British & Irish Lions Squad 2017

First topic message reminder :

Fairly simple, champions cup aside, we have nearly all the information Garland will have to pick the Lions squad, so go ahead name your squad, your captain etc.

True Raven wrote:Fagerson has no chance.  A tight head needs to scrummage first before being called up to the lions.

It wouldn't surprise me to only see Hogg as the sole Scottish tourist, however it would be ridiculous and Dunbar, Gray (J), Russell and Seymour would be in my squad

People (the Irish) criticised Gatland before the last third test for dropping BOD and Gatlands decision was justified with a record victory .  So I'll hold off crucifying Gatland for his squad until after the third test against New Zealand.

Gatland's crap. He should stick to munching doughnuts.

Munchkin wrote:

True Raven wrote:Fagerson has no chance.  A tight head needs to scrummage first before being called up to the lions.

It wouldn't surprise me to only see Hogg as the sole Scottish tourist, however it would be ridiculous and Dunbar, Gray (J), Russell and Seymour would be in my squad

People (the Irish) criticised Gatland before the last third test for dropping BOD and Gatlands decision was justified with a record victory .  So I'll hold off crucifying Gatland for his squad until after the third test against New Zealand.

Gatland's crap. He should stick to munching doughnuts.

Yet he wins games

Gatland's prepares for the press conference.

Why we are taking Jamie Roberts
1) His lightening pace
2) His outside break
3) His deceptive footwork
4) His passing
5) His ability to kick off both feet
6) His ability to kick at all
7) His form for Wales
8) His form for Quins

Someone remind me why we are taking him.

His defensive leadership?

THe lions aren't exactly going to outscore the all blacks

True Raven wrote:His defensive leadership?

THe lions aren't exactly going to outscore the all blacks

No? So they plan on losing the series by as little as possible?

Exiledinborders wrote:Gatland's prepares for the press conference.

Why we are taking Jamie Roberts
1) His lightening pace
2) His outside break
3) His deceptive footwork
4) His passing
5) His ability to kick off both feet
6) His ability to kick at all
7) His form for Wales
8) His form for Quins

Someone remind me why we are taking him.  

9) His obedience to the one true Master.  His readiness (along with many of his Welsh comrades) to take the incremental hints from the Master about when to try hard during the year at club or country, and when to take it easy to be fresh for the Lions spot.  

Jamie knows the drill.  Hold it all in - wait for the anointed time - wait for the torturous conditioning routines the Lions players will be forced to endure (10% fitter than last Lions tour is I think the new mantra) - keep it all in - then explode into the key test of the series with unbelievable levels of physicality and stamina.... then take the bow and the glory. QED.

Gatland becomes a Jedi and lives forever.

True Raven wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

True Raven wrote:Fagerson has no chance.  A tight head needs to scrummage first before being called up to the lions.

It wouldn't surprise me to only see Hogg as the sole Scottish tourist, however it would be ridiculous and Dunbar, Gray (J), Russell and Seymour would be in my squad

People (the Irish) criticised Gatland before the last third test for dropping BOD and Gatlands decision was justified with a record victory .  So I'll hold off crucifying Gatland for his squad until after the third test against New Zealand.

Gatland's crap. He should stick to munching doughnuts.

Yet he wins games

True Raven wrote:His defensive leadership?

THe lions aren't exactly going to outscore the all blacks

Maybe he just isn't as used to the Quins system as the Gatland one (assuming we even have a system...) but that aspect has been sorely lacking this season as well, and we really could have done with it.

He's been good at drawing a defender on the dummy run though

True Raven wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

True Raven wrote:Fagerson has no chance.  A tight head needs to scrummage first before being called up to the lions.

It wouldn't surprise me to only see Hogg as the sole Scottish tourist, however it would be ridiculous and Dunbar, Gray (J), Russell and Seymour would be in my squad

People (the Irish) criticised Gatland before the last third test for dropping BOD and Gatlands decision was justified with a record victory .  So I'll hold off crucifying Gatland for his squad until after the third test against New Zealand.

Gatland's crap. He should stick to munching doughnuts.

Yet he wins games

A stunning 50% of them

Annoyingly I wanted Hartley to tour mostly so we could see how we do without him in Argentina

The likely squad to be announced today:

B3s: Hogg, Halfpenny, North, Nowell, Watson, Williams, Earls
Mids: Daly, Henshaw, Teo, Davies, Roberts
Flys: Sexton, Farrell, Biggar
SH: Murray, Youngs, Webb
Props: Marler, Vunipola, McGrath, Furlong, Sinckler, Cole
Hooks: Best, Owens, George
2nd Rows: Itoje, Kruis, Lawes, Wyn Jones, Ryan, Henderson
Flanks: O’Brien, O’Mahony, Stander, Warburton (capt), Tipuric
8 Men: Vunipola, Faletau

Crew of 40. Earls to make it once again.

All Welsh back 3 option

English, Welsh and Irish combos available on the 9/10/12/13 axis

Full Irish and Full English front row options

Full English locks and a Welshman for the test side, Henderson and Ryan for midweek

Full Welsh back row option and potentially full Irish back row option for a midweek game.

28 British and 12 Irish Lions. Seems like a good mix.

Roll on the series.

Looks pretty disappointing, but hey, what we have is what we have. 

Here goes nothing, but the Lions have my support though none of my optimism

ChequeredJersey wrote:Looks pretty disappointing, but hey, what we have is what we have. 

Here goes nothing, but the Lions have my support though none of my optimism

Understand your reaction, but it is worth considering that the slightly enlarged squad and additional Welsh players may be destined for the midweek matches, rather than the test matches.

A potential 1st test squad might be:

McGrath, Best, Furlong
Itoje, Kruis
Stander, Warburton
B Vunipola
Murray, Sexton
Farrell, Daly/Henshaw
North, Watson, Hogg

Pot Hale wrote:The likely squad to be announced today:

B3s: Hogg, Halfpenny, North, Nowell, Watson, Williams, Earls
Mids: Daly, Henshaw, Teo, Davies, Roberts
Flys: Sexton, Farrell, Biggar
SH: Murray, Youngs, Webb
Props: Marler, Vunipola, McGrath, Furlong, Sinckler, Cole
Hooks: Best, Owens, George
2nd Rows: Itoje, Kruis, Lawes, Wyn Jones, Ryan, Henderson
Flanks: O’Brien, O’Mahony, Stander, Warburton (capt), Tipuric
8 Men: Vunipola, Faletau

Crew of 40. Earls to make it once again.

All Welsh back 3 option

English, Welsh and Irish combos available on the 9/10/12/13 axis

Full Irish and Full English front row options

Full English locks and a Welshman for the test side, Henderson and Ryan for midweek

Full Welsh back row option and potentially full Irish back row option for a midweek game.

28 British and 12 Irish Lions. Seems like a good mix.

Roll on the series.

likely? from where?

15 English and yet they'll still carp about JJ and Launchbury.

12 Taffs and 12 Irish

and 1 solitary Scotch.

I guess it makes sense as Scotland won't be politically part of Britain much longer

So which games won't they lose?

Do the English, Irish and Welsh on here think it'd be reasonable/fair if there's only one or two Scots on tour?

Roberts set for inclusion. No reallybored seems bizarre.

Yes it is reasonable if thats how the Coach called it. The Scots choked on their deep fried Mars against France and England. 'Fair' is irrelevant unless you're Canadian.

And Wales choked against scotland.

Actually that's not fair at all. Scotland were just better.

Gwlad wrote:Yes it is reasonable if thats how the Coach called it. The Scots choked on their deep fried Mars against France and England. 'Fair' is irrelevant unless you're Canadian.

In the 6n Scotland scored 14 tries to wales 8. Not a small difference

And you're now filling the squad with Welsh backs ?

Bizarre, you think a lions team full of welsh who cant beat Scotland, can beat the all blacks ?

I'd be more disappointed about Roberts, 1/2P, Te'o and Earls being selected than the prospect of only a couple of Scots (although that would be bitterly disappointing)

alive555 wrote:

Gwlad wrote:Yes it is reasonable if thats how the Coach called it. The Scots choked on their deep fried Mars against France and England. 'Fair' is irrelevant unless you're Canadian.

So you think a lions team full of welsh who cant beat Scotland can best the all blacks ?

Non sequitur

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'd be more disappointed about Roberts, 1/2P, Te'o and Earls being selected than the prospect of only a couple of Scots (although that would be bitterly disappointing)

so who is Hogg's understudy if if is crocked and mid week?

Williams hopefully.

Gwlad wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'd be more disappointed about Roberts, 1/2P, Te'o and Earls being selected than the prospect of only a couple of Scots (although that would be bitterly disappointing)

so who is Hogg's understudy if if is crocked and mid week?

So you think 1/2P is the 2nd best fullback in Britain and Ireland?

Gwlad wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:The likely squad to be announced today:

B3s: Hogg, Halfpenny, North, Nowell, Watson, Williams, Earls
Mids: Daly, Henshaw, Teo, Davies, Roberts
Flys: Sexton, Farrell, Biggar
SH: Murray, Youngs, Webb
Props: Marler, Vunipola, McGrath, Furlong, Sinckler, Cole
Hooks: Best, Owens, George
2nd Rows: Itoje, Kruis, Lawes, Wyn Jones, Ryan, Henderson
Flanks: O’Brien, O’Mahony, Stander, Warburton (capt), Tipuric
8 Men: Vunipola, Faletau

Crew of 40. Earls to make it once again.

All Welsh back 3 option

English, Welsh and Irish combos available on the 9/10/12/13 axis

Full Irish and Full English front row options

Full English locks and a Welshman for the test side, Henderson and Ryan for midweek

Full Welsh back row option and potentially full Irish back row option for a midweek game.

28 British and 12 Irish Lions. Seems like a good mix.

Roll on the series.

likely? from where?

This seems to be the list that the Telegraph is leading with.

They have Hogg as the only Scot touring out of 40 players.

The sad part is that if any Scotland fan (or any home nations rugby fan with a shred of impartiality) expresses upset or incredulity at how ridiculous that is given where each team has finished in this 6N, they will smugly be accused of sour grapes. Can't win. All it really means for me is that whilst I hope that we win the test series, I won't be going out of my way to watch any of the games.

alive555 wrote:

Gwlad wrote:Yes it is reasonable if thats how the Coach called it. The Scots choked on their deep fried Mars against France and England. 'Fair' is irrelevant unless you're Canadian.

In the 6n Scotland scored 14 tries to wales 8. Not a small difference

And you're now filling the squad with Welsh backs ?

Bizarre, you think a lions team full of welsh who cant beat Scotland, can beat the all blacks ?

I think there should be more Scots in the lions squad but let's be real, that was Scotlands first win against Wales in over a decade.....even Zebre manage a win sometimes

I don't understand at all how Wales could end up with 12 players in the touring squad including 7 backs when they're attack has been blunt for a while now.

Hogg as the only Scot is a disgrace to be honest, you're telling me that Jonny Gray is presumably the 8th best lock in the NH according to Gatland?

So if Roberts is in the squad I'm sure Scott Williams can't wait for gatland to come back as the Wales coach.
Can any quins fans tell me if Dr jaw has shown any form recently?

True Raven wrote:

alive555 wrote:

Gwlad wrote:Yes it is reasonable if thats how the Coach called it. The Scots choked on their deep fried Mars against France and England. 'Fair' is irrelevant unless you're Canadian.

In the 6n Scotland scored 14 tries to wales 8. Not a small difference

And you're now filling the squad with Welsh backs ?

Bizarre, you think a lions team full of welsh who cant beat Scotland, can beat the all blacks ?

I think there should be more Scots in the lions squad  but let's be real, that was Scotlands first win against Wales in over a decade.....even Zebre manage a win sometimes

I don't understand this logic - the 2017 6N is the marker for form leading into the summer tour, not the 2015, 2012, 2007 etc.....what has results prior to this season got to do with anything?

RDW_Scotland wrote:

True Raven wrote:

alive555 wrote:

Gwlad wrote:Yes it is reasonable if thats how the Coach called it. The Scots choked on their deep fried Mars against France and England. 'Fair' is irrelevant unless you're Canadian.

In the 6n Scotland scored 14 tries to wales 8. Not a small difference

And you're now filling the squad with Welsh backs ?

Bizarre, you think a lions team full of welsh who cant beat Scotland, can beat the all blacks ?

I think there should be more Scots in the lions squad  but let's be real, that was Scotlands first win against Wales in over a decade.....even Zebre manage a win sometimes

I don't understand this logic - the 2017 6N is the marker for form leading into the summer tour, not the 2015, 2012, 2007 etc.....what has results prior to this season got to do with anything?

It's the only criteria anyone can possibly use to pick so many Welsh players.

Surprised that England have 7 players in the tight 5 selected, makes the Argentina tour problematic.

There now seems to be a get of jail card attached to selections hammer. How well do they get on on a tour. Obviously Jonny, Launchbury etc are known trouble makers which is why we're picking guys who are injured or just coming back...again. We also have heard from gatland previously that scotland are unlikely to get 50 50 calls as the professional coaching staff will only argue for guys from their own teams. I really really hope these leaks are rubbish.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:I don't understand at all how Wales could end up with 12 players in the touring squad including 7 backs when they're attack has been blunt for a while now.

Hogg as the only Scot is a disgrace to be honest, you're telling me that Jonny Gray is presumably the 8th best lock in the NH according to Gatland?

Don't mind the likes of Webb, Williams or North getting selected in the backs, they're class players.

But it's ridiculous to claim that Russell, Dunbar and Seymour haven't been better this season than Biggar, Roberts or Halfpenny.

Really hope this is the last Lions involvement for Gatland, Howley & Rowntree.  Apart from the obvious nepotism of selection, the dire style of rugby they coach is sh1t to watch and a waste of the best players in the home nations.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

True Raven wrote:

alive555 wrote:

Gwlad wrote:Yes it is reasonable if thats how the Coach called it. The Scots choked on their deep fried Mars against France and England. 'Fair' is irrelevant unless you're Canadian.

In the 6n Scotland scored 14 tries to wales 8. Not a small difference

And you're now filling the squad with Welsh backs ?

Bizarre, you think a lions team full of welsh who cant beat Scotland, can beat the all blacks ?

I think there should be more Scots in the lions squad  but let's be real, that was Scotlands first win against Wales in over a decade.....even Zebre manage a win sometimes

I don't understand this logic - the 2017 6N is the marker for form leading into the summer tour, not the 2015, 2012, 2007 etc.....what has results prior to this season got to do with anything?

Because the quote was if Wales can't beat Scotland how can they beat the All Blacks. I was pointing out this Welsh team has beaten Scotland several times.

I agree with you the team should be picked on form and it should be made of the bulk English with a few token Scots, Irish and Welsh

Gwlad wrote:15 English and yet they'll still carp about JJ and Launchbury.

It's not about the nationality. It's not about representation. People are upset (about JJ mostly) because they feel they are among the best in that position. Now with Launchbury there is a lot of competition, but with JJ there are plenty of people (and not just ENG fans) that are shocked he isn't considered as one of the best OC available.

There could be 30 Englishman selected, it still wouldn't make JJ's omission any less of a shock.

This Lions thing really brings the worst out in people.

From an Irish point of view Henderson is extremely lucky as i don't think he has shown enough form over the season, Ryan could have been left behind for one of the Gray's.
Earls good club form but would have taken Seymour.
I could argue that Payne should be ahead of JD2 but jj is ahead of both in my opinion anyway.
And how Roberts is there is just plain odd

Griff wrote:This Lions thing really brings the worst out in people.  

Notably Gatland.

Gwlad wrote:15 English and yet they'll still carp about JJ and Launchbury.

12 Taffs and 12 Irish

and 1 solitary Scotch.

I guess it makes sense as Scotland won't be politically part of Britain much longer

Even if I were sticking to a limit of 15 England players, I'd have JJ over Te'o and Launchbury over Lawes.

Earls and Roberts are the two I just don't get.

Pot Hale wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:Looks pretty disappointing, but hey, what we have is what we have. 

Here goes nothing, but the Lions have my support though none of my optimism

Understand your reaction, but it is worth considering that the slightly enlarged squad and additional Welsh players may be destined for the midweek matches, rather than the test matches.

A potential 1st test squad might be:

McGrath, Best, Furlong
Itoje, Kruis
Stander, Warburton
B Vunipola
Murray, Sexton
Farrell, Daly/Henshaw
North, Watson, Hogg

Of course the backline could easily be:

Murray, Sexton, North, Roberts, JD2, Williams, 1/2p

carpet baboon wrote:So if Roberts is in the squad I'm sure Scott Williams can't wait for gatland to come back as the Wales coach.
Can any quins fans tell me if  Dr jaw has shown any form recently?

Its depressing that Roberts is set to make the squad. He is basically a human battering ram.

robbo277 wrote:

Gwlad wrote:15 English and yet they'll still carp about JJ and Launchbury.

12 Taffs and 12 Irish

and 1 solitary Scotch.

I guess it makes sense as Scotland won't be politically part of Britain much longer

Even if I were sticking to a limit of 15 England players, I'd have JJ over Te'o and Launchbury over Lawes.

Earls and Roberts are the two I just don't get.

Absolutely agree. If I squint my eyes and bang my head off the wall a few times I can just about understand some kind of logic for Te'o and 1/2P (although it is very tenuous) but not those two.

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

carpet baboon wrote:So if Roberts is in the squad I'm sure Scott Williams can't wait for gatland to come back as the Wales coach.
Can any quins fans tell me if  Dr jaw has shown any form recently?

Its depressing that Roberts is set to make the squad. He is basically a human battering ram.

He's not even as good at that as he was.

Gwlad wrote:

alive555 wrote:

Gwlad wrote:Yes it is reasonable if thats how the Coach called it. The Scots choked on their deep fried Mars against France and England. 'Fair' is irrelevant unless you're Canadian.

So you think a lions team full of welsh who cant beat Scotland can best the all blacks ?

Non sequitur

Clearly dont know what those words mean

Not a clue

Hammersmith harrier wrote:I don't understand at all how Wales could end up with 12 players in the touring squad including 7 backs when they're attack has been blunt for a while now.

Hogg as the only Scot is a disgrace to be honest, you're telling me that Jonny Gray is presumably the 8th best lock in the NH according to Gatland?

I agree there should be more Scots and less Welsh. 100%. Roberts and Halfpenny should be no where near the squad.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

robbo277 wrote:

Gwlad wrote:15 English and yet they'll still carp about JJ and Launchbury.

12 Taffs and 12 Irish

and 1 solitary Scotch.

I guess it makes sense as Scotland won't be politically part of Britain much longer

Even if I were sticking to a limit of 15 England players, I'd have JJ over Te'o and Launchbury over Lawes.

Earls and Roberts are the two I just don't get.

Absolutely agree.  If I squint my eyes and bang my head off the wall a few times I can just about understand some kind of logic for Te'o and 1/2P (although it is very tenuous) but not those two.

Summed it up well for me. We'll all have our own opinions (I wouldn't have had Te'o or Halfpenny either), but those two are real head-scratchers.

At least I can get over my annoyance now before the squad is announced, and then if they're not there it will just be a pleasant surprise!

Earls will be having nightmares about tackling Julian Savea.

Roberts, Halfpenny and Biggar are bad calls. Roberts is too slow now and he and J.Davies were exposed last summer in NZ. Halfpenny has shown no form and should not be picked. Sexton and Farrell have the goal kicking covered and even Hogg does a good job there. Biggar is very brave and great at catching his own kicks, but offers no attacking threat and does not make use of his backs. Finn Russell is the more obvious choice. Just shows that coaches will revert to players they know well. Like Woodward, Gatland, is ignoring the obvious evidence called current and recent form.

But the test side will be strong and I will support, but for now I am feeling flat.