Lions

[Mellsblue]

In other news Weeg 14 point underdogs to Sarries.

That's got to be worth a tenner of anyone's money.

[Matt Ha]

I wouldn't take him as things stand.

I thought that as well given that he's way down the scrum-half pecking order and some would argue that Price should even be starting ahead of him for Scotland. But he appears to be a good captain: experienced, gritty, good motivator etc. That, along with his unflappable place kicking, could make him something of an asset on tour.

[Mikey Brown]

Scrum-half is a bit of a weird one. Laidlaw has his value but isn't good enough at a couple of the core jobs. Murray is a miles ahead. Webb and Davies seem like good alternatives. Youngs is incapable of passing but that doesn't seem to stop anybody picking him so he might go.

[Big D]

Nels had neck surgery. Definitely rules him out of contention.

[Mikey Brown]

As we've exited the hope stage and are now resigned to fighting for the wooden spoon anyway I guess I can say it. Anyone else got a really bad feeling about Nel and his injuries?

Is it just that it seems too ridiculous for us, Scotland, to have two or more decent tight heads at a time?

The centre situation still keeps me up at night.

[Big D]

As we've exited the hope stage and are now resigned to fighting for the wooden spoon anyway I guess I can say it. Anyone else got a really bad feeling about Nel and his injuries?

Is it just that it seems too ridiculous for us, Scotland, to have two or more decent tight heads at a time?

The centre situation still keeps me up at night.

Only a bad feeling in s much that a prop with neck injuries is bad.

Main feeling is a I hope he has no long lasting effects. Man has kids etc.

[Adder]

Mistake

[whatisthejava]

I quite like looking st the team of the week on the different sites.

The only starting players from sat not made it on any

Dell
Brown
Fagurson
Seymour

Even Ford got picked in 1.

What a difference from 12 months ago

Interesting awj has made a few as has north but I thought both were pretty average on sat. Surprisingly more French than English considering they lost.

[General Zod]

Does anyone know when the match kick off times are likely to be? I am organising a stag do on the second test weekend and that will probably determine the "activity" section.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I quite like looking st the team of the week on the different sites.

The only starting players from sat not made it on any

Dell
Brown
Fagurson
Seymour

Even Ford got picked in 1.

What a difference from 12 months ago

Interesting awj has made a few as has north but I thought both were pretty average on sat. Surprisingly more French than English considering they lost.

North wasn't playing, Java... Maybe that's why

[cashead]

Does anyone know when the match kick off times are likely to be? I am organising a stag do on the second test weekend and that will probably determine the "activity" section.

Test matches in NZ usually kick off at 7:30 or so in the PM down here. IIRC, that means it'll be Saturday morning, at around 8:30.

[whatisthejava]

I quite like looking st the team of the week on the different sites.

The only starting players from sat not made it on any

Dell
Brown
Fagurson
Seymour

Even Ford got picked in 1.

What a difference from 12 months ago

Interesting awj has made a few as has north but I thought both were pretty average on sat. Surprisingly more French than English considering they lost.

North wasn't playing, Java... Maybe that's why

Think u picked that up a week late mate. That post was talking about the Italy v Wales game and the Sco v Ireland game.

This weeks lions have only been Hogg.

That's from the Scotland v France game for Greg to read in a week.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I quite like looking st the team of the week on the different sites.

The only starting players from sat not made it on any

Dell
Brown
Fagurson
Seymour

Even Ford got picked in 1.

What a difference from 12 months ago

Interesting awj has made a few as has north but I thought both were pretty average on sat. Surprisingly more French than English considering they lost.

North wasn't playing, Java... Maybe that's why

Think u picked that up a week late mate. That post was talking about the Italy v Wales game and the Sco v Ireland game.

This weeks lions have only been Hogg.

That's from the Scotland v France game for Greg to read in a week.

Haha, my apologies. Saw the thread had been posted in and yours was the most recent for me!

[Big D]

These team of the week for the Lions is good and all but I'd like to see a pundit pick a squad now in the rest weeks.

The rumours of Nel being back around April may just about sneak him in. TH isn't a particularly strong position and Gatland has form for taking a punt on injured players (Gray last time for example).

Looking at possible (and I am including bolters/dark horses) for the overall squad based on the last two weeks, clearly I don't think that many will go but this is based only on the last two weeks:
- Brown - A little weaker in the set pieces than others but is great around the park. Could be in the conversation as 3rd/4th choice hooker obviously 4th choice wont travel. Hartley has done heehaw and I'd have Best and George in the squad but Brown offers the chance to make up a trio that is good around the park.
- Gray Jnr - Should be nailed on.
- Gray Snr - IMO he has been right up there with any second rows this championship. Was very good against a physical French pack. Should definitely be in the conversation.
- Watson - Breadman is playing well again for Wales, but Watson is the type of physical bundle of energy that could thrive in a Lions setting. Watson has really built on a solid AI series.
- Laidlaw - The standard of 9 play has been reasonably poor from the GB+I sides IMO. I still wouldn't pick Laidlaw but he'll be in the conversation, even if briefly.
- Russell - 10 is a weird spot for the Lions. It could easily be Farrell who gets the gig. Sexton is perma crocked, Ford seems to be off his game at the moment and Bigger stands waaay to deep. If Finn can show a bit more game control when his side isn't on top it would do his chances the world of good.
- Centres - No many real stand outs this year for me yet.
- Seymour - Clearly one of the best 4/5 wingers on offer.
- Maitland - been solid this year and WG likes him.
- Hogg - 100% should and will travel.

[General Zod]

Does anyone know when the match kick off times are likely to be? I am organising a stag do on the second test weekend and that will probably determine the "activity" section.

Test matches in NZ usually kick off at 7:30 or so in the PM down here. IIRC, that means it'll be Saturday morning, at around 8:30.

Cheers.

[switchskier]

The stern Vern Twitter account does occasionally get it just right.

[ARM]

Gats face was hilarious at the end.

Looked like someone had shat in his mouth.

You would think that beating 2 out of 3 other teams that contribute to the Lions would have an impact on selection. Still can't see it but there should be 7 or 8 players in the conversation now.

[Big D]

I think there will be 7 or 8 in the conversation.
Brown will be spoken about as hooker is fairly open.
Eskimo if he's back playing will have a chance. TH isn't especially strong.
Gray squared.
Watson and Barclay should be at least spoken about.
10 isn't deep, Russell will be mentioned.
13 could be anyone's.
Seymour
Hogg

I can't see how anyone could watch this seasons rugby and not say Seymour is one of the best 3 wingers available.

[switchskier]

I think there will be 7 or 8 in the conversation.
Brown will be spoken about as hooker is fairly open.
Eskimo if he's back playing will have a chance. TH isn't especially strong.
Gray squared.
Watson and Barclay should be at least spoken about.
10 isn't deep, Russell will be mentioned.
13 could be anyone's.
Seymour
Hogg

I can't see how anyone could watch this seasons rugby and not say Seymour is one of the best 3 wingers available.

Well if Eddie Butler can't even get his name right how much chance do you think he has? Saying that Russell's motm was probably a lions selection from an ex-player who felt that he should have toured.

[Big D]

Butler is a pillock, Seymour would be one of my starting wingers in the test XV.

[Which Tyler]

Butler is a pillock, Seymour would be one of my starting wingers in the test XV.

TBH I'd be tempted by the Scottish back 3 as a unit; Liam Williams on the bench.
Put them outside Murray, Sexton, Henshaw and JJ and they'd have some real fun.

[switchskier]

Butler is a pillock, Seymour would be one of my starting wingers in the test XV.

TBH I'd be tempted by the Scottish back 3 as a unit; Liam Williams on the bench.
Put them outside Murray, Sexton, Henshaw and JJ and they'd have some real fun.

Not for me. Hogg and Williams are nailed on for me as two of the best players available but think that if you do that I'd like an out and flyer to exploit the space that they create. Trouble is there aren't many of those options available currently.

I started this post thinking that I wouldn't take Seymour at all but actually there aren't that many options in form. The Welsh boys need some confidence but are physically the most impressive. For me Earls and Bowes time has past and Zebo still runs into others space too much. The English wings have loads of potential but no-one has nailed down a spot yet, though I think Daly will tour and I'm a big fan of his.

[ARM]

One thing which can't be disputed is that we gave a truly world class attacking player in Stuart Hogg.

I am so pleased to see the consistency and maturity in Hoggs game right now. Of our 7 tries in three games he has scored three and had a major hand in two others - the only ones without his direct intervention were Swinson in Paris and the Dunbar line out.

A couple of world class players surrounded by Test quality support can make a huge difference - look at the levels that BOD dragged Ireland to for years.

[Big D]

Butler is a pillock, Seymour would be one of my starting wingers in the test XV.

TBH I'd be tempted by the Scottish back 3 as a unit; Liam Williams on the bench.
Put them outside Murray, Sexton, Henshaw and JJ and they'd have some real fun.

Not for me. Hogg and Williams are nailed on for me as two of the best players available but think that if you do that I'd like an out and flyer to exploit the space that they create. Trouble is there aren't many of those options available currently.

I started this post thinking that I wouldn't take Seymour at all but actually there aren't that many options in form. The Welsh boys need some confidence but are physically the most impressive. For me Earls and Bowes time has past and Zebo still runs into others space too much. The English wings have loads of potential but no-one has nailed down a spot yet, though I think Daly will tour and I'm a big fan of his.

Agreed on that las point Daly should tour. But as a utility player who might end up benching in tests.

I just can't see two better wingers than Seymour at the minute. He's great in the air, solid enough in defence and going forward he is very good.

[Which Tyler]

Not for me. Hogg and Williams are nailed on for me as two of the best players available but think that if you do that I'd like an out and flyer to exploit the space that they create. Trouble is there aren't many of those options available currently.

I started this post thinking that I wouldn't take Seymour at all but actually there aren't that many options in form. The Welsh boys need some confidence but are physically the most impressive. For me Earls and Bowes time has past and Zebo still runs into others space too much. The English wings have loads of potential but no-one has nailed down a spot yet, though I think Daly will tour and I'm a big fan of his.

For me it's exactly that second paragraph.
We have 2 stand-out options for FB in Hogg and Williams; but then it comes to naming wingers and it's variations of compromise.
North's out of form (and really should be worried about his future inthe game); Cuthbert's not very good at playing rugby; I'm looking at Williams as a FB.
Earls and Bowe are too old, and slowing down; Zebo's too often a headless chicken.
Watson's not fit yet, May's faster, but more headless than Zebo, whilst Nowell's a hard worker who lacks pace and Daly doesn't have and instincts for playing back 3.TBH, the back 3 choices after Hogg and Williams are much of a muchness; so familiarity wins out i my selection.

Of course, there's also a fair opinion to start both Hogg and Williams, which opens up the 23 shirt for Daly.

If Watson/North find fitness and form; then things change rapidly.