Lions by Country

rodders wrote:If Tipuric and Warbs go.

I think the backrows will be the 2 Welsh flankers, Stander, Billy V with Itoje providing cover at 6.

Gat's might take Henderson too so that is 6 well covered so not sure POM will be at the races.

Haskell I think will take the final spot.  

SecretFly wrote:In short Griff, Gats likes Sandpaper lads.

SecretFly wrote:my new word for abrasive players

rodders wrote:If Tipuric and Warbs go.

I think the backrows will be the 2 Welsh flankers, Stander, Billy V with Itoje providing cover at 6.

Gat's might take Henderson too so that is 6 well covered so not sure POM will be at the races.

Haskell I think will take the final spot.  

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Chris Robshaw makes his return tomorrow. Good timing to prove himself & Rowntree now part of the Lions coaching staff can press his claim

Gwlad wrote:Robshaw won't get anywhere near a lions tour. Its just laughable to suggest so. This is Gtaland we're talking about


He is twice the player AWJ- is. And in my personal opinion would make a better Captain. Than AWJ.

George Carlin wrote:Are we all assuming that AWJ will be unbroken in sufficient time to travel?

BigGee wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Are we all assuming that AWJ will be unbroken in sufficient time to travel?

He certainly won't be fit for the announcement of the squad. I can't remember if they have ever named players on the provision of fitness. I don't think so.

At the very least, it would surely have ruled him out of the captaincy.


Should of ruled him out of the tour. Not just the Captaincy.

majesticimperialman wrote:

BigGee wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Are we all assuming that AWJ will be unbroken in sufficient time to travel?

He certainly won't be fit for the announcement of the squad. I can't remember if they have ever named players on the provision of fitness. I don't think so.

At the very least, it would surely have ruled him out of the captaincy.


Should of ruled him out of the tour. Not just the Captaincy.

majesticimperialman wrote:

BigGee wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Are we all assuming that AWJ will be unbroken in sufficient time to travel?

He certainly won't be fit for the announcement of the squad. I can't remember if they have ever named players on the provision of fitness. I don't think so.

At the very least, it would surely have ruled him out of the captaincy.


Should of ruled him out of the tour. Not just the Captaincy.

Gwlad wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:

BigGee wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Are we all assuming that AWJ will be unbroken in sufficient time to travel?

He certainly won't be fit for the announcement of the squad. I can't remember if they have ever named players on the provision of fitness. I don't think so.

At the very least, it would surely have ruled him out of the captaincy.


Should of ruled him out of the tour. Not just the Captaincy.

You didn't think he'd be going on tour fit or not, you're so desperate to have him off the tour your bias is showing.


Why will you not get it through your thick skull.

It is not biased. I simply believe he is not good enough, eithe as a second row. ( their are better ) Or as Captain.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:It gets a bit silly when you're being accused of bias when you don't think AWJ is good enough to be touring, nobody has a god given right to be selected.

Gooseberry wrote:

Hammersmith harrier wrote:It gets a bit silly when you're being accused of bias when you don't think AWJ is good enough to be touring, nobody has a god given right to be selected.

It gets even more silly when people fail to use the quote function properly so you cant even decipher which one is arguing what about which player.

The same principles apply to AWJ and Robshaw:

Both will be fit. Both have to be selected on merit.

In AWJs case hes had more recent international game time, with varied results. In Robshaws case he had good international performances some months ago, and has the opportunity to press his case in upcoming club games. Neither though would be getting sleected largely on the last 6 months (unlike somone like Daly) though, they are both long term proven quality players. Not quite in teh same league but the likes of BOD and SWilliams wouldnt have got selected for tours based on their form in the run up to them.

Both of them play in very competitive positions.

I persoanlly think AWJ has a far better chance of getting selected though, and is a possible captain despite all the fuss that was kicked up about certain decisions. Neither should be massively controversial if included or left behind, but whatever happens you can garuntee someone will get forum outrage over it. (Probably a Scotlander when both the Greys dont get selected and Laidlaw isnt Capatain )

cascough wrote:Wouldn't be surprised to see both of the Graighs miss out to be honest. They were pretty good in the 6N but neither were particularly abrasive. I reckon that's the way to beat New Zealand and I've a sneaking suspicion Gatland will too.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

cascough wrote:Wouldn't be surprised to see both of the Graighs miss out to be honest. They were pretty good in the 6N but neither were particularly abrasive. I reckon that's the way to beat New Zealand and I've a sneaking suspicion Gatland will too.

That might be fair comment on Richie Gray but anyone who says Jonny Gray isn't an abrasive player simply hasn't watched him play.

I don't think either Gray is a shoe-in for the Lions, but taking form into account over the last 12 months, I think Jonny Gray has a very strong case. That said, and as has been said numerous times on here, the lock selection is going to be brutal. Several very good players are going to miss out. I'm a huge fan of Iain Henderson for example, and yet he rarely features in mock Lions squads, probably because both Launchbury and Itoje have played so well in recent times.