Lions team if picked today

First topic message reminder :

Updated this to include my team

This should be selected on World Cup form alone. So no injured people who did not play no 6 nations form - there will be a chance to choose then too


1. Dickinson (S)
2. Ford (S)
3. Nel (S)
4. Charteris (W)
5. J. Gray (S)
6. Warburton [c] (W)
7. Hardie (S)
8. Denton (S)

9. Laidlaw (S)
10. Biggar (W)
11. Watson (E)
12. Henshaw (I)
13. Bennett (S)
14. Bowe (I)
15. Brown (E)

16. Best (I)
17. Healy (I)
18. Ross (I)
19. Henderson (I)
20. Lydiate (W)
21. Murray (I)
22. Ford (E)
23. Hogg (S)

People should be judged on results they say but when Gatland presides over a record winning margin for a Lions Test team in a final test everyone just fecking whinges - Biggest bunch of tozzers going, call themselves supporters. He won the series and slammed the Aussies in the last Test. It's a Lions series not a last swan song for BOD and his chums. I'm sure the players involved took it better than most of the fans on here, apart from GOD of course, apologies I meant BOD



The irony is we have the numpty Woodward who presided over the biggest circus in history claiming it was a successful tour, you've gotta love his optimism and resilience, Teflon has got nothing on him

RubyGuby wrote:People should be judged on results they say but when Gatland presides over a record winning margin for a Lions Test team in a  final test everyone just fecking whinges - Biggest bunch of tozzers going, call themselves supporters. He won the series and slammed the Aussies in the last Test. It's a Lions series not a last swan song for BOD and his chums. I'm sure the players involved took it better than most of the fans on here, apart from GOD of course, apologies I meant BOD



The irony is we have the numpty Woodward who presided over the biggest circus in history claiming it was a successful tour, you've gotta love his optimism and resilience, Teflon has got nothing on him

RubyGuby wrote:People should be judged on results they say but when Gatland presides over a record winning margin for a Lions Test team in a  final test everyone just fecking whinges - Biggest bunch of tozzers going, call themselves supporters. He won the series and slammed the Aussies in the last Test. It's a Lions series not a last swan song for BOD and his chums. I'm sure the players involved took it better than most of the fans on here, apart from GOD of course, apologies I meant BOD



The irony is we have the numpty Woodward who presided over the biggest circus in history claiming it was a successful tour, you've gotta love his optimism and resilience, Teflon has got nothing on him

And my feeling going into that series was, anything that was not a white wash, was a failure - or a 'just pass'

And that is still my feeling - we should have smashed that team, and brought the 4 nations together - yet, we nearly lost it (in the first 2 games we were lucky to win one) - and it was just a HUGE ego boosting tour for Gatland to #prove' he could win against the SH

He picked players who were his BBQ friends even if injured and ignored other nations

Of course, if you were from that country that got players (regardless of deserving), you are going to see it differently for all the other nations - and nothing we say is going to change that - which is also fine

No Risky - I judge it by winning the series even if the team had 10 English and 5 scots - I wouldn't like it but I let the result speak for itself and when its a record breaking result then it speaks volumes. Its just a shame many on here can't accept that fact. When you look at how poor the tours have been this was an unprecedented success from a test perspective





British and Irish Lions thrash Australia to seal series win
By Bryn Palmer
BBC Sport at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Australia (10) 16
Tries: O'ConnorConversions: Leali'ifano Penalties: Leali'ifano (3)British and Irish Lions (19) 41
Tries: Corbisiero, Sexton, North, RobertsConversions: Halfpenny (3)Penalties: Halfpenny (5)
The British and Irish Lions ended a 16-year wait for a series win with a stunning second-half demolition of Australia in a pulsating decider in Sydney.

Leading 19-10 at half-time via an early Alex Corbisiero try and four Leigh Halfpenny penalties, the Lions roared to victory with three scores inside 12 minutes.

Jonny Sexton, George North and Jamie Roberts all crossed in a breathless spell to bring up the tourists' record points tally in any Test.

Recent Lions series
•1997: Lions won 2-1 in South Africa
•2001: Lions lost 2-1 in Australia
•2005: Lions lost 3-0 in New Zealand
•2009: Lions lost 2-1 in South Africa
•2013: Lions won 2-1 in Australia

Man-of-the-match Halfpenny landed eight from nine kicks to finish with 21 points.

That was a new individual record for a Lion in a Test, overtaking the previous mark of 20 points shared by Jonny Wilkinson (in 2005 against Argentina) and Stephen Jones (in 2009 against South Africa).

It also took Halfpenny past Neil Jenkins's previous series record of 41 points for the Lions, the Welsh full-back finishing with 49.

A James O'Connor try from the last move of the first half had kept the hosts in touch after the Lions had gone 19-3 ahead, and two Christian Leali'ifano penalties cut the gap to three points early in the second half.

But Halfpenny's fifth penalty settled the nerves and the Lions then ran away with it, surpassing their previous highest tally of 31 - in 1966 - against Australia.

Lions coach Warren Gatland had summoned some heavy artillery in making six changes to the side that narrowly failed to clinch the three-Test series in Melbourne, when Australia edged a 16-15 win, and the changes yielded an immediate reward when one of them, Corbisiero, burrowed over with just one minute and 17 seconds on the clock.

Will Genia knocked on Sexton's kick-off to give the tourists a scrum platform that produced the first in a series of free-kicks and penalties.

Mike Phillips took a quick tap, Alun Wyn Jones was held up short, but the England prop - who missed the second Test through injury - forced his way over at the posts, Halfpenny adding the conversion.

The Lions promised an overtly physical approach, and hooker Richard Hibbard was at the heart of it.

Official match stats
Aus Lions
44%
Possession
56%

47%
Territory
53%

3 (3)
Scrums won (lost)
10 (0)

12 (1)
Line-outs won (lost)
10 (2)

9
Pens conceded
11

64 (4)
Rucks won (lost)
78 (5)

29
Possession kicked
35

108 (15)
Tackles made (missed)
112 (14)

12
Offloads
6

6
Line breaks
3


(provided by Opta Sports)

Veteran Australia flanker George Smith, recalled for his first Test in four years, was led off gingerly after a sickening clash of heads with the Welshman in the fifth minute.

Remarkably Smith reappeared five minutes later, by which stage a thumping hit from Dan Lydiate on Joe Tomane, with help from Sean O'Brien, had produced a penalty from which Halfpenny made it 10-0.

Leali'ifano got the hosts on the board from the restart after some deliberate obstruction, but when they were penalised for deliberately wheeling the next scrum, Halfpenny restored the Lions' 10-point lead.

The Wallabies were then driven back on their own ball at the next engagement, with the same result: penalty to the Lions; Halfpenny through the sticks.

Ben Alexander was deemed the culprit, and when referee Romain Poite dispatched the Australia prop to the sin-bin for collapsing another scrum, Halfpenny's fourth successful penalty took him past Jenkins's record from 1997 - the last time the Lions won a series.

Australia belatedly built some momentum as half-time approached, Geoff Parling's superb ankle tap on Jesse Mogg, on as a replacement for the stricken Israel Folau, halting a dangerous attack.

Three times in quick succession Australia opted to kick penalties to touch rather than at goal, each time with no reward. But the third brought a scrum five metres out, and O'Connor stepped past Sexton and O'Brien to squeeze over, Leali'ifano's conversion cutting the deficit to nine points.

That was reduced to three within six minutes of the resumption as Leali'ifano landed two penalties.

Play mediaJump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.
Gatland: Lions were exceptional

But after Halfpenny made it 22-16 on 51 minutes, the Lions turned on the style to leave Australia in tatters.

Sexton and Tommy Bowe combined to send Jonathan Davies through a tackle and Halfpenny was on his shoulder, getting his pass away for Sexton to sprint over.

Halfpenny's conversion suddenly gave the scoreline a far more reassuring look from a Lions perspective at 29-16.

It got better and better.

Halfpenny, one of a record-equalling 10 Welshmen in the starting XV, stepped inside Genia and away from Tomane to send North surging to the left corner for a third try.

And the strains of "Bread of Heaven" were still ringing around the ANZ Stadium when Conor Murray's sweet pass put Roberts over for the fourth.

The Lions emptied their bench, including Richie Gray - the only Scot to feature in the series - as their army of travelling support were able to luxuriate in a thumping victory long before the end.

Australia: Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Leali'ifano, Joe Tomane, James O'Connor, Will Genia; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, James Horwill (capt), Kane Douglas, Ben Mowen, George Smith, Wycliff Palu.

Replacements: Saia Fainga'a (for Moore, blood, 55-62, then 72), James Slipper (for Robinson, 66), Sekope Kepu (for Smith, 26-36, for Alexander, 36), Rob Simmons (for Douglas 62), Ben McCalman, Michael Hooper (for Smith, 5-10, then 66), Nick Phipps (for Genia, 69), Jesse Mogg (for Folau, 27).

Yellow card: Alexander (24)

Lions: Leigh Halfpenny; Tommy Bowe, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; Jonathan Sexton, Mike Phillips; Alex Corbisiero, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Sean O'Brien, Toby Faletau.

Replacements: Tom Youngs (for Hibbard 48), Mako Vunipola (for Corbisiero, 67), Dan Cole (for A Jones, 55), Richie Gray (for Parling, 68), Justin Tipuric (for Faletau, blood, 55, for O'Brien, 60), Conor Murray (for Phillips, 51), Owen Farrell (for Sexton, 64), Manu Tuilagi (for Roberts, 69).

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Attendance: 83,702

Thank goodness SOB and Corbisiero were there to make the difference meaning we didn't have to rely on the midfield.

If you say the Lions 'almost lost' the test series then you could also look at it from this perespective; the Lions almost got a 3 nil whitewash of Aus. Pretty good that, considering all online forums laying into Gatland and Wales said the Lions would get stuffed in the series. The way I see it, the English and Scottish haven't been happy with the last two tours because they didn't get enough players on tour. The Irish are still unhappy over the most recent tour because Gatland apparently ruined the career of BOD. Get over it lads, the lions won.

I love how easy it is for people who got it all is so happy to tell the rest of us to 'get over it'

We all know if the boot was on the other foot, then I am sure we would also be telling you to get over it :-)

Scotland did not deserve many players on tour - we accept that - and it is our challenge to get better and have better players

Then again maybe we lost the 2nd Test 16-15 because we only had 7 Welshmen as opposed to 10 in the final drubbing - Its a just a thought

Anyway, this is about the lions team today :-)

Riskysports wrote:I love how easy it is for people who got it all is so happy to tell the rest of us to 'get over it'

We all know if the boot was on the other foot, then I am sure we would also be telling you to get over it :-)

Scotland did not deserve many players on tour - we accept that - and it is our challenge to get better and have better players

Well given your last statement maybe you should get over it. Didn't you or another also complain about only have 4 players in the Telegraph's starting team?

Riskysports wrote:I love how easy it is for people who got it all is so happy to tell the rest of us to 'get over it'

We all know if the boot was on the other foot, then I am sure we would also be telling you to get over it :-)

Scotland did not deserve many players on tour - we accept that - and it is our challenge to get better and have better players

Risky - I watched the Lions in the 90's at home when we had 1 paltry player in it because we were shoite, I was disinterested to be honest but we didn't deserve to have any more. This is a results orientated business and that final Test was an absolute thrashing as for we should have won the 3 then we lost by 1 point in the other. If there are no Welshmen in the team and The Lions slam someone then that would speak for itself irrespective. The bile spewed out by envious others on to Gatland is laughable and borne of envy and jealousy when they should be saying well played.

In all seriousness the big difference in the 3rd test was complete scrum dominance givne to us by Corbisiero and Hibbard replacing 2 weak(er) scrummagers in Youngs and Mako (who got his behind handed to him) a great start which took the nerves away and a more dynamic back row. SOB was excellent and for me showed that maybe Warburton was favoured too much.

Corbisiero for me was also MOM

Don't forget the likes of Phillips, North and Roberts playing some awesome Gatlandball in that match .

But that for me wasn't the defining performance, maybe you honestly disagree, but I found the forward dominance which was missing in the first 2 altered the dynamics. But hey ho.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Riskysports wrote:I love how easy it is for people who got it all is so happy to tell the rest of us to 'get over it'

We all know if the boot was on the other foot, then I am sure we would also be telling you to get over it :-)

Scotland did not deserve many players on tour - we accept that - and it is our challenge to get better and have better players

Well given your last statement maybe you should get over it. Didn't you or another also complain about only have 4 players in the Telegraph's starting team?

Not me about the telegraph team

You know what - it was not the Scottish players that I felt should have played - so the blinkered blue coloured glasses are not the issue (this time :-) ) - I Felt Gatland ball was the wrong way to play - and has been the wrong way to play SH teams for 17 times he has tried it

Actually no scots have complained about the telegraph team - the only one who commented was GC - who did a surprised that there were 4 (pleasantly) :-)

mikey_dragon wrote:For those who are interested, this is the telegraph Lions XV. Take a look at that back-row .

Brown, Watson, Bennett, Roberts, North, Biggar, Laidlaw - Healy, Best, Nel, Gray, AWJ, Lydiate, Warburton (c), Faletau.

"

From that team I would question

North - not really been on form for a while - maybe Maybe May
Laidlaw - although a great tournament for him - he still is a little slow to get the ball out - great to organise and a cool head - but think there could be better

A lot of rubbish players in the home nations just now - probably best skip the next lions trip.

I wouldn't have Brown in there either. As talented as he is, the guy is a 1st class cretin and would not bring anything positive to the tour with regards to the supposed special bond needed to create a successful team.

Also, there is no point having Bennett in that team if he has a crash ball merchant inside him.

Agreed also about Laidlaw - there are two or three SH's ahead of him.

Riskysports wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:For those who are interested, this is the telegraph Lions XV. Take a look at that back-row .

Brown, Watson, Bennett, Roberts, North, Biggar, Laidlaw - Healy, Best, Nel, Gray, AWJ, Lydiate, Warburton (c), Faletau.

"

From that team I would question

North - not really been on form for a while - maybe Maybe May
Laidlaw - although a great tournament for him - he still is a little slow to get the ball out - great to organise and a cool head - but think there could be better

Agree on North, probably go with Seymour or May, each of which having a slightly better tournament than St George. I got no argument against Laidlaw, but I guess you could slot in Gareth Davies instead if you felt like it and nobody would disagree. Faletau is a very good player, but seeing as I still rate Heaslip as one of the best in Europe i would opt for him .

Riskysports wrote:Actually no scots have complained about the telegraph team - the only one who commented was GC - who did a surprised that there were 4 (pleasantly) :-)

As John Oliver would say, that is a scientific fact. And I am always pleasant.

George Carlin wrote:

Riskysports wrote:Actually no scots have complained about the telegraph team - the only one who commented was GC - who did a surprised that there were 4 (pleasantly) :-)

As John jamie Oliver would say, that is a scientific factulets that chips are smaller than stones. And GC is always pleasant basted with BBQ sauce and slow grilled in his underwear.

Ok, I just got wierd

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:I wouldn't have Brown in there either. As talented as he is, the guy is a 1st class cretin and would not bring anything positive to the tour with regards to the supposed special bond needed to create a successful team.

Let's pick Hogg instead then. Probably the most objectionable player in the game. Hopefully he could teach the boys the fine art of diving or possibly how to put in cheap, late shots. Lovely bloke. Not a cowardly weasel at all.

Cyril wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:I wouldn't have Brown in there either. As talented as he is, the guy is a 1st class cretin and would not bring anything positive to the tour with regards to the supposed special bond needed to create a successful team.

Let's pick Hogg instead then. Probably the most objectionable player in the game. Hopefully he could teach the boys the fine art of diving or possibly how to put in cheap, late shots. Lovely bloke. Not a cowardly weasel at all.

There's only one way to settle this. Hogg. Brown. Dive-Off....

Goodness me, is that the time?

Top marks, Cyril!

George Carlin wrote:

Cyril wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:I wouldn't have Brown in there either. As talented as he is, the guy is a 1st class cretin and would not bring anything positive to the tour with regards to the supposed special bond needed to create a successful team.

Let's pick Hogg instead then. Probably the most objectionable player in the game. Hopefully he could teach the boys the fine art of diving or possibly how to put in cheap, late shots. Lovely bloke. Not a cowardly weasel at all.

There's only one way to settle this. Hogg. Brown. Dive-Off....

Hogg would win that by five somersaults and an open pike. Brown might have a bit of edge and is pretty 'confrontational' (and probably fairly annoying to opposition fans), but Hogg is a whole different level of pathetic.

In case it's not clear, I'm not really a fan of Hogg

Cyril wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

Cyril wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:I wouldn't have Brown in there either. As talented as he is, the guy is a 1st class cretin and would not bring anything positive to the tour with regards to the supposed special bond needed to create a successful team.

Let's pick Hogg instead then. Probably the most objectionable player in the game. Hopefully he could teach the boys the fine art of diving or possibly how to put in cheap, late shots. Lovely bloke. Not a cowardly weasel at all.

There's only one way to settle this. Hogg. Brown. Dive-Off....

Hogg would win that by five somersaults and an open pike. Brown might have a bit of edge and is pretty 'confrontational' (and probably fairly annoying to opposition fans), but Hogg is a whole different level of pathetic.

Isn't that a Morrissey song?

George Carlin wrote:

Cyril wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

Cyril wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:I wouldn't have Brown in there either. As talented as he is, the guy is a 1st class cretin and would not bring anything positive to the tour with regards to the supposed special bond needed to create a successful team.

Let's pick Hogg instead then. Probably the most objectionable player in the game. Hopefully he could teach the boys the fine art of diving or possibly how to put in cheap, late shots. Lovely bloke. Not a cowardly weasel at all.

There's only one way to settle this. Hogg. Brown. Dive-Off....

Hogg would win that by five somersaults and an open pike. Brown might have a bit of edge and is pretty 'confrontational' (and probably fairly annoying to opposition fans), but Hogg is a whole different level of pathetic.

Isn't that a Morrissey song?

Could be It also describes Morrissey himself pretty well.

Cyril wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

Cyril wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

Cyril wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:I wouldn't have Brown in there either. As talented as he is, the guy is a 1st class cretin and would not bring anything positive to the tour with regards to the supposed special bond needed to create a successful team.

Let's pick Hogg instead then. Probably the most objectionable player in the game. Hopefully he could teach the boys the fine art of diving or possibly how to put in cheap, late shots. Lovely bloke. Not a cowardly weasel at all.

There's only one way to settle this. Hogg. Brown. Dive-Off....

Hogg would win that by five somersaults and an open pike. Brown might have a bit of edge and is pretty 'confrontational' (and probably fairly annoying to opposition fans), but Hogg is a whole different level of pathetic.

Isn't that a Morrissey song?

Could be It also describes Morrissey himself pretty well.

I've always thought of Morrissey like Lambrusco.

He's pale, he's bitter and nobody's really given a sh!t about him since 1987.

Cyril wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:I wouldn't have Brown in there either. As talented as he is, the guy is a 1st class cretin and would not bring anything positive to the tour with regards to the supposed special bond needed to create a successful team.

Let's pick Hogg instead then. Probably the most objectionable player in the game. Hopefully he could teach the boys the fine art of diving or possibly how to put in cheap, late shots. Lovely bloke. Not a cowardly weasel at all.

Whoah steady on precious.....I didn't say I'd pick Hogg did I?

Well behaved full back rules out Williams, Hogg and Brown then.

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

Cyril wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:I wouldn't have Brown in there either. As talented as he is, the guy is a 1st class cretin and would not bring anything positive to the tour with regards to the supposed special bond needed to create a successful team.

Let's pick Hogg instead then. Probably the most objectionable player in the game. Hopefully he could teach the boys the fine art of diving or possibly how to put in cheap, late shots. Lovely bloke. Not a cowardly weasel at all.

Whoah steady on precious.....I didn't say I'd pick Hogg did I?

Good. We agree on something then.

Or we could pick Liam Williams. He's nearly as bad as Hogg!

No 7&1/2 wrote:Well behaved full back rules out Williams, Hogg and Brown then.

Has Brown ever been carded for England?

No. Sorry I thought we were talking slightly rude young men here? Personally, I'd be delighted with any of them at the moment though I'd go with Hogg. Come 2 years Mr Watson could be high on the list and he's very respectful.

It'll be 1/2p again no doubt. Mind you, I do rate Liam Williams and reckon he could go on to big things if he sorts his injury stats out.

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:It'll be 1/2p again no doubt. Mind you, I do rate Liam Williams and reckon he could go on to big things if he sorts his injury stats out.

Given the severity of injuries and the gruling recoveries to get back to top levels, I would be cautious about picking someone like Halfpenny. He has a significant injury and has smoe mileage. If he wasn't injured he would obviously be a shoe-in for the 15 spot - based upon his pre-injury form.

Cyril wrote:In case it's not clear, I'm not really a fan of Hogg

You have to admit he's a better full back than fly half tho...

lostinwales wrote:

Cyril wrote:In case it's not clear, I'm not really a fan of Hogg

You have to admit he's a better full back than fly half tho...

Oh no you didn't girlfriend.....

Of course there are some positions, like fullback, where we have a number of options who all play at the required standard and other positions, tighthead, where we are struggling for world class players. Apart from the current home nation full backs who are all excellent England could also provide Foden and Goode who would do a good job if required. What positions do you think we lack world class if the Lions were selected today?

Essentially, I'm worried about all three front row positions.

Corbisiero might come back to his best, and Dickinson had a great World Cup, but Healy (great player that I think he is) has had a poor season by his standards and his injury worries aren't helping his case.

At hooker, there simply is no stand-out option (similar to 2013 it must be said) - essentially you've got four players who could do a decent job (Best, Ford, Youngs and Owens) plus Hartley who might be great but might also set fire to an orphanage. You're never to sure with our Dylan.

At tighthead, it's true that William Wallace McNel has had a quite brilliant World Cup (I've seen his name suggested for Team of the Tournament, even) but he is still hugely inexperienced at international level. He might absolutely destroy in the next two Six Nations, making him the presumptive candidate, but the jury's still out. Otherwise, again there are lots of solid options but none that are playing particularly well.

hugehandoff wrote:Of course there are some positions, like fullback, where we have a number of options who all play at the required standard and other positions, tighthead, where we are struggling for world class players. Apart from the current home nation full backs who are all excellent England could also provide Foden and Goode who would do a good job if required. What positions do you think we lack world class if the Lions were selected today?

Interesting question. I like to look at the 1997 Lions (who really turned over a great Boks side for a test series victory) and try to compare the quality then with now.

The test XV in each game was:

15 Neil Jenkins (Wales)
14 John Bentley (England)
13 Scott Gibbs (Wales)
12 Jerry Guscott (England)
11 Alan Tait (Scotland)
10 Gregor Townsend (Scotland)
09 Matt Dawson (England)

1. Tom Smith (Scotland)
2. Keith Wood (Ireland)
3. Paul Wallace (Ireland)
4. Martin Johnson (England) (capt)
5. Jeremy Davidson (Ireland)
6. Lawrence Dallaglio England)
7. Richard Hill (England)
8. Tim Rodber (England)

The original 35-man squad was:
Captain and second row
Martin Johnson (Leicester and England)

Full backs
Neil Jenkins (Pontypridd and Wales)
Tim Stimpson (Newcastle and England)

Wingers
Nick Beal (Northampton and England)
John Bentley (Newcastle and England)
Ieuan Evans (Llanelli and Wales)
Tony Underwood (Newcastle and England)

Centres
Allan Bateman (Richmond and Wales)
Scott Gibbs (Swansea and Wales)
Will Greenwood (Leicester)
Jeremy Guscott (Bath and England)
Alan Tait (Newcastle and Scotland)

Fly-halves
Paul Grayson (Northampton and England)
Gregor Townsend (Northampton and Scotland)

Scrumhalves
Matt Dawson (Northampton and England)
Austin Healey (Leicester and England)
Rob Howley (Cardiff and Wales)

Props
Paul Wallace (Saracens and Ireland)
Jason Leonard (Harlequins and England)
Graham Rowntree (Leicester and England)
Tom Smith (Watsonians and Scotland)
Dai Young (Cardiff and Wales)

Hookers
Mark Regan (Bristol and England)
Barry Williams (Neath and Wales)
Keith Wood (Harlequins and Ireland)

Second Row
Jeremy Davidson (London Irish and Ireland)
Simon Shaw (Bristol and England)
Doddie Weir (Newcastle and Scotland)

Back Row
Neil Back (Leicester and England)
Lawrence Dallaglio (Wasps and England)
Richard Hill (Saracens and England)
Eric Miller (Leicester and Ireland)
Scott Quinnell (Richmond and Wales)
Tim Rodber (Northampton & England)
Rob Wainwright (Watsonians and Scotland)

Later additions to the tour were:
Wing Tony Stanger (Scotland)

Flyhalf Mike Catt (England)

Scrumhalf Kyran Bracken (England)

Back Row Tony Diprose (England)

Second Row Nigel Redman (England)

***************************

For me, the takeaways are:
- picking established combinations is crucial
- better players should always be given the nod over more fashionable players (regardless of what their national side is)
- the key is the blend of nationalities

I don't think that there are as many standout players now as there were back then and crucially, very few players are clearly ahead of the competition for a test shirt. That is a real cause for concern.

We still ended up with a center on one wing and a league convert who came from nowhere (and went back there afterwards) to be on the other. And Neil Jenkins was squeezed in because of his fantastic kicking and not a lot else

George Carlin wrote:I don't think that there are as many standout players now as there were back then and crucially, very few players are clearly ahead of the competition for a test shirt. That is a real cause for concern.

I completely agree with that. I don't actually think there's a single "no brainer" selection for the Test XV. No generally accepted core of world class players to select from - players like Johnson, POC, Hill, Dallaglio, Howley, Guscott, BOD, Williams and Robinson.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

George Carlin wrote:I don't think that there are as many standout players now as there were back then and crucially, very few players are clearly ahead of the competition for a test shirt. That is a real cause for concern.

I completely agree with that. I don't actually think there's a single "no brainer" selection for the Test XV. No generally accepted core of world class players to select from - players like Johnson, POC, Hill, Dallaglio, Howley, Guscott, BOD, Williams and Robinson.

Ahem

RDW_Scotland wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

George Carlin wrote:I don't think that there are as many standout players now as there were back then and crucially, very few players are clearly ahead of the competition for a test shirt. That is a real cause for concern.

I completely agree with that. I don't actually think there's a single "no brainer" selection for the Test XV. No generally accepted core of world class players to select from - players like Johnson, POC, Hill, Dallaglio, Howley, Guscott, BOD, Williams and Robinson.

Ahem

Yup, any journalist who fails to pick will be sent to a camp for re-education.

Well, imagine we are in the realm of dystopia and Bennett is injured, the 13 jersey could be one of the most hotly contested:

Joseph, Slade, Tuilagi, Burrell, Davies, Williams, Payne, Earls and Henshaw. Our very own Alex Dunbar could also be shifted to 13 if Cotter/Schmidt/Gatland want to go for a meaty midfield.

Maybe that would be a nice challenge

Make two teams - one for Beefy McBash Ball tactics and on for Fancy fleeting of foot tactics

Hmm interesting

Don't know about packs, but Beefy vs Fancy backlines could be

15. Brown - Hogg
14. Trimble - Watson
13. Tuilagi - Bennett
12. Roberts - Slade? (struggling)
11. North - Gilroy
10. Biggar - Ford
9. Laidlaw - Davies

Struggled with a beefy full back and a fancy 12