How many English to start the first test?

First topic message reminder :

I predict to start:

10 taffs
5 irish

Risca Rev wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:I think the first test will be mainly Wales. Their maybe 1 English ( Tom Toungs)

After the Loss of the first test and Gatland realising that playing too many Welsh in the first test was a BIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGG Mistake.

Way to enter into the spirit of it. Saying that, with your prediction record over the six nations (particularly the Welsh games), I'm confident of winning the series now.

I just hope that people like you watch the games, not just certain players in the hope of being able to criticise them.

RiscaRev. I do watch as many games as i can. And no i do not look at certain players.

If I'm being 100% honest I wouldnt be surprised if there were no Englishmen in the first test, but I see the majority of the bench as being English...

No front rowers but Cole, Hartley and Vunipola on the bench

Parling maybe a bench option

Croft bench

Youngs bench

Farell bench

Tuilagi bench

I went for 3, maybe 2 starters, one on the bench.

Who knows ?! Much will be found out in the lead-up games and 1st test.

Strong possibilities:

Parling - line out and go forward, amongst others. Also looks different !
Croft - offers something different at 6, if that is needed.
B Youngs - a "conventional" SH/alternative to Phillips.
Tuilagi - If he fires and combines with others, useful option.

Recognising that their competitors in each position may have an equal or stronger chance of selection. I just thought that IF they perform and click, they stand a good chance,

But I would also advocate the likes of o'Connell, Lydiate, Phillips, all the centres etc etc. As already said, we are now LIONS supporters

The great part is the surprises - bring on the games.

Blues - I think you may be right - many English not 1st choice but poss bench, initially.

charliehesketh wrote:Blues - I think you may be right - many English not 1st choice but poss bench, initially.

Ye I just see better impact off the bench from the English lads...

Vunipola, Parling, Croft, Youngs, and Tuilagi can all offer something different off the bench, and are very dynamic and gamebreaking options.

Youngs will start in the front row
Parling or Gray will start with POC
Youngs could start at halfback dependant on what the tactics are
Tualagi could well start outside of Davies

Youngs at 9, Youngs or Hartley at hooker, Palmer at lock, Croft at blindside, Tuilagi at centre; all of these players from the Eng camp have the best chance. So it's likely 3-5 English players starting the first test.

Judging by this weekends games, there might be a few less welsh players hehe

To be fair Gatland will pick whom ever plays well mid week just like Mc did in 09,
So we could have a fair few English and Irish in the first test because most of the English and Irish would have come in from playing a far higher standard of rugby "HC semis,Amlin final and the Jeff semis and final".
I think a good solid blend will be in the test teams and the bench.

viewtothegym wrote:To be fair Gatland will pick whom ever plays well mid week just like Mc did in 09,
So we could have a fair few English and Irish in the first test because most of the English and Irish would have come in from playing a far higher standard of rugby "HC semis,Amlin final and the Jeff semis and final".
I think a good solid blend will be in the test teams and the bench.

view, You should watch a bit of SXV. Now that's the highest standard of rugby on the planet.

HC, Amlin, Jeff... those comps pale in insignificance. They are complete bore-fests by comparison.

Linebreaker wrote:
view, You should watch a bit of SXV. Now that's the highest standard of rugby on the planet.

I saw the Force vs Reds and Chiefs vs Rebels and the standard is not dissimilar to European Rugby at all.

A lion is a lion even if they are english ( or welsh) and this thread is hopeless wummerry. Please don't feed the trolls

maestegmafia wrote:

Linebreaker wrote:
view, You should watch a bit of SXV. Now that's the highest standard of rugby on the planet.

I saw the Force vs Reds and Chiefs vs Rebels and the standard is not dissimilar to European Rugby at all.

Well that depends on how you define 'dissimilar', doesn't it?

To keep it evan there will be at least 4welsh/irish/english and 3 scots

nathan wrote:Judging by this weekends games, there might be a few less welsh players hehe

I doubt it they make up nearly all of the squad

Linebreaker wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Linebreaker wrote:
view, You should watch a bit of SXV. Now that's the highest standard of rugby on the planet.

I saw the Force vs Reds and Chiefs vs Rebels and the standard is not dissimilar to European Rugby at all.

Well that depends on how you define 'dissimilar', doesn't it?

Now that we have dry weather and firmer pitches, European rugby and Super Rugby are similar in style and ability...!

Raising that perennial end of season question why dont we mirror the rugby season with the SH and play in the NH summer.

Just watching the Sevens. That pitch at Scotstoun looks a bit like the one at Coogee. Not too dissimilar... (here comes Wales v Canada)

Yes, the SL and NRL almost run parallel with the GF being held towards mid-spring here; early-mid autumn in the UK. But I thought there was a lot of opposition to it in the UK - after all, the winter rugby season helps you guys get through those difficult months. You'd get better crowds, no? ...with a few of the football crowd joining in during the height of summer.

Linebreaker wrote:Just watching the Sevens. That pitch at Scotstoun looks a bit like the one at Coogee. Not too dissimilar... (here comes Wales v Canada)

Yes, the SL and NRL almost run parallel with the GF being held towards mid-spring here; mid autumn in the UK. But I thought there was a lot of opposition to it in the UK - after all, the winter rugby season helps you guys get through those difficult months.

99% of the problems between club and country rows are because of the stupid fixtures we have. Club, International and European rugby mixed and matched continuously.

If we mirrored your season, Regional/European = S15, International, national = NPC or Curry Cup etc we would have far fewer problems.

Yes, and then we wouldn't be saying things like: "oh, but we are off-season... you guys are already peaking, et" and vice-verse. It would all work well for everyone and culminate in Autumn Internationals in Europe - or mid winter break for your blokes to tour down here.

The timing of the RWC could be such that most, if not all nations would be on par with each other in terms of their regional seasons.

Linebreaker wrote:

viewtothegym wrote:To be fair Gatland will pick whom ever plays well mid week just like Mc did in 09,
So we could have a fair few English and Irish in the first test because most of the English and Irish would have come in from playing a far higher standard of rugby "HC semis,Amlin final and the Jeff semis and final".
I think a good solid blend will be in the test teams and the bench.

view, You should watch a bit of SXV. Now that's the highest standard of rugby on the planet.

HC, Amlin, Jeff... those comps pale in insignificance. They are complete bore-fests by comparison.

I do watch it,in fact i near on jizzed my pants in the Stormers v Cains game on the weekend phase after phase by the Stormers so much respect for the ball then to get turned over,followed by a chip down field but only to gather and go through multiple phases again but score a try.

Then cains break away try a prop passing the ball with such skill putting a man in space.


My comment thou was a slant on how poor the Pro12 is and the other NH teams play in harder comps.

viewtothegym wrote:


My comment thou was a slant on how poor the Pro12 is and the other NH teams play in harder comps.

Wrrmmm- so why do Pro 12 teams outplay aviva teams in the HC? Do you actually watch pro 12 games?

TJ wrote:

viewtothegym wrote:


My comment thou was a slant on how poor the Pro12 is and the other NH teams play in harder comps.

Wrrmmm- so why do Pro 12 teams outplay aviva teams in the HC? Do you actually watch pro 12 games?

Most of them don't, the Irish ones tend to, though. What's your point?

The Ospreys and Scarlets have over a 65% win rate against English teams,
the teams in the pro12 are good but the league is soft and no one takes it to serious until they know how things are panning out in other comps.

Its entirely irrelevant as once on tour national origin is incidental....but i expect only Croft to start at 6 if playing well.
Farrell, B Youngs and Parling to bench. Likewise Manu as impact.

To start for the Lions, or for England?

Only British & Irish players will start the first test

mawhis wrote:To start for the Lions, or for England?

Or for Wales?

viewtothegym wrote:The Ospreys and Scarlets have over a 65% win rate against English teams,
the teams in the pro12 are good but the league is soft and no one takes it to serious until they know how things are panning out in other comps.

Or another way of putting it is that Ospreys have a 43% win ratio against English teams in the HC, and Scarlets 39%, according to ERC.

The side selected for the 1st test will be:

Healy - Hibbard - Jones
AWJ POC
Lydiate SOB Warburton (C)

Phillips
Sexton
BOD
Tuilagi
Cuthbert

North
Halfpenny


Bench:

Jenkins
T. Youngs
Cole
Parling
Tipuric
Faletau
B. Young
O. Farell

Higher_Ground wrote:The side selected for the 1st test will be:

Healy - Hibbard - Jones
AWJ POC
Lydiate SOB Warburton (C)

Phillips
Sexton
BOD
Tuilagi
Cuthbert

North
Halfpenny


Bench:

Jenkins
T. Youngs
Cole
Parling
Tipuric
Faletau
B. Young
O. Farell

Not a bad side, though I'm surprised by the 6:2 split on the bench - if a wing goes off injured you'll wind up with Farrell or Sexton at fullback

I think Hogg might make a bench appearance there rather than 2 backrowers, as kiwi says, the thought of Farrell at Fb up against Ioane fills me with dread!

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:

Higher_Ground wrote:The side selected for the 1st test will be:

Healy - Hibbard - Jones
AWJ POC
Lydiate SOB Warburton (C)

Phillips
Sexton
BOD
Tuilagi
Cuthbert

North
Halfpenny


Bench:

Jenkins
T. Youngs
Cole
Parling
Tipuric
Faletau
B. Young
O. Farell

Not a bad side, though I'm surprised by the 6:2 split on the bench - if a wing goes off injured you'll wind up with Farrell or Sexton at fullback

I would be amazed if Roberts missed out to either of those centres, and he doesn't really have the pace for 13 so BOD maybe shifted outside him, then again Davies is sharper than BOD, and would be less of a weakness on the outside shoulder to exploit.

oh and I'd expect a proper bench

Hey Guys, this isn't the team that I would select myself, I just feel that this is what Gatalnd will go with. I think I may have the bench wrong though, probably Tipuric to miss out, with another Centre - JD/JR to come in.
I honestly don't think we'll see Hogg on the bench (for the tests) until either Farrell or Sexton or injured out of the tour.

[quote="thebluesmancometh"][quote="Pete C (Kiwireddevil)"]

Higher_Ground wrote:





I would be amazed if Roberts missed out to either of those centres, and he doesn't really have the pace for 13 so BOD maybe shifted outside him, then again Davies is sharper than BOD, and would be less of a weakness on the outside shoulder to exploit.

oh and I'd expect a proper bench

Give or take one player, to make a 5:3 split, can you name a different bench? Bearing in mind Gatland's last 'bolter' was Tom Prydie 5 years or so ago.

Robshaw as the bolter.

I think the side will looke like...

Healy
Hibbard
Jones (although I'd go with Cole)
Evans
POC
Warburton
Tipuric
SOB/Falatau
Phillips
Sexton
Cuthbert
Roberts
Tuilagi
north
Hogg

And the bench...

Jenkins
Hartley
Cole
AWJ
SOB/Falatau
Youngs
Farell
Bowe

I think Bowe has covered FB before for Ireland? And he has def covered 13 too!!

Pity 1/2p doesn't make it but with 2 boshers in midfield another distribution option as well as an evasive runner needed at 15. Sexton can kick well anyway, and Farell can play centre.

t1000advancedprototype wrote:I predict to start:

10 taffs
5 irish

Think this could be right, though I reckon even more than 10 Welsh could start. Could easily be no English starting. But I also think the Lions will be comfortably beaten in the first test, but more than 2 scores

I think 10 English will start in the first test,because they are the only team ever to beat Australia! a well documented fact just check the English media.

But I also think the Lions will be comfortably beaten in the first test, but more than 6 scores

viewtothegym wrote:I think 10 English will start in the first test,because they are the only team ever to beat Australia! a well documented fact just check the English media.

But I also think the Lions will be comfortably beaten in the first test, but more than 6 scores

Also a possibility we must consider. Though as England have 10 players on tour and 2 are hookers and 2 TH props, we might have to play some players out of position!

ChequeredJersey wrote:

viewtothegym wrote:I think 10 English will start in the first test,because they are the only team ever to beat Australia! a well documented fact just check the English media.

But I also think the Lions will be comfortably beaten in the first test, but more than 6 scores

Also a possibility we must consider. Though as England have 10 players on tour and 2 are hookers and 2 TH props, we might have to play some players out of position!

stevens goes loose, cole tight, vunipola to 8 hartley at hook and youngs back to centre...

thebluesmancometh wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:

viewtothegym wrote:I think 10 English will start in the first test,because they are the only team ever to beat Australia! a well documented fact just check the English media.

But I also think the Lions will be comfortably beaten in the first test, but more than 6 scores

Also a possibility we must consider. Though as England have 10 players on tour and 2 are hookers and 2 TH props, we might have to play some players out of position!

stevens goes loose, cole tight, vunipola to 8 hartley at hook and youngs back to centre...

And that team probably would lose by 6 scores!

The Irish and English will be used as bait for the small games. They'll all be injured. Gats will have his cryogenically suspended Welsh reserves brought over from Poland and an absolute blood-curdling whitewash of the poor Aussies will ensue.

The Welsh will return victorious and the English, the Irish and the two water-bottle carrying Scots will be buried where they fell to save money on passages home.

Hip, hip................

ChequeredJersey wrote:

viewtothegym wrote:I think 10 English will start in the first test,because they are the only team ever to beat Australia! a well documented fact just check the English media.

But I also think the Lions will be comfortably beaten in the first test, but more than 6 scores

Also a possibility we must consider. Though as England have 10 players on tour and 2 are hookers and 2 TH props, we might have to play some players out of position!

Sorry Chequeredjersey you're confusing me for someone who knows or even cares who plays in an English shirt let alone what position they cover, to be honest i thought Dan Cole was a goat after his recent game in Cardiff! grass in his teeth and everything.

viewtothegym wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:

viewtothegym wrote:I think 10 English will start in the first test,because they are the only team ever to beat Australia! a well documented fact just check the English media.

But I also think the Lions will be comfortably beaten in the first test, but more than 6 scores

Also a possibility we must consider. Though as England have 10 players on tour and 2 are hookers and 2 TH props, we might have to play some players out of position!

Sorry Chequeredjersey you're confusing me for someone who knows or even cares who plays in an English shirt let alone what position they cover, to be honest i thought Dan Cole was a goat after his recent game in Cardiff! grass in his teeth and everything.

Nah, don't worry, I would never make the error of confusing you with someone who knows any of that