Backrow

[paddy no 11]

Myriad options here

Won't even hazard a guess, some very good players will miss out

[Mikey Brown]

I don’t know how you even start whittling this down.

There are 3 or so genuine contenders from almost every team. I wouldn’t be shocked at any of the Irish 4 going*, but I wouldn’t say any of them enhanced their cases during the 6 nations, while more fringe guys like Morgan, Ritchie and Ben Curry had incredible tournaments.

*Obviously Doris goes, even if he wasn’t at his absolute best he is in a different tier. His form would have to fall off massively between now and the tour to not be an option.

[paddy no 11]

Van der flier needs a good end of season I'd like to see the 3 form players you mentioned picked

Doris and Earl are probably nailed on alright

[Numbers]

Fagerson had an excellent game for Scotland on Saturday.

[paddy no 11]

Break it down into some sort of current pecking order

6 - Richie and Tom curry maybe most clear cut?
7 - Ben curry and Morgan, vdf, darge
8 Doris and Earl, fagerson, conan, wainwright

[paddy no 11]

Jamie Ritchie - form backrow

[jngf]

I’d actually take Sam Underhill, covers both 6 and 7 ( and even 8 at a pinch ) plus the best tackler in world rugby imo

[jngf]

I’d also say there’s a case for both Jack Willis and Sam Simmonds who to mind are in a class above Tom Curry and Ben Earl, Trumpesque RFU exile policy or otherwise

[jngf]

Break it down into some sort of current pecking order

6 - Richie and Tom curry maybe most clear cut?
7 - Ben curry and Morgan, vdf, darge
8 Doris and Earl, fagerson, conan, wainwright

Darge is knowhere near Lions class. Was anonymous against England, Ritchie is only Scottish Lions class backrow imo

[jngf]

Van der flier needs a good end of season I'd like to see the 3 form players you mentioned picked

Doris and Earl are probably nailed on alright

Issue with Earl is where do you play him?, for me he’s a starting 7 or a bench utility flying flanker. Not big enough or powerful enough to be a tight carrying no.8 , frankly similar sized Morgan could carry that role off much better.

[paddy no 11]

Van der flier needs a good end of season I'd like to see the 3 form players you mentioned picked

Doris and Earl are probably nailed on alright

Issue with Earl is where do you play him?, for me he’s a starting 7 or a bench utility flying flanker. Not big enough or powerful enough to be a tight carrying no.8 , frankly similar sized Morgan could carry that role off much better.

I don't disagree but I'm 100% farrell will pick him

[Danno]

Earl is a Simmonds that can play 7 (and switches to the 12 role at times). I don't know how you can suggest Simmonds in the Bolters thread when Earl is available. Not that I'd pick either.

[jngf]

Earl is a Simmonds that can play 7 (and switches to the 12 role at times). I don't know how you can suggest Simmonds in the Bolters thread when Earl is available. Not that I'd pick either.

Because he’s already been a Lion and he can do everything Earl can (other than fetching) that little bit better and is even quicker and more explosive and I suspect more powerful as a tight carrier.