Left Winger 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.

THERE ARE TWO THREADS ON WINGERS ONE IS FOR LEFT WINGER AND THE OTHER IS FOR THE RIGHT WINGER.



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

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

Inside Centre - https://www.606v2.com/t42557-inside-centre-choices-for-the-lions-tour-to-australia#1959728

Outside Centre - https://www.606v2.com/t42556-outside-centre-choices-for-the-lions-tour-to-australia

Left Wing - https://www.606v2.com/t42575-left-wing-choices-for-the-lions-tour-to-australia#1960513

Shouldn't North and Cuthbert be switched around in the polls? North plays left wing for Wales and Cuthbert plays right.

Knowsit17 wrote:Shouldn't North and Cuthbert be switched around in the polls? North plays left wing for Wales and Cuthbert plays right.

It thought they were the other way round?

I have a feeling that both Winger polls will likely have to be totted up together as we are more than likely to get crossovers

Either way it's a tough call between North/Cuthbert, 1/2p and Bowe (if fit and firing)

Zebo and Bowe are both injured so North is the main contender here. The way the wingers polls are set up it is difficult not to vote for North and Cuthbert as your pairing.

Zebo has always played as a left winger btw.

I voted for Ashton. But i do think it will probably go to either North, Cuthbert.
I do not like picking player/s that are or have been injured. but if he is fully fit enough then Zebo might be the one to get the call.

I certainly do not think that they will play Halfpenny on the wing. on either wing for that matter.

majesticimperialman wrote:I voted for Ashton. But i do think it will probably go to either North, Cuthbert.
I do not like picking player/s that are or have been injured. but if he is fully fit enough then Zebo might be the one to get the call.

I certainly do not think that they will play Halfpenny on the wing. on either wing for that matter.

Do you think Ashton is a good winger? He was slated rather heavily by the press and by English fans on here over the last few months.

Yeah North, Visser are both left wingers

I dont think he is the best winger in the UK. But he does know how to score tries against Australia.... However you are only as good as your last game. And Ashton's last game for England was not great by any means.

But if he is not getting the ball at any time he does struggle, as would any other winger for that matter.

But like i said i do think that the wing spot will go too some one like Cuthbert, or maybe from an Irish point of view, maybe Trimble might get a shot at winger spot.

Nigel Farage is kinda right wing.

gregortree wrote:Nigel Farage is kinda right wing.

He's still ahead of Ashton in the pecking order atm

majesticimperialman wrote:I voted for Ashton. But i do think it will probably go to either North, Cuthbert.
I do not like picking player/s that are or have been injured. but if he is fully fit enough then Zebo might be the one to get the call.

I certainly do not think that they will play Halfpenny on the wing. on either wing for that matter.

Other than national bias showing through again, I am genuinely intrigued why you voted for Ashton. You absolutely pasted Sam Warburton when he was off form, then you pick Ashton as a winger

majesticimperialman wrote:I dont think he is the best winger in the UK. But he does know how to score tries against Australia.... However you are only as good as your last game. And Ashton's last game for England was not great by any means.

But if he is not getting the ball at any time he does struggle, as would any other winger for that matter.

But like i said i do think that the wing spot will go too some one like Cuthbert, or maybe from an Irish point of view, maybe Trimble might get a shot at winger spot.

North has scored v Australia. Shane Williams has too. Lets bring him back.

majesticimperialman wrote:I dont think he is the best winger in the UK. But he does know how to score tries against Australia.... However you are only as good as your last game. And Ashton's last game for England was not great by any means.

But if he is not getting the ball at any time he does struggle, as would any other winger for that matter.

But like i said i do think that the wing spot will go too some one like Cuthbert, or maybe from an Irish point of view, maybe Trimble might get a shot at winger spot.

Ashton's tries against Australia were three years ago. Cuthbert, Halfpenny and North have all scored tries against Australia more recently than Ashton.

Even Shane Williams has scored the same number of tries since Ashton last scored against Australia.

Risca Rev wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:I dont think he is the best winger in the UK. But he does know how to score tries against Australia.... However you are only as good as your last game. And Ashton's last game for England was not great by any means.

But if he is not getting the ball at any time he does struggle, as would any other winger for that matter.

But like i said i do think that the wing spot will go too some one like Cuthbert, or maybe from an Irish point of view, maybe Trimble might get a shot at winger spot.

North has scored v Australia. Shane Williams has too. Lets bring him back.

RiscaRev By all means put George North on the wing. But do not bring Shane Williams back. He has done his international rugby days. So now let him retire gracefuylly. ok.

majesticimperialman wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:I dont think he is the best winger in the UK. But he does know how to score tries against Australia.... However you are only as good as your last game. And Ashton's last game for England was not great by any means.

But if he is not getting the ball at any time he does struggle, as would any other winger for that matter.

But like i said i do think that the wing spot will go too some one like Cuthbert, or maybe from an Irish point of view, maybe Trimble might get a shot at winger spot.

North has scored v Australia. Shane Williams has too. Lets bring him back.

RiscaRev By all means put George North on the wing. But do not bring Shane Williams back. He has done his international rugby days. So now let him retire gracefuylly. ok.

But why vote for an out of form Chris Ashton who hasn't scored a try against Australia for years...?

I am interested because you are the only person to have voted for him.

maestegmafia wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:I dont think he is the best winger in the UK. But he does know how to score tries against Australia.... However you are only as good as your last game. And Ashton's last game for England was not great by any means.

But if he is not getting the ball at any time he does struggle, as would any other winger for that matter.

But like i said i do think that the wing spot will go too some one like Cuthbert, or maybe from an Irish point of view, maybe Trimble might get a shot at winger spot.

North has scored v Australia. Shane Williams has too. Lets bring him back.

RiscaRev By all means put George North on the wing. But do not bring Shane Williams back. He has done his international rugby days. So now let him retire gracefuylly. ok.

But why vote for an out of form Chris Ashton who hasn't scored a try against Australia for years...?

I am interested because you are the only person to have voted for him.

I just think that he as too come good at some point this year. And this could just be the game/tour to bring his form back.
But like i said i dont think he will get the wing spot. Probably wont even tour with the Lions.

majesticimperialman wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:I dont think he is the best winger in the UK. But he does know how to score tries against Australia.... However you are only as good as your last game. And Ashton's last game for England was not great by any means.

But if he is not getting the ball at any time he does struggle, as would any other winger for that matter.

But like i said i do think that the wing spot will go too some one like Cuthbert, or maybe from an Irish point of view, maybe Trimble might get a shot at winger spot.

North has scored v Australia. Shane Williams has too. Lets bring him back.

RiscaRev By all means put George North on the wing. But do not bring Shane Williams back. He has done his international rugby days. So now let him retire gracefuylly. ok.

But why vote for an out of form Chris Ashton who hasn't scored a try against Australia for years...?

I am interested because you are the only person to have voted for him.

I just think that he as too come good at some point this year. And this could just be the game/tour to bring his form back.
But like i said i dont think he will get the wing spot. Probably wont even tour with the Lions.

Glad to see you have faith in him.

Cheers Madge, didnt mean to badger you mate. I just wanted to see you voice your opinions.

majesticimperialman wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:I dont think he is the best winger in the UK. But he does know how to score tries against Australia.... However you are only as good as your last game. And Ashton's last game for England was not great by any means.

But if he is not getting the ball at any time he does struggle, as would any other winger for that matter.

But like i said i do think that the wing spot will go too some one like Cuthbert, or maybe from an Irish point of view, maybe Trimble might get a shot at winger spot.

North has scored v Australia. Shane Williams has too. Lets bring him back.

RiscaRev By all means put George North on the wing. But do not bring Shane Williams back. He has done his international rugby days. So now let him retire gracefuylly. ok.

But why vote for an out of form Chris Ashton who hasn't scored a try against Australia for years...?

I am interested because you are the only person to have voted for him.

I just think that he as too come good at some point this year. And this could just be the game/tour to bring his form back.
But like i said i dont think he will get the wing spot. Probably wont even tour with the Lions.

So you'd be willing to let Ashton play himself into form, but you were so up in arms over Sam Warburton and wouldn't have wanted him to find his form? Do you find that a bit contradictory?

Cuthbert plays right wing doesn't he?

And he plays left wing too.

For Wales, Cuthbert plays right and North left. Surely make more sense to put them on the wings they play Internationally?

Christian Wade is a right wing not left.

I think poster is a little confused with his right and left!

Fitzy is a left wing too

Risca Rev wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:I dont think he is the best winger in the UK. But he does know how to score tries against Australia.... However you are only as good as your last game. And Ashton's last game for England was not great by any means.

But if he is not getting the ball at any time he does struggle, as would any other winger for that matter.

But like i said i do think that the wing spot will go too some one like Cuthbert, or maybe from an Irish point of view, maybe Trimble might get a shot at winger spot.

North has scored v Australia. Shane Williams has too. Lets bring him back.

RiscaRev By all means put George North on the wing. But do not bring Shane Williams back. He has done his international rugby days. So now let him retire gracefuylly. ok.

But why vote for an out of form Chris Ashton who hasn't scored a try against Australia for years...?

I am interested because you are the only person to have voted for him.

I just think that he as too come good at some point this year. And this could just be the game/tour to bring his form back.
But like i said i dont think he will get the wing spot. Probably wont even tour with the Lions.

So you'd be willing to let Ashton play himself into form, but you were so up in arms over Sam Warburton and wouldn't have wanted him to find his form? Do you find that a bit contradictory?

Yes i do actualy. But ASHTON was not being touted as a given for the Lions captain was he? But in honesty i dont think their is enough time for Ashton to play himself in to form.

But like i said earlier you are only as good as your last game. Ashton's last game for England was not good, no doubt about that. Sam Warburton on the other hand, had the best game of his life.

Seeing as Bigman is a new member We should do all we can to welcome the new kid, I will swap left for right for him to feel at ease.

Personally considering all players questioned play both, I don't really think it matters at all.

Thank mafia, I'd still like North on both wings.

I do like a good poll

Here are clips of Norths two tries this weekend

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi64MN-hlmA

Does it really matter leftor right wing? If our two best wingers both played one side normally surely on could swap?

Yep

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...!