Lions

[ARM]

I see that Townsend has turned down the Lions.

Howley will be attack coach (appears to be third choice after Schmidt and Townsend both said no).

3 Scottish players max in the squad then.

[whatisthejava]

I see that Townsend has turned down the Lions.

Howley will be attack coach (appears to be third choice after Schmidt and Townsend both said no).

3 Scottish players max in the squad then.

So I'm mixed about this, on one hand I think its mental of Townsend to turn down such an opertunity, on the other other he was second choice behind Schmit and maybe went, if I'm not your first choice go screw yourself

Otherhand, I wonder if Townsend thinks Gatland is a total knobber and doesn't want to waste time on a fools errand to prop up the complete ersehole that is Gatland and his plan to play the welsh team again dressed as Lions

Will have to wait and see what Toonie says next season when the dust has settled

[laribold]

Townsend has repeatedly shown throughout his career (both playing and coaching) that he is willing to branch out and look beyond the normal avenues.

I'd suggest playing second fiddle to Gatland's ego on a hiding to nothing tour is not the kind of learning experience that Toonie is interested in.

[Mikey Brown]

I'd have taken basically any other combination of random home nations coaches ahead of Garland and Howlry. Good for Townsend/Schmidt, in my opinion.

[Big D]

I see that Townsend has turned down the Lions.

Howley will be attack coach (appears to be third choice after Schmidt and Townsend both said no).

3 Scottish players max in the squad then.

So I'm mixed about this, on one hand I think its mental of Townsend to turn down such an opertunity, on the other other he was second choice behind Schmit and maybe went, if I'm not your first choice go screw yourself

Otherhand, I wonder if Townsend thinks Gatland is a total knobber and doesn't want to waste time on a fools errand to prop up the complete ersehole that is Gatland and his plan to play the welsh team again dressed as Lions

Will have to wait and see what Toonie says next season when the dust has settled

I think it is 50/50 whether it is a mistake or not.

Positive:
1. He'll be with a Scotland squad that will probably be both to full strength for his 1st tour.
2. He'll avoid having to tell his Scotland players come 2017 AI's why he didn't push for their inclusion.

Negatives:
1. I am not sure truly how much input he'll have into the Scotland squad beyond the obvious players. He can't possibly have time to look for alternatives if Glasgow are at the sharp end of the Pro 12 season.
2. The Lions tour would be a step up for someone, who if we are honest, didn't show much at Scotland attack coach and his Glasgow team despite being excellent in the pro 12 haven't made a great deal of impact in Europe. It would be a great opportunity to test himself.
3. It is a great scouting opportunity to identify the weaknesses of the home nations best players.

[Cameo]

I see that Townsend has turned down the Lions.

Howley will be attack coach (appears to be third choice after Schmidt and Townsend both said no).

3 Scottish players max in the squad then.

So I'm mixed about this, on one hand I think its mental of Townsend to turn down such an opertunity, on the other other he was second choice behind Schmit and maybe went, if I'm not your first choice go screw yourself

Otherhand, I wonder if Townsend thinks Gatland is a total knobber and doesn't want to waste time on a fools errand to prop up the complete ersehole that is Gatland and his plan to play the welsh team again dressed as Lions

Will have to wait and see what Toonie says next season when the dust has settled

I think it is 50/50 whether it is a mistake or not.

Positive:
1. He'll be with a Scotland squad that will probably be both to full strength for his 1st tour.
2. He'll avoid having to tell his Scotland players come 2017 AI's why he didn't push for their inclusion.

Negatives:
1. I am not sure truly how much input he'll have into the Scotland squad beyond the obvious players. He can't possibly have time to look for alternatives if Glasgow are at the sharp end of the Pro 12 season.
2. The Lions tour would be a step up for someone, who if we are honest, didn't show much at Scotland attack coach and his Glasgow team despite being excellent in the pro 12 haven't made a great deal of impact in Europe. It would be a great opportunity to test himself.
3. It is a great scouting opportunity to identify the weaknesses of the home nations best players.

I think his reasoning will have been your first point. It's never good to turn up at a new job only to say "Sorry, Im off for the next month or two". He'll have plenty of time to decide on players. It's not like we have them all over the place. Anyway, his bigger input will be in training on Tour. This will be as long as he gets uninterrupted wih the players for a while if he wants new systems etc

[fivepointer]

If Scotland have commitments elsewhere then the head coach should honour those before accepting an invitation from the Lions.
Townsend has simply done the right thing.
Good for him and for Scotland.

[General Zod]

He's the Scotland head coach. Was there even a decision to make?

[whatisthejava]

Pretty sure the SRU left it up to him

Coaching is all about experience and the Lions would really have helped him

I reckon its because he didn't fancy playing second fiddle to Gatland and letting the welsh team see his coaching style up front

[Big D]

So I'm mixed about this, on one hand I think its mental of Townsend to turn down such an opertunity, on the other other he was second choice behind Schmit and maybe went, if I'm not your first choice go screw yourself

Otherhand, I wonder if Townsend thinks Gatland is a total knobber and doesn't want to waste time on a fools errand to prop up the complete ersehole that is Gatland and his plan to play the welsh team again dressed as Lions

Will have to wait and see what Toonie says next season when the dust has settled

I think it is 50/50 whether it is a mistake or not.

Positive:
1. He'll be with a Scotland squad that will probably be both to full strength for his 1st tour.
2. He'll avoid having to tell his Scotland players come 2017 AI's why he didn't push for their inclusion.

Negatives:
1. I am not sure truly how much input he'll have into the Scotland squad beyond the obvious players. He can't possibly have time to look for alternatives if Glasgow are at the sharp end of the Pro 12 season.
2. The Lions tour would be a step up for someone, who if we are honest, didn't show much at Scotland attack coach and his Glasgow team despite being excellent in the pro 12 haven't made a great deal of impact in Europe. It would be a great opportunity to test himself.
3. It is a great scouting opportunity to identify the weaknesses of the home nations best players.

I think his reasoning will have been your first point. It's never good to turn up at a new job only to say "Sorry, Im off for the next month or two". He'll have plenty of time to decide on players. It's not like we have them all over the place. Anyway, his bigger input will be in training on Tour. This will be as long as he gets uninterrupted wih the players for a while if he wants new systems etc

In hindsight thinking about my earlier point I think it is more a good thing than bad thing rather than 50/50. There were positives if he went though IMO.

I'd like to see Gatland throw a curve ball in for attack coach rather than Howley but I am not sure there are many inspiring options.

[OptimisticJock]

I'm glad Toonie hasn't gone. Can't see an upside of him going.

[Which Tyler]

In hindsight thinking about my earlier point I think it is more a good thing than bad thing rather than 50/50. There were positives if he went though IMO.

I'd like to see Gatland throw a curve ball in for attack coach rather than Howley but I am not sure there are many inspiring options.

Someone like an Alex King, or a Nick Mallett. I see no particular reason to limit ourselves to coaches who are currently coaching one of the home nation international sides.

[af73]

I see that Townsend has turned down the Lions.

Howley will be attack coach (appears to be third choice after Schmidt and Townsend both said no).

3 Scottish players max in the squad then.

So I'm mixed about this, on one hand I think its mental of Townsend to turn down such an opertunity, on the other other he was second choice behind Schmit and maybe went, if I'm not your first choice go screw yourself

Otherhand, I wonder if Townsend thinks Gatland is a total knobber and doesn't want to waste time on a fools errand to prop up the complete ersehole that is Gatland and his plan to play the welsh team again dressed as Lions

Will have to wait and see what Toonie says next season when the dust has settled

WG: "Gregor, I'd like you to join the tour so the 20 or so Welsh players you're team will be playing against in 2018 can learn from your methods. I think you know much the Lions, and myself in particular, have always valued Scottish involvement in these tours...."

GT:" Interesting, let me think about thi......................"

[General Zod]

WG: I'd like to approach GT for a lions position.
Mark Dodson: Aye, on ye go.

GT takes job. MD gets on the blower...

MD: You know how we didn't give you a new deal, well, do you fancy hanging round after the 6 nations until we finish a tournament in Australia?
BVC: *#%!!!!

MD thinks for a bit, before picking up the phone...

MD: Hi, Alan, have you gone back to South Africa yet?

[kk67]

I really think it will depend on the 6N

If Scotland loses to Wales then we will get no more than 2 - 3 in the original party, being in Australia we may get a few more as injury cover but we really need 3 wins to have at least 1 starting Lion in a test

I'd go further than this. I'd say that Scotland will get no more than 2/3 in the squad unless we have a truly exceptional 6 Nations.

Yup. Jonny will tour.

[Matt Ha]

The Telegraph had five Scottish Lions: Hogg, Jones, J Grey, Barclay and Nel.

[Mikey Brown]

Barclay is an interesting one. He's playing well and incredibly versatile to be fair.

[whatisthejava]

Link
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/ ... b-kearney/

It just shows how under the radar we are that guys like AWJ, Warburton, Bigger , Davies are in

Id have R Gray and Dunbar ahead of 2 of those without a hesitation

[Matt Ha]

Link
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/ ... b-kearney/

It just shows how under the radar we are that guys like AWJ, Warburton, Bigger , Davies are in

Id have R Gray and Dunbar ahead of 2 of those without a hesitation

and I don't agree with the assumption that Watson is a shoe-in ahead of Seymour. Both good players and very little between them.

[Mikey Brown]

Kruis as the like-for-like replacement, as lineout-man, for AWJ??? Ben Youngs has held off the mighty Danny Care to become England's first choice number 10???

An unsurprisingly poor article.

[Big D]

Link
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/ ... b-kearney/

It just shows how under the radar we are that guys like AWJ, Warburton, Bigger , Davies are in

Id have R Gray and Dunbar ahead of 2 of those without a hesitation

and I don't agree with the assumption that Watson is a shoe-in ahead of Seymour. Both good players and very little between them.

I find that squad weird. No need for Hogg, Kearney, 1/2P and Williams. I'd have Seymour in and drop one of those possibly Kearney even though he ahs improved again.

There are also 3 13's and 2 12's. Dunbar was solid but unspectacular this AI so I can understand why Farrell and Henshaw would be included ahead of him if going for only 12 12's.

It is actually not one of the worst I have seen. Would be surprised to see Barclay make it and Ford not to go.

[whatisthejava]

Only 6 props have ever scored a try for the Lions in a test match


So Mako isn't one, he scored against Western Force
Name them

[Matt Ha]

Only 6 props have ever scored a try for the Lions in a test match


So Mako isn't one, he scored against Western Force
Name them

McLaughlin and eerrr did Corbishero the English prop get one on the last tour?

[Big D]

Corbisiero is one.

[whatisthejava]

Only 6 props have ever scored a try for the Lions in a test match


So Mako isn't one, he scored against Western Force
Name them

McLaughlin and eerrr did Corbishero the English prop get one on the last tour?

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