Lrrr Posted April 17, 2017 Report Share Posted April 17, 2017 Thread of the summer. Ahead of the squad reveal Wednesday a BBC are reporting Launchbury and Joseph are set to miss out on selection. Joseph seemingly because Gatland wants to go with 'bigger' 13's and Launchbury is seemingly missing out to Kruis and Lawes. Think we're on for a big hiding if Gatland is going to try and front up to NZ in size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted April 17, 2017 Report Share Posted April 17, 2017 I would personally take Launchbury over Lawes or Kruis, though they're all good players. I'm not a huge Joseph fan for whatever reason. Henshaw is a better 13 than a 12 so we might see him outside Farrell if Fatland wants a big fella there. Be interesting to see if the Good Doctor Jaw (Roberts) goes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lrrr Posted April 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2017 Yeah I like the look of Henshaw too, it's just the rumour that Te'o is getting the nod over him Also rumour is the three scrum halfs are Murray, Youngs and Webb. Would be a joke imo if Care isn't in the squad, Murray is nailed on to start and Care would be better than the other two off the bench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted April 17, 2017 Report Share Posted April 17, 2017 Te'o is a good player, not sure I'd take him over Joseph. Care's past disciplinary record may count against him. Personally think he's a better scrum half than Youngs but would have Webb on the bench. I see where you're coming from though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welcome To The Jungle Posted April 18, 2017 Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 11 hours ago, MichaelRobartes said: I would personally take Launchbury over Lawes or Kruis, though they're all good players. I'm not a huge Joseph fan for whatever reason. Henshaw is a better 13 than a 12 so we might see him outside Farrell if Fatland wants a big fella there. Be interesting to see if the Good Doctor Jaw (Roberts) goes... Launcbury was in my opinion the best lock in this years 6 nations, criminal if he does not go. As for Joseph, he is effective as long as whoever if at 12 is a great ball player, if not he cant be unleashed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted April 18, 2017 Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 3 hours ago, Welcome To The Jungle said: Launcbury was in my opinion the best lock in this years 6 nations, criminal if he does not go. As for Joseph, he is effective as long as whoever if at 12 is a great ball player, if not he cant be unleashed. He was certainly up there. Bizarre if he is overlooked I agree. Farrell will surely play 12 unless Sexton is injured? I prefer Farrell there than at 10 but he's a superb player in either position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Portland Bill Posted April 18, 2017 Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 Having lived in NZ, and having a son, daughter in law and grand kids in NZ you will have to excuse me being a bit of a NZ rugby nut. Living there as a Pom you see first hand how intense and tough rugby is in that country. The pace of the game and the skill ( and size! ) of the players ( even local rugby) has to be seen to believed. More people of Samoan descent are born and live in Auckland than the whole population of Samoa, ( true fact) add in the Maori and the white population of NZ and you have a mix of size, skill, and natural talent in abundance. Anyway, back to the tour!. For starters I can not believe the Lions accepted the tour Itinerary!, playing all 5 of the Super rugby teams and the Maori AB's is hard enough,but then add in the 3 test matches and it's potentially the toughest tour ever for a Lions side. The form the NZ super rugby teams are in makes the tour seem like 8 ( 9 if you include the Maori ) test matches. The midweek games against the super rugby sides are going to be a massive test for the Lions, so the Lions squad are going to be severely tested. Gatland has to decide whether he thinks the Lions can take the NZ sides on with pace and a running game, or play it tight. Either way it's going to be a real tough ask. It has all the makings of being a fantastic tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lrrr Posted April 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 Roberts supposedly getting picked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted April 18, 2017 Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 3 hours ago, hodge said: Roberts supposedly getting picked Either he's there to truck it up midweek and hold tackle bags or he'll be starting the tests. Weird enough either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lrrr Posted April 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 Having gone to uni in wales and played rugby there I have a load of welsh friends on social media, may need to stay logged out tomorrow.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lrrr Posted April 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 Hartley set to miss out as well, becoming the third England captain in a row to miss out on lions selection. Warburton set to be captain, wonder how he will be coming back from a 6 week injury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted April 19, 2017 Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 7 hours ago, hodge said: Hartley set to miss out as well, becoming the third England captain in a row to miss out on lions selection. Warburton set to be captain, wonder how he will be coming back from a 6 week injury. Not at all sure about Warburton as captain but for me Hartley missing out is the correct call. His temperament means you can never fully trust him and he isn't even the best hooker in England. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lrrr Posted April 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 Oh yeah Hartley wouldn't have been in a squad I'd choose, I'm hoping George goes to come off the bench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin phantom Posted April 19, 2017 Admin Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 Warburton now named as captain - hardly a surprise though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Orns Posted April 19, 2017 Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 14 hours ago, hodge said: Roberts supposedly getting picked 11 hours ago, MichaelRobartes said: Either he's there to truck it up midweek and hold tackle bags or he'll be starting the tests. Weird enough either way. Roberts being picked, if true, seems an odd call. I can only presume that MR has it bang on, I really don't see what he brings to the test team anymore. Fantastic player back in the day though 2 hours ago, MichaelRobartes said: Not at all sure about Warburton as captain but for me Hartley missing out is the correct call. His temperament means you can never fully trust him and he isn't even the best hooker in England. Warburton as captain, again, if true, is another bizarre one. Hartley, I'm torn on - but I really don't see him staying on the pitch for 80 minutes. How many times did Eddie take him off after 50 odd minutes during the 6N. Launchbury missing out is a real hard one. Great player, doesn't get the headlines, but always solid. That said, I'm a massive fan of both Lawes and Kruis as well. England are lucky to have those three to call upon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lrrr Posted April 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 Seems Warburton is confirmed as captain, leaked picture of him in the kit with the coaching staff. Prefer him to Jones as captain though tbf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lrrr Posted April 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 So Joseph makes the cut, few surprise names in there as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lrrr Posted April 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 Can't really have too many complaints about that squad, think the only additions I'd have really wanted to see would have been Launchbury and Care. Going to be interesting when the lions DVD comes out to see their selection meeting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted April 19, 2017 Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 Disappointed for Zebo who is playing the best rugby of his career. Agree Hodge that there aren't any unbelievably bad calls there. I definitelynwould have taken Launchbury and maybe Johnny Gray. The final squad will look different enough anyway, there are always unfortunate guys who get injured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin phantom Posted April 19, 2017 Admin Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Posted April 19, 2017 Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 Joseph had to be in. Cant see it making much difference to the series result though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1ackbird Posted April 19, 2017 Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 4 hours ago, phantom said: I suppose every nation can make a case for a couple more of their own players going.. looking forward to it already... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Red Posted April 19, 2017 Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 Good selection, can't really disagree with any of it. Hartley not going is the right call, suspect Best will start the tests with George to come off the bench as he's been doing for England, then Owens is a decent backup. Would have been pissed off if Roberts had got in ahead of Joseph. I'd have had Launchbury in but all of those who were picked in that position are more than worthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
And Its Smith Posted April 20, 2017 Report Share Posted April 20, 2017 Best Lions squad of all time? Incredible depth. Think they have a chance. Hard to pick a 15 as replacements will be vital as they always are in modern rugby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lrrr Posted April 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2017 Vunipola Owens Furlong Itoje Wyn-Jones Stander Warburton Vunipola Murray Sexton North Farrell Henshaw Daly Hogg Don't think Daly will start but would love to see him do so, lad is quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted May 8, 2017 Report Share Posted May 8, 2017 Horrible note on which to revive this thread, but I didn't notice any posts on the awful news about Tom Youngs' wife being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Thoughts go to the family. Greig Laidlaw replaces Ben Youngs in the Lions squad. And to think I was gearing up to post about how disappointed I was for the inevitable injury withdrawals between now and the plane leaving. It puts it all into perspective. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/06/ben-youngs-lions-squad-tom-youngs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin phantom Posted May 9, 2017 Admin Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lrrr Posted May 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 See a couple of teams weren't happy by the date of the first meeting, Sarries cancelled training because of players being away and its 5 days before their cup game. Gloucester also had players missing with their game on Friday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 2 hours ago, hodge said: See a couple of teams weren't happy by the date of the first meeting, Sarries cancelled training because of players being away and its 5 days before their cup game. Gloucester also had players missing with their game on Friday. Sarries are always whinging about something. I hope I'm wrong but I think they'll beat ASM easily enough in the final. They're a superb team and a few lads missing from training for one day won't make a difference to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lrrr Posted May 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 Gatland said there had been no official requests to move the date of the event, but why even have the press day while the club season is ongoing? Couldn't it have been done the day before the players joined up for training? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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