2017 Lions Tour

[DocJock]

hornetrider said:

Looks a good balanced side. I like Sanjay at FB he's an excellent counter attacking runner, I'm pleased for him. .

I agree. He's been the best back three player of the home nations for at least 18 months.

[ttfun]

Probably about as good an English, Welsh and Irish Lions team as could be hoped for with the exception of Itoje who must feel a bit unlucky.
I have a few doubts that such a defensive set up can keep up with the All Blacks but I don't see the backs available suddenly clicking in attack to give a viable alternative.

[Bradgate]

That's definitely not the Lions side I would have picked. I would have picked Itoje and North. I would also have gone for Sexton at 10 and Farrell at 12. Murray and Sexton are The best half-
back unit available.

I hope the lads Gatland has picked prove me wrong on Saturday.

[irocfan]

I've got to be honest I do think that Lawes has got to be the unluckiest lion at this point, he's been immense in all his matches.

[tight5]

a311 said:

I haven't seen the bench yet.....

[Cheib]

I'll give Gatland his due I never thought North wouldn't make the 23 but it's the right call as is dropping 1/2p to the bench.

Still don't think AWJ should be in the side....although I reckon there's an element that he wants either/or him or Warburton on the pitch. He's definitely picked the backs on form but AWJ is not in the Top 3 locks on the tour.

I also think CJ Stander would have been a great impact player from the bench.

[London424]

Cheib said:

I'll give Gatland his due I never thought North wouldn't make the 23 but it's the right call as is dropping 1/2p to the bench.

Still don't think AWJ should be in the side....although I reckon there's an element that he wants either/or him or Warburton on the pitch. He's definitely picked the backs on form but AWJ is not in the Top 3 locks on the tour.

I also think CJ Stander would have been a great impact player from the bench.

I'm not quite sure the point of having 1/2p on the bench though. It's not like he's a game changer that you can bring on is he? You've already got Daly and Watson to cover FB if you need to, but I'm not going to get too worked up about one of the subs.

The main surprise for me is that those guys haven't had much of a run out together so it could look a bit disjointed.

[DocJock]

I have to agree. If 1/2p doesn't start then leave him out of the 23 altogether.

[Legend83]

Interesting selection, and as you all say, fair play to WG for picking on form.

I wonder if Lawes misses out due to two HIAs so far.

Only two changes I would have made would be on the bench - Tipuric for Warburton as I think JT is a better impact sub with ball in hand; and drop Halfpenny for North as impact sub - I don't really know why LH is taking space on the bench when we have Daly, Williams and Watson all able to play FB.

[Cheib]

Good point Gents about 1/2p not being the right pick for the bench. Watson could cover full back....I think I'd rather see someone like JJ on the bench if you really wanted to ask different questions of the AB's in the last 20 mins/you're chasing the game....although maybe if they need to chase the game they'll go to Sexton/Farrell/T'eo midfield?

[anonymous-user]

DocJock said:

I have to agree. If 1/2p doesn't start then leave him out of the 23 altogether.

Kicking duties? Perhaps there's a concern Farrell won't last the 80, either because of his quad or being targeted. Sexton hasn't been on kicking duties this tour (from what I can see he notched one on the last game, alongside Laidlaw). So perhaps bring on Sexton and 1/2p at the same time.

[The Mad Monk]

sidicks said:

If anyone requires tickets for the 1st Test (24th June, Auckland) or 2nd test (1st July, Wellington), please let me know.

Due to family reasons I am now unable to attend and I'd rather another Pistonheader has them, than sell them back to Viagogo and for them to make another massive margin.

Thanks

Did you manage to sell 'em?

[anonymous-user]

Cheib said:

I'll give Gatland his due I never thought North wouldn't make the 23 but it's the right call as is dropping 1/2p to the bench.

Still don't think AWJ should be in the side....although I reckon there's an element that he wants either/or him or Warburton on the pitch. He's definitely picked the backs on form but AWJ is not in the Top 3 locks on the tour.

I also think CJ Stander would have been a great impact player from the bench.

I agree, I think Gatland should have started with Itoje, he's been fantastic so far this tour. and not selected Wyn Jones who hasn't done much.

Still Gatland has been brave enough to not start with Warburton Halfpenny and not even pick North.

Other than that, looks a fair enough side based on the squad available.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 22 June 11:03

[768]

Greg66 said:

DocJock said:

I have to agree. If 1/2p doesn't start then leave him out of the 23 altogether.

Kicking duties? Perhaps there's a concern Farrell won't last the 80, either because of his quad or being targeted. Sexton hasn't been on kicking duties this tour (from what I can see he notched one on the last game, alongside Laidlaw). So perhaps bring on Sexton and 1/2p at the same time.

Daly.

[Pugster]

Some surprising selections in a good way. I think Maro should start but at least he'll be coming on after AWJ has emptied his tank.

Maybe they think the occasion might get to him too much if he starts.

As an aside seeing as it 20 years since the 1997 tour, there's an interesting podcast on 5 live about how they made "Living with the Lions". Download it here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p056d2tw

Bentos. What a legend

[anonymous-user]

768 said:

Daly.

I know he can kick, but he hasn't been kicking this tour. Go back through the results. Between them Biggar, Farrell or Halfpenny have kicked 24 of the Lions' 26 successful kicks. Sexton and Laidlaw are on one each. It looks to me like Gatland doesn't want to parachute someone who hasn't been kicking consistently well for the Lions in match conditions into the hotspot in what could be a tight game where kicked points are vital.

[hornetrider]

DocJock said:

I have to agree. If 1/2p doesn't start then leave him out of the 23 altogether.

This is exactly the point I made to a mate last night. If he doesn't start I don't think he should be in the team at all, I'd sooner have JJ on the bench to provide a centre option. The only way to change up the centres now is a Sexton/Fazlet combo.

[TheGreatSoprendo]

hornetrider said:

This is exactly the point I made to a mate last night. If he doesn't start I don't think he should be in the team at all, I'd sooner have JJ on the bench to provide a centre option. The only way to change up the centres now is a Sexton/Fazlet combo.

Daly?

[TheGreatSoprendo]

Just playing devil's advocate for a moment... Everyone seems to be assuming that the bench options are needed in a situation where we're behind and need to change things to try and win the game. What if we've managed to build a lead and want someone like 1/2p to come on and shore things up at the back with his solid defence and siege gun boot? Maybe that's the logic?

[phil_cardiff]

TheGreatSoprendo said:

Just playing devil's advocate for a moment... Everyone seems to be assuming that the bench options are needed in a situation where we're behind and need to change things to try and win the game. What if we've managed to build a lead and want someone like 1/2p to come on and shore things up at the back with his solid defence and siege gun boot? Maybe that's the logic?

Very much the thinking in modern international rugby. Eddie Jones said it in the 6N, games close down now rather than open up like they used to.