Scotland and the Lions

DrTreasure wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:If Scotland have more than four players in the squad I will be very surprised.Would any Scot get into the Welsh side?If you answer that question honestly and then factor in worthy English and Irish players anyone listing 11 possible Scottish tourists is on some seriously strong stuff!!!

I don't think there is a lot between the 4 home nations currently with regards individual players which was evidenced by what was a close six nations where anybody could beat anybody. It ultimately came down to tactics and psychological factors. I put my hands up and admit that Wales were excellent against England but to imply that every Welsh player is superior to their Scottish counterpart is wrong, in my opinion. The Lions should be decided based on the last 12 months of rugby, international, european and domestic.

Scotland should probably hope for 4 or 5 tourists, no more as our sides werent competitive enough in the HC and our tactics and selection limited our players ability to put their hands up for selection in the six nations.

This is not to change the course of the thread or start a debate and is merely my opinion after watching excessive amounts of rugby in the past 12 months but in response to the suggestions no Scots would get in the Welsh side; If i had to pick a side of only Welsh and Scottish players to play Australia then it would be;

1) Jones - Easy, he is world classbut Grant is excellent too
2) Macarthur - Should have been first choice for Scotland and offers a lot of vital work in the loose, prefer him to Hibbard
3) Jenkins - Don't feel Murray is the force he was and want to see Welsh get more game time
4) Gray - May be a little off form but he is still excellent and wouldnt leave him out
5) Evans - In good form and would make a good partnership with Gray
6) Brown - Quality 6 who does it all on the pitch at the highest level and balances the backrow well.
7) Tipuric - Edges it over Warburton on form though Rennie and Barclay can match them when at their best.
8) Faletau - Beattie offers more when at his best but don't feel he is there yet and Faletau in better form.
9) Phillips - Feel he offers more in big matches than Laidlaw despite his issues with service
10) Biggar - Position very much in development for Scotland
11) North - Offers a bit more than Visser
12) Dunbar - I feel both Scott and Dunbar offer more on balance than Roberts and am a big fan of Dunbar who has been excellent for Glasgow and should have been involved with Scotland a long time ago.
13) Davies - another area of development for Scotland with little to challenge here
14) Maitland - better all round player than Cuthbert, very intelligent defender and would offer more against the Aussies
15) Hogg - Not much between him and halfpenny as has been argued to death but as a full back myself who has a "kick nothing, run everything" approach I will pick him everytime as he is a delight to watch and more than competent in defence.

So 9 Welsh 6 Scots for me. Think some of the Scottish players would thrive under the better management, gameplan and team selection of other nations. The Lions could easily pick equal numbers from all nations and not lose anything. The performance of the Irish and English sides in Europe compared to the Scots and Welsh shows that selection shouldnt be based on one game in the six nations and many more factors will need to be considered.

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"? Voltaire
(Disclaimer - my opinion may be that what you say is arrogant and ignorant and I will be much more appreciative of respectful, constructive comments)

DrTreasure wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:If Scotland have more than four players in the squad I will be very surprised.Would any Scot get into the Welsh side?If you answer that question honestly and then factor in worthy English and Irish players anyone listing 11 possible Scottish tourists is on some seriously strong stuff!!!

I don't think there is a lot between the 4 home nations currently with regards individual players which was evidenced by what was a close six nations where anybody could beat anybody. It ultimately came down to tactics and psychological factors. I put my hands up and admit that Wales were excellent against England but to imply that every Welsh player is superior to their Scottish counterpart is wrong, in my opinion. The Lions should be decided based on the last 12 months of rugby, international, european and domestic.

Scotland should probably hope for 4 or 5 tourists, no more as our sides werent competitive enough in the HC and our tactics and selection limited our players ability to put their hands up for selection in the six nations.

This is not to change the course of the thread or start a debate and is merely my opinion after watching excessive amounts of rugby in the past 12 months but in response to the suggestions no Scots would get in the Welsh side; If i had to pick a side of only Welsh and Scottish players to play Australia then it would be;

1) Jones - Easy, he is world classbut Grant is excellent too
2) Macarthur - Should have been first choice for Scotland and offers a lot of vital work in the loose, prefer him to Hibbard
3) Jenkins - Don't feel Murray is the force he was and want to see Welsh get more game time
4) Gray - May be a little off form but he is still excellent and wouldnt leave him out
5) Evans - In good form and would make a good partnership with Gray
6) Brown - Quality 6 who does it all on the pitch at the highest level and balances the backrow well.
7) Tipuric - Edges it over Warburton on form though Rennie and Barclay can match them when at their best.
8) Faletau - Beattie offers more when at his best but don't feel he is there yet and Faletau in better form.
9) Phillips - Feel he offers more in big matches than Laidlaw despite his issues with service
10) Biggar - Position very much in development for Scotland
11) North - Offers a bit more than Visser
12) Dunbar - I feel both Scott and Dunbar offer more on balance than Roberts and am a big fan of Dunbar who has been excellent for Glasgow and should have been involved with Scotland a long time ago.
13) Davies - another area of development for Scotland with little to challenge here
14) Maitland - better all round player than Cuthbert, very intelligent defender and would offer more against the Aussies
15) Hogg - Not much between him and halfpenny as has been argued to death but as a full back myself who has a "kick nothing, run everything" approach I will pick him everytime as he is a delight to watch and more than competent in defence.

So 9 Welsh 6 Scots for me. Think some of the Scottish players would thrive under the better management, gameplan and team selection of other nations. The Lions could easily pick equal numbers from all nations and not lose anything. The performance of the Irish and English sides in Europe compared to the Scots and Welsh shows that selection shouldnt be based on one game in the six nations and many more factors will need to be considered.

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"? Voltaire
(Disclaimer - my opinion may be that what you say is arrogant and ignorant and I will be much more appreciative of respectful, constructive comments)