My Lions 2013 XV pre summer tour.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I find them extremely tedious and a waste of a thread. We seem to have a Lions team discussion almost weekly, would it not be easier to combine them all and call it - Pointless Lions selection debate

cardiffcider wrote:My Lions 2013 XV pre summer tour.

Post by robshaw4england Yesterday at 12:20
This would be my Lions XV based on this seasons performances both domestically and at the international level, and in some cases on their sheer class. (e.g. BOD)

A.Team

15. R.Kearney (Ire)
14. G.North (Wal)
13. B.O'Driscoll (Ire)
12. J.Roberts (Wal)
11. T.bowe (scot0
10. J.Sexton (Ire)
09. M.Phillips (Wal)

08. T.Faletau (Wal)
07. S.Warburton (Wal) CAPT
06. d.lydate (wal)
05. P.O'Connell (Ire)
04. R.Gray (Sco)
03. a.W.jones )wal)
02. m rees (wal)
01. c healey (ire)

B.Team

15. J.HOOK (WALES )
14. L.Halfpenny (Wal)
13. M.Tuilagi (Eng)
12. J.Davies (Wal)
11. TA CUTHBURT WALES
10. R.Priestland (Wal)
09. L.WILLIAMS WALES
08. S.O'Brien (Ire) CAPT
07. J.Tipuric (Wal)
06. S.Ferris (Ire)
05. IAN EVANS WALES
04. L.CHARTERIS WALES
03. COLE ENGLAND
02. R.Ford (Sco)
01. G JENKINS (WALES

thomh wrote:Chjw131

Fair response, but a couple of points on that:

Firstly, we didn't really blow them off the park. They could have won it with a late penalty in front of the posts, and we benefited from a really strong set piece platform that day. Australia's scrum has improved since then so we can't necessarily rely on such great front-foot ball. I generally like centre partnerships to have one big carrier in them just for balance's sake, and if someone like roberts or tuilagi can tie in two or three defenders it gives your players like davies and o'driscoll a great position on second and third phase.

The second is your point about Tindall and Easter. Payne dominated the scrum on that tour, so not really fair to talk about him as a weak link in that context. Tindall and Easter, as much as people like to have a go at them, are big guys who can carry well in traffic. Surely the success we had with them in the team is actually evidence in favour of my point about having a big guy in the centres?

I don't see that aiming to overpower Australia is negative. I wasn't suggesting that we play 10 man rugby at all - just have a look at the team I selected near the top of the thread - but just that having big backs can be a big factor in outplaying sides.

monwy wrote:The World Cup was last year though, my post doesn't dispute he was on form then, it's talking about his form since then. It was more than just defences focussing on him, he simply wasn't performing to the same standard as last year.

He played 12 games for Scarlets this season without scoring. Compare that to Bowe, who scored 5 tries in 13 games for Ospreys or Cuthbert who scored 13 tries in 18 games for Cardiff.

North may well get back to the form he showed in his first year, it would be great if he does, but there has definitely been a drop that he needs to return from before being nailed on as a starter, and at present other players are putting their hands up higher.

Seagultaf wrote:

monwy wrote:The World Cup was last year though, my post doesn't dispute he was on form then, it's talking about his form since then. It was more than just defences focussing on him, he simply wasn't performing to the same standard as last year.

He played 12 games for Scarlets this season without scoring. Compare that to Bowe, who scored 5 tries in 13 games for Ospreys or Cuthbert who scored 13 tries in 18 games for Cardiff.

North may well get back to the form he showed in his first year, it would be great if he does, but there has definitely been a drop that he needs to return from before being nailed on as a starter, and at present other players are putting their hands up higher.

We will have to agree to disagree on this. In my eyes, whilst North has not been scoring for the Scarlets, he was excellent for Wales in the 6N. He was most peoples MOM against Ireland, game saving tackle against England and looked great against Scotland before getting injured.

His indifferent Scarlets form is probably due to the fact that he rarely plays. According to the Scarlets web site, he only started 4 games out of 22 in the Rabo. He also came on as sub in three games including 10 minutes against Cardiff during which he went straight through Cuthbert to set up a bonus point try.

Rava wrote:Sorry I thought I was into a Lions discussion but I've stumbled into another Welsh debate.

Rava wrote:Sorry I thought I was into a Lions discussion but I've stumbled into another Welsh debate.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I find them extremely tedious and a waste of a thread. We seem to have a Lions team discussion almost weekly, would it not be easier to combine them all and call it - Pointless Lions selection debate

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Hey, don't blame me. I said that Coetzee and Alberts would form a great flanking partnership and you disagreed, as a specialist 7 is needed apparently. I'm not blaming you for disagreeing btw, I like the discussion.

aucklandlaurie wrote: I dont mean to sound condescending, but how can you guys be so into the Lions in a years time? when youve got a treasure trove of International rugby coming up before we see July (this year).

aucklandlaurie wrote:
Wales 606
Why do you guys do this? anywway where are the Lions going?

aucklandlaurie wrote: 606
honestly it was a serious question.

In a years time the Australian team will have a lot of changes compared to what Dingo will put out next week.

I wasnt trying to be philosophical, i just couldnt understan why people would be discussing a tour in overa years time ,when there is such quality rugby being played in a few days time. I truely dont think I'll ever really understand some of you guys.

ChequeredJersey wrote:Robshaw is becoming more 7-like though

ChequeredJersey wrote:Works for me- Robshaw and Wood sharing the breakdown duties.

ChequeredJersey wrote:It's not his strength but he does it adequately enough at club level, in some games he's been fantastic at it. He's certainly more of a tackler and that and his determinator attitude and consistency are his most important attributes to England

Chjw131 wrote:The OZ game I was referring to however, was the AI of 2010 when we did truly blow them off the park.

Chjw131 wrote:There's nothing wrong with advocating a physical centre such as Tuilagi or Roberts, but my impression was that you were suggesting we don't play OZ at their own game.