Lions 2017: Name the Squad Competition

• Following the same format as 2013, name the squad you expect to be named by Gatland next month.
  

• List them in the order you most expect to be selected.
  

• You may edit your squad at any time before Gats starts his press conference at the Hilton London Syon Park on Wednesday April 19th.
  

• You will be awarded points for the number of successful players you name before you list an incorrect one.*
  

• Most points win.
  

• None whatsoever, except the admiration scorn of the 606 community for thinking just like Gats.
  

Gooseberry wrote:Do you know when hes announcing it?
What happens if players on our list are injured before the announcement?
Do we get double points for correctly identifying the one token Scotland player? (I'd say Scot but it might be Maitland)

No 7&1/2 wrote:Announced on the 19th April last I heard.

Gooseberry wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:Announced on the 19th April last I heard.

I heard April 1st :

Andrews
Ball
Baldwin
Bigger
Charteris
Cracknell
Cuthbert
Dacey
Davies
Davies
Davies
Davies
Davies
Davies
Davies
Davies
Evans
Evans
Evans
Evans
Evans
Evans
Faletau
Francis
Halfpenny
Hewit
Hill
Jones
Jones
Jones
Jones
Jones
Jones
King
Lee
Moriarty
North
Owens
Roberts
Shingler (token Scot)
Smith
Thornton
Tipuric
Webb
Williams
Williams
Williams
Williams
Williams
Young

majesticimperialman wrote:Furlong, Cole, (Marler possibly) Mako V Mcgrath

Owens, Hartley George, (Best posibly )

Itoje, Launchberry Pom, (Krus if fit) (Awj if fit)

Warburton, Tiperic, O'Brian, Robshaw,

Falateu, Billy V Stander.

Murry, Youngs, (one of Care/ Webb)

Sexton, Farrell though could be a12, One of Ford/ Biggar, ( possibly Russell.)

JJ, Ringrose, Henshaw, Jones. ( posssibly Scot Williams)

Watson, North L wiiliams Maitland, Daily.

Hogg, Brown ( Possibly Halfpenny)

majesticimperialman wrote:Gwlad 

What is the  . For at the side of Halfpennys name?

Do you seriously thinkhis form this years deserves selection for the Lions tour. His form in the 6ns was not that great, and his kicking at goal this year as been more miss than hit than on target.

If the only reason you wan't Halfpenny in the team just for his kicking at goal. Well you have Sexton and Farrell for that 2 of the best goal kickers in the NH.

 And if you are talking about Long range kicks, Well you have Daily for that.

At least i did not pick Vickery in the squad.

majesticimperialman wrote:Pretty  sure Biggar will not go due to getting a concushion. Again.

And Warburton?  getting a knee injury, before the Lions is even picked. Still i suppose it is only to be expected with him. All ways seems to get injured before big games/tournaments.

Gwlad wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:Pretty  sure Biggar will not go due to getting a concushion. Again.

And Warburton?  getting a knee injury, before the Lions is even picked. Still i suppose it is only to be expected with him. All ways seems to get injured before big games/tournaments.

Concushion?

Is that the same as being an idiot?


You should know all about that.

majesticimperialman wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:Pretty  sure Biggar will not go due to getting a concushion. Again.

And Warburton?  getting a knee injury, before the Lions is even picked. Still i suppose it is only to be expected with him. All ways seems to get injured before big games/tournaments.

Concushion?

Is that the same as being an idiot?


You should know all about that.

Gwlad wrote:

Gooseberry wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:Announced on the 19th April last I heard.

I heard April 1st :

Andrews
Ball
Baldwin
Bigger
Charteris
Cracknell
Cuthbert
Dacey
Davies
Davies
Davies
Davies
Davies
Davies
Davies
Davies
Evans
Evans
Evans
Evans
Evans
Evans
Faletau
Francis
Halfpenny
Hewit
Hill
Jones
Jones
Jones
Jones
Jones
Jones
King
Lee
Moriarty
North
Owens
Roberts
Shingler (token Scot)
Smith
Thornton
Tipuric
Webb
Williams
Williams
Williams
Williams
Williams
Young

Loser

Nobody would pick Cuthbert.

beshocked wrote:ruggerradge you think Gatland will pick that many Scottish players?

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

14 English
12 Irish
9 Scots
8 Welsh

The numbers selected for the tour reflect the 6N table as it finished and how I feel the teams performed throughout. England obviously worthy champions and worthy winners hence they provide the bulk of the team. Ireland's strong showing against England, France and Italy was build from their powerful back row and set piece hence they provide a lot of the forwards. Scotland's backs were outstanding, scoring more tries against their Lions peers than any of the other Lions countries hence Scotland provides the strike runners, and Wales, despite having a disappointing tournament provide key players in key areas who performed really well.

43, is a big squad and 6 players more than I feel Gatland would take, but this is who I'd take. The schedule is verging on ridiculous and injuries are inevitable. Hence I'd take a bigger squad so that the player have more time together for training, banter and bonding. These players will have to play for each other if we are to emerge victorious and the best way to do that is anticipate the injury cover required, take a bigger squad, so that noone comes in as an outsider.

Loosie
Marler - Vunipola - McGrath
This for me is one of the easier positions to pick. Marler's scrummaging is very strong, and Mako is I think one of the best loosehead props in the world. His play in the loose is better than some gym monkey centres and McGrath hasn't taken a backward step all tournament.

Hooker
Owens - George - Best
Ken Owens has been one of Wales' most consistent and best performing players. Jamie George is a fantastic player too. Best had a inconsistent tournament but he would be a well respected tourist and IMO a key member of the leadership group.

Tighthead
Furlong -  Cole - Francis
Furlong is an incredible player and has been the a cornerstone of Ireland's terrific performances against France and England. Cole is already a Lions tourist and although starting slowly had a great 6N. Francis is another who was part of a very strong Welsh front row who apart from the last 20 minutes in Paris had a very strong showing against a powerful French set piece.

Lock
Lawes - Launchberry - Henderson - Gray Brothers - Charteris
This was by some distance the hardest area to trim down. Not picking AWJ was the toughest decision to make. Despite poking fun at "kickgate" (I hate the suffix gate being used but couldn't resist) he is a great captain and would be another key member of the Lions leadership group if not the captain. However a shoulder injury is one of the worst injuries for any player to have, in particular a lock. Doctors say only 6 weeks, but shoulder injuries linger, and this tour will be brutal and I wouldn't want to risk bringing a player who is already carrying a niggle. Lawes and Launchberry have been immense Lawes finally seems to have developed into a very powerful and extremely dynamic player who always gives his all. Launchberry was Englands best and most consistent player all tournament. Henderson also had a great tournament and was a nuisance in every game he played. Charteris lineout and maul disruption prowess is what made me pick him. I also selected both Gray brothers Richie's time at Toulouse seems to have developed him into a more rounded player and despite Johnny playing better at the start of the 6N tournament I feel Richie finished stronger and I was disapointed he couldn't get over his dead leg to play against Italy. Johnny Gray continued his impressive dirty work by making a whopping 87 tackles in the tournament and missing only 3. He also made 26 tackles against Ireland. 26!

Backrow
Warburton - Moriarty -  Stander - O'Mahony - O'Brien - Watson - Vunipola - Itoje
Warburton used this 6N to silence his critics. He was incredible. Tipuric had a good tournament but it was Warb's work at the breakdown, his powerful carries that kept Wales moving forward and he had a terrific turnover rate. Moriarty's physicality was very notable, particularly in the England game, he's also carried very well. POM, his performances beg the question why he didn't start more games. Those of us who are familiar with the Pro12 see a lot of POM and he is an amazing player. Stander = A Bank safe on legs and O'Brien had a good tournament from the openside. Watson was Scotland's standout player in the Forwards, I've used a few stats here his tackle complation is up there with the best tacklers in the 6N. In the Ireland game he was on for only 50 minutes. He made 17 tackles and missed 0. However the stat I like best about Watson is the clean breaks 0, defenders beaten 11. Billy V, do I need to justify this pick? And Itoje, I feel he didn't have a great tournament, the Ireland game in particular showed him up a bit to be a little bit of a hot head. As has been discussed on other threads, another ref might have binned him for such antics. However he is an amazing athlete and I picked him in the backrow selection knowing he can play lock if neccesary.

Scrum Half
Webb - Murray - Youngs
Webb and Murray are the obvious choices, I would have picked Laidlaw if I could, citing he'd be a good tourist and another member of the leadership team, but as with AWJ, there is no room for niggly injuries on this tour.

Stand Off
Ford - Sexton - Russel
Again Ford had a good tournament and Sexton was an absolute warrior. Both will tour and I would anticipate if they stay injury free will start the tests. I also picked Russell. I know he had a bad game against England and the pressure influenced his decision making. However the ability to conjure something from absolutely nothing is a trait that will be very useful on this tour, even if it is only used in the midweek games. It's no conicidence that when Russel plays well, Scotland play well. Scotland's dangerous and predatory offence is all built of Russel's passing, positioning vision and guts. All attributes that will serve the Lions well.

Centre
Farrell - JJ - Teo Ringrose - Henshaw - Payne - Dunbar
A very Irish/English heavy centre combination. This reflects how they played in the tournament. Wales we horrendously blunt, if fairly stout defensively. However England and Ireland made good tries especially in the centre and defended well to boot. Farrell will be another key member of the leadership team and I would imagine could and should start the tests at 12, he and Sexton will marshall a strong defence. Dunbar is a contraversial pick. Despite some brilliant 1st phase play by England to make the Scottish centreline look daft, Dunbar had a very strong tournament. He carried well and Scored the most Turnovers by a player who wasn't a Forward. Also lineout completion rate 100%   Payne also had a great cameo from Full back against England, but I picked him in the centre because I've seen him play well there for Ulster. JD2 and Williams miss out, they have to take a bit of flack for faling to get the Welsh backline firing and scoring tries.

Wingers
Seymour - Visser - Nowell - Daly - North
Had to make room for Seymour and Visser. Both had very strong tournaments, are excellent in the air and defended their channels well. Nowell and Daly also had very good tournaments. The fact that Daly can move into outside centre means he gets the nod too. North was embarrased a bit by Visser, but he came roaring back to life against Ireland. It's a shame Wales didn't get the ball to him more often against France or they might have won the match.

Fullback
Hogg - Williams
Player of the tournament and Wales' best attacking threat, easy.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Ok, here goes, who I think Gatland will pick:

Mako, McGrath, G Jenkins
Owens, Best, George
Furlong, Nel, Cole
AWJ, Luanchbery, Lawes, Itoje, Henderson
Warburton, Tipuric, Watson, Stander,
Faletau, Vunipola

Webb, Murray, Youngs
Sexton, Russell, Biggar
Farrell, Roberts, JD2, JJ, Williams,
Seymour, North, Daly,
Williams, Hogg, Halfpenny

LondonTiger wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Ok, here goes, who I think Gatland will pick:

Mako, McGrath, G Jenkins
Owens, Best, George
Furlong, Nel, Cole
AWJ, Luanchbery, Lawes, Itoje, Henderson
Warburton, Tipuric, Watson, Stander,
Faletau, Vunipola

Webb, Murray, Youngs
Sexton, Russell, Biggar
Farrell, Roberts, JD2, JJ, Williams,
Seymour, North, Daly,
Williams, Hogg, Halfpenny

If Gethin does not go, then you only score two. Want to re-order to fit those most likely to be selected?

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

beshocked wrote:ruggerradge you think Gatland will pick that many Scottish players?

what 5 guys? I don't see why not. I think the squad will be very Wales heavy hence they have 14 players, England with 11 and since Ireland were slain by mighty Wales they only get 7 players.

Scotland despite beating mighty Wales get a couple of token players to compliment Watson and Hogg who have been the form players at 7 and 15 respectively.

This squad of course is wildly different from the one I would have picked, the one I would have chosen:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

14 English
12 Irish
9 Scots
8 Welsh

The numbers selected for the tour reflect the 6N table as it finished and how I feel the teams performed throughout. England obviously worthy champions and worthy winners hence they provide the bulk of the team. Ireland's strong showing against England, France and Italy was build from their powerful back row and set piece hence they provide a lot of the forwards. Scotland's backs were outstanding, scoring more tries against their Lions peers than any of the other Lions countries hence Scotland provides the strike runners, and Wales, despite having a disappointing tournament provide key players in key areas who performed really well.

43, is a big squad and 6 players more than I feel Gatland would take, but this is who I'd take. The schedule is verging on ridiculous and injuries are inevitable. Hence I'd take a bigger squad so that the player have more time together for training, banter and bonding. These players will have to play for each other if we are to emerge victorious and the best way to do that is anticipate the injury cover required, take a bigger squad, so that noone comes in as an outsider.

Loosie
Marler - Vunipola - McGrath
This for me is one of the easier positions to pick. Marler's scrummaging is very strong, and Mako is I think one of the best loosehead props in the world. His play in the loose is better than some gym monkey centres and McGrath hasn't taken a backward step all tournament.

Hooker
Owens - George - Best
Ken Owens has been one of Wales' most consistent and best performing players. Jamie George is a fantastic player too. Best had a inconsistent tournament but he would be a well respected tourist and IMO a key member of the leadership group.

Tighthead
Furlong -  Cole - Francis
Furlong is an incredible player and has been the a cornerstone of Ireland's terrific performances against France and England. Cole is already a Lions tourist and although starting slowly had a great 6N. Francis is another who was part of a very strong Welsh front row who apart from the last 20 minutes in Paris had a very strong showing against a powerful French set piece.

Lock
Lawes - Launchberry - Henderson - Gray Brothers - Charteris
This was by some distance the hardest area to trim down. Not picking AWJ was the toughest decision to make. Despite poking fun at "kickgate" (I hate the suffix gate being used but couldn't resist) he is a great captain and would be another key member of the Lions leadership group if not the captain. However a shoulder injury is one of the worst injuries for any player to have, in particular a lock. Doctors say only 6 weeks, but shoulder injuries linger, and this tour will be brutal and I wouldn't want to risk bringing a player who is already carrying a niggle. Lawes and Launchberry have been immense Lawes finally seems to have developed into a very powerful and extremely dynamic player who always gives his all. Launchberry was Englands best and most consistent player all tournament. Henderson also had a great tournament and was a nuisance in every game he played. Charteris lineout and maul disruption prowess is what made me pick him. I also selected both Gray brothers Richie's time at Toulouse seems to have developed him into a more rounded player and despite Johnny playing better at the start of the 6N tournament I feel Richie finished stronger and I was disapointed he couldn't get over his dead leg to play against Italy. Johnny Gray continued his impressive dirty work by making a whopping 87 tackles in the tournament and missing only 3. He also made 26 tackles against Ireland. 26!

Backrow
Warburton - Moriarty -  Stander - O'Mahony - O'Brien - Watson - Vunipola - Itoje
Warburton used this 6N to silence his critics. He was incredible. Tipuric had a good tournament but it was Warb's work at the breakdown, his powerful carries that kept Wales moving forward and he had a terrific turnover rate. Moriarty's physicality was very notable, particularly in the England game, he's also carried very well. POM, his performances beg the question why he didn't start more games. Those of us who are familiar with the Pro12 see a lot of POM and he is an amazing player. Stander = A Bank safe on legs and O'Brien had a good tournament from the openside. Watson was Scotland's standout player in the Forwards, I've used a few stats here his tackle complation is up there with the best tacklers in the 6N. In the Ireland game he was on for only 50 minutes. He made 17 tackles and missed 0. However the stat I like best about Watson is the clean breaks 0, defenders beaten 11. Billy V, do I need to justify this pick? And Itoje, I feel he didn't have a great tournament, the Ireland game in particular showed him up a bit to be a little bit of a hot head. As has been discussed on other threads, another ref might have binned him for such antics. However he is an amazing athlete and I picked him in the backrow selection knowing he can play lock if neccesary.

Scrum Half
Webb - Murray - Youngs
Webb and Murray are the obvious choices, I would have picked Laidlaw if I could, citing he'd be a good tourist and another member of the leadership team, but as with AWJ, there is no room for niggly injuries on this tour.

Stand Off
Ford - Sexton - Russel
Again Ford had a good tournament and Sexton was an absolute warrior. Both will tour and I would anticipate if they stay injury free will start the tests. I also picked Russell. I know he had a bad game against England and the pressure influenced his decision making. However the ability to conjure something from absolutely nothing is a trait that will be very useful on this tour, even if it is only used in the midweek games. It's no conicidence that when Russel plays well, Scotland play well. Scotland's dangerous and predatory offence is all built of Russel's passing, positioning vision and guts. All attributes that will serve the Lions well.

Centre
Farrell - JJ - Teo Ringrose - Henshaw - Payne - Dunbar
A very Irish/English heavy centre combination. This reflects how they played in the tournament. Wales we horrendously blunt, if fairly stout defensively. However England and Ireland made good tries especially in the centre and defended well to boot. Farrell will be another key member of the leadership team and I would imagine could and should start the tests at 12, he and Sexton will marshall a strong defence. Dunbar is a contraversial pick. Despite some brilliant 1st phase play by England to make the Scottish centreline look daft, Dunbar had a very strong tournament. He carried well and Scored the most Turnovers by a player who wasn't a Forward. Also lineout completion rate 100%   Payne also had a great cameo from Full back against England, but I picked him in the centre because I've seen him play well there for Ulster. JD2 and Williams miss out, they have to take a bit of flack for faling to get the Welsh backline firing and scoring tries.

Wingers
Seymour - Visser - Nowell - Daly - North
Had to make room for Seymour and Visser. Both had very strong tournaments, are excellent in the air and defended their channels well. Nowell and Daly also had very good tournaments. The fact that Daly can move into outside centre means he gets the nod too. North was embarrased a bit by Visser, but he came roaring back to life against Ireland. It's a shame Wales didn't get the ball to him more often against France or they might have won the match.

Fullback
Hogg - Williams
Player of the tournament and Wales' best attacking threat, easy.

IanBru wrote:Ha! I was going to say that...

I've got my 37 man squad, just working on the order.

cascough wrote:It's got nothing to do with how Gatland reads them out.

IanBru wrote:

cascough wrote:It's got nothing to do with how Gatland reads them out.

I was kind of hoping he'd read the list in iambic pentameter.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Ok, here goes, who I think Gatland will pick:

Mako, McGrath, G Jenkins
Owens, Best, George
Furlong, Nel, Cole
AWJ, Luanchbery, Lawes, Itoje, Henderson
Warburton, Tipuric, Watson, Stander,
Faletau, Vunipola

Webb, Murray, Youngs
Sexton, Russell, Biggar
Farrell, Roberts, JD2, JJ, Williams,
Seymour, North, Daly,
Williams, Hogg, Halfpenny

If Gethin does not go, then you only score two. Want to re-order to fit those most likely to be selected?

yeah I'll do that at lunch.

George Carlin wrote:Maro Itoje's talent takes up 6 spots on the plane - nobody seems to have factored this in.

majesticimperialman wrote:Warburton out for 6 weeks. 

So no lions tour for him then.

Gooseberry wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Maro Itoje's talent takes up 6 spots on the plane - nobody seems to have factored this in.

In alphabetical order he comes between George and Goode

Gwlad wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:Warburton out for 6 weeks. 

So no lions tour for him then.

Don't be a chump, sound like you like the fact the guy is hurt

First game is end of June.


I am not happy that the guy is injured.

I am of the firm belief that  ( NO PLAYER ) should be selected unless they are 100 percent fit.


After all the Lions do wan't to win. right. 

majesticimperialman wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:Warburton out for 6 weeks. 

So no lions tour for him then.

Don't be a chump, sound like you like the fact the guy is hurt

First game is end of June.


I am not happy that the guy is injured.

I am of the firm belief that  ( NO PLAYER ) should be selected unless they are 100 percent fit.


After all the Lions do wan't to win. right. 

No 7&1/2 wrote:We're going to end up taking unfit players again aren't we.

Cyril wrote:No arguments here Gwlad. Gats will take his mates into NZ hell. SCW will be a saint after this.