Lions

[ARM]

What would be the point. Russell is playing a full on Test match this Saturday so couldn't play another game until the following Saturday. Which is the first Lions Test. So he would be going to play in a single midweek game against the Canes.

Instead of a full Test match followed by a week on the beach in Fiji.

Just bring in some more Welsh cannon fodder

[whatisthejava]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/antiques-colle ... 620388.htm

for the fan boys

[AL.]

AB's look a bit rusty in their warm up.......

http://www.planetrugby.com/live/8258/85 ... 950-Samoa/

[Stones of granite]

AB's look a bit rusty in their warm up.......

http://www.planetrugby.com/live/8258/85 ... 950-Samoa/

Are they going to moan about being "undercooked" again?

[skidger]

Welsh and Scottish players only according to the press. Which begs the questions why did he not take at least 46 players anyway. They get taken away from their national team where they would be better off and then get a devalued Lions cap. You are not good enough for the original 40 something squad but come and play for us midweek to protect players that i think are better than you. This is brilliant.

[Chunks Baws]

Welsh and Scottish players only according to the press. Which begs the questions why did he not take at least 46 players anyway. They get taken away from their national team where they would be better off and then get a devalued Lions cap. You are not good enough for the original 40 something squad but come and play for us midweek to protect players that i think are better than you. This is brilliant.

The whole thing is a farce now. It's just a brand.

[Mikey Brown]

Yup. I'd love for Russell and Gray to tell him to go fuck himself, especially if they're just filling the bench for the midweek side.

[whatisthejava]

Kinda felt that's what Hogg, Seymore should have done day 1

If the scots do stick the finger up to them it will be interesting few days in the paper

[Edinburgh in Exile]

Eeesh yeah, that'll be a grenade of a call up. Not keen on that at all. I see why he thinks he needs to do it, but that's rough as fuck for the players.

[General Zod]

Kinda felt that's what Hogg, Seymore should have done day 1

If the scots do stick the finger up to them it will be interesting few days in the paper

Thing is, sadly, they are highly likely not to do so, as they get paid a lot more for it (not just now but in future self-marketing), and I think the SRU also get money somewhere out of it, so will be putting the pressure on if the players are wavering. FWIW, I wouldn't blame the players if they went - it's a short career after all.

However, it would be pleasing if they just said no to the whole corporate jamboree. If pressed on a reason, they could say, "No, Warren, I don't want to take part in your operation human shield". And maybe even shoehorn in a reference to the SRU being pressurised to get rid of the sevens team. Or something.

[Cameo]

Itd be hard for them to turn down. Not good circumstances just being used as cannon fodder but it still makes you a lion and suddenly when decisions are made for the next one you are deemed experienced. Also, it only takes a couple of injuries and Gatland might ne forced to play you

[General Zod]

Gatland might be forced to play you

And that's the main thing to avoid at all costs.

[Donny osmond]

Yeah don't envy any players put in that position... I imagine Toonie would tell them to go for it as its experience of a lions tour, but I'd rather they stayed with Scotland, just for the sake of development.

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[AL.]

As much as I would like to see the Lions win (and I cant see it happening as the AB's are awesome), Gatland has made his bed, time to lie in it. Calling up players to cover his arse should not be allowed, only for genuine injuries for me.

[Adder]

Will this really happen? It sounds crazy.

[Chunks Baws]

Apparently it's only Scots and Welsh that are getting picked and this was the plan all along. Toonie and McBryde were told weeks ago. A journalist on twitter reckons there will be a twitter meltdown when the names are announced. I'm assuming he means disgruntled English and Irish fans. If this has been the plan all along then I reckon it's unlikely any of our players will tell fat heed to shove it.

[whatisthejava]

Apparently it's only Scots and Welsh that are getting picked and this was the plan all along. Toonie and McBryde were told weeks ago. A journalist on twitter reckons there will be a twitter meltdown when the names are announced. I'm assuming he means disgruntled English and Irish fans. If this has been the plan all along then I reckon it's unlikely any of our players will tell fat heed to shove it.

Stop with the hope, we will get Finn Russell called up to hold Dan Biggers bag and they will also call up

jamie Roberts, jake Ball, Anscrombe and one of the props

And we will be back to square 1

Gatland knows of the effect that being on a lions tour has on players brecause they get to see first hand that they are no worse than the rest of Britain, why would he not give that to as many welsh as he could

[Edinburgh in Exile]

Apparently it's only Scots and Welsh that are getting picked and this was the plan all along. Toonie and McBryde were told weeks ago. A journalist on twitter reckons there will be a twitter meltdown when the names are announced. I'm assuming he means disgruntled English and Irish fans. If this has been the plan all along then I reckon it's unlikely any of our players will tell fat heed to shove it.

#lionswithoutalaunchpad

[Edinburgh in Exile]

Well, I for one am thoroughly looking forward to Gregs well thought out and reasoned response to this news.

[Timmyspicyman]

Makes sense to call from the Welsh and Scots though. The Welsh are already in NZ and the Scots are as near as damn it.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Well, I for one am thoroughly looking forward to Gregs well thought out and reasoned response to this news.

You cannot possibly agree with this if it happens.

Pleased for the players as it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and a great pay-out but it really does show what a sad little farce Gatland's sh!t show is.

A head coach who can split the squad and alienate players? Say no more fam!

[whatisthejava]

Makes sense to call from the Welsh and Scots though. The Welsh are already in NZ and the Scots are as near as damn it.

Feels a bit of a coincidence that the welsh tourd NZ

I wonder if they will be in SA in 4 years

[skidger]

Apparently it's only Scots and Welsh that are getting picked and this was the plan all along. Toonie and McBryde were told weeks ago. A journalist on twitter reckons there will be a twitter meltdown when the names are announced. I'm assuming he means disgruntled English and Irish fans. If this has been the plan all along then I reckon it's unlikely any of our players will tell fat heed to shove it.

Not from any sane English or Irish fans. I would be disgruntled if anymore English got called up. Any England players not in the original squad need to be in Argentina and then resting till pre season. I don't see how this is any different to SCW and his mad tour.

[Mikey Brown]

I absolutely loved the subheader on the Wales Tonga report stating 'Wales earn their first ever victory at Eden park'. As if you might just read that and assume they'd beaten the ABs.

[Chunks Baws]

Apparently it's only Scots and Welsh that are getting picked and this was the plan all along. Toonie and McBryde were told weeks ago. A journalist on twitter reckons there will be a twitter meltdown when the names are announced. I'm assuming he means disgruntled English and Irish fans. If this has been the plan all along then I reckon it's unlikely any of our players will tell fat heed to shove it.

Not from any sane English or Irish fans. I would be disgruntled if anymore English got called up. Any England players not in the original squad need to be in Argentina and then resting till pre season. I don't see how this is any different to SCW and his mad tour.

Get what you're saying but some will be cheesed off if Gray and Russell get picked up over Launchbury and Ford for example. It has indeed become as farcical as SCW and his circus. Being picked on location rather than talent is a slap in the face to the players and fans.