The Rugby Thread

[Rigadon]

Polo and Cormack - good points re: Brown. Definitely a Mike Phillips/Craig Bellamy type character - great when he's in your team, a right pain in the arse when he's not.

The Lions (2017 tour) will have a tough choice for fullback - Brown, Hogg, Kearney and Halfpenny - all world-class. (Brown missed out on the 2013 tour)

[Cormack74]

I'd forgotten about the Lions next year. You're right if they all stay fit that's one heck of a pool to pick from. Is there a position for which there will be more competition (even to just get on the tour)? I can't think of one off the top of my head.

[Cormack74]

Incidentally on yesterday's game I thought Ireland put in an unbelievable performance.

Brilliant first half defence but I felt sure England would run away with it in the second especially after scoring a couple of tries.

The lead looked comfortable but the energy shown by the Irish in the last quarter made me wonder if they weren't going to nick it. I reckon they might have had the momentum had it not been for Nowell's brilliant covering.

[RichC]

I'd forgotten about the Lions next year. You're right if they all stay fit that's one heck of a pool to pick from. Is there a position for which there will be more competition (even to just get on the tour)? I can't think of one off the top of my head.

Number 8 could be interesting Heaslip, faletau and big Billy if all fit.

[Cormack74]

Number 8 could be interesting Heaslip, faletau and big Billy if all fit.

You're forgetting Nathan Hughes Rich - he'll be qualified for England by then and he's a maxed up version of Billy V.

[Red_Polo]

So let's hear everyone's Lions XV for next year...

If only PTP was into rugby, he'd love this

[Red_Polo]

After some deliberation...

C Healy
D Hartley
S Lee
AW Jones
J Gray
D Lydiate
S Warburton
T Faletau
C Murray
D Biggar
G North
J Roberts
M Tuilagi
A Watson
S Hogg

[Chazza]

Faletau over big billy?

You smoking bruv?

[Red_Polo]

Faletau over big billy?

You smoking bruv?

Excellent player and had a stonking game yesterday but Faletau does the business consistently. Everyone has their preference but it's hardly a shock selection, I detect a hint of bias

[Chazza]

I am with a staunch Welsh fan now and he is saying Billy over Toby and I like Toby. Oh and a fit Halfpenny walks into Fullback.

[Rigadon]

On current form:

Brown
Seymour
Roberts
Joseph
North
Bigger
Davies
?
Hartley
?
Kruis
Jones
CJ Stander
Warburton
*Faletau/Vunipola

Props? English and Welsh front rows currently look the best.

*Faletau is the better rugby player. Vunipola makes more ground. Tough call.

[Rigadon]

I am with a staunch Welsh fan now and he is saying Billy over Toby and I like Toby. Oh and a fit Halfpenny walks into Fullback.

Billy and Taulupe are both Welsh

[paulg]

Can't add anything to the Lions team, except to say that I think it will be a very exciting selection.

Big Billy is just amazing, how many times did he take 3 Irish tacklers with him? Hogg's offload for Scotland's winning try was beautiful.

Both in my fantasy team and got me off bottom spot. Get in!

[paulg]

Del

[Buzzo]

If there is a better prop than WP Nel in the six nations I've not seen him.

I'm hopeful Scotland will have some representation in the Lions squad.

Laidlaw was magnificent on Sat. Seymour, the Grays, Nel, Hogg and perhaps Hardie could all come into contention for a Lions squad if they continue to gain form and experience.

I love this Scotland team. We may not be the best in the World but I love our endeavour and approach. In the main the team is young so I'm hoping we improve. If Rugby matches were only 60mins long we'd be a force