Lock Choices of the Home Nations

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

Pick Four Locks from the Poll below.

Didn't Lawes play part of one game as a sub and wasn't great? And yet he has 2 votes already? Expectation or reality?

I went Parling, Gray and Evans as my certainties. I went AWJ, but if O'Connell was definitely fit I'd pick him over AWJ. I would love to pick Charteris if he showed his WC form though.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Didn't Lawes play part of one game as a sub and wasn't great? And yet he has 2 votes already? Expectation or reality?

Just needs one person to mention something like that. Bound to increase the votes for Lawes

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Didn't Lawes play part of one game as a sub and wasn't great? And yet he has 2 votes already? Expectation or reality?

I voted for him, but I didn't think the poll was based on the 6 nations? I think Lawes will tour, and that he is a talented player, but will have a lot to prove over the next year. My other votes were for POC, Ryan and Gray.

Rightfully so POC and Gray leading the way and if injury free should start against the Wallabies with maybe Charteris on the bench.

What are these series of polls 'choices' for? Players of the the last 6N, for the coming Lions tour or some other basis?

Gray, Lawes, O'Connell and AW Jones for me. Close call between AW and Charteris though.

POC, Gray, Charteris and AWJ. Parling really impressed me but i think we will need more athletic players in Oz. POC is in for leadership. I think that will be a big part of Gats decisions come Lions.

On overall performance this six nations though I would say Gray, Ryan, Evans and Parling

Lawes hasn't had a good season. Hasn't impressed at all. Great potential and might get it together next season and make a late run. But so far he is to inconsistent compared with the other selections.

Poll says Gray, O'connol, Lawes & Ryan & seems about right to me. A mixture of athleticism, strength & leadership.

Imagine in 4 years time a Gray & Lawes second row - mouthwatering!

O'Connoll and Gray nailed on for the tests for me. A massively exciting combination.

Charteris and the brilliant Donnacha Ryan to make up the 4. Ryan doubles up as a back rower so there might be room for another lock.

Obviously Mouritz doesn't get a look in then!

POC and Gray for me. The Lions are so strong in this position, each nation has a strong case for their own players, but I think this would be an awesome pairing. Two lineout specialist, strong defence, leadership, experience, ball carrying, great engines and both are winners.

POC took apart Horwell in every aspect of the game only a few months ago, The Irish practically beat the Aussies up. Also, POC has one of the best engines I've seen for a lock, he's not quick, but he never stops running and this, for me, is one of his biggest assets along with his leadership and will to win.

Gray is just so special, I think he has everything a modern day lock needs and one would presume he'll only get better.

As I've already said, great competition with all the Welsh locks, Lawes, Parling, Ryan and Hamilton, so nothing is nailed down yet.

Hamilton has improved immeasurably over the past few seasons, and if we wanted a bit more grunt would be a superb choice.

Having said that, playing the Ozzies I don't think one needs a super-heavyweight pack and lineout work / ball playing ability should take precedence in this case.

I went for: POC - clearly a superb leader with Lions experience and would be my choice as Captain if fit.

Gray - Again excellent field skills and super line-out work make him a shoo in to start.

Lawes - One of only two locks on that list that have beaten the Ozzies (TWICE in his case) and is ridiculously underrated by some on this forum.

Parling - Not because i'm English but because he has some of the best line-out skills around and I feel will become invaluable to England after a few more games. Excellent skills around the park means he beats Ian Evans and DRyan for me.

Lawes has gained quite a large vote for someone who hasn't played any rugby, through injury and poor form.

I would say Parling is the choice lock of the English lads.

Charteris everytime. He missed a tackle against AUS a few years ago - haven't seen him miss one since.

I'm not sure what people see in POC at the moment, the guy is class but is no where near the form he's earned his reputation with. Like lawes is this just wishful thinking?

Gray is a good call

Can't see bradly going unless he bucks up his ideas

Awj will definately go - if he can stay fit, coaches rate him, he does tackle with a broken arm so he does get points for that.

Ian Evans being hard done by in the poll imo - quite surprised tbh

slartibartfast wrote:Charteris everytime. He missed a tackle against AUS a few years ago - haven't seen him miss one since.

I'm not sure what people see in POC at the moment, the guy is class but is no where near the form he's earned his reputation with. Like lawes is this just wishful thinking?

Gray is a good call

Can't see bradly going unless he bucks up his ideas

Awj will definately go - if he can stay fit, coaches rate him, he does tackle with a broken arm so he does get points for that.

I'm not sure what you're watching if you think POC living off of his reputation. Since he came back from his long lay off through injury he has been one of Munster and Ireland's most consistent players.

Agreed O'Connell if fit should tour and start the tests. Gray a no brainer and bench place is up for debate.

Lawes is bunk.

I think Lawes is extremely overated. Yes he puts in hits, but there hits on people much smaller then him.

drsambo1928 wrote:I think Lawes is extremely overated. Yes he puts in hits, but there hits on people much smaller then him.

Hear hear. Him and Hartley are the most overated players in England. There is no way either would tour.

However, the selectors could be influenced by Lawes' hits and fail to see the number on the back of who he is hitting. Hartley could also go because of the lack of good hookers. I hope they both don't travel but I have a sickening thought that they will.

A strong group to pick from, and should be an area of debate when the time comes next year.

So far though, the only definite for me would be Richie Gray - they guy is going to be an absolute superstar if he can stay fit.

If POC comes back from his recent injury and into good form, he's almost certain to be in the squad - does so many things well and offers experience and leadership that the younger options don't. Wouldn't be surprised though if he ends up as captain of the dirt trackers.

The other two places are harder to call simply because players have been missing with injury or suspension this 6Ns - I'm not a huge fan of AW-J and think Ryan might be a bit lightweight, so for me it's a choice of Lawes or Bradley Davies as the more athletic player and Parling or Evans as the line-out operator.

I think Ryan is too lightweight at the moment and could do with adding some bulk. AWJ I rate very highly, but he seems to be a little off his best since returning from injury.

I voted Gray (because he is simply fantastic), O'Connell, Parling and Charteris.

O'Connell really found a rich vein of form before his injury, and I hope he returns in similar style. Parlign impressed and carries well, Charteris is a great all-rounder and had a fantastic WC.

Lawes needs to earn his England place again, but could push because I think he's a talented player with a bright future.

One from each- Evans, Gray, O'Connell and Parling, though Lawes, Charteris, Ryan and Hamilton could all press for those places IMO

O'Connell
Gray
Charteris
Evans

Parling,
Gray,
Charteris
Evans

The engine room is one area I don't see the Welsh having any input.

Hard to pick Lawes currently but the lads a class act when fully fit and gives backrow cover. I'd go for:

Lawes, POC, Gray, Parling with starting Gray/POC

Lawes & Gray are the 100% calls, depends on POC's fitness & if Parling can keep up his strong recent form.

seriously don't see the big deal with Lawes, he hasn't done anything to make me want to take him on a Lions tour ahead of most of them on this list. I an Evans, Richie Gray and POC were the stand outs for me, and also a big shout out to Parling who I thought was excellent for England.

Parling, Gray, O'Connell, Evans.

Evans is a very average lock imo, quite possibly the 2nd worst starting lock of all the home nations......AWJ being the 1st. Not a strong area for the Welsh.

It really bloody annoys me that more people rate Lawes than Parling. The 6n and the past year in general proved that Lawes did nothing of any real value wearing a rose. Parling however, was fantastic, putting in ridiculous amounts of tackles and is much better in the lineout

Pooly-I disagree, we have 4 very strong locks: AWJ, Evans, Charteris and Davies, so I think in contrary to your views its one of our strongest areas.

Scoped, completely agree, Lawes was average when I saw him play, Parling was consistently good right through the competition, solid in the line out and very effective around the breakdown.

I think Gray and POC (fitness permitting) are bolted on.

The other two slots are possibly down to who you support.

I think I went with Gray, POC, Davies and Parling.

The first thing Lawes did when he came on in the Wales game was shoulder charge Ken Owens off the ball. I'd like to think the lions dont want ill disciplined players who give away stupid penalties for thuggish play. Parling, O'Connell, Gray, and Charteris for me.

Martyr....I think the 4 locks you named would struggle to get in any other home nations starting side.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Martyr....I think the 4 locks you named would struggle to get in any other home nations starting side.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one then

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Martyr....I think the 4 locks you named would struggle to get in any other home nations starting side.

AWJ and Davies maybe

Charteris and Evans would.

I think Charteris would certainly push for a spot in all the home nations.