B&I Lions tour 2021
Discussion
Madness60 said:
Bundee Aki????
Only 3 centres none of whom can string a pass together, its Gatland Ball version 3.2.
Have you ever watched a Gatland-coached team? Or seen a Gatland-selected squad?Only 3 centres none of whom can string a pass together, its Gatland Ball version 3.2.
If so, why were you expecting anything different? If not, where have you been?
He's going to go with the same formula, give or take, that made him the most successful international coach currently coaching (maybe ever).
I can't think of any other coach with two undefeated Lions tours and four Six Nations wins under their belt.
Playing fancy rugby is great. But history shows us that it doesn't work for scratch touring teams, and it doesn't work in South Africa.
DeejRC said:
I personally would have taken Underhill, he is the best defensive flanker in the Isles
Go watch the Bath game from last weekend back. He went missing against a very physical pack, which is symptomatic of a poor season for him in Bath and England shirts.At the top of his game, he's a shoo-in. Navidi is ahead of him on form currently.
He has been injured for the last few months, only came back 2 weeks ago. Think his first match back was 45mins against Sale. He needs more than 2 matches.
Navidi isn’t in the same class as Underhill.
Moving to the front row, what do ppl think of Wyn Jones? Quite quietly I think he has become arguably - along with Furlong - the best props in Europe.
Navidi isn’t in the same class as Underhill.
Moving to the front row, what do ppl think of Wyn Jones? Quite quietly I think he has become arguably - along with Furlong - the best props in Europe.
DeejRC said:
He has been injured for the last few months, only came back 2 weeks ago. Think his first match back was 45mins against Sale. He needs more than 2 matches.
Navidi isn’t in the same class as Underhill.
Moving to the front row, what do ppl think of Wyn Jones? Quite quietly I think he has become arguably - along with Furlong - the best props in Europe.
Exactly my point on Underhill. Just like Nowell, you can't gamble that he's going to hit the previous heights so soon after coming back from injury. That's likely why neither got picked.Navidi isn’t in the same class as Underhill.
Moving to the front row, what do ppl think of Wyn Jones? Quite quietly I think he has become arguably - along with Furlong - the best props in Europe.
Wyn Jones is excellent in a Welsh jersey, but frequently underwhelming for Scarlets in the Pro14. He's not yet in the same class a Furlong, who rarely puts in a sub-par performance.
C70R said:
a311 said:
Road2Ruin said:
I like the pick. For me, personally, I wouldn't have picker Biggar. I like him, great player, but not had the best of games this season. I do like the inclusion of Rees-zammit, however, I suspect he will be targeted for his inexperience.
He's probably the form 10 of what was available, although Sheedy had more of an impact in the 6N. He was the best 10 in the 6 Nations, and has been absolutely outstanding for Northampton in the Premiership.
Most intriguing thing is whether Simmonds has enough time and exposure to get in the test squad. Would be a helluva story, but it’s a stretch.
basherX said:
C70R said:
a311 said:
Road2Ruin said:
I like the pick. For me, personally, I wouldn't have picker Biggar. I like him, great player, but not had the best of games this season. I do like the inclusion of Rees-zammit, however, I suspect he will be targeted for his inexperience.
He's probably the form 10 of what was available, although Sheedy had more of an impact in the 6N. He was the best 10 in the 6 Nations, and has been absolutely outstanding for Northampton in the Premiership.
Most intriguing thing is whether Simmonds has enough time and exposure to get in the test squad. Would be a helluva story, but it’s a stretch.
Had Farrell been playing in the Premiership, and close to his best, he'd have edged Biggar for me.
Brew said:
basherX said:
Most intriguing thing is whether Simmonds has enough time and exposure to get in the test squad. Would be a helluva story, but it’s a stretch.
I think he has got a great chance, been outstanding this year. Faletau not even the best #8 at Bath!
Sn1ckers said:
Regarding DVM and to quote JB from Eggchasers: You can’t beat South Africa with second rate reject South Africans. He may have a point...
C70R said:
Farrell is an absolutely fabulous professional. He, like Biggar, is one of the most competitive players in world rugby right now.
Had Farrell been playing in the Premiership, and close to his best, he'd have edged Biggar for me.
What is his best? Had Farrell been playing in the Premiership, and close to his best, he'd have edged Biggar for me.
The Guardian reported the following before the Six Nations: The stats also show that Farrell, who has amassed 88 caps for England, has started on 38 occasions for his country at centre and 39 times at fly-half. At 12 his record reads: W31 D1 L6; wearing 10 his return is: W24 D1 L14. Clearly the figures do not reflect the quality of the opposition, nor the many matches he has turned with his goal-kicking, but they are instructive nonetheless. If teams get to Farrell at 10, they have a much better chance of getting to England.
Sexton at 10 made a difference in the 2nd and 3rd tests in 2017.
Quality spell checking from the Guardian BBC 
"Balance of physicality and flare key to selection"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57022444
"Balance of physicality and flare key to selection"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57022444
irocfan said:
The saffas will goad fazlet at every opportunity. His tackling technique is suspect (and will be magnified on tour especially in the press) and his temperament likewise. Will he be better now that he's no longer get captain? IMO yes!!!
Isn't that a requirement at 10? Bigger not much better!Evanivitch said:
irocfan said:
The saffas will goad fazlet at every opportunity. His tackling technique is suspect (and will be magnified on tour especially in the press) and his temperament likewise. Will he be better now that he's no longer get captain? IMO yes!!!
Isn't that a requirement at 10? Bigger not much better!
te as well - his kicking (and all-round) game is, in my opinion, better thoughirocfan said:
Evanivitch said:
irocfan said:
The saffas will goad fazlet at every opportunity. His tackling technique is suspect (and will be magnified on tour especially in the press) and his temperament likewise. Will he be better now that he's no longer get captain? IMO yes!!!
Isn't that a requirement at 10? Bigger not much better!te as well - his kicking (and all-round) game is, in my opinion, better thoughninja-lewis said:
What is his best?
The Guardian reported the following before the Six Nations: The stats also show that Farrell, who has amassed 88 caps for England, has started on 38 occasions for his country at centre and 39 times at fly-half. At 12 his record reads: W31 D1 L6; wearing 10 his return is: W24 D1 L14. Clearly the figures do not reflect the quality of the opposition, nor the many matches he has turned with his goal-kicking, but they are instructive nonetheless. If teams get to Farrell at 10, they have a much better chance of getting to England.
Sexton at 10 made a difference in the 2nd and 3rd tests in 2017.
I'd need to see a breakdown of opposition to know whether that was meaningful or not.The Guardian reported the following before the Six Nations: The stats also show that Farrell, who has amassed 88 caps for England, has started on 38 occasions for his country at centre and 39 times at fly-half. At 12 his record reads: W31 D1 L6; wearing 10 his return is: W24 D1 L14. Clearly the figures do not reflect the quality of the opposition, nor the many matches he has turned with his goal-kicking, but they are instructive nonetheless. If teams get to Farrell at 10, they have a much better chance of getting to England.
Sexton at 10 made a difference in the 2nd and 3rd tests in 2017.
Not many players have won multiple European Cups at 10. He's up there with the best on his day.
C70R said:
stu1984 said:
Slade and Nowell for Daly and Van der Merwe would be the main changes for me.
The same Nowell who's played no rugby this season?That could be suicide.
I think Simmonds is going with Gatland having him pencilled in as a spot on the test spot - why else take someone who is so unique in their skill set for their position? A lot of rugby to be played between now and when they get on the plane, but that’s my gut feeling at this stage.
Surprised to see someone say they wouldn’t have picked Biggar, form fly half in the Northern Hemisphere.
Pleased with the selection of Chris Harris - good article on his selection here (usually behind a payday, but free this weekend) https://www.thexv.rugby/2021/04/23/the-defensive-l...
Interestingly, Lawes wasn’t one of the 57 players who got a save the date letter, which I expect makes him the 37th man. I also expect it means one or more of Gatland’s coaches lobbied hard for him, as they were all appointed after those letters were sent out.
Surprised to see someone say they wouldn’t have picked Biggar, form fly half in the Northern Hemisphere.
Pleased with the selection of Chris Harris - good article on his selection here (usually behind a payday, but free this weekend) https://www.thexv.rugby/2021/04/23/the-defensive-l...
Interestingly, Lawes wasn’t one of the 57 players who got a save the date letter, which I expect makes him the 37th man. I also expect it means one or more of Gatland’s coaches lobbied hard for him, as they were all appointed after those letters were sent out.
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