Posible Lions surprise bolters....

Ok there are a few threads about lions teams if picked today....lions teams next year etc etc.

We all have a good idea who will (or could) make the bulk of the squad....

However im curious to see who you think will be the last minute bolters...the players who will make massive strides in the next 12 months and force their selection.

It could be older guys regaining form...or young lads just out of the academies...but being fast tracked after putting in fantastic performances like Faletau and Warburton...

If Falatau, Denton and Morgan are injured, then Heaslip may get a call up.

Very good, Chunky

Ok he might make the midweek team

I would say that Scotlands Denton and Rennie are real bolters based on the first few rounds of the 6N.

Owen Farrell could make it too as could the Scottish fullback Hogg. Barritt played very well against Wales too.

From an Ireland perspective Donnacha Ryan, Peter O'Mahoney, Simon Zebo and Dave Kearney could really establish themselves internationally between now and the Lions tour and are potential bolters.

roddersm wrote:I would say that Scotlands Denton and Rennie are real bolters based on the first few rounds of the 6N.

Owen Farrell could make it too as could the Scottish fullback Hogg. Barritt played very well against Wales too.

From an Ireland perspective Donnacha Ryan, Peter O'Mahoney, Simon Zebo and Dave Kearney could really establish themselves internationally between now and the Lions tour and are potential bolters.

Zebo? Really?

He really cannot defend at all. I'd be surprised if he gets 15 Ireland caps.

One (or both) of the Ulster centres!

Chunky Norwich wrote:
Zebo? Really?

He really cannot defend at all. I'd be surprised if he gets 15 Ireland caps.

That never stopped Shane Williams chunky ....

roddersm wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:
Zebo? Really?

He really cannot defend at all. I'd be surprised if he gets 15 Ireland caps.

That never stopped Shane Williams chunky ....

That's because his defence was sound. especially in the last 5 years of his career.

Exactly chunky Williams carved out a career for himself and made the 2005 Lions despite not having a great defence. As you say it improved later in his career.

I'm not even going to start comparing Zebo to Shane Williams. That's an insult to rugby.

Wade from Wasps. I can see Ashton struggling to get form over the next season and Wade coming back from injury better than ever. A few England call ups and possibly sneaking onto the plane.

That's asking a hell of alot for Wade to do in about a year of rugby.

Chunky Norwich wrote:I'm not even going to start comparing Zebo to Shane Williams. That's an insult to rugby.

Have a wee sit down chunky.... you having a tough day pal? ...

Dave Kearney is a good call, as is Mahoney.

I like to think Morgan will go from strength to strength (if he stays at Scarlets)

If Lloyd Williams gets a run of games, I think the 9 spot is wide open as noone is consistent enough, except Phillips.

Ken Owens might make a late bolt too, Ford is a shoe in but Hooker is a weak position at mo.

Hogg and Jones - I would be amazed!!!

Also Chris Robsh... Sorry couldnt even joke!!!

thebluesmancometh wrote:

I like to think Morgan will go from strength to strength (if he stays at Scarlets)

I think he's off to Gloucester. That shouldn't hamper his development though.

thebluesmancometh wrote:Dave Kearney is a good call, as is Mahoney.

I like to think Morgan will go from strength to strength (if he stays at Scarlets)

If Lloyd Williams gets a run of games, I think the 9 spot is wide open as noone is consistent enough, except Phillips.

Ken Owens might make a late bolt too, Ford is a shoe in but Hooker is a weak position at mo.
Hogg and Jones - I would be amazed!!!

Also Chris Robsh... Sorry couldnt even joke!!!

Yeah agree. Actually this is one area that im hoping that Jaime George or Sarries and Tom Lindsay of Wasps really make strides the next 12 months for England. Both are serious prospects...and in a position that is pretty open (aside from Ford) who knows....

Bolters?

Laidlaw, Weir, Hogg, Scoot from Scotland all could develop real international class between now and then

Chunky it will, the Scarlets have almost assigned a nutritionist to Morgan full time, when he arrived he was a mess with potential, Scarlets have turned him into the player he is but it hasn't been easy, not too sure of the Gloucester set up but if they take their eye off him for a second he'll start to fall away. He's one of those boys who keeps looking outside of rugby at interests, and unless is kept fully focused and motivated will lose progress!

thebluesmancometh wrote:Chunky it will, the Scarlets have almost assigned a nutritionist to Morgan full time, when he arrived he was a mess with potential, Scarlets have turned him into the player he is but it hasn't been easy, not too sure of the Gloucester set up but if they take their eye off him for a second he'll start to fall away. He's one of those boys who keeps looking outside of rugby at interests, and unless is kept fully focused and motivated will lose progress!

Maybe then Fearn, or Gray can give him some serious competition and keep his motivation up...

The 2 positions where there is little backup are 2 and 9 - apart from Phillips and Ford, I don't think any of the others are consistant enough, or really stand out.

Therefore if someone can nail down a 2/9 shirt internationally then they could make the plane

So, Lloyd Williams at 9 (despite his average form atm), or perhaps Rhys Webb.

And perhaps Cronin at hooker, or if Gatland is in charge - Huw Bennett.

I think Rory Best has been exceptionally consistant at hooker. I will be very surprised if he is not on the tour and perhaps even the test team.

Wales606

Knowing Gatland Bennet will be in the 10 shirt, so there is room at 2!

Chunky Norwich wrote:That's asking a hell of alot for Wade to do in about a year of rugby.

Isn't that what a bolter is?

Current internationals are unlikely to be called 'bolters' in 15 months time, unless they have an uncharacteristic run of form.

From an England point of view, maybe Joe Marler and Jonny May.

Chunky,

Wade has got a serious bolt on him.

Thomh

Agree with Marler & May.

Another interesting player is Ross Chisolm the Quins (res !) FB who actually outpaced May & Sharples for one of his 2 trys against Glaws.

Henson

Vickery?

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Chunky,

Wade has got a serious bolt on him.

Thomh

Agree with Marler & May.

Another interesting player is Ross Chisolm the Quins (res !) FB who actually outpaced May & Sharples for one of his 2 trys against Glaws.

He did really well for that try. Not sure if it's fair to say he outpaced them, as they were running across field to catch him, but it was a really good try. He's still quite inconsistent though, and the question will be can he get a regular starting spot for Quins. He's not going to become first choice full back any time soon, so he'll have to get the 14 shirt.

There's a lot of ifs involved, but Sam Tomkins may be worth keeping an eye on if he leaves Wigan for Sarries, if he gets a solid pre-season in, if Sarries can find the right position for him, if he picks up the Union game quickly, if he gets plenty of gametime and if the new England coach picks him.

Cardiff Taffy wrote:Henson

Steve Thomson.

On a more serious note, maybe Christrian Wade, Charlie Sharples, Johnny May.

Tom James

Dan Parks

Don't deny it, you'd be surprised.

2013 Lions.

No Irish Need Apply.

David Wallace could do if he regains form after injury.

SecretFly wrote:2013 Lions.

No Irish Need Apply.

I think a lot could and will change between now and when the squad is announced. Its worth mentioning that Ryan Jones was odds on favourite to captain the last tour after leading Wales to the 2008 slam but didn't end up making the original tour party.

As late as february 2009 some people were saying BOD wouldn't make the last tour.

This will be Wales 6N I feel but who knows what will happen in the summer and next season? Every Lions year new players push through and others fall away.

roddersm wrote:

SecretFly wrote:2013 Lions.

No Irish Need Apply.

I think a lot could and will change between now and when the squad is announced. Its worth mentioning that Ryan Jones was odds on favourite to captain the last tour after leading Wales to the 2008 slam but didn't end up making the original tour party.

As late as february 2009 some people were saying BOD wouldn't make the last tour.

This will be Wales 6N I feel but who knows what will happen in the summer and next season? Every Lions year new players push through and others fall away.

Oh year,

Another bolter - Ryan Jones

Justin Tipuric, if Warbs wan't such an outstanding player this guy would be racking up the caps.

Alex Cuthbert is another... Given his lack of caps, Robshaw could also be seen as a bolter but i'd expect him to make the squad.

Visser

CurlyOsp wrote:Justin Tipuric, if Warbs wan't such an outstanding player this guy would be racking up the caps.

Alex Cuthbert is another... Given his lack of caps, Robshaw could also be seen as a bolter but i'd expect him to make the squad.

Robshaw could struggle with Healslip, Faletau, Rennie, Warburton, Ferris, SOB, Lydiate, Denton, Tipuric, R.Jones and Wood to compete with.

Total Bolter I will say Luke Marshall after ulster win the HEC.

SecretFly wrote:2013 Lions.

No Irish Need Apply.

Care to elaborate on that piece of bigotry?

Doncha Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, Richard Strauss, Jamie Hagan, Freddie Burns, Billy 36, Tim Visser, Shingler.

Submachine wrote:Shingler.

Wait,...which Shingler?

The Welshest one

Submachine wrote:The Welshest one

Can't see either tbh.

Shingler is good, but won't get gametime ahead of Lydiate, R.Jones, Warbs or Tips.

Think most of my selections are at the far end of the possibility scale. Strauss though...

From:

Ireland - Dave Kearney (enormous potential, he's starting to come into his own now)
Wales - Lloyd Williams (although he's going to have to keep it up)
England - definitely May for me, who should step in the second Foden is injured
Scotland - Visser or Bennett (classic bolters - they'll only have the one year to prove themselves anyway)

Suddenly the full back position doesn't look so bad.

Front row is actually the Lions' biggest problem.

Thank god we're up against the Aussies...

George Carlin wrote:From:

Ireland - Dave Kearney (enormous potential, he's starting to come into his own now)
Wales - Lloyd Williams (although he's going to have to keep it up)
England - definitely May for me, who should step in the second Foden is injured
Scotland - Visser or Bennett (classic bolters - they'll only have the one year to prove themselves anyway)

Suddenly the full back position doesn't look so bad.

Front row is actually the Lions' biggest problem.
Thank god we're up against the Aussies...

George...

As much as i like Corbisieru for us...i think if Marler can really take on the work he's doing with Rowntree in the actual scrummaging department...he could move on to take over Jenkins as the outstanding LH in the UK. But it all counts on how much he improves his actual scrummaging....a year will be telling..

thebluesmancometh wrote:Chunky it will, the Scarlets have almost assigned a nutritionist to Morgan full time, when he arrived he was a mess with potential, Scarlets have turned him into the player he is but it hasn't been easy, not too sure of the Gloucester set up but if they take their eye off him for a second he'll start to fall away. He's one of those boys who keeps looking outside of rugby at interests, and unless is kept fully focused and motivated will lose progress!

I don't know where you've got that personal info about lookign outside rugby from.

He'll be fine. He knows what he has to do to keep being a pro rugby player. I'm not sure he's Lions quality but Glocuester is a good move for him. I hope he stays mind.

Steven Bryant.