Lions v Reds...

First topic message reminder :

So who will play?

Jenkins
Youngs
Stevens
Parling
???
???
Warburton
???
Youngs
???
???
???
???
???
Kearney

If Gats is to be beleived these players HAVE to start, so who would you play and why?

ChequeredJersey wrote:

doctornickolas wrote:Just said on Talksport that it looks like Tommy Bowe's tour is over. Another test cert gone already.

Who do we bring in?

Gatland said they may not look at a like for like replacement. Maybe bring in a utility back so we have some extra cover at 10 and centre.

ChequeredJersey wrote:

doctornickolas wrote:Just said on Talksport that it looks like Tommy Bowe's tour is over. Another test cert gone already.

Who do we bring in?

Is Zebo fit?

Gilroy?

Visser?

Trimble?

Wade?

None really fill me with confidence

wales606 wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:

doctornickolas wrote:Just said on Talksport that it looks like Tommy Bowe's tour is over. Another test cert gone already.

Who do we bring in?

Is Zebo fit?

Gilroy?

Visser?

Trimble?

Wade?

None really fill me with confidence

Dare I say his name....................Ashton

Shane Williams is nearby....

ChequeredJersey wrote:

doctornickolas wrote:Just said on Talksport that it looks like Tommy Bowe's tour is over. Another test cert gone already.

Who do we bring in?

Zebo would be my first choice but McVisser also an option. Personally as there are 6 back three players already on tour with Tuilagi and Davies who can also fill in at wing, it may be an opportunity to bring in a back up no 10 such as Twelvetrees or Madigan both of whom can cover a number of positions.

If they are going like for like it has to be one of Zebo, Visser, or Wade surely.

Zebo should be there already IMO.

If they are going for someone who can cover alot of positions I'll be raging if it's anyone but Maddog, having said that I am a fan of 12trees.

gleesonisgod wrote:If they are going for someone who can cover alot of positions I'll be raging if it's anyone but Maddog, having said that I am a fan of 12trees.

Madigan, Hook or 36 would be the favourites.

If Kearney come sthrough his fitness tests then I don't think he will replace him with a back 3 player. Gatland likes to keep the group tight and he aslo has Halfpenny, Hogg and Kearney who all have experience of playing wing along with Maitland who also has experience as a 15, Cuthbert and North. So thats 6 players they still have. If Kearney looks like he is struggling then I don't think you can carry him anymore and I think they bring Zebo out.

Gatland knows that he is light at 10. Hogg was talked about as the 3rd 10 but I think he will bring out another 10/12 to not put Hogg under that pressure. Hook, Twelvetrees or Madigan might fill that role or he may bring out Biggar as a 10 because he knows that Sexton or Farrell can do a job at 12 if needs be.

http://www.thescore.ie/tommy-bowe-lions-injury-942504-Jun2013/

doctornickolas wrote:If Kearney come sthrough his fitness tests then I don't think he will replace him with a back 3 player. Gatland likes to keep the group tight and he aslo has Halfpenny, Hogg and Kearney who all have experience of playing wing along with Maitland who also has experience as a 15, Cuthbert and North. So thats 6 players they still have. If Kearney looks like he is struggling then I don't think you can carry him anymore and I think they bring Zebo out.

Gatland knows that he is light at 10. Hogg was talked about as the 3rd 10 but I think he will bring out another 10/12 to not put Hogg under that pressure. Hook, Twelvetrees or Madigan might fill that role or he may bring out Biggar as a 10 because he knows that Sexton or Farrell can do a job at 12 if needs be.

pretty much sums it up

See how 36 goes tonight against Argentina before making the call!

valtrepkos wrote:See how 36 goes tonight against Argentina before making the call!

Doubt they will want him playing today if he is getting the call

The team I'd like to see 1st Test:
Vunipola, Youngs, Jones, Gray, O'Connell (c), O'Brien, Tipuric, Heaslip

Phillips, Sexton, Bowe, O'Driscoll, Tuilagi, North, Halfpenny

The team I expect Gats to pick 1st Test:
Vunipola, Hibbard, Jones, Gray, O'Connell, Lydiate, Warburton, Heaslip

Phillips, Sexton, Bowe, Roberts, O'Driscoll, North, Halfpenny

yappysnap wrote:The team I'd like to see 1st Test:
Vunipola, Youngs, Jones, Gray, O'Connell (c), O'Brien, Tipuric, Heaslip

Phillips, Sexton, Bowe, O'Driscoll, Tuilagi, North, Halfpenny

The team I expect Gats to pick 1st Test:
Vunipola, Hibbard, Jones, Gray, O'Connell, Lydiate, Warburton, Heaslip

Phillips, Sexton, Bowe, Roberts, O'Driscoll, North, Halfpenny

Bowe is out.

Warren Gatland thinks Tommy needs an operation. That'll be his third since April 2012. I'm absolutely gutted for the man, I really am. He did so well to work hard at coming back from his knee injury (and subsequent op) in December too. As we've all seen, he's played so well in the starting games on this tour too.

Any news on Tuilagi?

Gats also said Tui will be fine.

Risca Rev wrote:Gats also said Tui will be fine.

Thanks Rev. That's some consolation I guess.

wales606 wrote:

gleesonisgod wrote:If they are going for someone who can cover alot of positions I'll be raging if it's anyone but Maddog, having said that I am a fan of 12trees.

Madigan, Hook or 36 would be the favourites.

Not Hook please, remember how poorly he has played for Wales recently. Give him a summer off to, hopefully regain his mojo, because if he doesn't he may find himself behind Biggar, Priestland and Patchell and pretty much out in the cold.

I agree that Madigan or Twelvetrees would be good choices though.

Hook wouldn't be asked now after playing for the Baabaas would he? not that I think he'd be asked anyway in all honesty...

Cari wrote:Hook wouldn't be asked now after playing for the Baabaas would he? not that I think he'd be asked anyway in all honesty...

Don't see why not, if the Lions wanted him

I thought O'Brien had a fantastic game (rushing out of the line aside) and he was exceptional in attack. Everywhere in that game. Croft was fairly anonymous.

SOB had a very good game when not in his own 22 where he conceded a penalty and conceded two tries. His attacking game was excellent.

Rory, if you think Croft was anonymous you were either not watching properly or did just not want to see what he did. Croft was everywhere, he offered the levels of support we badly needed against the Reds. Often the first man to the breakdown or linking thinks nicely. He might have been more pronounced in the lineout had Best not overthrown everything further than the front (uncharacteristic nerves).

Sorry Sam, but I think you are judging that one with rose tinted glasses.

If Tipuric is 7 then SOB should be 6 to balance him, if Warbs is 7 then Croft could be useful.