Lions squad announcement @ 11am

[User20205]

Watching sky sports news waiting for the squad announcement, I can't remember it being this wide open in terms of selection and captaincy.

Anyone else care???

 

[gripitripit]

Looks like it gonna be a Welsh dominated team which is hardly surprising considering who the head coach is. I am happy with the Irish lads picked.
On the subject of head coach I not a fan of having someone who is not British and Irish leading them. It would be a bit like Ernie Els captain the Ryder Cup team.

 

[Val]

No surprises in the selection I suppose, from a Scottish perspective I was a bit surprised to Richie Gray in as he had an average 6 nations but he is still a huge talent, Stuart Hogg is a good addition at full back but unsure what sort of game time he'll enjoy as I reckon Halfpenny will be first to get the nod there. Good to Sean Maitland get his recognition too.

 

[bladeplayer]

Not sure I would have picked Warburton over O Connell as skipper tho.. Heaslip was lucky to get picked, cant see him getting in the test squad tho

Jim Hamilton from Scotland ? did he make it ? ? think he deserved a go

 

[Val]

Not sure I would have picked Warburton over O Connell as skipper tho.. Heaslip was lucky to get picked, cant see him getting in the test squad tho

Jim Hamilton from Scotland ? did he make it ? ? think he deserved a go

Big Jim didnt get in, on current form id have had him over Richie Gray especially as Gray is just getting fit again after a hamstring injury.

 

[Akie]

Would like to have seen Mike Brown go from England but the issues with the back three is we have a lot of very good fullbacks and are lacking on the wing.

Again would like to have seen Robshaw but the back row is always a highly competitive part of the Lions squad. Not sure about Matt Stevens myself.

 

[Biggleswade Blue]

I'm very surprised to only see two 10s named. Not especially that Wilkinson isn't picked, but it is an especially vulnerable, specialised position. I guess they don't want to have too many tourists who won't play, disrupting the squad - no free holidays to Australia!

 

[bladeplayer]

Big Jim didnt get in, on current form id have had him over Richie Gray especially as Gray is just getting fit again after a hamstring injury.

I think that disgraceful Martin , I think he was the best by far in the 6 nations ..

 

[daveyc2k2]

I think that disgraceful Martin , I think he was the best by far in the 6 nations ..

It's a shame Tom Croft got in over Kelly Brown, although Croft may be a bit better in the loose. Brown for me deserves a place though, he has been awesome this season both for Scotland and Saracens.

A few surprises in there, the main one being Matt Stevens, which I really can't understand and not sure what they will do if 1 of the fly halves picks up a knock. I'm guessing Jonny will be on standby.

 

[Val]

Kelly Brown was fantastic for Scotland this year as was Euan Murray to be fair as will as big Jim, but hey they can't all be picked I suppose.

Strange decision to take only two fly halfs, maybe the thought was some others in the squad had a bit of versatility and could easily fill in as required?

Who knows!!!!!

 

[Aztecs27]

It's a shame Tom Croft got in over Kelly Brown, although Croft may be a bit better in the loose. Brown for me deserves a place though, he has been awesome this season both for Scotland and Saracens.

A few surprises in there, the main one being Matt Stevens, which I really can't understand and not sure what they will do if 1 of the fly halves picks up a knock. I'm guessing Jonny will be on standby.

I hope this is the case. He's the in-form 10 at the minute and is finally fit for the first time in forever

Also surprised by the Stevens pick (didn't he retire from International Rugby??) and surprised Robshaw didn't get a look.

 

[Biggleswade Blue]

I don't agree that Jonny is the in-form 10. He played well in a TV game last week.

I'd have Biggar on standby ahead of him.

 

[daveyc2k2]

I don't agree that Jonny is the in-form 10. He played well in a TV game last week.

I'd have Biggar on standby ahead of him.

Got to disagree with you there. If you look at Toulon's form this season and Jonny's form you will see he is a very in-form 10 right now. Yes he played well on tv but if you look at the Leicester game in the quarters, he also bossed that game.

So the 2 England fly halves, who are arguably both better than Dan Biggar, Jonny has consecutively turned them inside out.

I'm a Saracen's fan so might have some biased there, but for me Jonny should definitely be in above Owen!! Although should more correctly be alongside Owen and Sexton.

 

[Biggleswade Blue]

Got to disagree with you there. If you look at Toulon's form this season and Jonny's form you will see he is a very in-form 10 right now. Yes he played well on tv but if you look at the Leicester game in the quarters, he also bossed that game.

So the 2 England fly halves, who are arguably both better than Dan Biggar, Jonny has consecutively turned them inside out.

I'm a Saracen's fan so might have some biased there, but for me Jonny should definitely be in above Owen!! Although should more correctly be alongside Owen and Sexton.

I'd have Farell at 10, then a really close call between Youngs and Philips for 9. Tempted to start with Youngs, as I think he distributes the ball better

 

[Deleted member 1418]

Can't believe that Gavin Henson was overlooked.......................!!

A few surprises in the squad - Stevens being the obvious one, but also surprised that Hartley has been picked! But he is mobile around the paddock so the hard, fast pitches should suit him in the loose. Also no place for Launchbury (probably the pick of the 2nd rowers in the 6N), Ben Morgan (best attacking 8) and Care is disappointing. Also feel that Best, Ryan Jones, and Simon Zebo can also feel hard done by, together with a couple of the Scottish lads.

Re. JW, I would have taken him - think he would have been a fine choice to captain the dirt trackers in the midweek games, and then provide cover for Sexton and Farrell if need be. Taking only two 10s is a bizzare decision anyway IMO.

Re. Warburton as skipper, as much as I like the man as a player, I don't think he's the best 7 in the Lions squad so he needs to be at the very top of his game to warrant inclusion in the test team.

Still, really looking forward to the Lions tour and will be hoping that we have a long overdue Lions series win!

 

[fundy]

Gatland has confirmed Wilkinson turned down the chance to go, didnt think his body was up to it!

Taking 2 fly halves a big error for me, have to have 3 on a lions tour and surely going to have to call one up inside a week when someone takes a knock. Would rather theyd left one of the million back room guys at home for an extra flky half for sure

Dont think Robshaw missing out that big a surprise, not really a specialist at either 6 or 7 for me. Stevens a weird pick too, not sure hes good enough in the scrum at the very top level anymore (and im a sarries fan)

 

[Biggleswade Blue]

Can't believe that Gavin Henson was overlooked.......................!!

!

I can't believe Henson gets looked at all any more, let alone overlooked for the Lions!

 

[LUFC 1972]

I assume matt stevens and Dylan Hartley are in to ensure Australia's penalty count is high .. don't understand no French based players in the squad not just JW but Sheridan who has kept Genkins out all season and destroyed Sarries front row.. feel sorry for Tipuric who will be a mid week player and is best 7 there ..

 

[Val]

I assume matt stevens and Dylan Hartley are in to ensure Australia's penalty count is high .. don't understand no French based players in the squad not just JW but Sheridan who has kept Genkins out all season and destroyed Sarries front row.. feel sorry for Tipuric who will be a mid week player and is best 7 there ..

Technically there is with Richie Gray going to Castres after the tour

 

[Holty]

I must confess to being completely disappointed by the squad selection - some completely barmy, blinkered and ill-thought out choices in there in my opinion.

Can't understand for the life in me why the following have been selected, on both form and skill:

Hartley
Hibbard
Vunipola
Stevens ?!?!?!
Heaslip
Murray
Ben Youngs
Farrell
Bowe
Davies
Roberts

There must be a number of very disappointed men out there, knowing that they'll never get another chance to go on a Lions Tour, and have been ranked behind the above.

Further, I cannot understand for the life in me why he's picked Warburton as captain - the man has been absolute guff all season (one game excepted), wasn't even captain of his country, and has lost his last seven games when playing as Wales captain (including four against Australia)