Openside flanker choices for the Lions tour to Australia

Six nations is done. We are a year on since I last held one of these polls and the long term aim was to compare what we selected a year out, a month out and the final squad.

You can pick one player only as your first choice.

I think I have grabbed most of the names in the hat, though my apologies if anyone you consider worthy has been forgotten, if you ask nicely then I am sure one of our excellent moderators might take the time to be kind enough to offer their much valued assistance.

The players included either showed in the Six Nations squads or have been regularly talked of as prospects on the various threads on here.

I have a feeling this poll should be close...

There are a number of players included who play both Openside and Blindside flanker or even all three backrow positions. If you think that you would like to see a player at 7 vote in this poll.

If you want to see them at 6 or at 8, you can vote in either the Blindside Poll will have to wait until the number 8 poll is launched.

Looseheads - https://www.606v2.com/t42452-loosehead-choices-for-the-lions-tour-to-australia

Hookers - https://www.606v2.com/t42471-hooker-choices-for-the-lions-tour-to-australia

Tightheads - https://www.606v2.com/t42486-tighthead-choices-for-the-lions-tour-to-australia

Lock No. 4 - https://www.606v2.com/t42501-number-4-lock-choices-for-the-lions-tour-to-australia#1956467

Lock no. 5 - https://www.606v2.com/t42502-number-5-lock-choices-for-the-lions-tour-to-australia

Blindside Flanker - https://www.606v2.com/t42514-blindside-flanker-choices-for-the-lions-tour-to-australia

Number 8 - https://www.606v2.com/t42518-number-eight-choices-for-the-lions-tour-to-australia#1958144

Scrumhalf - https://www.606v2.com/t42531-scrumhalf-choices-for-the-lions-tour-to-australia

Flyhalf - https://www.606v2.com/t42539-flyhalf-choices-for-the-lions-tour-to-australia#1958609

Tough competition here too... Like the Blindside thread there are some talented candidates.

Nothing compares to tippur itch.

Wasn't aware Coughlan and Harley could play openside.

Tipuric taking an early lead in the Poll. After his last three performances its no surprise.

Tipuric

Tipuric looks like everyones favourite at the moment.

The Pack so far is looking like this


Cian Healy 41% 27
Rory Best 47% 28
Adam Jones 61% 30
Geoff Parling 15.4% 17
AW Jones 15.4% 17
Kelly Brown 28% 12
Justin Tipuric 43% 13
John Beattie 39% 12

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:The Pack so far is looking like this


Cian Healy 41% 27
Rory Best 47% 28
Adam Jones 61% 30
Geoff Parling 15.4% 17
AW Jones 15.4% 17
Kelly Brown 28% 12
Justin Tipuric 43% 13
John Beattie 39% 12

Despite picking Faletau at No8 I really like look of that back row but doubt very much thats what it will be.

Bedford mate

I hear what you are saying. I agree with the poll on the openside debate. Tipuric has proved to be the man, but he needs a fast and good tackling six to get him in the game. So Blindside has to be either Warburton or Wood in my opinion. An eight such as Beattie, Faletau or Morgan could work well with those flankers.

I think Robshaw isn't a good enough Openside or Blindside, or leader to get in to the test fifteen. Armitage hasn't done well enough in International rugby, turned his back on England a while ago, and I don't think he offers more than Tips or Warburton as a likely openside.

I would like to see us base a backrow around an exciting young lad like Tipuric, fast flowing rugby outside a tough and solid pack.

Tipiric is awesome. Its an easy choice for me. Had Rennie been fit or Barclay had some game time there would be IMO some competition for the "fetcher" role.

SOB should tour but I reckon his skill suit either 6 or 8 better. Robshaw would be another strong candidate for 7 or 6.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Tipiric is awesome. Its an easy choice for me. Had Rennie been fit or Barclay had some game time there would be IMO some competition for the "fetcher" role.

SOB should tour but I reckon his skill suit either 6 or 8 better. Robshaw would be another strong candidate for 7 or 6.

I really didn't rate Sean O'Brien this tournament. He hadn't looked great for Leinster post injury either. He has a route one option, not a footballing brain.

I can see why you wouldn't count him as a seven, but i also think a number of sixes are ahead of him too.

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:The Pack so far is looking like this


Cian Healy 41% 27
Rory Best 47% 28
Adam Jones 61% 30
Geoff Parling 15.4% 17
AW Jones 15.4% 17
Kelly Brown 28% 12
Justin Tipuric 43% 13
John Beattie 39% 12

Despite picking Faletau at No8 I really like look of that back row but doubt very much thats what it will be.

Bedford mate

I hear what you are saying. I agree with the poll on the openside debate. Tipuric has proved to be the man, but he needs a fast and good tackling six to get him in the game. So Blindside has to be either Warburton or Wood in my opinion. An eight such as Beattie, Faletau or Morgan could work well with those flankers.

I think Robshaw isn't a good enough Openside or Blindside, or leader to get in to the test fifteen. Armitage hasn't done well enough in International rugby, turned his back on England a while ago, and I don't think he offers more than Tips or Warburton as a likely openside.

I would like to see us base a backrow around an exciting young lad like Tipuric, fast flowing rugby outside a tough and solid pack.

Brown isn't a hard enough tackling 6 for you? Going to disagree with you 100000000000% on Robshaw but was always going to. But for me Brown amd Tipuric is an excellent combo, no need to play Warbs at 6...

I chose Robshaw at 6 though (and Tips at 7). Realistically i see Robshaw touring and playing midweek though

We always see Robshaw at his best dont we, the guy never drops off a game. Admirable quality, but he is neither the best option at blindside or openside for England or the Lions in my opinion and that might be the deciding factor should the coaches agree.

I read that Gatland was very impressed with him during the week he spent with the England squad.

I thought he would get a great deal more votes than he has so far on this poll. Thought that he Tipuric, Warburton and maybe one of the Scots would be a close run race.

SYNOPSIS OF THE POLL SO FAR...

Forwards

Cian Healy 41% 31
Rory Best 49% 37
Adam Jones 62% 36
Richie Gray 16% 22
Geoff Parling 14% 23
Chris Robshaw 27% 16
Justin Tipuric 44% 22
John Beattie 37% 22 (Toby Faletau 1 vote short)

Backs

Ben Youngs 54% 27
Jonny Sexton 44% 18
Jamie Roberts is tied with Billy Twelvetrees 31% 4
Manu Tuilagi 50% 7 (Brian O'Driscoll is 1 vote short)

Can't believe Tipuric is leading the vote

Bigman666 wrote:Can't believe Tipuric is leading the vote

With the exception of Armitage, Tipuric is the only out an out flyer of a 7 on the list really so mybe thats what people want to see.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Bigman666 wrote:Can't believe Tipuric is leading the vote

With the exception of Armitage, Tipuric is the only out an out flyer of a 7 on the list really so mybe thats what people want to see.

Bit harsh on Ross Rennie - he's an out and out 7.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Bigman666 wrote:Can't believe Tipuric is leading the vote

With the exception of Armitage, Tipuric is the only out an out flyer of a 7 on the list really so mybe thats what people want to see.

Ross Rennie is an out and out openside!! and when on form is a country mile ahead of anyone on that list, I doubt whether an on form Tuperic (as good as he is) could "Out-Pocock" Pocock who was at his peak like Rennie did for the full 80 mins.

Like Lydiate who I believe is the best 6 when on top form you have to take both and hope they have enough match exposue coming up to the first test

Is Rennie fit again?

maestegmafia wrote:Is Rennie fit again?

Yes - - played for Edinburgh on Friday

TJ wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Is Rennie fit again?

Yes - - played for Edinburgh on Friday

Good news... I'll check out the game. Cheers

What did you think of him, is he showing good signs of being a contender, he's not got too long left.

Quite honestly I didn't notice him when watching the game ( but was concentrating on laidlaw ). Stats show he didn't do a huge amount.

First game back always tough. Was he on the whole game?

The poll is open until a week before the squad is announced, there is still a decent amount of rugby to be played and peoples thoughts and views may change. As it stands currently these are the Squad choices by the mob that contributes to 606V2.

I dont know the make up or how many he really will pick so i am just running with top three options...


Loosehead Prop 89 votes so far

Cian Healy 39
Ryan Grant 20
Gethin Jenkins 15


Hooker 92 votes so far

Rory Best 45
Richard Hibbard 21
Tom Youngs 11


Tighthead 74 votes so far

Adam Jones 47
Dan Cole 19
Euan Murray 4

Locks 144 votes so far over the two polls so averaging 72 Votes

Geoff Parling 29
Richie Gray 29
AWJ 21
Ian Evans 20


Blindeside Flankers 78 votes so far

Chris Robshaw 19
Kelly Brown 18
Sean O'Brien 17


Openside Flankers 74 votes so far

Justin Tipuric 33
Sam Warburton 14
Chris Robshaw 13 (leading the Blindside option)
Ross Rennie 8 (Next best after Robshaw)


Number Eight 73 votes so far

Toby Faletau 28
John Beattie 26
Ben Morgan 10


Scrumhalf 73 votes so far

Ben Youngs 38
Mike Phillips 20
Greig Laidlaw 10


Flyhalf 59 votes so far

Jonny Sexton 30
Owen Farrell 13
Dan Biggar 6


Inside Centre 53 votes so far

Billy Twelvetrees 11
Jonathan Davies 13 (Also 3rd in the outside centre Poll)
Matt Scott 11
Jamie Roberts & Luke Marshall 7 (If we were to consider JD2 at outside)


Outside Centre

Brian O'Driscoll 22
Manu Tuilagi 22
Jonathan Davies 9


Right Winger 44 Votes so far

Sean Maitland 22
Alex Cuthbert 11
Christian Wade 7


Left Winger 45 votes so far

George North 21
Tim Visser 8
Simon Zebo 5


Fullback 59 votes so far

Stuart Hogg 25
Leigh Halfpenny 22
Rob Keaney 7

Another weekend done and dusted. The squad to be announced after the next...!

I've gone for Chris Robshaw. Atleast Chris Robshaw is first choice starter for his club, and his country.

Unlike Tipuric, who may be first choice starter for his club, but he is not first choice starter for his country. now is he?

I would have Sam Warbs, he is by far the best on his day and stepped up when we needed him the most in the six nations, but for christ sake i wouldn't give him captaincy. Nor robshaw who I would have 6 at the moment, with ferris out and lydiate only just come back and hasn't been in form. There are other 6 like O'brian, Croft,Ryan jones but robshaw done enough for me in the six nations to prove he deserves at least one start.

Lydiate not on form 19 unassissted tackles 10 assissited tackles 14 rucks hit on Friday against Munster if that is not on form god help the opposition when he is on form and 3 carries

It's far too late for Lydiate. Decent player though

majesticimperialman wrote:I've gone for Chris Robshaw. Atleast Chris Robshaw is first choice starter for his club, and his country.

Unlike Tipuric, who may be first choice starter for his club, but he is not first choice starter for his country. now is he?

All the pundits on BBC went for Sam or tips..

Jeremy Guscott's team: L Halfpenny (Wal), R Kearney (Ire), B O'Driscoll (Ire), J Roberts (Wal), G North (Wal); J Sexton (Ire), M Phillips (Wal); C Healy (Ire), R Hibbard (Wal), A Jones (Wal), J Launchbury (Eng), AW Jones (Wal), C Robshaw (Eng), J Tipuric (Wal), T Faletau (Wal).
Keith Wood's team: L Halfpenny (Wal), S Hogg (Sco), B O Driscoll (Ire) J Roberts (Wal), G North (Wal); J Sexton (Ire), B Youngs (Eng); G Jenkins (Wal), K Owens (Wal), A Jones (Wal), J Launchbury (Eng), AW Jones (Wal), S Warburton (Wal), J Tipuric (Wal), S O'Brien (Ire).
Andy Nicol's team: S Hogg (Sco), A Cuthbert (Wal), B O'Driscoll (Ire), M Tuilagi (Eng), G North (Wal); J Sexton (Ire), B Youngs (Eng); G Jenkins (Wal), R Best (Ire), A Jones (Wal), J Launchbury (Eng), AW Jones (Wal), T Wood (Eng), S Warburton (Wal), T Faletau (Wal).
Jonathan Davies's team: L Halfpenny (Wal), A Cuthbert (Wal), J Davies (Wal), B O'Driscoll (Ire), G North (Wal); O Farrell (Eng), M Phillips (Wal); G Jenkins (Wal), R Hibbard (Wal), A Jones (Wal), AW Jones (Wal), G Parling (Eng), S Warburton (Wal), J Tipuric (Wal), T Faletau (Wal)

I still love JD's team. He obviously made a mistake in picking BOD, Farrell and Parling but I'm sure he'll change it to what he meant soon!

maestegmafia wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:I've gone for Chris Robshaw. Atleast Chris Robshaw is first choice starter for his club, and his country.

Unlike Tipuric, who may be first choice starter for his club, but he is not first choice starter for his country. now is he?

All the pundits on BBC went for Sam or tips..

Jeremy Guscott's team: L Halfpenny (Wal), R Kearney (Ire), B O'Driscoll (Ire), J Roberts (Wal), G North (Wal); J Sexton (Ire), M Phillips (Wal); C Healy (Ire), R Hibbard (Wal), A Jones (Wal), J Launchbury (Eng), AW Jones (Wal), C Robshaw (Eng), J Tipuric (Wal), T Faletau (Wal).
Keith Wood's team: L Halfpenny (Wal), S Hogg (Sco), B O Driscoll (Ire) J Roberts (Wal), G North (Wal); J Sexton (Ire), B Youngs (Eng); G Jenkins (Wal), K Owens (Wal), A Jones (Wal), J Launchbury (Eng), AW Jones (Wal), S Warburton (Wal), J Tipuric (Wal), S O'Brien (Ire).
Andy Nicol's team: S Hogg (Sco), A Cuthbert (Wal), B O'Driscoll (Ire), M Tuilagi (Eng), G North (Wal); J Sexton (Ire), B Youngs (Eng); G Jenkins (Wal), R Best (Ire), A Jones (Wal), J Launchbury (Eng), AW Jones (Wal), T Wood (Eng), S Warburton (Wal), T Faletau (Wal).
Jonathan Davies's team: L Halfpenny (Wal), A Cuthbert (Wal), J Davies (Wal), B O'Driscoll (Ire), G North (Wal); O Farrell (Eng), M Phillips (Wal); G Jenkins (Wal), R Hibbard (Wal), A Jones (Wal), AW Jones (Wal), G Parling (Eng), S Warburton (Wal), J Tipuric (Wal), T Faletau (Wal)

and...

Selection is down to a person opinion, nothing more nothing less.

No 7&1/2 wrote:I still love JD's team. He obviously made a mistake in picking BOD, Farrell and Parling but I'm sure he'll change it to what he meant soon!

Once rent form his team is hard to argue with bar Farrell, a goal kicker and little else. Sexton still my favourite.

Regarding opensides it will be between Warburton, Tipuric and Robshaw. Robshaw is highly respected throughout and a good player. In a lions environment he could become a great player.

Tips and Warbs have that bit extra, that Robshaw is missing.

majesticimperialman wrote:I've gone for Chris Robshaw. Atleast Chris Robshaw is first choice starter for his club, and his country.

Unlike Tipuric, who may be first choice starter for his club, but he is not first choice starter for his country. now is he?

He is first choice for Wales, Warburton played 6 against England!

glamorganalun wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:I've gone for Chris Robshaw. Atleast Chris Robshaw is first choice starter for his club, and his country.

Unlike Tipuric, who may be first choice starter for his club, but he is not first choice starter for his country. now is he?

He is first choice for Wales, Warburton played 6 against England!

He isn't really. He only played there because Lydiate and Ryan Jones were injured. I don't think for one minute anyone would replace Faleteu or Tipuric for him either.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

glamorganalun wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:I've gone for Chris Robshaw. Atleast Chris Robshaw is first choice starter for his club, and his country.

Unlike Tipuric, who may be first choice starter for his club, but he is not first choice starter for his country. now is he?

He is first choice for Wales, Warburton played 6 against England!

He isn't really. He only played there because Lydiate and Ryan Jones were injured. I don't think for one minute anyone would replace Faleteu or Tipuric for him either.

All that a side Tipuric is a hell of a popular choice in the poll above. With the performances he has given recently you can clearly see why.

Tipuric is 1st choice for me. He was the only Ospreys player who looked interested on Friday. He did struggle a bit with Barclay though. Scarlets will be a good place for him.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Tipuric is 1st choice for me. He was the only Ospreys player who looked interested on Friday. He did struggle a bit with Barclay though. Scarlets will be a good place for him.

Barclay is a great signing for Scarlets, a well respected talent. Hopefully it will give Glasgow good opportunity to promote one of their young stars to the first team squad.

Glasgow have been an impressive production line for top quality flankers for quite some time now.

I've gone for Robshaw. Had SoB at 6 and Toby at 8. I like the idea of a big, nasty, ball carrying back row. For me then you don't need Phillips' physicality at 9 and can get better distribution to the backs from Ben Youngs.

Tips on the bench as he could make an enormous contribution coming on when the game has opened up a little after 60 mins

Bonesaw's ready wrote:I've gone for Robshaw. Had SoB at 6 and Toby at 8. I like the idea of a big, nasty, ball carrying back row. For me then you don't need Phillips' physicality at 9 and can get better distribution to the backs from Ben Youngs.

Tips on the bench as he could make an enormous contribution coming on when the game has opened up a little after 60 mins

I've been reading a number of articles and threads where the view is that Robshaw might not even make the tour, due to tough calls to be made on both flanks and Robsgaw doesn't lead the pack on either.

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/features/columnists/nick-cain/8417/nick-cain-picks-his-2013-lions-tour-party-with-some-surprising-ins-and-outs/