Your Lions 23 after round 2 of the 6 nations

by Pot Noodle Miner Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:24 pm

taking this weekends matches into account who would you select in the Lions match day 23?

i'd go with

1. C.Healy
2. R.Best
3. A.Jones
4. J.Launchberry
5. R.Gray
6. S.O'Brien
7. J.Tipuric
8. T.Faletau
9. B.Youngs
10. O.Farrell
11. G.North
12. M.Tuilagi
13. B.O'Driscoll (c)
14. A.Cuthbert
15. L.Halfpenny

16. T.Youngs
17. A.Sheridan
18. D.Cole
19. AW-Jones
20. S.O'Brien
21. M.Phillips
22. J.Sexton
23. J.Roberts

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:28 pm

Is this taking into account round 1 also or is it focused exclusively on round 2?

by captain carrantuohil Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:29 pm

Very difficult - I'd probably still have Cole instead of Adam Jones, just about, but we'd also have to say that Robshaw is in pole position at 7, which is massively strongly contested, as is the whole back row. No-one has made those spots safe yet; at the moment, I like O'Brien at 6, Robshaw at 7 and am totally undecided about the 8. Cuthbert would be nowhere near my Test side (prefer Maitland, Gilroy or even Ashton), and think that Hogg is laying down a fierce challenge to Halfpenny, who must be in the 23 somewhere, however.

by TJ1 Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:32 pm

YOu can lose most of the welsh players from that Need to see a lot more from Cuthbert, 1/2 p, North, Roberts, Philips for them to be in the 23.

Needs more Scottish backs who are clearly the form and class act at the momnet

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:35 pm

Based on round 2 only:

1) Healy
2) Best
3) Jones
4) Ryan
5) Gray
6) Robshaw
7) O'Brien
8) Faletau
9) Youngs
10) Farrell
11) North
12) Scott
13) O'Driscoll
14) Cuthbert
15) Hogg

by Pot Noodle Miner Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:35 pm

taking round 1 into account aswell

by Cyril Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:36 pm

A bit of Welsh bias in that original 23, Mr Noodle.

Cole in for Jones

Cuthbert out of the 23 (no idea why you have him starting!)

Hogg or Kearney on the bench instead of Roberts.

Phillips? Out!

You've got SOB in twice.

by Imperialbigdave Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:36 pm

didnt adam jones get pasted in the scrum last night?

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:39 pm

OK well after both weekends, it is still pretty much the same:

1) Healy
2) Best
3) Cole
4) Ryan
5) Gray
6) Robshaw
7) O'Brien
8) Faletau
9) Youngs
10) Farrell
11) North
12) Scott
13) O'Driscoll
14) Cuthbert
15) Hogg

To be honest that would be roughly the team I would like to see. Most positions are still up for debate. The front row and back row I think will more than likely look something like that though. O'Brien and Robshaw will be the flankers I reckon.

by R!skysports Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:40 pm

Brown at 6

Grant at 1

Beattie at 8

Hogg at 15

How is tuilangi anywhere nearthis squad based on games in the 6 nations

by bedfordwelsh Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:40 pm

Sorry but if its after round 2 (even roind 1 in there) how can AWJ and Sheridan end up on the bench be on the bench?

i'd go with

1. C.Healy
2. R.Best
3. D. Cole
4. J.Launchberry
5. I. Evans
6. R Jones
7. S. O Brian
8. T.Faletau

9. M Phillips
10. O.Farrell

11. G.North
12. M.Tuilagi
13. J Davies
14. L.Halfpenny
15. S Hogg

16. T.Youngs
17. A.Jones
18. G.Jenkins
19. R Gray
20. C Robshaw
21. B Youngs
22. J.Sexton
23. B O'Driscoll

by Cyril Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:42 pm

Is it form just from the first two rounds or the side we would pick tomorrow (if they jetted off tomorrow) which obviously takes into account the first two rounds as 'current' form but allowing for injuries and those players who we would pick anyway - deep breath!?

by Tramptastic Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:44 pm

Yeh Ryan Grant played 60 minutes with a b*ggerd leg and did pretty darn well so have him in the 23!

Scott at 12, Maitland on a wing, and Hogg at fullback

and Kelly Brown at 6, lead in the tackle count, never gave any ground, does all the dirty a 6 does and he did it at 7!

by captain carrantuohil Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:44 pm

Grant at 1 is simply ridiculous. The Scottish front 5 performed admirably on Saturday, but overall, they are still not in credit over the two games. Grant instead of Healy is not something that I could even contemplate. Brown at 6? harley, who actually played there on saturday, shone to a far greater degree, and both would be going some to get ahead of two or three of the other flankers on offer.

by TJ1 Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:45 pm

Harley and Brown shared the 7 and 6 duties

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:47 pm

I considered Harley at 6 to be honest, he played well. Did the same job Lydiate is always praised for with Wales, but offered a lot more at the breakdown. I had to have O'Brien in there in the flanks though somewhere, he made 23 tackles in the first week (though made a few silly mistakes) and today he carried like a real monster. Robshaw is also playing very well at the moment, leading from the front. He may be a contender for Lion's captain. I am not sure who else would get it.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:54 pm

bedfordwelsh wrote:Sorry but if its after round 2 (even roind 1 in there) how can AWJ and Sheridan end up on the bench be on the bench?

i'd go with

1. C.Healy
2. R.Best
3. D. Cole
4. J.Launchberry
5. I. Evans
6. R Jones
7. S. O Brian
8. T.Faletau

9. M Phillips
10. O.Farrell

11. G.North
12. M.Tuilagi
13. J Davies
14. L.Halfpenny
15. S Hogg

16. T.Youngs
17. A.Jones
18. G.Jenkins
19. R Gray
20. C Robshaw
21. B Youngs
22. J.Sexton
23. B O'Driscoll

Irony, bedford? Wink

by captain carrantuohil Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:57 pm

Indeed, TJ, and Harley was the shining star of the back row. A ginger version of John Jeffrey, it appeared to me.

It's idle to think that some of the current walking wounded won't come into consideration for the tour, even if they don't play much (or any) part in the 6N. Corbisiero/Sheridan at loose head, three or four flankers, including Rennie, AWJ at lock, perhaps. The backs are taking shape, I would say; not many contenders have been missing up to now. The pack, though - still up in the air, apart from Best.

by TJ1 Sun 10 Feb 2013, 8:59 pm

Every top team is improved by having a ginger tackle monster in it

by Barney McGrew did it Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:00 pm

Pot Noodle Miner wrote:taking this weekends matches into account who would you select in the Lions match day 23?

i'd go with

1. C.Healy hopefully won't travel, Marler??
2. R.Best yes
3. A.Jones Cole! - if his ankle recovers
4. J.Launchberry yes
5. R.Gray there by reputation only so far
6. S.O'Brien yes
7. J.Tipuric what, the guy who struggles to get in the Welsh side? Robshaw
8. T.Faletau too early to say
9. B.Youngs yes
10. O.Farrell probably
11. G.North maybe, for want of anyone better
12. M.Tuilagi too good to leave out
13. B.O'Driscoll (c) if he stays fit
14. A.Cuthbert not even if he could tackle, which he can’t, Ashton??
15. L.Halfpenny probably

16. T.Youngs can't throw
17. A.Sheridan eh?
18. D.Cole in at 3
19. AW-Jones ?
20. S.O'Brien in at 6
21. M.Phillips arghhhhhhhh
22. J.Sexton yes
23. J.Roberts why?

by Cyril Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:03 pm

Barney, those comments made me laugh (and I also agree with most of them) Laugh

by wales606 Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:03 pm

1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Euan Murray (based only on the last 2 weeks remember)
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Ian Evans
6. Shaun O'Brien
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Toby Faletau (best of a bad bunch)
9. Ben Youngs
10. Owen Farrell
11. George North
12. Brad Barritt
13. Brian O'Driscoll
14. Leigh Halfpenny (no standout 14, but 2 at FB)
15. Stuart Hogg

16. Nobody
17. Nobody
18. Dan Cole
19. Ritchie Grey
20. Chris Robshaw
21. Mike Phillips
22. Jonathan Sexton
23. Simon Zebo

by gboycottnut Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:04 pm

Has to be an all-England XV to start the first test for the British Lions.

by R!skysports Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:19 pm

How I'd mike Philips even on this page. - he has been shocking

by R!skysports Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:20 pm

If we are just basing it in these two games, the welsh, Irish and English players all took a big knock this weekend

All three teams were terrible

One try between them, lowest ever scores

Shockingly bad games

by kingjohn7 Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:26 pm

1.Healey
2. Best
3. Cole
4. Launchberry
5. Ryan Jones
6. Brown
7. Robshaw
8. Obrien
9. Youngs
10. Farrell
11. North
12. Not sure
13. BOD
14. Halfpenny
15. Hogg

by Cyril Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:27 pm

Riskysports wrote:If we are just basing it in these two games, the welsh, Irish and English players all took a big knock this weekend

All three teams were terrible

One try between them, lowest ever scores

Shockingly bad games

All three sides would have beaten Scotland (and will). Well done at home v Italy though Wink

by Tramptastic Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:28 pm

gboycottnut wrote:Has to be an all-England XV to start the first test for the British Lions.

Unlikely, they can't seem to beat Australia! Unlike prolific Giant killers Scotland...

by R!skysports Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:30 pm

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:
Riskysports wrote:If we are just basing it in these two games, the welsh, Irish and English players all took a big knock this weekend

All three teams were terrible

One try between them, lowest ever scores

Shockingly bad games
All three sides would have beaten Scotland (and will). Well done at home v Italy though

Not on this weekends performance

Although I know they are better than that but the is based on the weekends performance

by TJ1 Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:31 pm

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:
Riskysports wrote:If we are just basing it in these two games, the welsh, Irish and English players all took a big knock this weekend

All three teams were terrible

One try between them, lowest ever scores

Shockingly bad games
All three sides would have beaten Scotland (and will). Well done at home v Italy though

I'd be surprised.

by Cyril Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:34 pm

Sorry lads, I didn't mean to rain on your parade. A good result and (as important) a good performance Smile

I'm just happy with England's gritty/ugly/untidy/boring-to-neutrals win Wink

by Poorfour Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:44 pm

Riskysports wrote:
Cyril on 606v2 wrote:
Riskysports wrote:If we are just basing it in these two games, the welsh, Irish and English players all took a big knock this weekend

All three teams were terrible

One try between them, lowest ever scores

Shockingly bad games
All three sides would have beaten Scotland (and will). Well done at home v Italy though

Not on this weekends performance

Although I know they are better than that but the is based on the weekends performance

I think you are confusing performance with scoreline. In Ireland and England, we saw two outstanding defences going at it hammer and tongs in grim conditions. A high scoring game was never in prospect, but that takes nothing away from some stunning individual and team performances.

by R!skysports Sun 10 Feb 2013, 10:32 pm

Poorfour wrote:
Riskysports wrote:
Cyril on 606v2 wrote:
Riskysports wrote:If we are just basing it in these two games, the welsh, Irish and English players all took a big knock this weekend

All three teams were terrible

One try between them, lowest ever scores

Shockingly bad games
All three sides would have beaten Scotland (and will). Well done at home v Italy though

Not on this weekends performance

Although I know they are better than that but the is based on the weekends performance

I think you are confusing performance with scoreline. In Ireland and England, we saw two outstanding defences going at it hammer and tongs in grim conditions. A high scoring game was never in prospect, but that takes nothing away from some stunning individual and team performances.

Sorry that game was two poor sides unable to string a few phases of play together. Dropped balls, very few line breaks, not chance of a try. Terrible match

Not as bad as the Wales France match but very poor quality match.

by thomh Sun 10 Feb 2013, 10:50 pm

wales606 wrote:
3. Euan Murray (based only on the last 2 weeks remember)

He got largely pasted by Marler last weekend.

Hard to judge how Scotland's performance yesterday in much better conditions at home to Italy compares with the Ireland vs England performances in awful weather. Based purely on the last two weeks you'd probably shift Halfpenny to wing to make room for Hogg, but all the really impressive things he's done so far have been counter-attacking when Scotland are on the back foot or handed possession cheaply. A bit like Armitage four years ago who looked impressive in an average England side and didn't make the tour, he'll probably have to make some key contributions in tight games to make himself first choice. Big performances against Kearney and Halfpenny could put him in line though.

by nathan Sun 10 Feb 2013, 10:53 pm

Riskysports wrote:
Poorfour wrote:
Riskysports wrote:
Cyril on 606v2 wrote:
Riskysports wrote:If we are just basing it in these two games, the welsh, Irish and English players all took a big knock this weekend

All three teams were terrible

One try between them, lowest ever scores

Shockingly bad games
All three sides would have beaten Scotland (and will). Well done at home v Italy though

Not on this weekends performance

Although I know they are better than that but the is based on the weekends performance

I think you are confusing performance with scoreline. In Ireland and England, we saw two outstanding defences going at it hammer and tongs in grim conditions. A high scoring game was never in prospect, but that takes nothing away from some stunning individual and team performances.

Sorry that game was two poor sides unable to string a few phases of play together. Dropped balls, very few line breaks, not chance of a try. Terrible match

Not as bad as the Wales France match but very poor quality match.

Oh yeah, with those conditions it should of been a super rugby scores......

by ChequeredJersey Sun 10 Feb 2013, 11:16 pm

How is Cuthbert in people's 23 based on this 6N?

by R!skysports Sun 10 Feb 2013, 11:21 pm

Amazing how people quote the weather, but when Scotland plays in that they dismiss it.

Last week some great games, with England the pick of the teams

This week two terrible games and one good game, with Scotland the pick of the teams.

Fully expect England to play better next week, and win the championship. They are the best team

Some people need to be a little less precious on there. teams. Sometimes they have poor games

by maestegmafia Sun 10 Feb 2013, 11:24 pm

Interesting round. I was impressed by Harley for the scots. Thought the refs in Dublin and Paris hasn't a clue how to do their job.

Dublin I thought Barritt, Marler Brown were good and Goode was exceptional. Murray had a good game, Earls, POM, Best, Ryan and MacCarthy were good as always.

In Paris most of the welsh lads were good in part but average in many. Tipuric was great, Ryan Jones too. But as I said above Clancy ruined the game as always.

Healy
Best
Jones
Gray
Evans
Harly
Tipuric
Faletau
Murray
????? Sexton injured, Farrell average, Jackson/Biggar were ok.
Brown
Matt Scott
Barritt
North
Goode

by Tramptastic Sun 10 Feb 2013, 11:29 pm

It was nice to see Goode playing well after being bumped off by Hogg last week, I really rate him! A bit slow for fullback some would say but hes a very very clever player and has quite the accurate boot!

by ChequeredJersey Sun 10 Feb 2013, 11:30 pm

Risky, you think Scotland would have scored 5 tries in that rain? Against either of those defences? Plus England kicked too much, and seemed to refuse to ever give the ball to any wingers but last time I checked there are positions on the rugby pitch that aren't pass orientated, and England didn't make that many handling errors. How you can discard Robshaw, Farrell and Cole like that is beyond me. Brown made 74m on the wing despite the lack of passing. And out of position. That's nearly as much as Hogg made without the 98m interception!

Some Scotland players got points fo this weekend definitely but to then trash all the other 3 sides' players like that, when players like Halfpeny, Robshaw and Best still had bloody good games, lacks class, chap

by TJ1 Sun 10 Feb 2013, 11:32 pm

Scots Lions. Won't be many in the test team but Hogg probably has the best chance. A few who should be on the plane. Beattie, Brown and Harley all could go. Laidlaw, Maitland, Visser Hogg all look dangerous. Gray and Ford look to be coming into form.

by lostinwales Sun 10 Feb 2013, 11:51 pm

Its easier after that weekend to downgrade a few players. Heaslip was bad. Tom Youngs needs to go back to throwing school...

by Heuer27 Mon 11 Feb 2013, 12:06 am

Conditions today spoiled what would have been a great game. On that basis it's difficult to judge the players. If you were a supporter of either England or Ireland I'm sure you would have enjoyed the tension. For the rest who were looking for tries and the open running of last week we were disappointed but it was entirely understandable.
Wales v France was for me an awful advert for rugby. Both teams are much better than that display. No one wants to see 80 mins of arm wrestling. I fully expect the next round of games to be more in keeping with the first week and the exciting play to return to the fore.
Scotland v Italy undoubtedly benefitted from both better weather and a positive mindset from the teams involved. Both teams were keen to move the ball and attack where possible. This opened up the game and gave the punters their monies worth in terms of open running , tries etc.
People pay to be entertained and its incumbent upon the players to ensure that happens.

by dragonbreath Mon 11 Feb 2013, 12:11 am

Imperialbigdave wrote:didnt adam jones get pasted in the scrum last night?

And Healy gave Cole a tuning today

by dragonbreath Mon 11 Feb 2013, 12:18 am

Heuer27 wrote:Conditions today spoiled what would have been a great game. On that basis it's difficult to judge the players. If you were a supporter of either England or Ireland I'm sure you would have enjoyed the tension. For the rest who were looking for tries and the open running of last week we were disappointed but it was entirely understandable.
Wales v France was for me an awful advert for rugby. Both teams are much better than that display. No one wants to see 80 mins of arm wrestling. I fully expect the next round of games to be more in keeping with the first week and the exciting play to return to the fore.
Scotland v Italy undoubtedly benefitted from both better weather and a positive mindset from the teams involved. Both teams were keen to move the ball and attack where possible. This opened up the game and gave the punters their monies worth in terms of open running , tries etc.
People pay to be entertained and its incumbent upon the players to ensure that happens.

Can't understand why you would think todays game was better than WvF. It was the worst game I have seen since I don't know when. England only won because Ireland were so bad they did nothing but sit back and wait for errors. I was worried about playing them but they look very beatable to me

by ChequeredJersey Mon 11 Feb 2013, 12:27 am

Really? I can't wait to play Wales, frankly

by Heuer27 Mon 11 Feb 2013, 12:28 am

I didn't but the conditions played a major part in today's game it didn't have an effect on yesterday's in Paris.
Wales won't beat England if they play like they did yesterday.
England played the conditions today better than Ireland and the game was dominated by the weather.
I've sat through enough Scotland games to know what total rubbish is and both these games fell into that category. I just didn't want to offend my neighbours by being so blunt.

by hodge Mon 11 Feb 2013, 1:02 am

1) Healy
2) Best
3) Cole
4) Ryan
5) Gray
6) O'Brien
7) Robshaw
8) Heaslip

9) Murray (Just)
10) Sexton
11) Brown
12) Barrett
13) Tuilagi
14) Visser
15) Hogg

16) T.Youngs
17) A.Jones
18) Launchbury
19) R.Jones/Faletau
20) B.Youngs
21) Farrell
22) B.O'D
23) Goode/Halfpenny

by lostinwales Mon 11 Feb 2013, 1:56 am

Heaslip? based on what exactly.... Murray too Erm

Based on the games so far I'd also have issues with Visser - (still mr turnstyle) and Tuilagi who will go but so far all hes done is smile

by mbernz Mon 11 Feb 2013, 2:05 am

dragonbreath wrote:
Imperialbigdave wrote:didnt adam jones get pasted in the scrum last night?

And Healy gave Cole a tuning today

Healy had more success in the later encounters, Cole in the earlier ones (in particular before his ankle was stamped on).

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