Hooker Choices of the Home Nations

Lets look at who the board rate as the best Hookers possible suggestions for the Lions next year.

Pick TWO Hookers from the Poll above.

It's got to be best, IMO ford is overrated, Matthew Rees is a superb player but I feel bests hands, work rate and scrummaging (minus the England game) is far better.

Went Rees and Ford. Best close third. I currently rate Best just above Ford but I think we need a strong scrum to really dig into Australia so I think these are the better options.

I went for Rees and Best. To me they were the best this last 6N

I agree Best and Ford.

maes, I admire your bravery and objective, however sadly believe that this thread will end up a national pissing contest

It doesnt have to ASBO.

eirebilly wrote:It doesnt have to ASBO.

Absolutely, billy, but by the time the kids have been on here ...

Sure ASBO, we will just cut MrsP loose if the kids turn up

Best and Ford.

Cronin and even more so Strauss at Leinster are dark horses imo.

Best and Ford with Best just edging it at the moment.

I don't like the way Best can implode at lineouts though.

I went for Best and Ford, it was a close thing though as I feel neither Best or Ford made very good captains and their promotion hindered their form. Best imparticular seemed to be catching the refs eye more often after his promotion to captain. I'd still say Best was in the driving seat for the Lions with Ford and Rees also travelling, between the three of them it will be a real competition for the shirt.

As Sam points out, the Lions will take 3 hookers in the squad. There's not a great deal of difference in quality between any of the four (notional) first choices, but I think Hartley will be the one to miss out because of his lack of dynamism and handling skill ball in hand. Picking 2, I'd go with Best and Ford, but I think Rees will also travel.

It worries me that some people believe Hartley deserves to go.

To be fair to Hartley his darts are excellent. I think Cronin might sneak in there though. He's fair useful on a hard track

Best is way out in front but its very close between Ford and Rees

Best and Rees in tha order currently for me

formerly known as Sam wrote:I went for Best and Ford, it was a close thing though as I feel neither Best or Ford made very good captains and their promotion hindered their form. Best imparticular seemed to be catching the refs eye more often after his promotion to captain. I'd still say Best was in the driving seat for the Lions with Ford and Rees also travelling, between the three of them it will be a real competition for the shirt.

Rees Proved a good leader for Wales, a respected captain and that might well be a case for him.

With the Lions most likely picking 3 hookers I would go for Best as starter, with the bold call of Cronin as sub and Hartley as reserve. I think Best is the best of a bad punch and is the most solid out of all of the contenders. Cronin is a huge wild card, amazing in the loose, very dodgey in the tight and line out throwing but with constant application and confidence in these facets of the position, Cronin can come to be a solid performer. And Hartley reserve, don't like the guy but the reserve hooker has to be filled by someone. Considered Ford but came to my senses in realising that he just awful. Problem with Rees is he will more then likely get injured. Would consider him otherwise.

I went for Rees and Owens. I think Owens might become first choice for Wales this season

Rees and Ford

Hartley & Best way out in front for me. Fight out over the next year for Ford & Cronin (Went for Ford).

I went Best and Hartley. If Hartley annoys the Aussies half as much as he does some of the posters on here he'll be doing a fantastic job

Rory for me, with Ken not far behind, he was magnificent for us