[Closed] Winters coming;all inclusive rugby thread.

How long till the Lions squad is announced? We can start a whole need thread and really get some "debate" going

I think it was announced sometime in Mid-March. Their first training run was pretty good, actually. Beat a scratch side 30-3.

That was just the test 15 they'll need some dirt trackers too!!!

I think it was announced sometime in Mid-March. Their first training run was pretty good, actually. Beat a scratch side 30-3.

In all fairness that was a rugby league team they played,I mean I only saw a couple of scrums.... 8)

In all fairness that was a rugby league team they played,I mean I only saw a couple of scrums....

Ideal preparation for playing the Aussie's then

Ladbrooks suspend betting on lions captain after a flood of money for warburton!

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/lions-captain-betting-stops-money-2821043

Was he a good price to be the midweek team captain then?

Squad announced 30 Apr I believe

Glasgow currently stuffing the Ospreys

5 tries for Ulster in Galway. Hopefully should have a home semi now

Glasgow currently stuffing the Ospreys

All to play for when it comes to hc qualification (in the premiership anyway!). Looks like 17k due at Gloucester today - good day to take a kiwi rugby fan for his first kingsholm experience.

did you watch it?

Yup. Ospreys completely outplayed. Roland's management of the game was appalling, especially the scrum and the breakdown, although I don't believe this affected the result.

Agree about the centres: very one dimensional, no creativity and too slow.

Ospreys completely outplayed. Roland's management of the game was appalling, especially the scrum and the breakdown, although I don't believe this affected the result.

yep, his binning of Adam and Grant was an utter joke. Ospreys have no creativity when Beck isnt there and zero firepower on the wing. Sad really. If we could combine the scarlets and ospreys we might have a decent team!

I think Warburton would make a great Lions captain

Whilst on the topic I saw JW play at Toulon vs Leicester, he should definitely go on the tour

I dont get the idea that wilkinson should go. He's not played international rugby in a long time, the last time he went on a Lions tour he wasnt up to it and was shoe horned into 12 because Jones was a better option. And finally my gran would look good behind the Toulon pack and she's been dead 20 years.

What are the options?
Sexton and Farrell are the best 10s of the home nations, and neither are excellent. I dunno if JW should (or indeed would) tour, but he's playing very very well and keeping the 10 shirt away from some very stiff competition.
He'd make a fantastic mid week capt.

Sexton is excellent IMO Wrecker....I was very impressed with his club form in the games that I saw him early season.

St Jonny is a little inconsistent nowadays-he was dire in the two games that I've seen him play this year. Still the greatest ever kicker though 8)

I'm not sure Farrel is any better than Biggar tbh. Sexton is very good. To think of St Johnny as world class is to ignore the evidence. He wasnt even the best ten in "that" world cup final. If Farrel Biggar Sexton or Flood get broken then we might start thinking of St Johnny even then theres Hook or if Priestland come thru a few games and is on tour in Japan he might be a better option.

I'd put Farrell ahead of Bigger, I also thought that Johnny had a pretty decent game in the rwc final 2003 😕

Farrell? I'd put Jackson ahead of biggar. And fwiw, st jonny proved himself the better fly half in that final. To deny this is to ignore the evidence 😛

I think Sexton will start; to use a Scottish rugby supporters mindset (esp on backs the last few years) [b]"You can only pish wi the cock yiv got."[/b] Sexton is the best Lions 10 just now, I like JW, he had balls the size of watermelons in the WC final, but he has not been that good this year (I watch the French games) I also felt he played too far back as he could not play on the gain line as well as some and that has been more apparent this year. Farrel? Maybe next time, I only think he justified claims for his inclusion in one 6n game.

Ian Madigigan
After Sexton, the next best fly half in Europe at the mo.
On for the golden boot and top point scorer in the Rabo, but not even really a "kicking" 10.
Scores tries and beats players, could do with a bit more work on his defence.
Would be perfectly suited to Oz conditions. And a brilliant alternative to Farrell.

And fwiw, st jonny proved himself the better fly half in that final

Better than Larkham, now THAT IS funny 😆
Jackson is shite and couldnt get in the Glasgow team ahead of that midget bloke (who I hope is better today than he looked yesterday looked a nasty injury).

Jackson is shite

Biggar looked ok murderating the all black beaters! Farrel on the otherhand cracked under the pressure. Biggar is an OK ish international ten. Madigan is a good shout but ireland holding on O'Speedbump Gara my have ruined his chances he is still very raw at international level.

Jackson showing total commitment to the cause
[img] [/img]

Vernon coming home, one of the ones Sale should have kept.

With the new SRU set up i was pretty certain Vernon would head back to Scotland, can't blame the lad. Glad that useless lump Gray/Grey (can never remember the spelling) is going though, he's been taking the piss all season long. Perhaps now we aren't paying for him to amble around picking daisies then we can afford to get someone who actually wants to work for his money!

How did biggar do against the ABs? Or even Ireland, aus, Samoa for that matter?

Bloody Hell, how can we beat Glos last week then turn in a performance like this today?

Being a Sale fan is probably the most frustrating experience in Rugby!

How did biggar do against the ABs? Or even Ireland, aus, Samoa for that matter?

I'm struggling to remember if he started (or even was on the bench for) any of those games....... Samoa one he started against Samoa and this happend early on [img] [/img] and then he played no further part in the Autumn games though. I suppose a 6 Nations winners medal will do im for now.

I suppose a 6 Nations winners medal will do im for now.

That hit looks like being hit by a car. Rather him than me!

Anyone see youngs 80m try today? Caught b*** napping and turned the FB inside out (ok. It was a bit too easy) good watching though!

Christ knows what is going on with Sale! Glad that Richie is ****ing off-waste off time and money.

That hit looks like being hit by a car. Rather him than me!

not half as bad as this one:

[img] [/img]

or this which is another all time favourite
[img] [/img]

Bloody Hell, how can we beat Glos last week then turn in a performance like this today?

Last week was even more one sided than today! I watched a time lapse film of the South stand and Gloucester threatened our 22 so rarely it was hard to tell there was a game on!
A strange squad this afternoon it can only mean Dimes is targeting next week for a big finale. Shame we couldnt target both.

Great win today, glos backs did well and the back row. Not a big fan of Goode but impressive today apart from a feeble tackle

we can afford to get someone who actually wants to work for his money!

Err yeah, that would be Vernon... 😈
Sale turned in the worst display I have seen in the prem today, they were awful,weak side or not. I realise you and Surfer are seeing this year as some sort of a blip, but can today be better than whoever gets promoted? Diamond has to go, he has a look of confusion every time his team is losing.

Sale have been terrible since St Andre left, its not a blip.

Bristol beat Newcastle today. Ended their undefeated run in the last game of the season 😆
Not enough for a play off place ( awful start to the season) but to be honest falcons deserve promotion. Lots of new signings, I think ol' bris will be going up very soon.

So can we start picking Lions squads yet?

1/2p, Hogg, Goode (covers 10 also as Gatland has hinted he will only take two tens)
Cuthbert, North, Maitland, Gilroy
BOD, Tuilagi, Davies, Roberts
Sexton, Farrel
Phillips, Youngs
Faletau, Morgan
Warburton, Tipuric
Robshaw, Lydiate
POC, Grey, Parling, AW Jones
Adam, Cole, ?
Best, Hibbard, Youngs
Healey, Gethin, Vunipola (Corbisero is back playing I see, any form?)

Morgan? Is Beattie injured?

anagallis_arvensis - Member
So can we start picking Lions squads yet?

1/2p, Hogg, Goode (covers 10 also as Gatland has hinted he will only take two tens)
Cuthbert, North, Maitland, Gilroy
BOD, Tuilagi, Davies, Roberts
Sexton, Farrel
Phillips, Youngs
Faletau, Morgan
Warburton, Tipuric
Robshaw, Lydiate
POC, Grey, Parling, AW Jones
Adam, Cole, ?
Best, Hibbard, Youngs
Healey, Gethin, Vunipola (Corbisero is back playing I see, any form?)

POSTED 40 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST

Can only be a [s]troll[/s] [i]"attempt to provoke discussion?"[/i]

Grey doesn't warrant a spot either.

What starting 15 for the tests from that squad?

Is Beattie injured?

No but he was fumble tastic at times in the six nations, blows hot and cold too much. He was excellent v england and poor v wales and france.
On reflection the scottish god botherer might go as an extra tighthead.
What would you pick Ioum? I thought about SOB but I dont think he is better than any of the backrow options in any of the positions, would be an excellent bench option though. Gatland does favour the tackling machine at 6 so I reckon he'll gamble on Lydiate and if not Robshaw is the next best option.

What starting 15 for the tests from that squad?

not a clue tbh, if pressed

Hogg
1/2p
Tuilagi
Bod
North
Sexton
Phillips
Faletau
Warburton
Robshaw
POC
AW Jones
Adam
Best
Healey

I reckon Ricardt Strauss may go as a hooker too.

Whilst you may be right about Beattie, at least he can play 90 minutes. I hoped glaws were going to thrash Morgan into shape.......
Grey has been poor for club and country recently. I'd take Hamilton.
I'm just as interested in the England tour, there are some exciting players coming through. I reckon we'll see Eastman and Biggs (both b*** players), jonny may, Burrell, slater, tomkins, billy v. These guys need to be progressed sooner rather than later.

Can't see Lydiate touring, Kelly Brown could be a surprise pick?

Murray, big yes.
Strauss, maybe - needs a very good end to the season in some finals. Would have been more sure if he hadn't been injured.
Shame the other hookers wouldn't make the pub darts team.

Think so far with Wales back row, Gatland's been "pissing with the cock he's got".
He knows, and results prove, its not enough to beat the ozzies. That's were he'll need to bring in more threat in attack.

He knows, and results prove, its not enough to beat the ozzies. That's were he'll need to bring in more threat in attack.

back row is only as good as the pack. Who should we add? I'd go robshaw warbs faletau. Not sure the lions have better options

@anagallis is back trolling again I see

JW made decision to go to France as he knew he wouldn't make the 2015 World Cup and the English clubs were made subject to a salary cap. He was very very good against Leicester in all facets of the game and it will be interesting to watch him at Twickenham next weekend.

As for taking two number 10's that's daft as its so easy to have players injured on this tour, the Aussies have history of targeting important players in the tour warm up games.

Galand is on record as saying he is considering just two tens as otherwise they will all need to be given chances and would then be under cooked come test time so take it up with him.
As for the idea its trolling to suggest someone who hasnt played international rugby in years and wasnt very good when he last did shouldnt go on a lions tour well my gaster is flabbered.
A lot of people happy to criticise but few happy to suggest alternatives.

The lack of alternatives is rather the point!
Bigger and laidlaw (or whoever the current fancied scots offering) are borderline internationals. Goode isn't that good at 15, Nevermind 10.

Laidlaw looked long term broken on friday.
I would have picked Hook over Goode but didnt want to look pro Wales 😆

Wilkinson would offer nothing more than Biggar imo and would be a bigger gamble. Wilkinson always looked good given an armchair ride I have seen nothing to change that opinion.

I'd prefer Flood to Wilkinson

I'd prefer Flood to Wilkinson

😯

The words "and Toby Flood is coming on" are enough to strike fear into most English rugby supporters' hearts!

But.... Pretty stoked to find out that we'll be getting the Lions tour live on free-to-air here in Oz. Was expecting it to be buried on Foxtel somewhere. I'm still baffled by the almost total lack of coverage of the Wallabies here though - it's almost as if they're another country's team!

I would pick Beattie over Morgan and think Gray will miss the plane. If it was NZ I would be with wrecker on Hamilton, but he suits a tight game where the ball is coming back close to the forwards (ie the one the play cos we have nae backs.) It isn't going to be that kind of series,which is a pity cos Hamilton is a monster!

Hamilton blotted his copy book with that pen v wales just before half time. Maybe Launchbury should go but he was piss poor v wales. D Ryan seems a complete non impact player for ireland.. good angry face and nowt else. Ian Evans is a bit slow as his knees are ****ed, Hows Courtney Lawes doing?

Lawes is shit.

MOTM yesterday Tom,but can't call t lineout,we will need somebody who can.

If we can't agree on Hamilton; its wildcard time!
I'm volunteering shaw. Yes he's old, but he's wise, playing brilliantly for Toulon and is rugby to the core.

Shaw is a freak. Quite how a second row is still playing regular rugby at his age is beyond me.

He toured in 97 ffs!

I'm volunteering shaw. Yes he's old, but he's wise, playing brilliantly for Toulon and is rugby to the core.

lets have hill, dilly dally and back too!

Why not!
M Williams was about the same amount past his best when he last toured!

Fair one wrecker, but is he better than Hines? 12 months ago it would have been Grey and A.N. Other in second row, but Grey has been poor this year. Hamilton is a monster,but if the game is played at pace he struggles. When we were able to drag the other team into a close quarter brawl (henceforth referred to as proper rugby) a la Ireland game,then he is brilliant.
Thing that is going to mark this team is that there are no players going who are the best in the world in their position. It means Gatland has to find the correct "mix" of players who complement the things each are good at. I can't wait,and the Aussies are not the mugs people think they are, even up front.

If we're taking ageing second row wildcards, then Hines is a great pick.
But I'd be happy with Hamilton going too. To be fair, I'll support whoever's in the team once it's picked. Ryan's not popular on here, but he's a good lineout organiser and jumper, and plays a fair bit at 6 too so not slow for a lock. Probably "suited" to the Oz conditions, but not had as good a year as last season so unlikely to go.

I've heard he's gonna take 35 or 36 so you've still got a few spots free in that squad from earlier.
Fair play for posting something up for others to critique, aa, it's a lot braver than just picking holes in someone else's choice. Doesn't really matter how serious you were, and whether that was "who you'd take" or "who you think He'll take"?

You've chosen to leave them out, but personally I can't see Kearney, Zebo, O'Brien, and Heaslip not going.
And I can only guess that you must have forgotten about Gordon D'Arcy. 😉

Zebo would be a good option and I see Bowe is back fit both can cover more than one position too. I dont rate Heaslip and SOB is a bit like Phillips fantastic rugby player but whats his position

And for the record I'd take Gav (fnarr, fnarr).

Don't rate Heaslip myself either, but there's still talk of him as a possible Capt. Very bad move IMO, but I'd say that probably put's him on the plane. Maybe midweek captain?

SOB is the best 7 in Europe.
He is also the best 6 available.
So I reckon he'll be at 6, with Faletau and Tipuric.

Not much mention of Ryan Jones-he'd probably be my captain, if not then definitely the midweek captain. Probably a better option in the second row than some of the names being touted too.

Loum,I think Gatland will have enough options to include Warburton with SOB and Falatau, Not a bad back row.However I think Beattie would add a bit to that,I have always seen Falatau as a carrier for hard yards, Beattie is quicker and fitter. Let SOB be the seven and Warburton and Beattie would love the space.

Surfer are seeing this year as some sort of a blip

Well I havent said that but some of the play this season has been outstanding and some outstandingly bad!

SOB is the best 7 in Europe.
He is also the best 6 available.

One of those comments is wrong, the other is very wrong and his form hasnt been good since his hip op.

One of those comments is wrong, the other is very wrong and his form hasnt been good since his hip op.

Kick an injury time winner in a world cup final and be a national hero forever or.......top up ya tan, its your call Gav 😆

,I have always seen Falatau as a carrier for hard yards, Beattie is quicker and fitter.

Faletau has his faults but he is a ****ing hard working machine, look at his tackle stats they shame most other 8's no way Beattie is fitter although he is a better carrier. I doubt Beattie is faster either check out the second one against exeter, the lad has serious wheels

Ryan Jones was outstanding v France but Gatland has only picked him to cover injuries in recent times he is also currently broken I dont know for how long.

Lydiate will go, I'd bet my reputation on it 😉

wood for 6.

good point I'd forgotten about him after his time at 8 (which was very forgetable). Ferris is the only 6 near or better than an on form Lydiate and he's broken too.

Ferris is a girl. The most over rated back rower in the game.
I'd start Beattie over faletau, sorry a_a.

No need to be sorry, thats what its all about. I just dont think Duckmans view on him was right in terms of the type of player he is.

Surely Waldrom is the stand out 8? He's the sort of athlete that could really excel down under 🙂