So 40 players, who's in?

[cashead]

Thought Launchbury was quite excellent this weekend and the Gray boys hardly embarrassed themselves in a tough loss.

A major concern would be that aside from a few exceptions, the English have hardly impressed and their loose forward unit looked outplayed by their Welsh opponents. I'd also add that Nathan Hughes is probably the only Home Unions 8 that hasn't really raised himself above pedestrian out of the starters. Strauss has had a monster work-rate, and Heaslip has been a defensive rock. Moriarty has probably earned himself a place in the conversation at least based on his performance on the weekend, and if Billy Vunipola is unfit/lacks form, Gatland could do a lot worse than pick him.

At 8, Gatland would be looking at picking two of Moriarty, Heaslip, Stander and Strauss, with the other two being told to keep their bags packed just in case.

[Renniks]

Thought Launchbury was quite excellent this weekend and the Gray boys hardly embarrassed themselves in a tough loss.

A major concern would be that aside from a few exceptions, the English have hardly impressed and their loose forward unit looked outplayed by their Welsh opponents. I'd also add that Nathan Hughes is probably the only Home Unions 8 that hasn't really raised himself above pedestrian out of the starters. Strauss has had a monster work-rate, and Heaslip has been a defensive rock. Moriarty has probably earned himself a place in the conversation at least based on his performance on the weekend, and if Billy Vunipola is unfit/lacks form, Gatland could do a lot worse than pick him.

At 8, Gatland would be looking at picking two of Moriarty, Heaslip, Stander and Strauss, with the other two being told to keep their bags packed just in case.

If Faletau and Billy V are both playing in the build up to the Lions — I can't see anyone else being the 8s on the plane.
Moriarty may also tour as an option at 6/8

[Mellsblue]

Thought Launchbury was quite excellent this weekend and the Gray boys hardly embarrassed themselves in a tough loss.

A major concern would be that aside from a few exceptions, the English have hardly impressed and their loose forward unit looked outplayed by their Welsh opponents. I'd also add that Nathan Hughes is probably the only Home Unions 8 that hasn't really raised himself above pedestrian out of the starters. Strauss has had a monster work-rate, and Heaslip has been a defensive rock. Moriarty has probably earned himself a place in the conversation at least based on his performance on the weekend, and if Billy Vunipola is unfit/lacks form, Gatland could do a lot worse than pick him.

At 8, Gatland would be looking at picking two of Moriarty, Heaslip, Stander and Strauss, with the other two being told to keep their bags packed just in case.

If Faletau and Billy V are both playing in the build up to the Lions — I can't see anyone else being the 8s on the plane.
Moriarty may also tour as an option at 6/8

If you want a 6/8 then Stander is the man. Moriarty is a 6 who can fill in at 8 but Stander can play both to a high level. Of course, they both might go. Though, Moriaty has the obvious advantage of actually being British or Irish.

[Adder]

Post Moved to SMB

[Renniks]

If Faletau and Billy V are both playing in the build up to the Lions — I can't see anyone else being the 8s on the plane.
Moriarty may also tour as an option at 6/8

If you want a 6/8 then Stander is the man. Moriarty is a 6 who can fill in at 8 but Stander can play both to a high level. Of course, they both might go. Though, Moriaty has the obvious advantage of actually being British or Irish.

Ah, I think in my mind (rightly or wrongly) Stander should be our 6 for the Lions, and regardless of injuries to No.8, he wouldn't move there…

In hindsight, it might make more sense to say he's one of our back-row, and then consider whether bringing someone like Moriarty along, or a more dedicated 6 makes more more sense

[Eugene Wrayburn]

I think we take only one of Heaslip or Billy as they both only play 8, so that would be Billy if he comes back fit. We take only one of vd Flier and Tipuric as both only play 7. Thereafter there's a lot of flexibility. The locks who play 6 (Itoje and Henderson) don't currently look worth a place at 6, so probably have to survive as locks or nothing. I really like Barclay and would want to take him. A fit SOB and/or Warburton are definitely worth a place. Stander and POM would both be strong candidates. If Moriarty can back up his last performance he comes into the reckoning. Faletau is class and I would struggle to see him not included.

[Big D]

I was thinking about a revised 40 and I must admit I was struggling with Scots bias.

Brown has a shot at the 3rd hooker spot.
Not inspired by the 3rd options at TH, Nel might be fit end of April and I'd take a punt if he is.
Gray x2. Both are performing well and have chances of going.
Watson for me has been the stand out GB+I 7 this championship.
Barclay is a very good utility option in the back row and a sneaky good option as a midweek captain.
Russell, 10 is wide open behind Sexton. Ford, P Jackson and Russell are all there or there abouts.
Centres are wide open.
Hogg is the best 15 in GB+I.
Seymour is IMO in the top 2 wingers in GB+I.

There is no way there will be 8 or more Scottish Lions but I couldn't help myself.

[Adder]

I was thinking about a revised 40 and I must admit I was struggling with Scots bias.

Brown has a shot at the 3rd hooker spot.
Not inspired by the 3rd options at TH, Nel might be fit end of April and I'd take a punt if he is.
Gray x2. Both are performing well and have chances of going.
Watson for me has been the stand out GB+I 7 this championship.
Barclay is a very good utility option in the back row and a sneaky good option as a midweek captain.
Russell, 10 is wide open behind Sexton. Ford, P Jackson and Russell are all there or there abouts.
Centres are wide open.
Hogg is the best 15 in GB+I.
Seymour is IMO in the top 2 wingers in GB+I.

There is no way there will be 8 or more Scottish Lions but I couldn't help myself.

Sexton // Farrell // ...

[Mikey Brown]

Yup. Wrong as that may be.

I'm struggling to pick holes in that list other than that. This must be a mistake.

I also feel slightly strange that my dislike of Ben Youngs has reached the point I am really happy to see Murray and Webb playing so well.

[Big D]

I was thinking about a revised 40 and I must admit I was struggling with Scots bias.

Brown has a shot at the 3rd hooker spot.
Not inspired by the 3rd options at TH, Nel might be fit end of April and I'd take a punt if he is.
Gray x2. Both are performing well and have chances of going.
Watson for me has been the stand out GB+I 7 this championship.
Barclay is a very good utility option in the back row and a sneaky good option as a midweek captain.
Russell, 10 is wide open behind Sexton. Ford, P Jackson and Russell are all there or there abouts.
Centres are wide open.
Hogg is the best 15 in GB+I.
Seymour is IMO in the top 2 wingers in GB+I.

There is no way there will be 8 or more Scottish Lions but I couldn't help myself.

Sexton // Farrell // ...

I was counting Farrell at a 12 but your probably right.

[cashead]

Who should be captain? Is the best option still Alun-Wyn Jones? I bet the Welsh locker room was unbearable after that loss to Scotland.

[Mikey Brown]

I think he should be in the squad and fighting but I don't think he's one of the best 2 or 3 locks. If you look at the BBC page there's an article where he basically says Bigger took that penalty decision out of his hands.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Who should be captain? Is the best option still Alun-Wyn Jones? I bet the Welsh locker room was unbearable after that loss to Scotland.

Best. Not because he's a certain starter - though I think he's highly probable - but because he won't throw his toys out of the pram of he doesn't in the end make the test team. He can be this tour's Rob Wainwright.

[cashead]

I think he should be in the squad and fighting but I don't think he's one of the best 2 or 3 locks. If you look at the BBC page there's an article where he basically says Bigger took that penalty decision out of his hands.

That's what would concern me, and what should be concerning Gatland right now.

[Big D]

Who should be captain? Is the best option still Alun-Wyn Jones? I bet the Welsh locker room was unbearable after that loss to Scotland.

Tour captain should be Best. Squad will should be mostly Irish and English so it makes sense IMO for one of those nations to have the tour captaincy. Best is the obvious candidate from that lot.

I honestly would be considering not taking AWJ although we know Gatland will take him.

I can't see any real bolters as captain, most of the ones with club our country captaincy experience are all fighting for their tour spots.

[switchskier]

Best looks the obvious candidate. I wouldn't take Hartley (think George offers more) but if he tours he might get the nod and hookers not a strong position. Has Sexton had any captaincy experience?

[Numbers]

I'm not sure I would even pick Best in the squad, his lineout work is suspect, I would have George, Owens and either Best or Hartley as third choice as it currently stands. Hooker is probably the weakest position for the Lions.

[Mellsblue]

Most frequently selected players on the Lions app.

[morepork]

George North in the top 10? Really?

[cashead]

Quite a few Irish players have really hurt their chances this morning. They were fucking awful.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Quite a few Irish players have really hurt their chances this morning. They were fucking awful.

Aye. Stupid and insipid. Signs of believing their own press. Handling considerably worse than the game in Waikato swimming pool in currently watching.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Conversely North and Biggar are now near certainties. I'd take the former but not the latter.

[Digby]

Ken Owens and Rob Evans continue to push, and maybe Scott Williams.

I thought a lot of Irish players did well or were at least competitive and sometimes a game just goes against you, especially away from home

[cashead]

George North in the top 10? Really?

He played reasonably this morning in an otherwise uninspiring side playing an even worse one, but his health should be cause for concern. How many concussions has he had now? Considering how the pre-test fixtures have often been about knocking the shit out of the tourists, will he even make it to the test matches if he's fielded in those?

[Sandydragon]

Conversely North and Biggar are now near certainties. I'd take the former but not the latter.

Me too. Although I can see a case for his combativeness in the dirt trackers, I still think Sexton is head and shoulders above the rest.

If North remains that fired up then he is an option.