Your assured Lions starters

by Morgannwg Wed 13 Feb 2013, 1:46 pm

First topic message reminder :

Going by form over the past year or so and picking from your own national team, whom do you think is assured to start for the Lions and be on the bench?

I'll start with mine:

Ryan Jones: On form he keeps Lydiate off the plane. He's had a few dips in form in his time but right now he's on good form. He covers the back 5 but he is probably best at 6 or 8. It also gives the Lions another leadership option.

Leigh Halfpenny: This young man is class. Since the last 6 Nations he's been outstanding in every single game he has played for Wales. Unfortunately he found himself on the losing side too often post 2012 6 Nations. Had he not he would have been MOTM in every single game. He could well be the first choice kicker also. The question is should he be at wing or full-back; I'd say he's the best in his position so why move him over? We could try Hogg on the wing instead.

Mike Phillips: The best scrum-half in the NH for the past two seasons. He acts as another game manager from no.9 and is a constant and unpredictable threat to the opposition. I don't need to say much more

.

Some of the following could also be involved in the Lions 23: Adam Jones, Richard Hibbard, Ian Evans, Justin Tipuric, Jonothan Davies, George North; but they are not yet cert's in my view.

thumbsup

by funnyExiledScot Wed 13 Feb 2013, 5:38 pm

I we want the Lions to have the best chance of winning then Healy most certainly tours.

Sure - nasty incident at the weekend, but whatever ban he gets will be ample punishment. Ruling out of the Lions tour for that offence would be silly.

by dgttaylor Wed 13 Feb 2013, 5:43 pm

I agree but to suggest that he got one over on Cole in the scrummaging stakes is inaccurate; the Irish bounced back well in second half but would have called it honours even. Healy will be pushed for his place, England alone have 3 loosheheads breathing down his neck, but he should start.

by thebluesmancometh Wed 13 Feb 2013, 5:52 pm

There is no such thing as an assured starter yet, infact there won't be 24 hours before the first test, anything can and will happen!

by mystiroakey Wed 13 Feb 2013, 5:54 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:I we want the Lions to have the best chance of winning then Healy most certainly tours.

Sure - nasty incident at the weekend, but whatever ban he gets will be ample punishment. Ruling out of the Lions tour for that offence would be silly.

more or less silly than ruling out players because the oz press might find them interesting?

by thebluesmancometh Wed 13 Feb 2013, 5:56 pm

Mister

You are the only person keeping that thread going, why bring it in here too, the thread itself is garbage, as is you unwillingness to admit it's not whats going on at all.

Grow up mun

by majesticimperialman Wed 13 Feb 2013, 6:20 pm

There as been a lott of calls saying that Healy is nailed on for the Lions.
I am not disputing that Healey is not one of the best/ maybe even the best prop in the NH....But with regards to this stamping on cole this week end, makes you wander if Gatland could afford to take him along....What if he does the same out there to Pocock or any one else, Gatland can not afford too lose any player from the tour due to lack of disipline.

by asoreleftshoulder Wed 13 Feb 2013, 6:25 pm

Well it's not like he has a history of that kind of thing,it was a nasty act and he's copped a short ban but there's no reason to believe he'll do it again.If you were to take that attitude then Tuilagi couldn't go cos he once punched Ashton and I'm sure there are plenty more examples of players doing something stupid once in their career.

by funnyExiledScot Wed 13 Feb 2013, 6:29 pm

mystiroakey wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:I we want the Lions to have the best chance of winning then Healy most certainly tours.

Sure - nasty incident at the weekend, but whatever ban he gets will be ample punishment. Ruling out of the Lions tour for that offence would be silly.

more or less silly than ruling out players because the oz press might find them interesting?

Equally silly. So that puts you on a par with Gatland in terms of sense!

by dragonbreath Wed 13 Feb 2013, 6:35 pm

dgttaylor wrote:I agree but to suggest that he got one over on Cole in the scrummaging stakes is inaccurate; the Irish bounced back well in second half but would have called it honours even. Healy will be pushed for his place, England alone have 3 loosheheads breathing down his neck, but he should start.

It is not inaccurate. The battle between props is for the duration of the game Healy had Cole in all shapes at virtually every scrum in the 2nd half and held his own in the first. Whether he outlasted him or worked him out is not clear but he was well on top in the 2nd half especially.

by mystiroakey Wed 13 Feb 2013, 6:42 pm

if healy had the better off cole- he wouldnt have kept attacking him and other players..

by Poorfour Wed 13 Feb 2013, 6:48 pm

The larger concern is that Healy and several other Irish players lost their cool and their discipline when their gameplan was disrupted.

Australia - especially with Pocock or Hooper on the pitch - are excellent spoilers and will frustrate the Lions team whenever possible. On the evidence of the 2001 tour, they also might not be above the odd late hit or badly executed tackle.

Will Gatland be looking to fight fire with fire? Or to take a squad that will stay calm and focused on what they need to achieve?

I think that although the concept of "nailed on starters" is very silly at this stage of things, the thread has at least provoked some more meaningful debate than usual.

Which said, I think that, if fit, Cole, A. Jones, Sexton, Farrell and probably Best are very likely to find places in the XXIII, largely because there isn't much close competition.

I also believe that Robshaw will tour and that, if he tours, he will force his way into the XXIII despite the competition because of his versatility. That's not so much about being able to play 6 or 7, but because he has all the back row skills to a high level and can play multiple roles as required by the gameplan, allied to a workrate that gives the coach more options for who to pair him with.

by Glas a du Wed 13 Feb 2013, 7:04 pm

A World Cup and 3 Finals wrote: Parling

You were serious weren't you...

Laugh

by Guest Wed 13 Feb 2013, 7:14 pm

majesticimperialman wrote:Cole, T Youngs, B Youngs, D Care, J Launchberry,Jeoff, Parling, C Robshaw, T Wood, O Farrel.

Possible starters C Ashton, M Brown.( i do think M Brown )will have compition for Full Back with Leigh Halfpenny and Hogg for the fulll back slot.

If that's what you think are your assured starters, you're in for a massive shock. No wonder you're bleating so much about Gatland possibly selecting Warburton, if they're your assured starters. How are both scrumhalves going to start? I guess it's one way of stopping Genia though.

Wales'

Halfpenny and North

Others

Best, Gray (probably)

by Barney McGrew did it Wed 13 Feb 2013, 7:15 pm

Glas a du wrote:
A World Cup and 3 Finals wrote: Parling

You were serious weren't you...

Of course he wasn't. Given we've heard Phillips, Roberts, Visser, Cuthbert, T Youngs, Zebo, Wade..... suggested, he was just joining in the fun.

by majesticimperialman Wed 13 Feb 2013, 7:18 pm

Risca Rev wrote:
majesticimperialman wrote:Cole, T Youngs, B Youngs, D Care, J Launchberry,Jeoff, Parling, C Robshaw, T Wood, O Farrel.

Possible starters C Ashton, M Brown.( i do think M Brown )will have compition for Full Back with Leigh Halfpenny and Hogg for the fulll back slot.

If that's what you think are your assured starters, you're in for a massive shock. No wonder you're bleating so much about Gatland possibly selecting Warburton, if they're your assured starters. How are both scrumhalves going to start? I guess it's one way of stopping Genia though.

Wales'

Halfpenny and North

Others

Best, Gray (probably)

RiscaRev Those that i placed on top the likes of Youngs and Care i my assured to travel on the tour. 1 starting the Other on the bench. If that is ok with you that is? Ale

by Glas a du Wed 13 Feb 2013, 7:24 pm

Barney McGrew did it wrote:
Glas a du wrote:
A World Cup and 3 Finals wrote: Parling

You were serious weren't you...

Of course he wasn't. Given we've heard Phillips, Roberts, Visser, Cuthbert, T Youngs, Zebo, Wade..... suggested, he was just joining in the fun.

by king_carlos Wed 13 Feb 2013, 7:27 pm

If, and it's a big if, he can get fit Ferris would be my starting 6 by a fair way. No criticism of Wood, Lydiate, Brown, Jones, etc just that he really is an exceptional player. Tackles everything that comes his way, incredibly strong and clever over the ball plus he's a very good carrier. Wood, Lydiate and Brown all remind of Joe Worsley a bit in that their defense and ground work is exceptional but they don't offer a huge ammount in attack.

Expected starters at the moment would be - Best .... daylight .... Robshaw, Gray, Youngs (all three with competition though)

by Guest Wed 13 Feb 2013, 7:48 pm

majesticimperialman wrote:
Risca Rev wrote:
majesticimperialman wrote:Cole, T Youngs, B Youngs, D Care, J Launchberry,Jeoff, Parling, C Robshaw, T Wood, O Farrel.

Possible starters C Ashton, M Brown.( i do think M Brown )will have compition for Full Back with Leigh Halfpenny and Hogg for the fulll back slot.

If that's what you think are your assured starters, you're in for a massive shock. No wonder you're bleating so much about Gatland possibly selecting Warburton, if they're your assured starters. How are both scrumhalves going to start? I guess it's one way of stopping Genia though.

Wales'

Halfpenny and North

Others

Best, Gray (probably)

RiscaRev Those that i placed on top the likes of Youngs and Care i my assured to travel on the tour. 1 starting the Other on the bench. If that is ok with you that is?

Then you pretty much missed the point of the thread and besides which I'll stand by my original part of the post where I suggest you're going to be disappointed. Both your scrumhalves are unlikely to tour, yet alone both making the 23.

by thebluesmancometh Wed 13 Feb 2013, 7:58 pm

I wouldn't say Youngs was unlikely to tour Rev, infact he'd prob be my starter at present.

by ChequeredJersey Wed 13 Feb 2013, 8:46 pm

Apparently that makes Lydiate world class though, dragonbreath. Robshaw can be, depending on what is needed, a class linkman, breakdown man, tackler, 1st receiver, willing carrier and whatever else you want. Can't see what makes you call him a journeyman compared to the other options

by TJ1 Wed 13 Feb 2013, 9:09 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
Morgannwg wrote:Going by form over the past year or so and picking from your own national team, whom do you think is assured to start for the Lions and be on the bench?

I'll start with mine:

..................................................

Disagree. Hogg has been the form full back of the 6N.

He has beaten 7 defenders, made 3 clean breaks, carried the ball 201 meters and scored 2 scintilating tries in 2 games of the tournament. A staggering set of stats.

I want Halfpenny starting, but the full back jersey so far should be going to Hogg. All of his breaks and strengths lie in counter attacking. The 2 tries he has scored thus far would have come from opportunities only available at full back. I would shift Halfpenny to the wing since he has played there before. Hogg is too potent a weapon coming from Deep to have out on the wing.

As for Jones I rate him as a player, but he isn’t really having to work hard to keep Lydiate of the plane since Lydiate hasn’t played for nearly a year

If you want a Lydiate style player look at Rob Harley for Scotland. He tackled everything that came his way on Saturday and the Italian pack has some big units, Castro, Zanni, Parisee and Canale all were nullified by the Ginger tackle monster.

Whether Harley travels or not is up for debate at the moment. With only 2 caps to his name he is an international n00b. If he continues to play well for Scotland in the 6N and can impress for Glasgow as they close in on a Rabo play off spot don’t be surprised if he tours.

As for Phillips I’m not going into this again on another thread… Youngs, Murray, Laidlaw and Williams all offer more and haven’t been manshamed by Genia last year.

My anticipated Scottish Lions starters (as it stands) : Hogg & Gray

Possible Tourists : Ford, Laidlaw, Beattie, Brown Maitland, Scott & Visser.

Nothing I can really add to that except that Harley could well play his way onto the plane.

by Guest Wed 13 Feb 2013, 10:04 pm

thebluesmancometh wrote:I wouldn't say Youngs was unlikely to tour Rev, infact he'd prob be my starter at present.

[code]

That's pretty poorly worded by me. I mean that two English scrumhalves won't tour. I think only one of two will travel.

by irnbrew Wed 13 Feb 2013, 10:25 pm

Why do people on here keep saying that Lydiate has been out for a year .He,s been out 4and a half month got injured the last day of September.On the tv tonight Howely said the decission he has to make wether to play him against England or both Scotland and England and if that is the case and he is anywhere near the form he was in last six nations and before he got injured in September for even then the pundits where saying in September he was a shoe in for the Lions .Gatland will take him

by Morgannwg Wed 13 Feb 2013, 10:49 pm

Risca Rev wrote:
thebluesmancometh wrote:I wouldn't say Youngs was unlikely to tour Rev, infact he'd prob be my starter at present.
[code]

That's pretty poorly worded by me. I mean that two English scrumhalves won't tour. I think only one of two will travel.

One of those chancers may tour but Iron Mike is assured to start the three tests!

Yahoo

by The Great Aukster Wed 13 Feb 2013, 10:50 pm

majesticimperialman wrote:There as been a lott of calls saying that Healy is nailed on for the Lions.
I am not disputing that Healey is not one of the best/ maybe even the best prop in the NH....But with regards to this stamping on cole this week end, makes you wander if Gatland could afford to take him along....What if he does the same out there to Pocock or any one else, Gatland can not afford too lose any player from the tour due to lack of disipline.

So that's Hartley, Warburton, Haskell, Heaslip, Care and Tuiliagi all ruled out as well then. Those Aussies sure know how to wind people up - maybe Gatland's right and he shouldn't pick players who will be targeted... like the English.

by hodge Wed 13 Feb 2013, 11:20 pm

English player(s) nailed on

Cole

A lot of English players who could be likely to get a shirt such as Tuilagi, Robshaw, Ashton, Youngs etc but not nailed for a shirt.

Think Gatland will go for Irish 9/10 combo, please for the lions sake say Phillips would only be there for experience and to play midweek with Murray and Youngs ahead of him.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Wed 13 Feb 2013, 11:22 pm

dragonbreath wrote:
dgttaylor wrote:I agree but to suggest that he got one over on Cole in the scrummaging stakes is inaccurate; the Irish bounced back well in second half but would have called it honours even. Healy will be pushed for his place, England alone have 3 loosheheads breathing down his neck, but he should start.

It is not inaccurate. The battle between props is for the duration of the game Healy had Cole in all shapes at virtually every scrum in the 2nd half and held his own in the first. Whether he outlasted him or worked him out is not clear but he was well on top in the 2nd half especially.

Before or after hed stamped on his ankle?

by The Great Aukster Wed 13 Feb 2013, 11:27 pm

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Before or after hed stamped on his ankle?

If Cole played on and wasn't fit to, it was both stupid and selfish of him to let his team down in such a way.

by reallybored Wed 13 Feb 2013, 11:32 pm

Only assured starters, injuries permitting;

Healy - possibly the best LH in the world right now
Best - in great form and there isn't any genuine competition
Cole - Jones isn't the force he was and Cole does everything right
Youngs - comfortably the best 9 in the home nations
O'Driscoll - still the maestro in attack and defence

Sorry but Lydiate has very little chance of touring if he's only back in time for the England match, are his performances for the Dragons in the Rabo really going to get him on the plane. It's a shame because he was outstanding last year but you can't pick him after a year-out because of his form last year when there are plenty of in form options available.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Wed 13 Feb 2013, 11:41 pm

The Great Aukster wrote:
Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Before or after hed stamped on his ankle?

If Cole played on and wasn't fit to, it was both stupid and selfish of him to let his team down in such a way.

Have you seen who England had on the bench?
Whistle

by dragonbreath Thu 14 Feb 2013, 12:04 am

ChequeredJersey wrote:Apparently that makes Lydiate world class though, dragonbreath. Robshaw can be, depending on what is needed, a class linkman, breakdown man, tackler, 1st receiver, willing carrier and whatever else you want. Can't see what makes you call him a journeyman compared to the other options

Dont recall calling him a journeyman but the hyperbole surrounding him is just way over the top. Would England miss him? probably not, they have a underground gym in the Cotswolds full of Robshaw style clones. Lydiate is what makes our back row tick and we will see the difference when he returns. Is he world class, if the the benchmark if Richard Hill then NO if its Robshaw then ABSOLUTELY.

by dragonbreath Thu 14 Feb 2013, 12:18 am

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:
dragonbreath wrote:
dgttaylor wrote:I agree but to suggest that he got one over on Cole in the scrummaging stakes is inaccurate; the Irish bounced back well in second half but would have called it honours even. Healy will be pushed for his place, England alone have 3 loosheheads breathing down his neck, but he should start.

It is not inaccurate. The battle between props is for the duration of the game Healy had Cole in all shapes at virtually every scrum in the 2nd half and held his own in the first. Whether he outlasted him or worked him out is not clear but he was well on top in the 2nd half especially.

Before or after hed stamped on his ankle?

I am not saying the stamp was without intent to disable and he should have been sent off. However Cole did not even recieve treatment following the incident and jogged off to the lineout. He was not hurt but he was given an outing. If he is good then he will make sure it doesn't happen again. Good props often get beat once but never twice by the same opponent. but make no mistake it happened on Saturday

by Glas a du Thu 14 Feb 2013, 12:24 am

Hang on, how should his incompetence in maiming assist, if that was his intention?

by Poorfour Thu 14 Feb 2013, 12:36 am

Will Greenwood and Tony Diprose, two players who've actually played with both Hill and Robshaw, seem to think there's less distance between them than you do, dragonsbreath.

I'll happily concede that other players are better at their specialisms. But as Diprose put it, Robshaw has no real weaknesses, works phenomenally hard and rarely makes mistakes. He's also a player whose form has been consistently high for the last 5 years - the only player to be AP Player of the Year twice.

by ChequeredJersey Thu 14 Feb 2013, 12:38 am

Dragonbreath, just saying a lot of Welsh views on Lydiate and Robshaw are probably entirely reversable from an English point of view. Not sure we do have a Robshawesque player to replace him at all. Some very different flankers but nobody with the same skillset nevermind his less corporeal qualities. And I personally think this mindset that Lydiate's absence is why Warburton has suddenly dropped in form is a massive myth- Warbs' form for Cardiff has been poor and Lydiate certainly never partnered him there. I wouldn't swap Robshaw for any Home Nation back rower at Club or Country level personally. I'm sorry that I said you called him a journeyman, someone definitely said that on another thread. The hyperbole is a bit OTT but tbh he has played fantastically and consistently for a year now for England and something like 2 1/2 for Quins. Before that he was injured and befre that he was AP player of the year- this is not a new burst of form. You can keep your vaunted backrow

by belovedfrosties Thu 14 Feb 2013, 1:06 am

what exactly is it that Lydiate does that makes him so great? Last 6N it was because he was an absolute "tackling machine", despite being out of the top 3 flankers in terms of tackles made and also completion rate. The only reason people rate him so highly is because of the PR campaign started by Jiffy and others at the Beeb. Who whenever he made a tackle claimed it was the best thing in the world and did 12 super slow mo replays of it.

Have a look back at the poll for player of the tournament on here. Richie Gray and Ferris were leading the pack (as they should have been) for the first 4 games. Then the PR campaign begins on the second to last week and Lydiate runs away with it, also the fact that the public vote for the official one is a joke.

Lydiate is a good player and nothing more, and is very very far down the pecking list in terms of Lions number 6.

by RuggerRadge2611 Thu 14 Feb 2013, 9:07 am

Some of the comments on here are lunacy. picard

After the 2 performances this 6N by Hogg I can't beleive he is still not getting picked by people ahead of Halfpenny or Kearney.

It's almost like people are trying to find reasons for Scottish players not to play for the Lions.

Once again :

He has beaten 7 defenders, made 3 clean breaks, carried the ball 201 meters and scored 2 scintilating tries in just 2 games of the tournament.

He is the form full back at the moment and is (judging purely on current form and ignoring reputation) as far in front of Halpenny and Kearney as Best is in front of Hibbard and Ford.

by beshocked Thu 14 Feb 2013, 9:35 am

Ruggerradge I can tell you are pretty big Hogg fan. Hogg has done well so far but there's still plenty of time before the Lion's tour.

I don't think that 15 shirt is nailed down at all. The Welsh think Halfpenny has it in the bag. Why I can't understand to be honest.

Neither Hogg or Halfpenny are guaranteed starters or each bench players yet to be honest.

I don't think they anyone is assured of a starting spot though some players are closer to each other.

Things change so quickly. Not too long ago Sexton was absolutely nailed on with no challengers but now he has Farrell as a potential rival.

No player can be complacent.

I think the 12 shirt is particularly up for grabs.

by thebluesmancometh Thu 14 Feb 2013, 9:36 am

Leave it out Rugger,he's been good but hasn't showed he is anywhere near as consistantly good as 1/2p or Kearney yet.

Don't get me wrong right now Hogg has the 3rd seat on the plane IMO, but he has to keep it now for 3 more games, 3 more tough games.

I find it a touch strange that noone has called upon Robshaws inability to make decisions and think on his feet, once again this weekend he proved dull when deciding to kick to touch with 30 seconds left and up by 6 points, had they lost the lineout and Ireland had gone 80m to score under the posts England wouldve lost whereas a shot at goal (that only had to take half the alloted time it needed to) that went dead wouldve ended the game and put more points in the + column. Sheers stupidity IMHO!!!

by RuggerRadge2611 Thu 14 Feb 2013, 9:45 am

This is what I mean, why is he third on the plane? Have Kearney and Halfpenny played better this season?

Answer = NO!

I thought we weren't going to be picking on reputations, but thats all I can see happening with Lydiate & Kearney's names getting banded about.

Kearney hasn't done anything of note thus far in the 6N (the tournament Gatland himself has said is where players can set their stall out) and Lydiate hasn't played for months.

By some of this logic Rennie should be a certain starter? Afterall he was the best openside in the last 6N, while we are at it Warburton was awesome in the RWC, he must tour too! picard

I would love to know why so many posters think Kearny and Halfpenny are in front of Hogg. Halfpenny I can accept (at wing) as I said I would want him on my team too, he has been Wales' best player by some distance for a while now. However Hogg has played better at full back but Kearny has done nothing thus far to warrant inclusion over Brown or Goode.

by funnyExiledScot Thu 14 Feb 2013, 9:47 am

I'm actually fairly confident that Robshaw wanted to go for the posts, but it looked to me like Farrell took the decision out of his hands by going for touch. Watch it again, I'm fairly sure that's right.

What it would mean is that Robshaw's authority with his players isn't what it could be - either that or you take the glass half full approach and point to the fact that England have several strong leaders within the team now, including Farrell at 10.

On Hogg I think you have to extract what people are looking at.

Based ONLY on this 6 Nations, you'd pick Hogg at 15 for the Lions. Based on everything we know to date, you'd pick Halfpenny or Kearney for being consistently good over a number of seasons.

Given that Halfpenny can play wing, I think there's a good chance all three could go.

by ChequeredJersey Thu 14 Feb 2013, 9:48 am

It was too far (50m with te angle i think) to guarantee that the ball would go dead and Farrell himself , when asked by Robshaw if he could make it, seemed to imply he'd rather kick to touch. It was the right call on so many levels. If you can't trust your lineout to win simple guaranteed ball at the front to throw away, you may as well give up competing at rugby

by dgttaylor Thu 14 Feb 2013, 9:51 am

Kearney's experience vs Brown's versatility...If both continue their current form Kearney might be struggling.

by t1000advancedprototype Thu 14 Feb 2013, 9:54 am

At this present moment...

15. Hogg
14. Halfpenny
13. BOD
12. Scott
11. North
10. Farrell
9. Youngs

8. Jones
7. Robshaw
6. Tipuric
5. ?
4. ?
3. Cole
2. Best
1. Bevington (was amazing v Ulster) maybe bias haha

by mystiroakey Thu 14 Feb 2013, 9:55 am

t1000advancedprototype wrote:At this present moment...

15. Hogg
14. Halfpenny
13. BOD
12. Scott
11. North
10. Farrell
9. Youngs

8. Jones
7. Robshaw
6. Tipuric
5. ?
4. ?
3. ?
2. Best
1. Cole[b]

yep my pick at the mo as well

by RuggerRadge2611 Thu 14 Feb 2013, 9:56 am

mystiroakey wrote:
t1000advancedprototype wrote:At this present moment...

15. Hogg
14. Halfpenny
13. BOD
12. Scott
11. North
10. Farrell
9. Youngs

8. Jones
7. Robshaw
6. Tipuric
5. ?
4. ?
3. ?
2. Best
1. Cole[b]

yep my pick at the mo as well

maybe swap Tips and Robshaw but I agree with that.

by Morgannwg Thu 14 Feb 2013, 9:57 am

I'd put SOB at blind-side, go with the English 2nd row pairing, put Healy at LH and Cole back to his original TH. Then I'd say that was pretty close.

by funnyExiledScot Thu 14 Feb 2013, 9:58 am

Cole at loosehead and Tipuric on the blindside.

We really do have the creme de la creme of rugby posters on here don't we!!

by Geordie Thu 14 Feb 2013, 9:59 am

I agree Blues that was a decision i picked up aswell...but lets be honest...Robshaw wouldnt be going as Captain.
His decision making is questionable at times...but in other areas of his leadership i think he is makiing a MASSIVE influence on the team...shear bloody mindedness, discipline...Lancs is getting a lot of praise..but i wonder how much Robshaw is putting in there aswell. No coincidence that Quins are the same.
This is a nice luxury to have on a demanding tour.

The main thing though is as player he offers a huge amount.

Im also not a Lydiate fan...but can see his value as i saw value in Joe Worsley when he played.
Personally i think the back row is nip and tuck...and every fan will pick his nations player. Any from Brown, Wood, Lydiate, SOB, Ferris would be a top class 6 for the lions.

With regards to Cole v Heally...i dont think Heally had the edge to be honest. I felt it was a pretty even contest.

I have a feeling a dark horse to start cold be young Launchbury...he just keeps getting better and better ...and is just so consistant...we shall see.

by beshocked Thu 14 Feb 2013, 10:00 am

Sorry what has Scott done to warrant being hyped up for the 12 shirt?

Seems like after one good win vs the Italians at home the Scots seem to believe they have numerous Lions contenders but conveniently forget the result the weekend before!

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