Lions Attrition - update.

[Galfon]

Tours recently have heen brutal in this regard..
#1 - B.Youngs
Not on the plane yet, but first to leave under upsetting circumstances...Family first is an honourable call.
( Laidlaw gets the call..)

[Sandydragon]

Feel for the guy, but totally respect that decision.

[hellovating]

owens in danger of missing our apparently.... dylan on standby!

[Adder]

Billy V is out
Haskell to cover
from the Lionss' website:

Billy Vunipola has withdrawn from the British & Irish Lions 2017 Tour to New Zealand due to an ongoing shoulder injury.



"It is really disappointing for Billy and we know how much he was looking forward to joining the squad"
The Saracens No 8 had been managing the injury which now requires further medical treatment.

Wasps and England back row James Haskell will join the squad next Sunday following the Aviva Premiership Final.

British & Irish Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland said: "It is really disappointing for Billy and we know how much he was looking forward to joining the squad. He has been carrying an injury and feels he wouldn't be able to contribute fully to the Tour and needs further medical treatment.

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"We really appreciate his honesty in making this decision and wish him luck with his recovery.

"We have called up James to the squad, we wish him all the best next weekend and look forward to welcoming him into camp before we depart."

The British & Irish Lions squad convened at Carton House near Dublin with 30 players in attendance. Routine medical screening will be conducted over the next 24 hours. No further update will be given until tomorrow's (Monday) media access.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Haskell? Wtf?

[Mellsblue]

Haskell!! Losing Billy was bad enough.

[Lizard]

On one hand, it will provide focus now that Faletau is the definite starting 8.

On the other hand, how is Haskell in any sense a replacement for BV?

[Mellsblue]

On one hand, it will provide focus now that Faletau is the definite starting 8.

On the other hand, how is Haskell in any sense a replacement for BV?

Next heaviest backrow available.

[Lizard]

On one hand, it will provide focus now that Faletau is the definite starting 8.

On the other hand, how is Haskell in any sense a replacement for BV?

Next heaviest backrow available.

Ah, I see.

Still, it will do wonders for the Tour DVD.

[Sandydragon]

This is a real shame. I was wondering of Gatland would go for a Vunipola, Faletau and Warburton back row, now I suspect Faletau is being seen as the starting 8 (by no means a bad thing as his return to form is well timed). Haskell is an interesting selection. My only guess is that he is being seen as a mid week grafter and potentially a good touring player. I just can't see him pushing for a test spot.

[Lizard]

Haskell will be in charge only of the HandiCam and the playlist on the bus stereo. He couldn't even command a starting position in one of the sides they will be playing midweek.

[cashead]

I'm sure he'll ironically play Sandstorm. Joke's on him, that song unironically fucking rules.

[Mellsblue]

Haskell will be in charge only of the HandiCam and the playlist on the bus stereo. He couldn't even command a starting position in one of the sides they will be playing midweek.

I would like to say he's a radically improved player, and a year ago I would've said he was, but he's not.

[fivepointer]

Tough on Billy and a big loss to the Lions. Haskell's call up is hard to take seriously. His form since coming back from injury has been absolutely dire.

[Mikey Brown]

Yup. I really think that season was a flash in the pan because he was so excited that his career was (rather inexplicably, at the time) not over.

[I R Geech]

Yep - I see him as the Andy Powell choice, not a real test contender but someone who will be a very good tourist whose positive effect will be off the field.

Come on, I'm grasping.

[El Tigre]

So that would put Moriarty as the 2nd choice 8?

There are a few in that backrow selection I'd be picking ahead of Haskell at 8.

[Sandydragon]

Yep - I see him as the Andy Powell choice, not a real test contender but someone who will be a very good tourist whose positive effect will be off the field.

Come on, I'm grasping.

Actually I think you are spot on. In the same way that Powell gave 100% and did exactly what was asked of him, I think Haskell will do the same. Even he can grasp Gatlandball and will probably truck the ball up all day long if needed, or otherwise be a pain in the arse for the opposition.

I wouldn't have selected him but if he is intended to be a dirt tracker who can do what hes told then I can understand the choice.

[Sandydragon]

So that would put Moriarty as the 2nd choice 8?

There are a few in that backrow selection I'd be picking ahead of Haskell at 8.

At the moment, I'd suggest that:

Test back row - 6. O'Mahoney, 7. Warburton, 8. Faletau. C J Stander on the bench for impact.
Dirt tracker back row. 6. Haskell. 7. Tipuric. 8. Moriarty.

C J Stander can cover 8 if required.

[ALunpg]

I did wonder who could replace Vunipola at 8 and the answer was there is no like for like replacement.

For me oth Itoje and O Brien have a shout at 6 before Haskell

I would think they will have Itoje at 6 in a few early matches and see if the lad keeps it together. If he does then he would be on the test bench with Tipuric .
Starting with Warburton Falateu and Stander
Stander getting the nod as the impact ball carrier.

Mid week O'Brien Moriarty O'Mahoney sub Haskell

[hellovating]

CJ Stander is an 8 who can do a job at 6, not the other way around. He started at 8 when Ireland beat England recently and always plays 8 for Munster. Billy V was his only competition for form 8 in the Champions cup this year and he made it to the last 5 of the player of the year in Europe.

[jngf]

I did wonder who could replace Vunipola at 8 and the answer was there is no like for like replacement.

For me oth Itoje and O Brien have a shout at 6 before Haskell

I would think they will have Itoje at 6 in a few early matches and see if the lad keeps it together. If he does then he would be on the test bench with Tipuric .

For me this years 6 Nations confirmed very conclusively that Itoje is a tight forward not a loosie

[Sandydragon]

I did wonder who could replace Vunipola at 8 and the answer was there is no like for like replacement.

For me oth Itoje and O Brien have a shout at 6 before Haskell

I would think they will have Itoje at 6 in a few early matches and see if the lad keeps it together. If he does then he would be on the test bench with Tipuric .

For me this years 6 Nations confirmed very conclusively that Itoje is a tight forward not a loosie

Agreed. At best, a work in progress.

[Mush]

[/quote]
For me this years 6 Nations confirmed very conclusively that Itoje is a tight forward not a loosie[/quote]
Agreed. At best, a work in progress.[/quote]

Agreed. At worst the ruining of a potential world class lock

[Mikey Brown]

Again, Itoje didn't really play much at 6 at all. He just didn't have a particularly impressive 6 nations. You could argue though that Lawes's massive improvements, playing at 6, were aided by having 2 locks doing the work?