2017 Lions Tour

[DocJock]

hornetrider said:

irocfan said:

got to be honest it 'just' looked like poor timing. O'Brien (?) slipped/fell as Hartley was coming in

Open your other eye

He plants his feet, braces his weight and swings his arm full bore. Completely foolish, totally not a tackle, it's a cheap shot and the reddest red you'll ever see.

This^^^^

All day, every day.

A long ban could be good for England and Lions, as I feel Jamie G brings more to the table than Hartley.

[hornetrider]

6 weeks

Remarkably becomes available the week before the 6N

[Googie]

Seems very lenient as this reflects entry level suspension from a supposedly independent committee but probably a few strings have been pulled

[DocJock]

One week deduction for admitting guilt.

[ttfun]

I think Hartley is a good player, but not so good as to be worth the risk of him reverting to this sort of character and letting the Lions down. He's doing the selectors a favour reminding them.

They should pick someone they can rely on to captain the team... Step forward Jonny Gray!!!

Sadly the token Scots will probably end up being Hogg and a South African.

[DocJock]

Two matches in to the 6 Nations. Who has stuck their hands up for selection? I'll start with,

Stuart Hogg
CJ Stander
James Haskell

[irocfan]

you've got to say Fazlet - for sheer bloody mindedness for a start

Could Daley get an outside nod because of his option with the boot and flexibility?


I'd agree with Hogg - has to be one of the 1st names on the sheet at the moment

[DocJock]

Yeah, Farrell played his usual solid game.

Gatland seems to prefer massive, crash-ball players at 12 though. Farrell at 10 might be the way.

[irocfan]

you'd also have to say

Billy V
Taulupe Falatau
Itoje



what about total left-field choices though?

[Dusty964]

Maitland- if he doesnt play well....at least he can catch up with the family

[hornetrider]

Shame Parisse can never be a Lion.

[Madness60]

Assuming fit and on form, this is my 23 for the first test not what I expect Gatland to pick

Vunipola
George
Furlong
Itoje
Gray
Stander
Hask
Vunipola
Murray
Farrell
Watson
Henshaw
Josephs
Seymour
Hogg

McGrath, least rubbish hooker in squad (weakest position for Lions), Cole, AWJ, O'Brien, Webb, Sexton, Williams

[tight5]

Any PHers going ?
This may be of use to you -

link

[Terminator]

tight5 said:

Any PHers going ?

The wife and I will be at Eden Park for the third test on July 8th, despite the BBC claiming that the tour ends on July 7th.

[sidicks]

tight5 said:

Any PHers going ?
This may be of use to you -

It's not 'affordable accommodation' I'm struggling with (all sorted!), it's 'affordable tickets'!

[hornetrider]

The Telegraph are reporting Launchbury and JJ will be missing out. As well as Robshaw and Ford.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2017/04/17/...

[DocJock]

If there are four better locks than Launchbury in the four nations then I have been watching the wrong matches.

[hornetrider]

DocJock said:

If there are four better locks than Launchbury in the four nations then I have been watching the wrong matches.

Maybe Itoje gets the nod for his versatility? The big surprise for me is JJ - he is most peoples starting 13. Which in a way makes me question the sauce of the story in the first place.

[DocJock]

He'd be mine too, but I can see how he might not suit a Gatland gameplan.

[Cheib]

Launchbury not going is incredible, just incredible. Struggling to think of a player who has played as well in a 6N and not gone. Lawes and Itoje I guess might be going for their versatility but Launchbury reminds me of Dean Richards in his ability to read the game and be where he's needed. Robshaw not going doesn't surprise me, don't think Gatland rates him and there's huge competition in the back row.