Flyhalf choices for the Lions tour to Australia

First topic message reminder :

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.

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

Openside Flanker - https://www.606v2.com/t42515-ospenside-flanker-choices-for-the-lions-tour-to-australia#1956975

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

Looseheaded wrote:I can't think of anything worse than having Farrel at 10.

Uncreative, dull, easy to read.

His distribution isn't even outstanding, seen many of his passes be far too high/behind the man causing a stilted attacking game. He can play a nice flat pass I agree but his passing game is so far from fluid.

Not needed for his kicking with 1/2p on the field, Sexton the Biggar for me.

Sexton is the best, by some margin. Then, on 6N form, Biggar, then Farrell.

But let's face it none of these players is going to strike fear into Ozzie hearts. Biggar and Farrell have time on their side, so will be classier players next time round. Sexton is 27 and won't improve from here.

If Wilkinson has a stormer in the HC, he should go.

The like of Wilkinson, Sheridan, Armitage and probably also Hines and Lee Byrne won't be going because of the Top 14 final clashing with the Lions vs Barbarians in Honk Kong.
It's a real shame because for me Nathan Hines is possibly the best lock in the world, even at 35. And Sheridan has a history of destroying the Aussies in the scrum, and he'd be perfect back up for Healy and Jenkins.
As for Steffon Armitage, he'd be behind Tupuric, Warburton, O'Brien and even Robshaw in the openside stakes, plus he ate all the pies!!!

Hines spurned a chance to play in the top 14 final with Perpignan in 2009 so he could tour with the Lions. If he was called up again, I'm sure he'd do the same.

The story goes that when he was on tour he told BOD that Perpignan were peed off with him for leaving before the final (which they won) and that they wouldn't want to give him another contract, so BOD went to Cheika and said Hines was looking for a club, and he ended up with Leinster for the next 2 years. Fantastic player. Still outstanding.

Sure is, Amazin offloader for such a big lock.

Yep...

Spoiler:

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

So in the light of recent performances who now?

Clearly Sexton remains the man in pole position. Farrell has looked poor in the last few games - and worryingly losing his head a bit which given his usual unflappability is a great asset must surely reduce his chances.

I guess Biggars stock is rising as is Floods and maybe even Hook.

So Sexton and Flood? Bigger or laidlaw as backup?

I'd take Sexton and Biggar as flyhalves.

Although Farrell has made the second spot in this poll I think recent high pressure games have shown that Farrell doesn't have what it takes at the highest levels yet.