Lunatic Lions selections

What selections / not selected would you class as insane? Here's some of mine.

Ashton selected
Priestland selected
Zebo selected
Biggar not selected
Wilkinson not selected
POC not selected
Bowe not selected
Cuthbert not selected
Lydiate not selected

I personally believe that the Gatland mind games machine is working overtime and most will be pleasantly surprised at his selections. I would like to see form wonderkids like Wade have a shot too.

Some players can be injured and still walk into a world class team such as Bowe, Lydiate, Cuthbert & POC. Players like Priestland who were shocking before injury and even PUBLICLY ADMITTED confidence issues should be nowhere near consideration.

Cuthbert is the form player in the NH and should be the first name on the starting XV. He's a monster of a man, grown in the same lab as George North, but even bigger and better. He's a great finisher and scores big tries in big games. In the space of 12 months he's played a key role in two successful six nations.

I feel sorry for Zebo as he hasn't had time to prove himself and there are also other better wings available. If the rumours about Gatland taking 17 backs then they should be:

Full backs:

Halfpenny
Hogg
Byrne

Wings:

North
Cuthbert
Maitland
Bowe

Centres:

BOD
Roberts
Tuilagi
Davies

Fly Halves:

Biggar
Wilkinson

Scrum Halves:

Phillips
Youngs
Laidlaw

Utility / Wildcard: Hook / Wade

I think it's completely pointless speculating about the test backline. You could have one that's entirely Welsh or entirely not Welsh and both would look good. It will be very hard to shift Halfpenny, North and Cuthbert however.

Combinations and how various players shine in training will have a massive impact on selection. Who gets picked at 10 may determine who should be 9 etc.

I'll think about it more in a bit, but for me Biggar not going is hardly lunatic. He's barely established himself in the Wales team and didn't set the world on fire. Solid, yes. But there are better in the B&I nations. I would take sexton and Farrell. Do we need 3? If so then I'd go for a utility back or a scrum half/ outside half expert like Laidlaw as back up.

Nothing against Biggar, I just think it's a bit early for him. I'd like to see him tour with Wales in the summer and really establish himself.

Sorry, forgot Wilko too! I'd perhaps let him join up later as the 3rd if he's required by Toulon until then.

Visser selected
Brown not selected

Howley selected
Farrel selected
Edwards not selected.

Griff wrote:I'll think about it more in a bit, but for me Biggar not going is hardly lunatic. He's barely established himself in the Wales team and didn't set the world on fire. Solid, yes. But there are better in the B&I nations. I would take sexton and Farrell. Do we need 3? If so then I'd go for a utility back or a scrum half/ outside half expert like Laidlaw as back up.

Nothing against Biggar, I just think it's a bit early for him. I'd like to see him tour with Wales in the summer and really establish himself.

Farrell hasn't done anything more than Biggar. Farrell was part of the great England side that bottled it vs Wales in 2012 and 2013. If England had won those games they would have had two grand slams. Farrell missed and easy penalty vs Wales in 2012 that changed the match and missed loads in 2013. He bottled it.

Farrell is mature beyond his years SOMETIMES, Biggar is way ahead. Biggar has been the main man for the Ospreys for a long time and even James Hook had to move to France because of him. Biggar was instrumental in two Ospreys play off final wins.

Biggar could have crumbled after his charged down kick vs Ireland but he showed great metal and maturity. His all round game was superb. You don't need to "set the world alight" when you have a monster backline outside you. Biggar was excellent, his deft kick vs France was perfect and his all round game vs England was world class.

Biggar is intelligent, consistent, calm and accurate. His distribution is excellent, his touch kicking is accurate, reliable and powerful, he can score a drop goal from anywhere and his goal kicking is as good as halfpenny's. He's also committed and ferocious in defence.

Please tell me what has Farrell done and why is he better than Biggar?

I just feel he's a more solid player internationally than Biggar at the moment. Just personal opinion. Don't start these threads asking for people's opinion if you don't want to hear them.

Agree re Dan Biggar - he was one of the few Ospreys to turn up v Glasgow last week and always interested The Warriors defence. Good s/o who can kick consistently

Griff wrote:I just feel he's a more solid player internationally than Biggar at the moment. Just personal opinion. Don't start these threads asking for people's opinion if you don't want to hear them.

What are you talking about? I didn't say I didn't want to hear your opinion. I just asked why you think Farrell is better. We're all allowed to agree / disagree.

You've said you think Farrell is more "solid" than biggar. What does that mean? More consistent? Definitely not. A tougher player? Certainly not mentally.

You haven't said how Farrell is more solid.

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Agree re Dan Biggar - he was one of the few Ospreys to turn up v Glasgow last week and always interested The Warriors defence. Good s/o who can kick consistently

That's the first time I've seen the Ospreys exposed by their lack of depth. We have no star players in the backs anymore and Walker and Dirksen are injured. We have unknowns on the wings, a scrum half at 13 and Beck has recently returned from injury.

Glasgow were very good though taking no credit away.

Dan Biggar seems a decent chap too - he went straight over to Duncan Weir after his horrible injury (leg break) and afterwards very warmly congratulated Toonie - all over The Warriors forum.

Hope he goes to Aus as he should go as back up to Sexton.

Lunatic inclusions

POC
BOD
Wilko
Lydiate
Easter

Lunatic exclusions

K Brown
S Maitland
Wade
Hogg
Davies
Tiperic
AWJ

Now for all you old heads on here, who have followed lions your whole lives, this is just my opinion. The opinion of someone who is not attached to any previous lions legends etc.

There are some terrific centres available just now, if one them were to miss a seat on the plane because BOD "has" to go, on reputation alone, then I think that is just madness. Same with POC really. POC has looked good since his return, but not that good. Hines played better yesterday, yet because he's not POC, lions captain/legend, he gets ignored by the press.

Wilko going ahead of likes of biggar or madigan is also madness in my view.

I think many people will be in for a shock come Tuesday. I think Gatland will select maybe two old heads and the rest will be on form, young players, exactly the sort of players needed to beat wallabies.

I thought lions was about providing the best team of players available. By looks of many people's teams, it's about showcasing legends of the NH and ignoring young players who will cause mayhem for the wallabies.

The below article has to be the worst article I've read so far concerning the lions. Some very bold assumptions, bordering on idiocy.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2315896/Chris-Robshaw-faces-battle-Lions-tour-place.html

It is the Daily Mail so what did you expect ?

Agree re POC and Hines - POC was rather poor yesterday in comparison.

Probably better to wait until the squad is announced before ripping into it.

If Kelly Brown is not selected it would be madness. Exactly the type of guy neededin the Lions, great player who never takes a backward step, could well be captain.

Unfortunatly I think he will not get to go as Gatland will play inferior / injured / out of form welshmen instead because he knows them. I see this as being a big mistake.

Brown should be one of the first names on the team sheet.

If Philips is the test SH it will be a stupid decision. The man is too slow sand we need good quick ball to the backs to win the series.

bsando wrote:Lunatic inclusions

POC
BOD
Wilko
Lydiate
Easter

Lunatic exclusions

K Brown
S Maitland
Wade
Hogg
Davies
Tiperic
AWJ

Now for all you old heads on here, who have followed lions your whole lives, this is just my opinion. The opinion of someone who is not attached to any previous lions legends etc.

There are some terrific centres available just now, if one them were to miss a seat on the plane because BOD "has" to go, on reputation alone, then I think that is just madness. Same with POC really. POC has looked good since his return, but not that good. Hines played better yesterday, yet because he's not POC, lions captain/legend, he gets ignored by the press.

Wilko going ahead of likes of biggar or madigan is also madness in my view.

I think many people will be in for a shock come Tuesday. I think Gatland will select maybe two old heads and the rest will be on form, young players, exactly the sort of players needed to beat wallabies.

I thought lions was about providing the best team of players available. By looks of many people's teams, it's about showcasing legends of the NH and ignoring young players who will cause mayhem for the wallabies.

The below article has to be the worst article I've read so far concerning the lions. Some very bold assumptions, bordering on idiocy.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2315896/Chris-Robshaw-faces-battle-Lions-tour-place.html

Seems to be a lot of Welsh bias in that article. I do hopoe that Gatland does take only the best players on the Lions tour...But the best players does not mean the player/s that played the best games in the last game of the 6ns.

Players like. POC, BOWE, Although good players them selves should not be included in the Lions selection based on fact that they have both come back from injury, and although may have had a decent couple of games. Does not make them contenders for the Lions.

Every one keeps going on about Sam Warburton for the Lions captaincy. Have those people forgot about the 8/9 games loses under Sam Warburtons captaincy?

Warren Gatland does not want too lose the Lions tour to Australia. ( It would hurt his credentials for the All Blacks head coaching job)

Yeah exactly majestic! I think several players have put their hands up during weeks after 6N's. warburton shouldn't tour. It's an insult to players who are on form at the moment like tiperic and Barclay. I'm sure there are others too. There is so much competition in the backrow at the moment that some fans are bound to be upset. I just hope that Gatland picks the players who are on form right now.

majesticimperialman wrote:

Seems to be a lot of Welsh bias in that article. I do hopoe that Gatland does take only the best players on the Lions tour...But the best players does not mean the player/s that played the best games in the last game of the 6ns.
Players like. POC, BOWE, Although good players them selves should not be included in the Lions selection based on fact that they have both come back from injury, and although may have had a decent couple of games. Does not make them contenders for the Lions.

Every one keeps going on about Sam Warburton for the Lions captaincy. Have those people forgot about the 8/9 games loses under Sam Warburtons captaincy?

Warren Gatland does not want too lose the Lions tour to Australia. ( It would hurt his credentials for the All Blacks head coaching job)

Well if you can't use the Six Nations and you can't use recent form in League or in Europe, how exactly do you come by the definition of 'best players'? You could also say that using a game against the All Blacks at the tail end of last year is also not much to be basing the idea of this year's 'best players' on. Who writes the rules on what games should be used to define 'best'?

I think bowe should tour though, despite his late return. He's looked good and he's been running some lovely lines. Him and Maitland both look very sharp at the moment. It's gonna be tough, I really do think gatland will pick form over reputation though.

Bowe and POC should tour, both have had some good games since they have come back and that makes them eligible - they are both quality players and on form (which they are) the best in their position in the NH

I would start POC and AWJ in the second row and probably give POC the captaincy.


Idiotic to take
Preistland
Wilkinson
ROG

Idiotic not to take
Youngs
Cuthbert
Hibbard
Grant
Jenkins
Shaun Edwards

POC looked in great form and IMO has shown enough to get on the plane. Bowe I am not so sure

SecretFly wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:

Seems to be a lot of Welsh bias in that article. I do hopoe that Gatland does take only the best players on the Lions tour...But the best players does not mean the player/s that played the best games in the last game of the 6ns.
Players like. POC, BOWE, Although good players them selves should not be included in the Lions selection based on fact that they have both come back from injury, and although may have had a decent couple of games. Does not make them contenders for the Lions.

Every one keeps going on about Sam Warburton for the Lions captaincy. Have those people forgot about the 8/9 games loses under Sam Warburtons captaincy?

Warren Gatland does not want too lose the Lions tour to Australia. ( It would hurt his credentials for the All Blacks head coaching job)

Well if you can't use the Six Nations and you can't use recent form in League or in Europe, how exactly do you come by the definition of 'best players'? You could also say that using a game against the All Blacks at the tail end of last year is also not much to be basing the idea of this year's 'best players' on. Who writes the rules on what games should be used to define 'best'?

Consistently playing well, then recently playing well, then was playing well, then never playing well

Yeah, but it's the erratic players, that are all over the place in the space of a year (between Regional efforts and International) who have won two 6Ns in a row and did best out of the four local Unions in WC.

So winning well might be a bigger spinner than actually consistently playing well and winning nothing. It's Catch 22.

bsando wrote:Yeah exactly majestic! I think several players have put their hands up during weeks after 6N's. warburton shouldn't tour. It's an insult to players who are on form at the moment like tiperic and Barclay. I'm sure there are others too. There is so much competition in the backrow at the moment that some fans are bound to be upset. I just hope that Gatland picks the players who are on form right now.

It's a bit of a stretch to say O'Driscoll and O'Connell aren't on form.

Why do some people have Wade ahead of quality back 3 players including Zebo, Visser and Kearney, but then say James Hook is a better utility option than Ian Madigan?

Just my personal opinion but I think if you want to include a bolter, it has to be Madigan.

Notch wrote:

bsando wrote:Yeah exactly majestic! I think several players have put their hands up during weeks after 6N's. warburton shouldn't tour. It's an insult to players who are on form at the moment like tiperic and Barclay. I'm sure there are others too. There is so much competition in the backrow at the moment that some fans are bound to be upset. I just hope that Gatland picks the players who are on form right now.

It's a bit of a stretch to say O'Driscoll and O'Connell aren't on form.

It's become fashionable to say BOD isn't on form. Apart from the Wales game, I admit he didn't set the world alight but I didnt't see Tuilagi, Roberts etc. Do any better.

BOD has been playing very well for Leinster since his return, it was always going to be difficult displaying that form in the injury/Kidney plagued Irish team.

BOD looked well good in this weeks game

Gatland will be judged by results and performances.I am not bothered whomever he picks as long as they gel into an effective whole.
He has earned my faith by his record to date.Grinding assorted axes does not achieve a great deal apart from venting of spleens.
The Lions is about unity not petty tribalism.Please can everyone try and get on message!

Taffineastbourne wrote:Gatland will be judged by results and performances.I am not bothered whomever he picks as long as they gel into an effective whole.
He has earned my faith by his record to date.Grinding assorted axes does not achieve a great deal apart from venting of spleens.
The Lions is about unity not petty tribalism.Please can everyone try and get on message!

Hear hear!

Whoever Gatland selects, I will support them and assume as the most successful coach in the NH, Gatland knows slightly more than the posters on this forum.

Wait until the tour is lost 3-0 or won 3-0 before we start questioning the coaches.

Owen Farrell at s/o

How can Tommy Bowe travel when he's not even the best winger in Ulster!

The Great Aukster wrote:How can Tommy Bowe travel when he's not even the best winger in Ulster!

It just goes to show the strength on the flanks for Ulster

theslosty wrote:

Notch wrote:

bsando wrote:Yeah exactly majestic! I think several players have put their hands up during weeks after 6N's. warburton shouldn't tour. It's an insult to players who are on form at the moment like tiperic and Barclay. I'm sure there are others too. There is so much competition in the backrow at the moment that some fans are bound to be upset. I just hope that Gatland picks the players who are on form right now.

It's a bit of a stretch to say O'Driscoll and O'Connell aren't on form.

It's become fashionable to say BOD isn't on form. Apart from the Wales game, I admit he didn't set the world alight but I didnt't see Tuilagi, Roberts etc. Do any better.

BOD has been playing very well for Leinster since his return, it was always going to be difficult displaying that form in the injury/Kidney plagued Irish team.

Didn't say they're not mate, just meant that Gatland should ignore the press and focus on who is paying their best rugby. I'm expecting him to announce a very young team to tour.