Surprise Lions injury replacements

First topic message reminder :

Simple really. Anyone think that Gatland might have more surprises in store for us and perhaps the expected Best,Robshaw,Hook, Brown etc won't be the first replacements flown out in the event of injury?

Perhaps if any players from Clermont/Toulon/Leinster/Ulster/Leicester/Northamptonset their respective finals alight!

Names like Lee Byrne, Steffon Armitage, Madigan, Mile Ross, Sean Cronin, Trimble/Gilroy, Chris Henry, Anthony Allen, Jordan Crane, Ben Foden and Tom Wood/Courtney Lawes spring to mind as guys who might be off the radar but could be seen to fit into the game plan as the lions tour progresses and have the advantage of bringing a winning mentality out to Australia.

Nick Kennedy? Hes looked pretty sharp whenever Ive seen him play. Could someone explain why he dropped out of the England side. I seem to remember him always doing well.

wales606 wrote:

Mr Bounce wrote:I reckon Tom Wood is probably the "back-up" flanker on Gatland's list, but Lancaster has him as the tour Captain for Argentina. could be interesting who gets the nod if Mr Wood gets a call from Warren.

Also I think Matt Stevens was chosen with one thing in mind - Captain of the Dirt-trackers.

Wood over Robshaw, Brown and R.Jones?

Yes I do. I rate Wood above Robshaw, Ryan Jones & Kelly Brown (certainly as a 6 anyway) - I believe he is England's best forward and criminally underrated. He should have had Robshaw's captaincy in 2012 but for injury and he was played out of position at 8 because Lancaster did not want him out of the team. He does his job effectively and efficiently - he just doesn't grab the headlines, a bit like Richard Hill used to do (he's not at that level yet!!).

And just for the record, I am not a Saints fan and never have been. I am a Wasps man for my sins...

MotelMoneyMurderMadness wrote:Nick Kennedy? Hes looked pretty sharp whenever Ive seen him play. Could someone explain why he dropped out of the England side. I seem to remember him always doing well.

Simply because at the time, England's go to lineout darling was Steve Borthwick, and the Coach wouldn't drop his captain. Shaw was the enforcer style lock at the time if I remember correctly, and Nick was seen to be too lightweight. Then Mr Kennedy went abroad and hasn't troubled the Teamsheet since as a result.

Ah yes, Steve Borthwick. All those memories of dreadful post match interviews have just come flooding back.

There's an article on dspn about Kennedy saying jonno was going to take him to OZ in 2010 as borthwicks replacement but he then got injured palmer deacon and lawes took possession and the rest as they say is history.

Given that there could easily be 10 call ups by the end of the tour, I'm sure that the management have contingencies in place for pretty much every instance.

For example, if Sexton got injured tomorrow then I imagine Biggar would be getting a call. If he got injured in the first test, then it is much more likely that Wilkinson would be asked to head straight into the test squad.

Also a bit surprised by the criticism that some have of Vunipola's selection. I would be extremely surprised if he was down to start any of the tests (in the coaches minds at present) but as an impact player coming on for the last 20-30 minutes he is an excellent option.

One last thing, try not to get too down when the inevitable injuries start happening, even if they are to a seemingly irreplacable player. I remember Rob Howley getting injured in 1997 and we only had Dawson to replace him. That didn't turn out too bad.

Surprise/Unlikely Lions Call Ups:

Loosehead Prop: Ryan Bevington
Hooker: Richard Strauss
Tighthead Prop: David Wilson
Second Row: Simon Shaw
Second Row: Donncha O'Callaghan
Flanker: Peter O'Mahony
Flanker: John Barclay
Number 8: Gareth Delve
Scrumhalf: Peter Stringer
Flyhalf: Ian Madigan
Winger: Christian Wade
Centre: Jordan Turner Hall
Centre: Matt Scott
Winger: Andrew Trimble
Fullback: Delon Armitage

1. Paul James
2.Best
3.Murray
4.Hines
5.Ryan Jones (Capt)
6.Wood
7.Robshaw
8.Morgan

9.Care
10.Biggar

11.Wade
12.Scott Williams
13.Scott
14.Zebo
15.Byrne

Byrne for sure, can't argue with Biggar either though Maddigan offers alot.

Is Morgan fit enough ?

I think we'll only see a surprise if we need to replace a wing or a centre.

The kicker could be if our blunter tools (Manu, North, Cuthbert) don't seem to be getting the job done against the Super franchises and it becomes blindingly obvious that we need better footballers out there.

That would mean that we could see Wade get on a plane instead of Zebo (which I would love to see). In terms of centres, I am gutted that Luke Marshall is on enforced concussion leave because he'd have done incredibly well out there. Next best best for a footballing centre is Twelvetrees, followed by Matt Scott.