The Lions

by robshaw4england Thu Mar 19, 2015 4:28 am

What would your Lions starting XV?

15. Brown (Eng)
14. Halfpenny (Wal)
13. Davies (Wal)
12. Henshaw (Ire)
11. North (Wal)
10. Sexton (Ire)
09. Murray (Ire)

08. Faletau (Wal)
07. Warburton (Wal)
06. Robshaw (Eng)
05. Wyn-Jones (Wal)
04. Gray (Sco)
03. Cole (Eng)
02. Hibbard (Wal)
01. Healy (Ire)

16. Youngs (Eng)
17. Vunipola (Eng)
18. Wilson (Eng)
19. Lawes (Eng)
20. O'Brien (Ire)
21. Youngs (Eng)
22. Cipriani (Eng)
23. Tuilagi (Eng)

by **LondonTiger** Thu Mar 19, 2015 4:29 am

I will tell you in 25 months time.

by Guest Thu Mar 19, 2015 4:30 am

Oh no you didn't!!!

Where's my tin hat?!

by GunsGerms Thu Mar 19, 2015 4:31 am

Id start Hogg at 15. Definitely not 1/2p on the wing. Surely he would be 15 or nothing?

Joseph might be close to getting the 13 slot by then if not Davies is a good call.

by Tiger/Chief Thu Mar 19, 2015 4:46 am

15. 1/2penny
14. Watson
13. Joseph
12. Henshaw
11. North
10. Sexton
9.Murray
8.Vunipola
7.Warburton
6.Robshaw
5. Wynn Jones
4. Lawes
3.Cole
2.Youngs
1.Healey

by lostinwales Thu Mar 19, 2015 4:51 am

North Hibbard not on current form. The subs bench is pretty much all questionable. I'd also go for Hogg over Brown at FB

by RubyGuby Thu Mar 19, 2015 4:54 am

With Gatland and Schmidt likely to be in involved in the selections there may just be a Celtic leaning as per the last successful tour. But far far too early for this sort of thing. thumbsup

by Exiledinborders Thu Mar 19, 2015 4:55 am

robshaw4england wrote:What would your Lions starting XV?

15. Brown (Eng)
14. Halfpenny (Wal)
13. Davies (Wal)
12. Henshaw (Ire)
11. North (Wal)
10. Sexton (Ire)
09. Murray (Ire)

08. Faletau (Wal)
07. Warburton (Wal)
06. Robshaw (Eng)
05. Wyn-Jones (Wal)
04. Gray (Sco)
03. Cole (Eng)
02. Hibbard (Wal)
01. Healy (Ire)

16. Youngs (Eng)
17. Vunipola (Eng)
18. Wilson (Eng)
19. Lawes (Eng)
20. O'Brien (Ire)
21. Youngs (Eng)
22. Cipriani (Eng)
23. Tuilagi (Eng)

By the time the team is picked we could well be talking about people like Itoji and Slade so pretty pointless selecting a team now.

by Exiledinborders Thu Mar 19, 2015 4:58 am

RubyGuby wrote:With Gatland and Schmidt likely to be in involved in the selections there may just be a Celtic leaning as per the last successful tour. But far far too early for this sort of thing.

Do you not think winning the RWC will be enough to get Stuart Lancaster the job? Run

by RubyGuby Thu Mar 19, 2015 4:59 am

Exiledinborders wrote:
RubyGuby wrote:With Gatland and Schmidt likely to be in involved in the selections there may just be a Celtic leaning as per the last successful tour. But far far too early for this sort of thing.
Do you not think winning the RWC will be enough to get Stuart Lancaster the job?

No - he's not from the Southern Hemisphere, it's become a prerequisite if we want to win down there. thumbsup

by **George Carlin** Thu Mar 19, 2015 5:09 am

Are we assuming that everyone is fit? What sort of form are we attributing to people? This 6N form? Am I just taking this too seriously?

I would like to see:
01 Kelly McDonald
02 Keira Knightley
03 Rebecca Hall
04 Eve Hewson
05 Kate Winslet (c)
06 Katherine Jenkins
07 Rachel Weisz
08 Rosamund Pike

09 Dominique McElligott
10 Gemma Arterton
11 Naomie Harris
12 Emilia Clarke
13 Katie McGrath
14 Jessica Ennis
15 Cat Deeley

but I suspect that it may not happen.

We may lose heavily but I would still pay a lot of money to watch them.

by asoreleftshoulder Thu Mar 19, 2015 5:27 am

The Sky Sports camera in the corner of the dressing room would be a popular viewing vantage point.

by SecretFly Thu Mar 19, 2015 5:35 am

George Carlin wrote:Are we assuming that everyone is fit? What sort of form are we attributing to people? This 6N form? Am I just taking this too seriously?

I would like to see:
01 Kelly McDonald
02 Keira Knightley
03 Rebecca Hall
04 Eve Hewson
05 Kate Winslet (c)
06 Katherine Jenkins
07 Rachel Weisz
08 Rosamund Pike

09 Dominique McElligott
10 Gemma Arterton
11 Naomie Harris
12 Emilia Clarke
13 Katie McGrath
14 Jessica Ennis
15 Cat Deeley

but I suspect that it may not happen.

We may lose heavily but I would still pay a lot of money to watch them.

Finally a sensible list for an event so far out from happening that the Sun might supernova us all to ash before we get there.

And of course all on that list are guaranteed to remain fit.

by SecretFly Thu Mar 19, 2015 5:37 am

..very disappointed that Emily Blunt didn't make it as a wildcard though

by asoreleftshoulder Thu Mar 19, 2015 6:38 am

He didn't name a bench,she could be an impact sub.

by highland_scot Thu Mar 19, 2015 6:55 am

Can we also have Emma Watson??

by TJ Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:05 am

Hogg has been the best full back by far in this 6N - see the stats. So he is in at 15. The only Scot worth a place right now. Maybe Ickle jonny but a lot of good locks out there

by Steffan Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:10 am

Lions tours are like Xmas...I don't mind Xmas when it is happening but I hate it when people are harping on about it during September time and the whole 4 month build up nowadays

Same with Lions tours. I enjoy the tours when they are happening...but threads about the 2017 Lions selection over 2 years in advance...

by Cyril Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:25 am

There are 3 stages to the Lions process:

1. Whinging about the previous tour
2. Making inane predictions about the next tour
3. The tour itself

Stage 1 never really runs out of gas
Stage 2 begins immediately after both stages 1 and 3 (and can exist simultaneously)
Stage 3 isn't really important and is basically a sideshow to stages 1 and 2

by Guest Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:34 am

I imagine there will be 1 or 2 players in the Lions team we have not even heard of yet, like how Alex Cuthbert burst onto the scene.

by majesticimperialman Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:34 am

It is a bit early for picking a "LIONS" team. But in all honesty why would you pick Tualghi when he as not played for almost a year?

by TJ Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:03 am

It would make a lot more sense to call the thread - team of this 6N

by highland_scot Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:07 am

TJ wrote:It would make a lot more sense to call the thread - team of this 6N

(Minus the French and Italians)
Very Happy

by **Rugby Fan** Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:16 am

George Carlin wrote:...08 Rosamund Pike...

She has some flashes of the old Rosamund at times at the base of the scrum, or rampaging in open play, but even her most loyal supporters would admit she's not the force she once was.

by **Rugby Fan** Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:17 am

George Carlin wrote:...08 Rosamund Pike...

She has some flashes of the old Rosamund at times at the base of the scrum, or rampaging in open play, but even her most loyal supporters would admit she's not the force she once was.

by Sin é Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:31 am

Player ranking for the 6Ns from rugby.net. This is a weighted ranking. Some players you would expect to see here are not might be due to being injured and missing games. Jack McGrath is the best loosehead in the 6Ns, Joe Marler is the 2nd best etc. etc.

1. Jack McGrath, Joe Marler
2. Rory Best, Dylan Hartley, Ross Ford
3. Dan Cole, Mike Ross
Locks: Paul O'Connell, Jonny Gray, Alun-Wyn Jones, Devin Toner, Dave Attwood, George Kruis
Flankers: Robshaw, Haskell, Peter O'Mahony, Sam Warburton, Lydiate, Tommy O'Donnell
No. 8 Billy Vunipola, Faletau, Jordi Murphy, Jamie Heaslip, Johnnie Beattie
Scrumhalf: Conor Murray (miles ahead of everyone else), Rhys Webb, Ben Youngs, Greig Laidlaw
10. George Ford (miles ahead of everyone else), Dan Bigger, Sexton
Centres: Jonathan Joseph, Robbie Henshaw, Jared Payne, Mark Bennett

Wings: Anthony Watson, Jack Nowell, Tommy Bowe, Liam Williams, Simon Zebo, George North, Jonny May

Fullbacks: Leigh Halfpenny, Stuart Hogg, Rob Kearney, Mike Brown.

Not much between Halfpenny & Hogg (952 pts and 939 pts respectively.

http://www.rugby.net/s/loqmQyPZzjX#Tx:c=5162199223894016&s=4758823411646464&g=4708903367475200&m=5812405556740096&q=5261367695114240

by **LondonTiger** Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:32 am

Rugby Fan wrote:
George Carlin wrote:...08 Rosamund Pike...
She has some flashes of the old Rosamund at times at the base of the scrum, or rampaging in open play, but even her most loyal supporters would admit she's not the force she once was.

I reckon she showed a lot of force when handling Neil Patrick Harris, though surprised she was not blood binned earlier than she was.

I do have to say that George's original list is a touch anglo-centric. A front row of Sharon, Caroline and Andrea Corr would bring some real experience to the team, while a spot should be found at FB for Scotlands finest ginger Karen Gillan.

by **LondonTiger** Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:38 am

Sin é wrote:Player ranking for the 6Ns from rugby.net. This is a weighted ranking. Some players you would expect to see here are not might be due to being injured and missing games.

No. 8 Faletau, Jordi Murphy, Jamie Heaslip, Johnnie Beattie

Or in the case of Billy V because you forgot him?

by Sin é Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:42 am

LondonTiger wrote:
Sin é wrote:Player ranking for the 6Ns from rugby.net. This is a weighted ranking. Some players you would expect to see here are not might be due to being injured and missing games.

No. 8 Faletau, Jordi Murphy, Jamie Heaslip, Johnnie Beattie

Or in the case of Billy V because you forgot him?

Fixed it now. Just a transcribing error.

by **LondonTiger** Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:49 am

Have to say that I am not a huge fan of these sorts of point scoring things. Seems odd that BillyV is ranked the second best player in the 6Ns (behind Ford) and miles clear of the next No8.

by Sin é Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:57 am

LondonTiger wrote:Have to say that I am not a huge fan of these sorts of point scoring things. Seems odd that BillyV is ranked the second best player in the 6Ns (behind Ford) and miles clear of the next No8.

What is odd about that?

by **LondonTiger** Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:01 am

Because he been merely OK.

by Sin é Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:07 am

LondonTiger wrote:Because he been merely OK.

If you look at the his ratings per game, he has been very consistent (about 800pts per game).

Others have not been so consistent. For example, POC was averaging fairly high and had a good game at the weekend, but he lost a lot of points for the malfunctions in the lineout presumably which would be a specific responsibility of a lock.

by Gwlad Thu Mar 19, 2015 3:23 pm

Really? Then again thi is a guy who thinks Robshaw is a good choice for England captain/7.

by **George Carlin** Thu Mar 19, 2015 5:31 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
Rugby Fan wrote:
George Carlin wrote:...08 Rosamund Pike...
She has some flashes of the old Rosamund at times at the base of the scrum, or rampaging in open play, but even her most loyal supporters would admit she's not the force she once was.

I reckon she showed a lot of force when handling Neil Patrick Harris, though surprised she was not blood binned earlier than she was.

I do have to say that George's original list is a touch anglo-centric. A front row of Sharon, Caroline and Andrea Corr would bring some real experience to the team, while a spot should be found at FB for Scotlands finest ginger Karen Gillan.

I see the sense in choosing established units but Caroline is really not close to the same quality as her siblings and this team is too competitive for there to be passengers.

I was concerned I would be accused of Scottish bias for choosing Gillan. She has lost form recently (lobbed all of her hair off for Guardians of the Galaxy) but she has time on her side and I am expecting her to come back strongly.

In terms of SecretFly's comment above, Blunt is fine at provincial level but a good way short of international quality, in my opinion.

It is serious discussions like this that makes these boards what they are.

by Jimpy Thu Mar 19, 2015 7:15 pm

Two years away and some numpty is already picking the B&I Lions team.

picard

by doctornickolas Thu Mar 19, 2015 7:30 pm

Charteris not mentioned?

by **George Carlin** Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:12 pm

Jimpy wrote:Two years away and some numpty is already picking the B&I Lions team.

Makes it all the more strange to comment on a thread that you see no value in. Being polite about it is appreciated.

by jimmyinthewell68 Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:20 pm

George Carlin wrote:Are we assuming that everyone is fit? What sort of form are we attributing to people? This 6N form? Am I just taking this too seriously?

I would like to see:
01 Kelly McDonald
02 Keira Knightley
03 Rebecca Hall
04 Eve Hewson
05 Kate Winslet (c)
06 Katherine Jenkins
07 Rachel Weisz
08 Rosamund Pike

09 Dominique McElligott
10 Gemma Arterton
11 Naomie Harris
12 Emilia Clarke
13 Katie McGrath
14 Jessica Ennis
15 Cat Deeley

but I suspect that it may not happen.

We may lose heavily but I would still pay a lot of money to watch them.

come on girls hit the showers Yahoo

by MichaelT Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:26 pm

George Carlin wrote:Are we assuming that everyone is fit? What sort of form are we attributing to people? This 6N form? Am I just taking this too seriously?

I would like to see:
01 Kelly McDonald
02 Keira Knightley
03 Rebecca Hall
04 Eve Hewson
05 Kate Winslet (c)
06 Katherine Jenkins
07 Rachel Weisz
08 Rosamund Pike

09 Dominique McElligott
10 Gemma Arterton
11 Naomie Harris
12 Emilia Clarke
13 Katie McGrath
14 Jessica Ennis
15 Cat Deeley

but I suspect that it may not happen.

We may lose heavily but I would still pay a lot of money to watch them.

Holly Willoughby and Kelly Brook would be two cracking front rows...

by Jimpy Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:40 pm

George Carlin wrote:
Jimpy wrote:Two years away and some numpty is already picking the B&I Lions team.

Makes it all the more strange to comment on a thread that you see no value in. Being polite about it is appreciated.

Lets have the same rule for everyone shall we?

by Jimpy Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:41 pm

MichaelT wrote:
George Carlin wrote:Are we assuming that everyone is fit? What sort of form are we attributing to people? This 6N form? Am I just taking this too seriously?

I would like to see:
01 Kelly McDonald
02 Keira Knightley
03 Rebecca Hall
04 Eve Hewson
05 Kate Winslet (c)
06 Katherine Jenkins
07 Rachel Weisz
08 Rosamund Pike

09 Dominique McElligott
10 Gemma Arterton
11 Naomie Harris
12 Emilia Clarke
13 Katie McGrath
14 Jessica Ennis
15 Cat Deeley

but I suspect that it may not happen.

We may lose heavily but I would still pay a lot of money to watch them.

Holly Willoughby and Kelly Brook would be two cracking front rows...

Now, now, you appear to have commented on a thread you have no interest in.... tsk tsk...

by **LondonTiger** Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:57 pm

MichaelT wrote:
Holly Willoughby and Kelly Brook would be two cracking front rows...

A slight proportional imbalance could see them go to ground rather easily?

by Gwlad Sat Mar 21, 2015 4:47 am

LondonTiger wrote:
MichaelT wrote:
Holly Willoughby and Kelly Brook would be two cracking front rows...

A slight proportional imbalance could see them go to ground rather easily?

bring back crouch touch pause engage, NOW!

by Sponsored content