hartley? I don't know, the guy seems to have plateau'd a little, can't get past thompson for the national side and isn't really a pack leader in Saints (though that is a thread topic on its own).

by Geordie Tue 22 Nov 2011, 10:01 am

thebandwagonsociety wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:Munkian,

Im the first to say (and i said it above) that our players are not worth a spot at the moment....the are players from Wales, Ireland and Scotland that are performing far superior.

But it just irritates me when a genuinely good player is rubbished. Yes Ashton had a little issue in NZ...but like i have said previously...MJ's handling of the disciplinary and off pitch goings on was incredibly poor. Any good manager would manage Ashton easily.

Ashton is a player who has just been labled as a player that noone likes so everyone jumps on the bandwagon like sheep....

PS...You say pick on ability....but Ashton does what he's supposed to ....he scores tries....even in a poor England side...

It's tough for an Irishman to say this but..... deep breath..... the Lions squad would be mad not to be considering Ashton, Foden, Youngs, Tuilagi. If someone gets Lawes focused on the game and the second row fundamentals then he is definitely in there mixing it with Gray and Charteris for the second row. Dan Cole will be a well seasoned but still young tighthead by the time the Lions comes around and will definitely be in the mix for the squad. Hartley? I don't know, the guy seems to have plateau'd a little, can't get past thompson for the national side and isn't really a pack leader in Saints (though that is a thread topic on its own).

Mate i wouldnt have him anywhere near the England squad at the moment...let alone the Lions squad.

English players for the squad - will be Foden, Ashton, Lawes, Cole, Croft and Youngs. Mind im also questioning Crofts place for the England team aswell so see what happens with him...

by Harry2899 Tue 22 Nov 2011, 10:43 am

15: Foden
14: Ashton
13: North
12: Roberts
11: Halfpenny
10: Priestland
9: Youngs
8: Faletau
7: Warburton
6: O'Brien
5: Lawes
4: Gray
3: Cole
2: Ford
1: Healy

by formerly known as Sam Tue 22 Nov 2011, 11:21 am

I think there are no definite starters for the Lions at present. Purely because it's too far away and every position has at least two excellent candidates. Also we don't know what the OZ team will look like and the coaches will have to pick a team geared towards who they are playing (like Geech did against SA).

by munkian Tue 22 Nov 2011, 11:21 am

I wouldn't move North out of position just to include him in the team.

I'd have him start over Halfpenny. Moving Flood to 12 didn't exactly work out well did it ? Very Happy

by geoff998rugby Tue 22 Nov 2011, 11:34 am

in answer to the question ...absolutely no one

by tom_watson Tue 22 Nov 2011, 11:41 am

A Team

15. Kearney (Ireland)
14. Ashton (England)
13. Bowe (Ireland)
12. Roberts (Wales)
11. North (Wales)
10. Sexton (Ireland)
09. Youngs (England)
08. O'Brien (Ireland)
07. Warburton (Wales)
06. Robshaw (England)
05. Gray (Scotland)
04. Wyn-Jones (Wales)
03. Ross (Ireland)
02. Ford (Scotland)
01. Healy (Ireland)

B Team

15. Foden (England)
14. Evans (Scotland)
13. Tuilagi (England)
12. Henson (Wales)
11. Visser (Scotland)
10. Priestland (Wales)
09. Phillips (Wales)
08. Haskell (England
07. Barclay (Scotland)
06. Ferris (Ireland)
05. Charteris (Wales)
04. Lawes (England)
03. Jones (Wales)
02. Hartley (England)
01. Jenkins (Wales)

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 22 Nov 2011, 11:49 am

geoff998rugby wrote:in answer to the question ...absolutely no one

Exactly right.

by westisbest Tue 22 Nov 2011, 11:57 am

Darren Cave at 13, if he gets the Ireland jersy in the 6N, has a good tournament, and a great 2012, could well be up there for a start.

by 1F'sgonnagetya! Tue 22 Nov 2011, 1:22 pm

15) Foden
14) Bowe
13) Tuilagi
12) Roberts
11) North
10) Sexton
9) Young
8) SOB
7) Warburton
6) Ferris
5) POC
4) Gray
3) Jones
2) Best
1) Jenkins

2-1 win to the Lions!

by Metal Tiger Tue 22 Nov 2011, 1:24 pm

maestegmafia wrote:
EnglishReign wrote:Funny how these articles only come up when Welsh teams are doing well...get 'em in early lads, it won't last.
And how England rugby supporters turn a thread on the lions into an Anglo welsh success debate.

Did you really expect anything different when you started this? Posting a side that was almost all Welsh with no English in at all is only going to rile up those fans you speak of.

That's why I hate these threads. This will be going on for the next 2 bleeding years.

by Morgannwg Wed 23 Nov 2011, 10:11 pm

Breadvan wrote:
Morgannwg wrote:Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Good retort....

Better than "where's the facepalm emoticon" Wink

. Not sure why the Ashton Bandwagon is mentioning Shane on this thread, he'll be retired by then. But they'll probably look to call him out of retirement to take Chris' place on the wing Wink

.

by TJ1 Thu 24 Nov 2011, 12:01 am

Its a long way away yet
scots who could / should make it?

Ford
Visser - the best wing in the Northern hemisphere perhaps - i guess many of you guys haven't seen him play. far superior all round game to Ashton
Gray
those three are as close to nailed on as anyone
Maybes?
Laidlaw - he is very young and inexperienced now but appears to have the potential to be a great
and then any of the back row guys Brown / Beattie / Vernon/ barclay

by doctornickolas Thu 24 Nov 2011, 9:18 am

tom_watson wrote:A Team

15. Kearney (Ireland)
14. Ashton (England)
13. Bowe (Ireland)
12. Roberts (Wales)
11. North (Wales)
10. Sexton (Ireland)
09. Youngs (England)
08. O'Brien (Ireland)
07. Warburton (Wales)
06. Robshaw (England)
05. Gray (Scotland)
04. Wyn-Jones (Wales)
03. Ross (Ireland)
02. Ford (Scotland)
01. Healy (Ireland)

B Team

15. Foden (England)
14. Evans (Scotland)
13. Tuilagi (England)
12. Henson (Wales)
11. Visser (Scotland)
10. Priestland (Wales)
09. Phillips (Wales)
08. Haskell (England
07. Barclay (Scotland)
06. Ferris (Ireland)
05. Charteris (Wales)
04. Lawes (England)
03. Jones (Wales)
02. Hartley (England)
01. Jenkins (Wales)

Some omissions I would say are Dan Lydiate, Faletau, Halfpenny and Matthew Rees from Wales, I think Corbisiero will be there or thereabouts and was amazed that England didn't use him as first choice loosehead in the WC when he was so obviously their best man in that position. Also Tom Wood I like the look of.

Henson? Can't see it myself. And I don't rate Foden much at all. I have seen a few game with him recently and defensively he is a liability and I think as your 15 is the last line of defence he needs to be more solid.

And here's my prediction which I have said before, Lloyd Williams will be the Lions scrum half in 2 years.

by westernosprey Thu 24 Nov 2011, 9:31 am

Priestland is ahead of Sexton already and will be miles ahead in 2 years.

by Islingtonv2 Thu 24 Nov 2011, 10:02 am

I just hope that if the Lions is going to be full of Welsh players then Wales do actually beat Australia at some point between now and 2013 - they have plenty of opportunities. If they can't then what chance do we have? Maybe some of those useless English players that actually have experience of beating Australia in Australia will have to be drafted in...

by Turkster Thu 24 Nov 2011, 10:49 am

Islingtonv2 wrote:I just hope that if the Lions is going to be full of Welsh players then Wales do actually beat Australia at some point between now and 2013 - they have plenty of opportunities. If they can't then what chance do we have? Maybe some of those useless English players that actually have experience of beating Australia in Australia will have to be drafted in...

.........sounds, depressingly, like 2005 all over again, although that was the other way around.

by **rodders** Thu 24 Nov 2011, 10:58 am

15 Rob Kearney
14 Tommy Bowe
13 Darren Cave
12 Gordon D'arcy
11 Andrew Trimble
10 Jonny Sexton
9 Isaac Boss
8 Jamie Heaslip
6 Stephen Ferris
7 Sam Warburton(C) / Peter O'Mahoney
5 Paul O'Connell
4 Ritchie Gray
3 Mike Ross
2 Rory Best
1 Cian Healy

by westisbest Thu 24 Nov 2011, 11:05 am

Like it Roddersm

Ireland + Gray & Warburton.

Murray at 9 for me.

by dummy_half Thu 24 Nov 2011, 11:16 am

Rodders

Good team, apart from Boss at 9 :-)

More seriously, if we were talking about a team for this summer, and assuming no injuries, I think England would be providing the following to the squad:

Probables
Cole
Youngs
Tuillagi
Ashton
Foden

Possibles
Lawes
Croft (good player, but 6 is a strong spot with Ferris, SOB and Lydiate also in contention)
Wood
Flood (will go if we take 3 10s, as will probably be behind Priestland and Sexton in the pecking order).

Of those, I think an in form Youngs would start, and Manu T would have a chanc of forming one powerful centre combination with Roberts. Ashton and Foden might get in depending on the game plan.

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