If the Lions was this Summer

by red_stag Mon 4 Jul - 19:03

A devilishly over done topic but its the offseason and this is a topic that usually drags in a lot of fans from different countries and has people championing certain players.

If the Lions were touring this year who would get selected in your squad and who would make the starting team. I know there are a few injuries but to be honest I didn't really bother taking them into account.

Prop: Gethin Jenkins, Cian Healy, Andrew Sheridan, Dan Cole, Adam Jones, Mike Ross
Hooker: Dylan Hartley, Rory Best, Matthew Rees
Lock: Nathan Hines, Alun Wyn-Jones, Paul O'Connell, Tom Palmer, Richie Grey
Flanker: Sean O'Brian, Tom Wood, Stephen Ferris, Sam Warburton, John Barclay
Number 8: Jamie Heaslip, Nick Easter
Scrumhalf: Danny Care, Ben Youngs, Chris Cusiter
Flyhalf: Jonny Wilkinson, James Hook, Jonathon Sexton
Centre: Bradley Barritt, Jonathon Davies, Fergus McFadden, Brian O'Driscoll, Max Evans, Manu Tuilagi
Winger: Andrew Trimble, Leigh Halfpenny, Chris Ashton, Tommy Bowe
Fullback: Ben Foden, Keith Earls

01 Andrew Sheridan
02 Dylan Hartley
03 Adam Jones
04 Nathan Hines
05 Paul O'Connell
06 Sean O'Brien
07 Sam Warburton
08 Jamie Heaslip
09 Danny Care
10 Jonathon Sexton
11 Max Evans
12 Jonathon Davies
13 Brian O'Driscoll
14 Tommy Bowe
15 Ben Foden

by maestegmafia Mon 4 Jul - 19:06

red_stag wrote:A devilishly over done topic but its the offseason and this is a topic that usually drags in a lot of fans from different countries and has people championing certain players.

If the Lions were touring this year who would get selected in your squad and who would make the starting team. I know there are a few injuries but to be honest I didn't really bother taking them into account.

Prop: Gethin Jenkins, Cian Healy, Andrew Sheridan, Dan Cole, Adam Jones, Mike Ross
Hooker: Dylan Hartley, Rory Best, Matthew Rees
Lock: Nathan Hines, Alun Wyn-Jones, Paul O'Connell, Tom Palmer, Richie Grey
Flanker: Sean O'Brian, Tom Wood, Stephen Ferris, Sam Warburton, John Barclay
Number 8: Jamie Heaslip, Nick Easter
Scrumhalf: Danny Care, Ben Youngs, Chris Cusiter
Flyhalf: Jonny Wilkinson, James Hook, Jonathon Sexton
Centre: Bradley Barritt, Jonathon Davies, Fergus McFadden, Brian O'Driscoll, Max Evans, Manu Tuilagi
Winger: Andrew Trimble, Leigh Halfpenny, Chris Ashton, Tommy Bowe
Fullback: Ben Foden, Keith Earls

01 Andrew Sheridan
02 Dylan Hartley
03 Adam Jones
04 Nathan Hines
05 Paul O'Connell
06 Sean O'Brien
07 Sam Warburton
08 Jamie Heaslip
09 Danny Care
10 Jonathon Sexton
11 Max Evans
12 Jonathon Davies
13 Brian O'Driscoll
14 Tommy Bowe
15 Ben Foden

Cant see Sheridan getting a call up, he's not done much in the last few years. Probably call on Paul James ahead of him.

by Shifty Mon 4 Jul - 19:07

If the Lions was this Summer

The Lions would be in deep, deep, deep trouble, lol!

by Draigoch Mon 4 Jul - 19:29

Since we're not worrying about injuries I'd have Gethin in there ahead of Sheridan, also - maybe Ferris then instead of O'Brien?

Good team otherwise!

by Suspicious lurker Mon 4 Jul - 19:31

Why isnt shane Jennings in the squad?

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 4 Jul - 19:34

Where is Henson?

by Rava Mon 4 Jul - 19:49

Shouldn't we pick the Team Manager and Head Coach first? That would give us a couple of clues as to the content of any squad.

I would be thinking Paddy Wallace as he can cover 10 and 12!!

by Sin é Mon 4 Jul - 19:57

If Nathan Hynes isn't starting for Scotland, how could you have him starting for the Lions?

by WillyGilly Mon 4 Jul - 20:56

Don't think Stag is taking this seriously. Why else would he leave out the enigma that is Danny Cipriani?

by red_stag Mon 4 Jul - 21:06

Sin é wrote:If Nathan Hynes isn't starting for Scotland, how could you have him starting for the Lions?

As the national teams starting XV isn't the be and end all Very Happy

by Cari Mon 4 Jul - 21:09

Could still have Wally in there Staggy...I'm disappointed you missed him out raspberry

by red_stag Mon 4 Jul - 21:09

We could have a decent dirt trackers team of:

Jenkins, Best, Cole
Wynjones, Grey
Ferris, Easter, Barclay
Youngs, Hook
McFadden, Tuilagi
Trimble, Earls, Ashton

by red_stag Mon 4 Jul - 21:12

Cari wrote:Could still have Wally in there Staggy...I'm disappointed you missed him out

Nah him and you are going on a holiday instead.

Warbs, Barclay and O'Brien can cover 7.

by Cari Mon 4 Jul - 21:15

That'll do! Very Happy

No Rob Kearney? Tsk! Wink

by red_stag Mon 4 Jul - 21:20

He's your holiday backup in case Wally is sick Smile

I'd be inclined to consider Mike Brown outside of the fullbacks picked. Like 12 its a position with few stand out performers.

by Cari Mon 4 Jul - 21:27

Staggy - you might as well replace Tommy at 14 then just for my hols like Wink

by **Notch** Mon 4 Jul - 21:27

Prop; Alex Corbisero, Andrew Sheridan, Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Dan Cole, Mike Ross
Hooker; Rory Best, Dylan Hartley, Matthew Rees
Lock; Paul O'Connell (captain), Courtney Lawes, Richie Gray, Alastair Kellock, Tom Palmer
Backrow; Stephen Ferris, Sean O'Brien, John Barclay, Tom Wood, Kelly Brown
Number Eight; Jamie Heaslip, Thomas Waldrom
Scrum-half; Ben Youngs, Chris Cusiter, Danny Care
Outhalf; Johnny Sexton, Toby Flood, Stephen Jones
Centres; Manu Tuilagi, Brian O'Driscoll, Max Evans, Jonathon Davies, Jamie Roberts
Back Three; Keith Earls, Tommy Bowe, Chris Ashton, Leigh Halfpenny, Chris Paterson, Ben Foden, Andrew Trimble

by red_stag Mon 4 Jul - 21:33

Are you not gonna be travelling yourself Paddy? Or are you and Mrs Wallace away? Smile

by **Notch** Mon 4 Jul - 21:37

You're hilarious Stag.

I will be away with Mrs Wallace however, don't know what Paddy is doing king

by johnpartle Mon 4 Jul - 21:57

Pretty good side. Not sure I would go for Evans at centre though, I'd probably prefer Ansbro. Not much in it, but Croft would get the nod over Wood for me as well, particularly given how he performed on the last Lions. Cusiter hasn't played international rugby for well over a year, so I'd go Irish there. And Lawes would have someone's spot at lock

by red_stag Mon 4 Jul - 22:01

John, the way I thought about it was that Evans has versatility and for me is the better player. As for Croft over Wood I think there are enough players who can do what Croft brings. Wood has a rare skill and those kind of players are needed. Actually forget about Laws completely.

by lostinwales Mon 4 Jul - 22:06

And both Gethin and Sheridan stay at home for the same reason - done very little all year however great the reputation

by johnpartle Mon 4 Jul - 23:00

Fair enough if you think Evans is the better player. I'd argue Ansbro is just as versatile though (he's played more at wing for Saints than centre). Evans is definitely the better winger, but I prefer Ansbro at centre. It's probably just his name under centre that made me say something, I doubt I would have mentioned him if you had only had 5 centres and gone for him as a 5th winger.

What do you think it is that Wood brings that is rare in the others? I really rate him as a player, but feel that what he offers is also there in some of your other more experienced backrow selections. What stood out in Croft's favour in addition to his previous Lions experience for me is his extra pace and lineout ability.

by red_stag Mon 4 Jul - 23:04

John, I think its the willingness to do the unseen and unglamouress work at the breakdown. I think few backrows want to do it nowdays, They either will be smashing tacklers or storming ball carriers. Rather like Lydiate, Wood is a player who allows others around him to do better. Lineout option and experience are good points though.

by **Notch** Mon 4 Jul - 23:58

lostinwales wrote:And both Gethin and Sheridan stay at home for the same reason - done very little all year however great the reputation

Like it not, the other options at loosehead are tom kite.

by Guest Tue 5 Jul - 2:18

Joe Bedford, Aled Brew, Tom Brown, Nathan Buck, Lloyd Burns, Royce Cadman, Luke Charteris, Andrew Coombs, Aaron Coundley, Hugo Ellis, Jonathan Evans, Lewis Evans, Wayne Evans, Toby Faletau, Jevon Groves, Hugh Gustafson, Will Harries, Adam Hughes, Rhys Jenkins, Adam Jones, Matthew Jones, Steffan Jones, Steve Jones, Patrick Leach, James Leadbeater, Danny Lydiate, Scott Morgan, Sam Parry, Matthew Pewtner, Michael Poole, Phil Price, Tom Riley, Scott Roberts, Gethin Robinson, Lewis Robling, Robert Sidoli, Ashley Smith, Jamie Smith, Gavin Thomas, Martyn Thomas, Jason Tovey, Dan Watchurst, Dan Way, Nathan Williams.

Coach Darren Edwards.

In the interests of politics, I'll add a Scot (there's already at least one Irishman and Englishman in there), so I'll take Euan Murray as that balanced Lions squad is maybe a bit light on tightheads. Plus Murray was good value on the last tour.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 5 Jul - 8:58

Rev, Some Average Squad that! laughing

by red_stag Tue 5 Jul - 8:59

Notch - Chris Patterson?? Really?

Waldrom is a big shout at backrow.

by Breadvan Tue 5 Jul - 9:03

Dragons players? I suppose they could handle the baggage and clean the boots........ Whistle

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 5 Jul - 9:03

red_stag wrote:Notch - Chris Patterson?? Really?

Same could be said about Earls, what did he do to earn an inclusion in the full back berth?

Paterson is certainly a lot better than Earls.

IMO he was the best full back in the 6N.

Competition wise Foden was solid if unspectacular, Paterson kicked well both from the floor and out of hand, popped up cleverly in the line and deserves to be in a Fictional Lions summer tour for two magnificent try-saving tackles vs England (Foden) & Italy (McLean).

by thebandwagonsociety Tue 5 Jul - 9:13

Notch wrote:Prop; Alex Corbisero, Andrew Sheridan, Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Dan Cole, Mike Ross
Hooker; Rory Best, Dylan Hartley, Matthew Rees
Lock; Paul O'Connell (captain), Courtney Lawes, Richie Gray, Alastair Kellock, Tom Palmer
Backrow; Stephen Ferris, Sean O'Brien, John Barclay, Tom Wood, Kelly Brown
Number Eight; Jamie Heaslip, Thomas Waldrom
Scrum-half; Ben Youngs, Chris Cusiter, Danny Care
Outhalf; Johnny Sexton, Toby Flood, Stephen Jones
Centres; Manu Tuilagi, Brian O'Driscoll, Max Evans, Jonathon Davies, Jamie Roberts
Back Three; Keith Earls, Tommy Bowe, Chris Ashton, Leigh Halfpenny, Chris Paterson, Ben Foden, Andrew Trimble

Looks about right, probably have Ansbro in the centres, possibly ahead of Manu maybe. Stephen Jones could lose out to Wilkinson.

by red_stag Tue 5 Jul - 9:18

Think Earls has shown good form, he is a versatile player who gives us options at centre, wing and fullback. He has previous Lions touring experience - in fact on the 2009 Lions tour no player got more game time than him (Joe Worsley had same amount).

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 5 Jul - 9:31

As I said Paterson I would say is much better than Earls. The Fact Mossy has never played for the Lions is because SCWs team was an abomination.

Paterson is also versatile and can play anywhere from 10 to 15 with no problems, he is also one of the best place Kickers in the world.

After his 2011 6N games I would say he would walk into the Lions 15 berth or at the very least be a more experienced player to bring on to close a game out.

Just Take a look at these figures

104 Caps, 22 Tries, 89 Conversions, 162 Penalties and 3 Drop Goals

All Achieved whilst being in arguably the worst Scotland Side for a genetation. This level of consitancy and ability is something that would make him a great asset to a Lions Touring side.

I posted a thread on this on the old 606 and to be honest I think it's a shocker that he has never been selected for a Lions tour. Although not being in SCW team is probably a good thing.

by red_stag Tue 5 Jul - 9:34

I would have have Foden walking into the Lions 15 berth personally.

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 5 Jul - 9:40

red_stag wrote:I would have have Foden walking into the Lions 15 berth personally.

On what grounds though? What has he done to make you think that?

I'll give my reason why Paterson would make the cut over him :

http://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2011/03/chris-patersons-fantastic-try-saving.html

If I remember correctly Monye's tackle on Thom Evans in the same vein secured his place in the 2009 tour If the Lions was this Summer 3610695981

by red_stag Tue 5 Jul - 9:41

Due to what he does all season. The 6 Nations are 5 games squashed into a 2 month perioud. He's not terrible or anything but certainly not a definite for the Lions 15 shirt and wouldn't make the tour IMO

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 5 Jul - 9:46

I agree, but Paterson does this sort of stuff all season. I try to get over to Edinburgh games as often as my work allows and he does this sort of thing regularly.

However the 6N offers a level of exposure that you don't get in the ML (Pro12) or the burgh in the Heineken Cup. I'm only using this as an example.

Furthermore if the Lions were touring this summer, the benchmark for an international performance closest to the tour would be the 6N.

by G2 Tue 5 Jul - 9:51

Notch's squad looks good.

Have to agree with the Patterson comment, I would have him in the squad, if you can play well in a poor team then I would expect him to be better in a stronger team.

I would like to see both Lawes & Gray go and see them in the same team.

Wood / Croft is a bit of a poser but I would choose Wood

No. 8 after Heaslip does anyone stand out?

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 5 Jul - 9:57

G2 wrote:No. 8 after Heaslip does anyone stand out?

Johnnie Beattie is a fantastic No when on form and 100% fit. Sadly he has not yet regained the form he showed 2010. Kelly Brown is perfectly capable of playing No8 too.

I also think Narraway is a very good no8. Easter I feel is a very weak back up compared to Heaslip.

by red_stag Tue 5 Jul - 10:03

To be honest I had forgotten all about Beattie and would have him there in a heartbeat.

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Tue 5 Jul - 10:09

SOB at 8 is also an option. I like the idea of having Patterson in there I gotta say. Not a starter as Foden is pretty damn good. Skinned BOD twice in the final not many people take BOD on the outside twice in one game (granted he was injured)

by **rodders** Tue 5 Jul - 10:18

15 Foden
14 Bowe
13 O'Driscoll
12 Davies
11 Earls
10 Sexton
9 Reddan
8 Heaslip
7 Warburton
6 O'Brien
5 O'Connell
4 Lawes
3 Jones
2 Strauss
1 Healy

Bench: Stevens, Hartley, Hines, Ferris, Care, Wilkinson, Hook

by red_stag Tue 5 Jul - 10:19

Stevens is a superb call for the Lions Rodders

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 5 Jul - 10:23

Rodders, Eoin Reddan at scrum half?

by red_stag Tue 5 Jul - 10:26

Reddan at 9 and Healy at 1 are questionable calls for me. Healy is a borderline not to travel IMO.

by debaters1 Tue 5 Jul - 10:41

Struass? I didnt think he was IQ yet?!

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 5 Jul - 10:43

Debaters, is he IQ come Sept/Oct-time?

by **rodders** Tue 5 Jul - 10:44

Reddan is the best out of an average bunch right now. Care would be the nearest threat for me.

Youngs has talent but been found wanting in the big stage this season. Phillips and O'Leary are relics of a by gone age and need to be put out to pasture, the experienced scottish duo are out of sorts and Peel is a shell of the player he was.

I think Healy has had a very good season.

Strauss was cheating a bit I suppose Whistle

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 5 Jul - 10:48

1. Cian Healy
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Adam Jones
4. Richie Gray
5. Paul O'Connel
6. Sean O'Brian
7. Sam Warbuton
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Ben Youngs
10. Johnathon Sexton
11. Tommy Bowe
12. Jonathon Davies
13. Brian O'Driscoll
14. Keith Earls
15. Chris Paterson

16. Paul James
17. Mathew Rees
18. Tom Palmer
19. John Barclay
20. Rory Lawson
21. Johnny Wilkinson
22. Ben Foden

That's how I would probably post a Lions Test Squad tomorrow.

Scrum Half and the front row look a wee bit shakey.

2nd Row and the back row look very very strong.

by debaters1 Tue 5 Jul - 10:51

I think Murray could be a 'bolter' option at 9. As you say, there is a fiarly 'aveage' feeling to all in the position right now. Murray can tackle like TOL, break like Youngs or Care and pass like Stringer. Obviously lacks eperience and therefore is unproven at thi level, but I think he has the game and talent to go the the RWC so I'll back him for a Lions Tour too!

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