So 40 players, who's in?

[Eugene Wrayburn]

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.

Sexton was dreadful last night. I'd pick Jackson against England and take both to New Zealand with Russell.

[morepork]

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?

He ran into people quite hard, but it wasn't particularly impressive. He is definitely prone to concussion and any more episodes would mean a serious think about future options I reckon. The two Welsh flankers were outstanding, particularly Tipuric. That guy links better than their centres.

[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.

Sexton was dreadful last night. I'd pick Jackson against England and take both to New Zealand with Russell.

Your team looked a lot less threatening without him. He was operating in the back foot for much of the night and got clattered a few times. I would still rate him as the best fly half the lions could pick, provided he stays fit.

[Numbers]

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?

He ran into people quite hard, but it wasn't particularly impressive. He is definitely prone to concussion and any more episodes would mean a serious think about future options I reckon. The two Welsh flankers were outstanding, particularly Tipuric. That guy links better than their centres.

I take it you didn't see the first Wales v NZ test last summer, the one where Savea was being made to look foolish by North?

He will be on one of the wings.

[morepork]

Fatty Bus Boy has always been susceptible to being turned. I'm hoping Nehe M-S stays unbroken to mad step around blocks like Norf.

[canta_brian]

Fatty Bus Boy has always been susceptible to being turned. I'm hoping Nehe M-S stays unbroken to mad step around blocks like Norf.

Didn't he do an ankle? Was it not too bad?

[zer0]

Just some boo-booed toes. All going well he's projected to be available again in early April. Sauce.

[Mellsblue]

Stephen Jones has excelled himself in The Sunday Times today. He has left Hogg out the squad completely, and has included Maitland. Scott Williams is in, and starts at 12 in his 1stXV, Haskell is picked but no sign of Tipuric. The icing on the cake is him name checking Jake Cooper-Wooley as being in contention if it weren't for mid-season issues with concussion. On the plus side, he hasn't mentioned either Burrell or Attwood which must've hurt.

[cashead]

Did Maitland appear during the 6Ns? I don't remember seeing him at all.

[Mellsblue]

Did Maitland appear during the 6Ns? I don't remember seeing him at all.

I think he started but was injured and didn't regain his place.

[Stom]

I think a few positions have become clearer over the past few weeks.

I honestly now think a backrow of O'Mahony, Warburton and BillyV would be excellent.

Sexton should be 10, with Murray at 9.

Questions remain over who starts at 1, 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 15...

MakoV, Marler, McGrath
Best, Hartley, George
Cole, Furlong, ?
Launchbury, Lawes/Itoje, Gray
Gray, AWJ, Henderson
POM, Robshaw
Warburton, Tipuric, SOB
BillyV, Faletau, Stander
Murray, feck knows
Sexton, ??? I really can't make up my mind here
North, Daly
Henshaw, Te'o
Joseph, Ringrose
Watson, Earls, Seymour
Halfpenny, LWilliams, Hogg

ENG 13+probably 2 more
IRE 12+maybe 1 more
WAL 7+2-3 more
SCO 4+maybe 1-2 more

[Mikey Brown]

I hate Keith Earls so much that I genuinely cannot tell if he is any good at all. Appears to have no talent whatsoever but does get on the end of some walk-ins for Ireland so fair play. Their Chris Ashton almost?

The wing positions are a real weak spot. Williams is good (still perhaps more a fullback) and I think Seymour is underrated though; finishes superbly, fast, great in the air, runs good lines through midfield and is great at picking out wide opposition passes.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

I hate Keith Earls so much that I genuinely cannot tell if he is any good at all. Appears to have no talent whatsoever but does get on the end of some walk-ins for Ireland so fair play. Their Chris Ashton almost?

He's been absolutely excellent for us this tournament and I say that as someone who wasn't happy to see him in the squad, never mind the team. He's a much more rounded player than Ashton as you might expect from someone who has played Test rugby in every position 11-15. If you based Lions selection on this 6N alone, he would absolutely deserve to tour. I think your hatred of him - which is a curious thing of itself - has rather blinded you to his attributes.

[Sandydragon]

Stephen Jones has excelled himself in The Sunday Times today. He has left Hogg out the squad completely, and has included Maitland. Scott Williams is in, and starts at 12 in his 1stXV, Haskell is picked but no sign of Tipuric. The icing on the cake is him name checking Jake Cooper-Wooley as being in contention if it weren't for mid-season issues with concussion. On the plus side, he hasn't mentioned either Burrell or Attwood which must've hurt.

Quite a few pundits are naming Hartley in the starting team. Almost as if the six nations never happened.

[cashead]

"He captained the winning team, yeah? Therefore he's the best man for the job, yeah?" is probably the logic here.

[Digby]

Stephen Jones has excelled himself in The Sunday Times today. He has left Hogg out the squad completely, and has included Maitland. Scott Williams is in, and starts at 12 in his 1stXV, Haskell is picked but no sign of Tipuric. The icing on the cake is him name checking Jake Cooper-Wooley as being in contention if it weren't for mid-season issues with concussion. On the plus side, he hasn't mentioned either Burrell or Attwood which must've hurt.

Quite a few pundits are naming Hartley in the starting team. Almost as if the six nations never happened.

Tradition says Hartley will be picked and then find a new way to be banned prior to flying out

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Stephen Jones has excelled himself in The Sunday Times today. He has left Hogg out the squad completely, and has included Maitland. Scott Williams is in, and starts at 12 in his 1stXV, Haskell is picked but no sign of Tipuric. The icing on the cake is him name checking Jake Cooper-Wooley as being in contention if it weren't for mid-season issues with concussion. On the plus side, he hasn't mentioned either Burrell or Attwood which must've hurt.

Quite a few pundits are naming Hartley in the starting team. Almost as if the six nations never happened.

The 6n and the preceding 10 years.

[cashead]

He's probably done enough to earn a spot, but it'll be at the expense of someone like Ken Owens or Fraser Brown, imo.

[Sandydragon]

He's probably done enough to earn a spot, but it'll be at the expense of someone like Ken Owens or Fraser Brown, imo.

I'd suggest that Owens, Best and George are the best hookers at the moment. It wouldn't surprise me if Warburton was pencilled into the open side slot and potential captain given his experience, so unless Hartley is going on form then it's a bit of a kick for the inform guys.

That said, the diet tracker side needs solid leadership as well. If they fall off the pace then the whole tour can be undermined.

[whatisthejava]

I hate Keith Earls so much that I genuinely cannot tell if he is any good at all. Appears to have no talent whatsoever but does get on the end of some walk-ins for Ireland so fair play. Their Chris Ashton almost?

He's been absolutely excellent for us this tournament and I say that as someone who wasn't happy to see him in the squad, never mind the team. He's a much more rounded player than Ashton as you might expect from someone who has played Test rugby in every position 11-15. If you based Lions selection on this 6N alone, he would absolutely deserve to tour. I think your hatred of him - which is a curious thing of itself - has rather blinded you to his attributes.

Id agree with u , i also hate Earls, find him a horrible cheating wee bastrd, so would probabbly love him if he was scotish, but he has been your best threat in the 6N, he is a utility player so may or may not go , better players in every position he offers but very few offer his versatility.

I dont think he will go but the fact he actually scored trys with the irish backs shows some real skill

[Big D]

I hate Keith Earls so much that I genuinely cannot tell if he is any good at all. Appears to have no talent whatsoever but does get on the end of some walk-ins for Ireland so fair play. Their Chris Ashton almost?

He's been absolutely excellent for us this tournament and I say that as someone who wasn't happy to see him in the squad, never mind the team. He's a much more rounded player than Ashton as you might expect from someone who has played Test rugby in every position 11-15. If you based Lions selection on this 6N alone, he would absolutely deserve to tour. I think your hatred of him - which is a curious thing of itself - has rather blinded you to his attributes.

I don't think I'd take him for similar reasons I think a lot of Scots will miss out. 6N form will not be the only criterion and I think in general there are better wingers available and also players who can cover a lot of the positions he can. Not that I think he is a bad player or hasn't been pretty good lately.

I would probably take (in no order); North, LWilliams, Seymour, Watson, Daly as wingers ahead of him. And I would be looking for specialist centres to travel with maybe Daly providing emergency 13 cover.

Picking a squad now of 38 - based on nothing more than the Lions app only allows 37 or 38 to be picked which may or may not be indicative of what will be picked. Tended to pick partnerships to help hit the ground running:
LHP: Mako, McGrath, Healy
Hooker: Best, George, Owens/Brown
THP: Furlong, Cole, AN Other
2nd row: Gray, Itoje, Launchbury, Gray, Lawes
Back Row: Stander, Billy V, Warburton, Tipuric, Faletau, Barclay (covers all 3 positions ideal for midweek)
20 Forwards

9: Murray, Webb, AN Other (one of Laidlaw, Youngs etc)
10: Sexton, Russell/Ford
10/12: Farrell
Centres: Henshaw, JJ, Ringrose, +2
Wing: North, Seymour, LWilliams, Watson,
15: Hogg, probably 1/2p
Utility: Daly
18 Backs

Can't make my mind up over 3 or 4.

[kk67]

Id agree with u , i also hate Earls, find him a horrible cheating wee bastrd, so would probabbly love him if he was scotish, but he has been your best threat in the 6N, he is a utility player so may or may not go , better players in every position he offers but very few offer his versatility.

I dont think he will go but the fact he actually scored trys with the irish backs shows some real skill

Maybe a better attacking threat but Zebo looked the more complete player.

[whatisthejava]

Id agree with u , i also hate Earls, find him a horrible cheating wee bastrd, so would probabbly love him if he was scotish, but he has been your best threat in the 6N, he is a utility player so may or may not go , better players in every position he offers but very few offer his versatility.

I dont think he will go but the fact he actually scored trys with the irish backs shows some real skill

Maybe a better attacking threat but Zebo looked the more complete player.

I dont need any excuses to slag off Earls but Zebo did nothing during the Scotland or Wales game, Earls was the only real threat with ball in hand for Ireland

[kk67]

Id agree with u , i also hate Earls, find him a horrible cheating wee bastrd, so would probabbly love him if he was scotish, but he has been your best threat in the 6N, he is a utility player so may or may not go , better players in every position he offers but very few offer his versatility.

I dont think he will go but the fact he actually scored trys with the irish backs shows some real skill

Maybe a better attacking threat but Zebo looked the more complete player.

I dont need any excuses to slag off Earls but Zebo did nothing during the Scotland or Wales game, Earls was the only real threat with ball in hand for Ireland

Zebo was busy during the Wales game.

[Numbers]

Maybe a better attacking threat but Zebo looked the more complete player.

I dont need any excuses to slag off Earls but Zebo did nothing during the Scotland or Wales game, Earls was the only real threat with ball in hand for Ireland

Zebo was busy during the Wales game.

I'm not sure how Zebo gets into the Ireland side ahead of Craig Gilroy who is a try scoring machine, if Zebo's defence was good I would understand, Zebo looked a shoe in for a starting test spot on the last Lions tour but didn't do enough in the warm-up games.