So what do we think of:
1/2p
Bowe
BOD
Roberts
North
Sexton
Phillips
Heaslip
Warburton
Lydiate
Grey
POC
Adam
Hibbard
Vunipola (assuming Healey is broken)
bench
Tuilagi
Farrel
Youngs
AW Jones
SOB
Cole
Other Youngs
Gethin
All good points a_a. No arguments here. I reckon some of those marginal calls will go Englands way, if only due to the lack of representation. Put bluntly (and I'm not saying it's right), they need the viewing figures. The Lions tours have always had their detractors and they do need to justify their existence. I reckon Mako is in with a very good shout and so is Manu (as you said). Croft not so much.
I must eat some humble pie and say that Sexton was fantastic yesterday. Looking forward to see how he does against some quality opposition.
edit; I'd swap warbs and roberts for SOB and Manu, but then I would, wouldn't I....
SOB? left AWJ with 3 players to mark here
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Is Grey a token or a genuine pick there?
genuine, think he's the best player available
It'll be a pity if Healey doesn't make the test. 🙁 His mobility would have been an asset. He and Adam and are a dream prop combo. And he does have recent experience of beating Australia 🙂 I like a_a's selection. Sack Gatling I say!
I'd agree with that AA although I'd like to see Tip at 7 and Warb at 6. I'm not sure that Lydiate can justify a place at the moment.
I think Heaslip will start at 8. If only he would play to his potential in a green shirt!
From IT:
Jamie Heaslip was outstanding. He made more tackles (12), more runs (16), more clean breaks (five) and more metres (118 — the next best was North’s 77) than any other Lion.
Probably more than the whole of the 6N BM! 😐
I would admit i chose Lydiate on reputation.
Thats true DD.
Just realised Tips on bench on sat, maybe we will see Warbs @ 6 and Tip 7 for half an hour?
My lad doing his best POC scowl....
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He's much better looking than POC!!
DD junior is nailed on scrum half - with shortarses like us for parents, he'll be lucky to be taller than Stringer. 😀
I never moved outside the front row so any height won't be from my side!
WTF almost universal approval with a_a this rugby thread is going downhill 😀
I would have Manu in for Roberts and O'Brien in for Lydiate.
Hogg on the bench
Gloucester's future hooker practicing his scowl at the opening match this season 🙂
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Don't get the love for SOB, look at that gif above, no way Lydiate would do that!
I'd have AWJ rather than Grey and Lydiate Tips Heaslip at 6 7 8.
more from the gwlad gif store
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and finally Adam again steals the show, "shit we're on telly clap"[img] 
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Warbs' face behind. 😆
full match
Nah, Toby at number 8 for me at the moment.
I'd have agreed with you scamper, but Heaslip threw a curveball in that last game. Spoilt for choice I suppose.
Healy cleared.
😀
We'll just have to see how the injury fares now.
St Johnny has had an op so wont be joining the party. Him Biggar and Flood all broken arent they? Who is next Hook?
Healy cleared.
But broken. Corbisiero in. Cant say I am disappointed about that he seems to be coming back to good form.
Healy will be a big loss if he's gone. None of the other props come close to his scrumaging, carrying and defensive game. Gethin at his best still lacked the carrying game, and seems past his best, Vunipola carries and defends well but is a weaker scrumager. Corbisero is a good player but hasnt done much at international level really.
Healy out of tour, Ryan Grant called up now as cover for Gethin
Thought the most important development from the WS game was 1/2p's kicking. Interesting that BOD and Twiggy played together, if it has to be one of the other I'd start with BOD and bring in Tuilagi as BOD tires (on 60 ?)
Mako's a busy boy then, hope he doesnt break. At least the Lions have plenty of good looseheads to come in, tighthead would be an issue if Adam and Dank Hole got broken.
Dank Hole 😆
Gutted for Healy. At least he is young enough to have another shout in 4 years time. If it keeps going like this I might need to get the passport dug out 😀
On the subject of broken 10's even Priestland is out injured again isn't he? If there is any injury to Sexton or Farrel who is next in line? Burns?
If there is any injury to Sexton or Farrel who is next in line? Burns?
Hook, shirley. Although, Y Gat doesn't like him for some reason, so probably not.
For some reason I though Hook recently picked up an injury but can't find anything about it. Hook and Hogg then 😕
Big shame for Cian. Great player and a top bloke too.
Biggest positive so far for me has been Vunipola's form. Scrummaged well and great in the loose. Hope he stays fit and takes his chance. He looks like a perfect replacement.
About time Ryan Grant got his call too. Good season for him.
Am I reading too much into it that Tuilagi seems to have been picked at 13 and we assume BOD has 13 wrapped up? Whilst Davies is getting a run at 12 seems they are all auditioning to partner BOD.
They'll both have had a run at 12 and a run at 13 then. Personally, don't think it is BOD+1 just yet, but if so then what do you read into Tuilagi getting his 12 audition as a partnership next to BOD?
Easily possible to pick a very strong test 15 with no English or Scots.
Just as easy with no Welsh either, can't do it without Irish though 😉
Hogg/ Kearney (if fit)
Bowe
BOD
Tuilagi
Maitland (ok, he's not North but he won't let anyone down)
Sexton
Murray
Mako/ Grant
Youngs
Cole
Gray
POC
Croft
SOB
Heaslip
It's not a "Gatland" 15 but there's more tries in that team than the one posted earlier. More players who've beaten Oz too (probably).
Still think there's loads of test spots up for grabs. Every player out there seems to be raising their game.
teamhurtmore - Member
I only caught the first 25 mins of the match yesterday so missed both bits re CH. But is he in danger of becoming another Hartley ie, good player but prize one ****t and liability at the same time?
No.
Speak for yourself.
He's well liked by his team mates and opposition players.
It's no shame for an Irish prop to be disliked by English fans and media.
The next best fly half after Sexton is still Madigan.
Very much not a gatland style player, so would be better for him to stay with Ireland than go and sit on the bench.
Sorry loum, but why do I have to speak for myself? It was a genuine question. I do not doubt he is an excellent prop but he does appear to give away unnecessary penalties and as the stamping episode showed make poor judgements (if that is not too much of a euphemism). Happy to cut the media some slack when someone stamps on another pro and they don't like it.
But aside from that, sorry that his tour is over.
I'll reserve the right to change my mind about healy. He does seem highly thought of, and I do like his car.....
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Cripes. Not looking at all good for LW
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22811951
Just as easy with no Welsh either, can't do it without Irish thoughHogg/ Kearney (if fit)
Bowe
BOD
Tuilagi
Maitland (ok, he's not North but he won't let anyone down)
Sexton
Murray
Mako/ Grant
Youngs
Cole
Gray
POC
Croft
SOB
Heaslip
Not a bad side either, all the Lions players on tour could do good jobs in the tests, with the possible exception of Stevens. The addition of North and Phillips would greatly improve that team though as would 1/2p either instead of Maitland or at full back. Not convinced by Kearney or Hogg as last line of defence, have seen both miss too many tackles.
Q and A with Adam Jones:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22812586
Q - who is the dullest?
A - One of the tee-total boys probably.
😀
Except for the shortage of quality backup to Sexton I think it is the strongest Lions squad we have had for a few tours. Assuming no injuries there are probably not many "nailed on" Test starters (Sexton, 1/2p, Warburton).
For me the only flaw in 1/2ps game at present is he is not showing much going forward, but i think the Lions can get away with a conservative FB when you have the likes of North, Bowe, Manu, BOD in the backline.
Good to see Bowe playing so well at the start of the last match. Thought we would have the two welsh wings but Bowe looked threatening. WG must be licking his lips at the form of the back. Whoever misses the "start" will still be an awesome impact sub in 2H.
Could this be a really memorable Lions side?
Warburton nailed on? If he is, he shouldn't be.
1/2p, North, Adam, Sexton (due somewhat to Farrels poor form so far)
Manu will be in the test side, but possibly on the bench.
