Lions Attrition - update.

[morepork]

Jesus....Haskell?

Oh Wawwen.

[Sandydragon]

Again, Itoje didn't really play much at 6 at all. He just didn't have a particularly impressive 6 nations. You could argue though that Lawes's massive improvements, playing at 6, were aided by having 2 locks doing the work?

I'd have suggested that its more the lack of options on the flank for England which has prompted the shift to 6. If there were a genuine world class 6 available, or even a good international standard one, then Itoje would have battled it out in the second row. You have an embarrassing depth of talent in the second row and I get why its tempting to get all of them on the pitch together, but that's risky. England might decide its worth the investment, but the lions is here and now so for me Itoje is a lock or not playing.

[Mikey Brown]

Again, Itoje didn't really play much at 6 at all. He just didn't have a particularly impressive 6 nations. You could argue though that Lawes's massive improvements, playing at 6, were aided by having 2 locks doing the work?

I'd have suggested that its more the lack of options on the flank for England which has prompted the shift to 6. If there were a genuine world class 6 available, or even a good international standard one, then Itoje would have battled it out in the second row. You have an embarrassing depth of talent in the second row and I get why its tempting to get all of them on the pitch together, but that's risky. England might decide its worth the investment, but the lions is here and now so for me Itoje is a lock or not playing.

I don't disagree, though think you maybe misunderstood my post or I wasn't clear. I don't think Itoje (or Lawes) is best at 6, I was just pointing out that Itoje wasn't really playing there. That experiment seemed to get dropped pretty quickly. I don't think Itoje was all that impressive in the 6 nations but that seems to keep getting attributed to him playing (wearing) 6, rather than him just being a gobby penalty machine for most of the tournament.

[Sandydragon]

Again, Itoje didn't really play much at 6 at all. He just didn't have a particularly impressive 6 nations. You could argue though that Lawes's massive improvements, playing at 6, were aided by having 2 locks doing the work?

I'd have suggested that its more the lack of options on the flank for England which has prompted the shift to 6. If there were a genuine world class 6 available, or even a good international standard one, then Itoje would have battled it out in the second row. You have an embarrassing depth of talent in the second row and I get why its tempting to get all of them on the pitch together, but that's risky. England might decide its worth the investment, but the lions is here and now so for me Itoje is a lock or not playing.

I don't disagree, though think you maybe misunderstood my post or I wasn't clear. I don't think Itoje (or Lawes) is best at 6, I was just pointing out that Itoje wasn't really playing there. That experiment seemed to get dropped pretty quickly. I don't think Itoje was all that impressive in the 6 nations but that seems to keep getting attributed to him playing (wearing) 6, rather than him just being a gobby penalty machine for most of the tournament.

I probably mis-read. I agree that he hasn't been as effective as his breakthrough season. Still worth his tour spot though as he does offer a lot.

[cashead]

Jesus....Haskell?

Oh Wawwen.

As discussed in the Lions thread (and probably the EMB equivalent, assuming there is one), there won't be any of Barclay or Watson or any 7s or 6.5s called up until Warburton's pronounced "completely dead," (if he's just "mostly dead," Wazza will probably haul him over to Miracle Max's) and Haskell's playing style fits what Gatland would be looking for in his non-Warburton/Tipuric loose forwards.

[kk67]

Combine the IronyAirplane crashing and the 'James Haskell likes this post'.

[Sandydragon]

Jesus....Haskell?

Oh Wawwen.

As discussed in the Lions thread (and probably the EMB equivalent, assuming there is one), there won't be any of Barclay or Watson or any 7s or 6.5s called up until Warburton's pronounced "completely dead," (if he's just "mostly dead," Wazza will probably haul him over to Miracle Max's) and Haskell's playing style fits what Gatland would be looking for in his non-Warburton/Tipuric loose forwards.

And Tipuric is only there grudgingly. Any excuse to ignore him would be gladly taken.

[jngf]

And Tipuric is only there grudgingly. Any excuse to ignore him would be gladly taken.

If Gat's is not careful he'll be lined up as next England coach ...

[SerjeantWildgoose]

Stuart Hogg ruled out for the rest of the tour. Fractured something in his face when he collided with Murray. No replacement being called up yet.

[Galfon]

No obvious replacements for FB - Kearney is West Coast with his girl, and Armitage / Abendanon don't count.No doubt Mikey B will be sticking his hand up.
Real bad luck for Hogg, in the prime of his career.

[Cameo]

Ah I'm gutted about that both from his perspective and theirs. Even in a limited team attacking wise I have no doubt that he would have shone at some point

[ad_tigger]

No obvious replacements for FB - Kearney is West Coast with his girl, and Armitage / Abendanon don't count.No doubt Mikey B will be sticking his hand up.
Real bad luck for Hogg, in the prime of his career.

Mike Brown has probably packed up his hotel room, kissed goodbye to his sleeping roomie and booked a taxi to the airport. He's now sitting staring at his phone in an empty Buenos Aires hotel lobby with a soft toy lion on his knees thinking, 'Why hasn't he called yet? Why hasn't he called yet?'

[cashead]

Who's the next cab off the rank for the locks? One of the Gray boys? Launchbury?

[Mikey Brown]

Launch before Jonny Gray I'd think. Richie injured and behind those two anyway.

[skidger]

Any suggesting Mike Brown may not have seen him play rugby in the last three years.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Who's the next cab off the rank for the locks? One of the Gray boys? Launchbury?

Take Launch. Jonny G is busy.

[Numbers]

No obvious replacements for FB - Kearney is West Coast with his girl, and Armitage / Abendanon don't count.No doubt Mikey B will be sticking his hand up.
Real bad luck for Hogg, in the prime of his career.

Mike Brown has probably packed up his hotel room, kissed goodbye to his sleeping roomie and booked a taxi to the airport. He's now sitting staring at his phone in an empty Buenos Aires hotel lobby with a soft toy lion on his knees thinking, 'Why hasn't he called yet? Why hasn't he called yet?'

The problem being that with his inability to give a pass he'll never be able to board the plane.

[skidger]

No obvious replacements for FB - Kearney is West Coast with his girl, and Armitage / Abendanon don't count.No doubt Mikey B will be sticking his hand up.
Real bad luck for Hogg, in the prime of his career.

Mike Brown has probably packed up his hotel room, kissed goodbye to his sleeping roomie and booked a taxi to the airport. He's now sitting staring at his phone in an empty Buenos Aires hotel lobby with a soft toy lion on his knees thinking, 'Why hasn't he called yet? Why hasn't he called yet?'

The problem being that with his inability to give a pass he'll never be able to board the plane.

I can imagine Mike Brown could get quite angry in a busy airport.

[El Tigre]

Mike Brown has probably packed up his hotel room, kissed goodbye to his sleeping roomie and booked a taxi to the airport. He's now sitting staring at his phone in an empty Buenos Aires hotel lobby with a soft toy lion on his knees thinking, 'Why hasn't he called yet? Why hasn't he called yet?'

The problem being that with his inability to give a pass he'll never be able to board the plane.

I can imagine Mike Brown could get quite angry in a busy airport.

Also in a quiet airport.

[Which Tyler]

The problem being that with his inability to give a pass he'll never be able to board the plane.

I can imagine Mike Brown could get quite angry in a busy airport.

Also in a quiet airport.

Top of a mountain with no other human within 20 miles...

[I R Geech]

No obvious replacements for FB - Kearney is West Coast with his girl, and Armitage / Abendanon don't count.No doubt Mikey B will be sticking his hand up.
Real bad luck for Hogg, in the prime of his career.

Mike Brown has probably packed up his hotel room, kissed goodbye to his sleeping roomie and booked a taxi to the airport. He's now sitting staring at his phone in an empty Buenos Aires hotel lobby with a soft toy lion on his knees thinking, 'Why hasn't he called yet? Why hasn't he called yet?'

The problem being that with his inability to give a pass he'll never be able to board the plane.

I see what you've done there. Very good.

[kk67]

Anyone know about CGS..?. Definitely Launch next in line.

[Puja]

Just to note that Andy Goode has landed in NZ for a punditry role on literally the same day that Farrell goes down injured. It's meant to be.

Puja

[kk67]

Just to note that Andy Goode has landed in NZ for a punditry role on literally the same day that Farrell goes down injured. It's meant to be.

Puja

I've heard he's replacing Barnes. It's a straight swap. (harsh on Andy. He's actually a quality pundit)

They're going to auction the chance to send Stuart home to the highest bidder. It's all for charidee, Folks. So dig deep.

[Sandydragon]

Just to note that Andy Goode has landed in NZ for a punditry role on literally the same day that Farrell goes down injured. It's meant to be.

Puja

I've heard he's replacing Barnes. It's a straight swap. (harsh on Andy. He's actually a quality pundit)

They're going to auction the chance to send Stuart home to the highest bidder. It's all for charidee, Folks. So dig deep.

Can we bid to send the fucker to someone we don't like? That seems far more reasonable to me. While we at it, why
Not a BOGOF special, throw Invertwat into the mix as well.