Lions XV

[UKHamlet]

At the start of the championship, Ireland and England would have dominated the selection and I think that would be fair. But how many Irish and English players would get into a side coached by Gatland, which would surely see at least 10, if not 12 Welsh players selected?

[Ross. S]

More importantly, whos going to be the token jock?

[normanski]

Good to have you back posting Hammy.

You’re right. Wales would dominate the selection with or without Gatland.

[UKHamlet]

Good to have you back posting Hammy.

You’re right. Wales would dominate the selection with or without Gatland.

I'm having a break from my political activism [emoji23]

[Hooky]

Finn Russell at 10, Rhys Webb at 9?

[Sourdust]

Evans, Owens, Sinckler, AWJ, Launchbury, Beirne, Curry, Vunipola
Webb, Russell, Tuilagi, Davies, May, Graham, Williams

Nel, George, Ryan, Watson, Murray, Biggar, Slade

Or something else. Maybe.

[UKHamlet]

Evans, Owens, Sinckler, AWJ, Launchbury, Beirne, Curry, Vunipola
Webb, Russell, Tuilagi, Davies, May, Graham, Williams

Nel, George, Ryan, Watson, Murray, Biggar, Slade

Or something else. Maybe.

I'm not sure I would have Curry ahead of either Tips or Navidi. I don't know how well Webb is playing these days, if he's in form, he's the best 9 in the NH. Russell probably wrote his ticket this afternoon, before that he's not set the world alight. Tuilagi wouldn't be in my side because of temperament and besides Parkes is better...

[Hooky]

Evans, Owens, Sinckler, AWJ, Launchbury, Beirne, Curry, Vunipola
Webb, Russell, Tuilagi, Davies, May, Graham, Williams

Nel, George, Ryan, Watson, Murray, Biggar, Slade

Or something else. Maybe.

I'm not sure I would have Curry ahead of either Tips or Navidi. I don't know how well Webb is playing these days, if he's in form, he's the best 9 in the NH. Russell probably wrote his ticket this afternoon, before that he's not set the world alight. Tuilagi wouldn't be in my side because of temperament and besides Parkes is better...

I think Russell has been a beacon of light in a misfiring, underpowered Scotland side. He’s a special player for me. Nailed on for my lions 10. I’d like to see billy and faletau in the same back row. Josh Adams would be ok the wing for me.

[Hooky]

Williams, Adams, Davies, Tuilagi, May, Russell, Webb, Evans, Owens, Sinkler, AWJ, Kruis, POM, Faletau, Billy

[WaspInWales]

Whatever happens...I bet Owen fucking Farrell will still be a dead cert for the Lions.

Analysts and experts will be purring over his world class skills from 10 or 12.

ffs.

[normanski]

Whatever happens...I bet Owen fucking Farrell will still be a dead cert for the Lions.

Analysts and experts will be purring over his world class skills from 10 or 12.

ffs.

After yesterday I think OF is a busted flush. Petulant and often inflexible he can’t make the grade when he’s on the back foot.

[WaspInWales]

Whatever happens...I bet Owen fucking Farrell will still be a dead cert for the Lions.

Analysts and experts will be purring over his world class skills from 10 or 12.

ffs.

After yesterday I think OF is a busted flush. Petulant and often inflexible he can’t make the grade when he’s on the back foot.

Preaching to the choir. Many England, and other fans see a decent enough, but massively overrated and hyped player. His limitations are plain to see, his mistakes are many, but for some reason the hacks, former pros, experts and analysts just see someone who can kick a few goals and make big tackles...ohhh and apparently his ability for form a huddle and speak in a loud voice is more important than his playing ability.

I reckon he'll be one of the first players on the plane and it wouldn't surprise me to see him named in some 6Ns fantasy teams based on this 6Ns.

I just don't get it. I think he has improved, but world class or one of the best 10s in the world is just a joke and insulting to the many 10s (some English ones too) who are better.

[Scrumhead]

I don’t think you’ll have to look too far to find agreement among most England fans.

My Lions XV based solely upon this tournament would be:

1. Evans
2. George
3. Sinckler
4. Jones
5. Ryan
6. Navidi
7. Curry
8. Moriarty
9. Davies
10. Russell
11. May
12. Tuilagi
13. Davies
14. Adams
15. Williams

[Son of Mathonwy]

Whatever happens...I bet Owen fucking Farrell will still be a dead cert for the Lions.

Analysts and experts will be purring over his world class skills from 10 or 12.

ffs.

After yesterday I think OF is a busted flush. Petulant and often inflexible he can’t make the grade when he’s on the back foot.

Preaching to the choir. Many England, and other fans see a decent enough, but massively overrated and hyped player. His limitations are plain to see, his mistakes are many, but for some reason the hacks, former pros, experts and analysts just see someone who can kick a few goals and make big tackles...ohhh and apparently his ability for form a huddle and speak in a loud voice is more important than his playing ability.

I reckon he'll be one of the first players on the plane and it wouldn't surprise me to see him named in some 6Ns fantasy teams based on this 6Ns.

I just don't get it. I think he has improved, but world class or one of the best 10s in the world is just a joke and insulting to the many 10s (some English ones too) who are better.

Farrell's ability to not get carded for late, cheap shot, no-arms, shoulder to the head "tackles" is pretty special.

[Sandydragon]

Whatever happens...I bet Owen fucking Farrell will still be a dead cert for the Lions.

Analysts and experts will be purring over his world class skills from 10 or 12.

ffs.

After yesterday I think OF is a busted flush. Petulant and often inflexible he can’t make the grade when he’s on the back foot.

He makes the fly half spot in Start Barnes team of the tournament

[Banquo]

Whatever happens...I bet Owen fucking Farrell will still be a dead cert for the Lions.

Analysts and experts will be purring over his world class skills from 10 or 12.

ffs.

After yesterday I think OF is a busted flush. Petulant and often inflexible he can’t make the grade when he’s on the back foot.

He makes the fly half spot in Start Barnes team of the tournament

Odd, totally the sort of players Barnes normally hates. That's the Bassaleg and Newport in Barnes coming out

[WaspInWales]

What I find amazing is the continued reluctance to discuss Farrell's mistakes. Just a few weeks ago the studio guests were lambasting Russell's mistakes against Italy (I think). The latest on Farrell seems to be excusing him of errors due to his massive responsibility as captain.

I just don't get it.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Moon
Owens
Sinckler
AWJ
Kruis
Navidi
Curry
Moriarty
Davies
Russell
May
Parkes
Slade
Adams
Williams

[normanski]

I understand why so many posters have Curry at seven but what we don’t know yet if he is a first season wonder.

Compare him to Tipuric who has seen it and done it and there is no comparison at this stage.

Still there’s another two years to go so we will see.

[normanski]

I understand why so many posters have Curry at seven but what we don’t know yet if he is a first season wonder.

Compare him to Tipuric who has seen it and done it and there is no comparison at this stage.

Still there’s another two years to go so we will see.

Just reading the Times round up of the 6N.

Curry secured five turnovers (same as George North) but conceded eight, one behind Demba Bemba who conceded the most in the competition.

Not quite the performance of a Lions seven just yet.

[Sandydragon]

I understand why so many posters have Curry at seven but what we don’t know yet if he is a first season wonder.

Compare him to Tipuric who has seen it and done it and there is no comparison at this stage.

Still there’s another two years to go so we will see.

Agreed. A promising first season and congrats to England for finding a player at open side who looks the part, but a Lions player he is not. Yet.

[normanski]

I understand why so many posters have Curry at seven but what we don’t know yet if he is a first season wonder.

Compare him to Tipuric who has seen it and done it and there is no comparison at this stage.

Still there’s another two years to go so we will see.

Agreed. A promising first season and congrats to England for finding a player at open side who looks the part, but a Lions player he is not. Yet.

And remember we will be out on the veldt some of the time against a big Springbok pack. That’s where a SO’B type of seven is needed.

[Sandydragon]

SOB of vintage I’d absolutely agree with. It’s the sort of environment that Navidi would do will in as open side, but having an absolute destroyer at blindside would also be really handy

[Stom]

I would give serious though to getting both BillyV and Faletau on the pitch at 8 and 6 respectively. Tipuric at 7.

Hardest pick is lock. Probably the 3 would be Itoje, Ryan and AWJ, but what order...

I'd probably go for...

Mako
George
Sinckler
Itoje
AWJ
Faletau
Tipuric
BillyV
Davies
Russell
May
God knows, they're all pretty poor...
Ringrose
L Williams
Hogg

McInally, Evans, Furlong, Ryan, SOB, Murray , Sexton, Stockdale

[normanski]

I would give serious though to getting both BillyV and Faletau on the pitch at 8 and 6 respectively. Tipuric at 7.

Hardest pick is lock. Probably the 3 would be Itoje, Ryan and AWJ, but what order...

I'd probably go for...

Mako
George
Sinckler
Itoje
AWJ
Faletau
Tipuric
BillyV
Davies
Russell
May
God knows, they're all pretty poor...
Ringrose
L Williams
Hogg

McInally, Evans, Furlong, Ryan, SOB, Murray , Sexton, Stockdale

I keep hoping and praying that AWJ can go at least another year or two in the form he now enjoys. Whether he will be out of the equation in South Africa remains to be seen but a lot would depend on who is the coach. If it should be Gatland then he probably could make a fourth tour and be useful as a bench option and for mentoring the cubs!

Inside centre gives you a problem but you seem to have forgotten Parkes who has been outstanding in the last few games.

I’d also expect Tomas Francis to be there or thereabouts because he has a less inflammatory nature and is developing well around the park.

Great doing this two years out while we still have the RWC in six months.