The Rugby Thread

[Buzzo]

Just saw th end of the Wales game after being at Murrayfield in the pissing rain (first half) to watch us spank the Italians.

What a farce.

Even the French doctor in on it.

'Are you saying he needs to go off bra cause of a head injury'

'Eeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhrrrrrr.... .... yes?'

[Red_Polo]

Just saw th end of the Wales game after being at Murrayfield in the pissing rain (first half) to watch us spank the Italians.

What a farce.

Even the French doctor in on it.

'Are you saying he needs to go off bra cause of a head injury'

'Eeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhrrrrrr.... .... yes?'

Aye, laughable it was

Some huge performances from that Ireland team today. England good value for the 6 nations win but with that record and slam having been in sight it'll be bittersweet I expect. Incredible to think it's the first defeat under Jones.

Been interesting to watch the tournament from a Lions pov. Some that were at the fringes of consideration have made themselves difficult to leave out of the 1st XV.

[ChesterDave]

My Irish friends have suddenly remembered they like Rugby again.

[Buzzo]

Reading all the predicted Lions squads over yesterday and you'd be forgiven for thinking Scotland lost every game and Wales won all of theirs.

We put in one bad performance. Comfortable beat Wales and beat Ireland blowing them away in the first 20 mins.

We will see, but I suspect Gatland will keep basically the English, Welsh and Irish Lions.

[RichC]

Scots you could argue for making the Lions squad

Reid
Fagerson
J Gray
Russell
Hogg
Seymour

Any others you think in with a chance?

[Buzzo]

Scots you could argue for making the Lions squad

Reid
Fagerson
J Gray
Russell
Hogg
Seymour

Any others you think in with a chance?

I saw Stephen Jones Lions squad in the times, and it had only Josh Strauss (injured first game, Jones reckons Gatland rates him though), Sean Maitland (injured) in it from Scotland, which made my blood boil.

The squad has to be representative, otherwise you'd just send the England squad there... So the favouritism to the Welsh was staggering. We hammered the Welsh.

I don't see us getting anyone from the front row, probably rightly, and think Fagerson will be a real talent, but maybe this tour is early for him. Reid came in and steadied the ship but we really missed Dickinson and Nel.

Jonny Gray is a workhorse, who deserves his tour.
Richie Gray, may well miss out because of his brothers form, but based on the Welsh who are being put forward... We had a good contest against Alun Wyn, and Warburton, but the Grays came out on top.
Hamish Watson Possibly our best player in the 6 nations.
Russell It depends on who you go with, but if you have Farrell as a centre, Sexton as your starting stand off, then I'd take Russell. Dan Bigger is solid, but he doesn't create much. You then have the possibility of Farrell, Sexton or Russell at 10.
Huw Jones Hasn't had a bad game for us. Scored 2 try a t Twickenham. 2 against the Aussies on debut.
Alex Dunbar Comes into contention. But probably misses out.
Tommy Seymour I'd definitely take him, great under pressure, and under the High Ball and a great finisher.
Tim Visser Comes into contention ahead of Maitland.
Stuart Hogg He had a quiet game on Sat, just the 4 assists, 2 try saving tackles and a huge Penalty for 3 points.

Of them, (and trying not to be too partisan) I'd take Jonny Gray, Hamish Watson, Huw Jones, Tommy Seymour and Stuart Hogg. Thats only 5. If he was fit, WP Nel gets to go too. Russell is to much of a maverick for Gatland, but he is a special player.

The Welsh love in doesn't say anything about current form. I'm hoping some of the Glasgow boys can play themselves into contention (Russell) against Saracens which is before the Lions Squad is announced.

Scotland played England with a lot of media backing which worked against us. You had the well rested English forwards due to the lack of contest against the Italians, the fact England had been unfairly derided after their opening 3 wins. Throw in an early yellow for us and the fact that we suffered a few debilitating injuries without having the squad to cover then it ended in the mauling we witnessed.

It was a strange tournament, We beat Ireland, Ireland beat England, England beat Wales, Wales beat Ireland. Very competitive.

[Irishnev]

I saw Stephen Jones Lions squad in the times, and it had only Josh Strauss (injured first game, Jones reckons Gatland rates him though), Sean Maitland (injured) in it from Scotland, which made my blood boil.

The squad has to be representative, otherwise you'd just send the England squad there... So the favouritism to the Welsh was staggering. We hammered the Welsh.

I don't see us getting anyone from the front row, probably rightly, and think Fagerson will be a real talent, but maybe this tour is early for him. Reid came in and steadied the ship but we really missed Dickinson and Nel.

Jonny Gray is a workhorse, who deserves his tour.
Richie Gray, may well miss out because of his brothers form, but based on the Welsh who are being put forward... We had a good contest against Alun Wyn, and Warburton, but the Grays came out on top.
Hamish Watson Possibly our best player in the 6 nations.
Russell It depends on who you go with, but if you have Farrell as a centre, Jackson as your starting stand off, then I'd take Russell. Dan Bigger is solid, but he doesn't create much. You then have the possibility of Farrell, Jackson or Russell at 10.
Huw Jones Hasn't had a bad game for us. Scored 2 try a t Twickenham. 2 against the Aussies on debut.
Alex Dunbar Comes into contention. But probably misses out.
Tommy Seymour I'd definitely take him, great under pressure, and under the High Ball and a great finisher.
Tim Visser Comes into contention ahead of Maitland.
Stuart Hogg He had a quiet game on Sat, just the 4 assists, 2 try saving tackles and a huge Penalty for 3 points.

Of them, (and trying not to be too partisan) I'd take Jonny Gray, Hamish Watson, Huw Jones, Tommy Seymour and Stuart Hogg. Thats only 5. If he was fit, WP Nel gets to go too. Russell is to much of a maverick for Gatland, but he is a special player.

The Welsh love in doesn't say anything about current form. I'm hoping some of the Glasgow boys can play themselves into contention (Russell) against Saracens which is before the Lions Squad is announced.

Scotland played England with a lot of media backing which worked against us. You had the well rested English forwards due to the lack of contest against the Italians, the fact England had been unfairly derided after their opening 3 wins. Throw in an early yellow for us and the fact that we suffered a few debilitating injuries without having the squad to cover then it ended in the mauling we witnessed.

It was a strange tournament, We beat Ireland, Ireland beat England, England beat Wales, Wales beat Ireland. Very competitive.

I stopped reading The Times on Sunday as it was mainly the sport I used to give time to and the quality dropped significantly. Stephen Jones is a troll and put me off reading his columns.

Re beating Irl - I think we were too complacent against your lot and started weakly....

The Lions squad is very competitive and will be very hard to pick - let's hope Gatland goes on form and not reputation otherwise it will be full of Welsh.

[Buzzo]

I stopped reading The Times on Sunday as it was mainly the sport I used to give time to and the quality dropped significantly. Stephen Jones is a troll and put me off reading his columns.

Re beating Irl - I think we were too complacent against your lot and started weakly....

The Lions squad is very competitive and will be very hard to pick - let's hope Gatland goes on form and not reputation otherwise it will be full of Welsh.

Same, I literally discard the rest of the paper and read the sport. I was raging reading that article. Agree on Jones he is a dick.

Complacent or not we won and managed the game out quite well. It was a good win, which showed how well the team is developing.

If the Lions squad is full of Welsh, and has few Scots, I'm not going to be that arsed about the tour. It will give the guys who tour lots of experience, advance their careers, and it will be a sore one if we aren't represented in that.

The thing that bugs me is our one bad performance will be used against us, where as the Welsh and Irish performances are mitigated. I just can't see it not featuring loads of Welsh. Halfpenny for example. He was utterly **** against us, as was George North. Our backs dominated on the day.

I'd take North because on his day he is a beast. But we proved that he has weaknesses.

[Irishnev]

Same, I literally discard the rest of the paper and read the sport. I was raging reading that article. Agree on Jones he is a dick.

Complacent or not we won and managed the game out quite well. It was a good win, which showed how well the team is developing.

If the Lions squad is full of Welsh, and has few Scots, I'm not going to be that arsed about the tour. It will give the guys who tour lots of experience, advance their careers, and it will be a sore one if we aren't represented in that.

The thing that bugs me is our one bad performance will be used against us, where as the Welsh and Irish performances are mitigated. I just can't see it not featuring loads of Welsh. Halfpenny for example. He was utterly **** against us, as was George North. Our backs dominated on the day.

I'd take North because on his day he is a beast. But we proved that he has weaknesses.

It's the Lions so I will be 100% behind them and it is the only time I ever cheer for English players

Stuart Hogg deserves to start as full back IMO and Halfpenny has been way below form, Mike Brown pushes him close. North should and probably will start as he is physically able to compete with NZ.

Re Irish players - Murray and Sexton both start for me. Henshaw might miss out but he is superb. Gary Ringrose will also thrive in conditions in NZ - another star in the making.

In the pack - Tadhg Furlong starts and Jack McGrath in the squad. CJ Stander as a 6 or 8 with O'Brien, O'Mahony & Henderson all there or there abouts, I am biased - we also beat NZ this recently!

If we have the Welsh pack we might as well give up - Faletau and Wharburton are way off the pace recently.

[Buzzo]

It's the Lions so I will be 100% behind them and it is the only time I ever cheer for English players

Stuart Hogg deserves to start as full back IMO and Halfpenny has been way below form, Mike Brown pushes him close. North should and probably will start as he is physically able to compete with NZ.

Re Irish players - Murray and Sexton both start for me. Henshaw might miss out but he is superb. Gary Ringrose will also thrive in conditions in NZ - another star in the making.

In the pack - Tadhg Furlong starts and Jack McGrath in the squad. CJ Stander as a 6 or 8 with O'Brien, O'Mahony & Henderson all there or there abouts, I am biased - we also beat NZ this recently!

If we have the Welsh pack we might as well give up - Faletau and Wharburton are way off the pace recently.

If I see Dan Biggar and Halfpenny in the squad then it is 100% Gatland picking Welsh based on past performances.

I agree, Sexton (I said Jackson earlier, I meant Sexton) and Murray starting half backs, Hogg and North start in the back 3. Farrell in the centre with one other. Star in the making wise, Ringrose for you read Huw Jones for us.

Forwards is pretty competitive but I'd expect it to be made up of a bulk of Irish and English. When I see Warburton name mentioned as a possible captain I don't see what form this is based on? I don't think he is playing badly, I just think other guys are playing better. I'd love to see Hamish Watson in a Lions shirt, he is a monster in the loose and had an exceptional 6 nations.

I think that the Champions cup fixtures will give some guys a chance to play themselves into contention (or out).

[Irishnev]

If I see Dan Biggar and Halfpenny in the squad then it is 100% Gatland picking Welsh based on past performances.

I agree, Sexton (I said Jackson earlier, I meant Sexton) and Murray starting half backs, Hogg and North start in the back 3. Farrell in the centre with one other. Star in the making wise, Ringrose for you read Huw Jones for us.

Forwards is pretty competitive but I'd expect it to be made up of a bulk of Irish and English. When I see Warburton name mentioned as a possible captain I don't see what form this is based on? I don't think he is playing badly, I just think other guys are playing better. I'd love to see Hamish Watson in a Lions shirt, he is a monster in the loose and had an exceptional 6 nations.

I think that the Champions cup fixtures will give some guys a chance to play themselves into contention (or out).

Ha ha - now you've done it so gun to my head!

15 Hogg
14 North
13 Henshaw
12 Farrell
11 Watson
10 Sexton (cap)
9 Murray
8 Vunipola
7 Tipuric
6 CJ Stander
5 Alun Wyn Jones
4 Laws
3 Tadhg Furlong
2 Hartley
1 Vunipola

[Buzzo]

I'm dreaming here, but heres my team.

15 Hogg
14 North
13 Joseph
12 Farrell
11 Seymour
10 Sexton
9 Murray
8 Vunipola
7 Watson
6 CJ Stander
5 Wyn Jones
4 Lawes
3 Furlong
2 Best (cap)
1 Vunipola

And squad filled out with:

Full Backs: Kearney
Wings: Daly, Watson, L. Williams
Centres: Huw Jones, Henshaw, S. Williams
Fly-halves: Russell
Scrum-halves: Webb, Laidlaw
8 : O'Mahony,
Flankers: Haskell, Itoje, O'Brien
Locks: Gray, Launchbury
Hookers: George, Owens
Props: McGrath, Cole, Marler, Nel (if he gets fit).

Representation:
Scotland: 8
England: 13
Ireland: 10
Wales: 6

[Gray]

I've never really got my head round the Lions, just seems like cheating.

[Irishnev]

I'm dreaming here, but heres my team.

15 Hogg
14 North
13 Joseph
12 Farrell
11 Seymour
10 Sexton (cap)
9 Murray
8 Vunipola
7 Watson
6 CJ Stander
5 Wyn Jones
4 Lawes
3 Furlong
2 Hartley
1 Vunipola

And squad filled out with:

Full Backs: Kearney Brown
Wings: Daly, Watson, L. Williams
Centres: Huw Jones, Henshaw, S. Williams J Davies
Fly-halves: Russell Ford
Scrum-halves: Webb, Laidlaw
8 : O'Mahony, (Technically a 6 and I suspect Heaslip or Faletau will go)
Flankers: Haskell, Itoje, O'Brien (I'd bring Wharburton & Tipuric but rate Haskell & Itoje)
Locks: Gray, Launchbury
Hookers: Best, Owens
Props: McGrath, Cole, Marler, Nel (if he gets fit).

Representation:
Scotland: 8
England: 13
Ireland: 10
Wales: 6

[Cormack74]

FWIW I don't think Hartley will be first choice - Gatland's hinting as much, talking about how few minutes he's played in the 6N.

Going back a bit he was a seriously good player (when he wasn't banned) but I think Jamie George is some way ahead of him now and it helps that George plays for Saracens who are serial winners. You need that sort of mentality if you're taking on NZ in their back yard.

It's nigh on bloody impossible to pick the rest of the side so I'm not going to bother trying: I noticed the BBC site had three significantly different sides picked by Phillips, Guscott and Keith Wood: Phillips only had 3 English players. Really?

I suppose the good thing is that there are actually alternatives in every position so even if Gatland gets his first picks spectacularly wrong (which he will) there will be equally good players coming in when injuries etc take their toll.

If the Lions are going to be successful it's the combinations that will be important and although I think the number of build up games is ridiculous (and will have the effect of giving NZ a better chance after we've had to play some extremely tough warm up matches) injury permitting it may allow those combinations to flourish.

Oh and notwithstanding what I said about trying to pick a team Buzzo, I'd have Hogg in every time. I not sure he's the best defensively but if you're going to beat the AB's then you need game changers and he's definitely one of those. Plus although I've met Mike Brown and he's actually a decent guy I hate the way he never passes - oh and if he'd caught that ball from Farrell (which admittedly wasn't a great one) we'd have been up and running on saturday, so it's going to take me a while to get over it and have anything nice to say about him, Lions or no Lions.