[Lions 2017]

Lions 2017

So the final meaningful round of games has passed in terms of Lions selection and it’s time to finally consider a squad of 37 to attempt to live with the might of the All Blacks. Here’s my choice of men for Warren Gatland to consider worthy of the highest honour rugby can bestow. It will be done in two parts, forwards first and then the backs.

Loosehead Prop
Jack McGrath has been immense for Ireland and Leinster all season and travels as first choice. Mako Vunipola offers drive and dynamism in the loose and is a natural second option. The third decision is more difficult. If he’d been fit enough to play international rugby this spring, Gethin Jenkins would have a great option due to his experience, ability to play both sides, and leadership qualities. Rob Evans has done a fine job deputising in the Six Nations and has added some great work in the loose in to his game. Joe Marler is solid in the scrum but is less of an impact off the bench and this needs to be considered here. Cian Healy has re-invented himself as a fine impact prop who is combative, strong in the scrum and experienced in the heat of battle. He grabs the third spot on the plane for me.

Hooker
A position that can be looked at two ways - either a position of weakness due to no true stand-out candidate, or a position of strength due to the wide variety of options available. Rory Best, captain of Ireland in their famous sweeping aside of the All Blacks in Chicago in the Autumn, has to tour. He was brilliant against England in Dublin and seems to rise to the biggest of occasions. Ken Owens was perhaps the finest hooker in the Six Nations and has played himself onto the plane, though Richard Hibbard is extremely unlucky as he still looks like the best Welsh hooker available. However, his exile from the national fold means he hasn’t been tested at this level for too long. He would certainly be my first option if injury befalls any of the chosen hookers. The third spot is a shootout between the two English hookers, and Jamie George edges Dylan Hartley due to his superior set piece and potential impact from the bench.

Tighthead Prop
Tadhg Furlong and Dan Cole have been inked in for this position for over 6 months and nothing has changed in the intervening period to change things. The third spot is more tricky. Had he been fit, WP Nel would mean taking three immensely strong tight heads to upset the New Zealand scrum was a real option. As it is, no other starting number 3 has shone enough to merit real inclusion. The amount of penalties conceded by Tomas Francis has counted against him, while Zander Fagerson looks a little short of the quality required. A left-field choice could be John Ryan of Munster who has improved immensely this season, but the potential impact offered by Kyle Sinckler from the bench, and the point of difference his ball-carrying skills offer puts him on the plane with a chance to make a real impression. Don’t be surprised if he has the number 18 shirt come the test series.

2nd Row
An incredibly competitive position where some people are going to be very unfortunate to be staying at home. Maro Itoje and Joe Launchbury have played themselves into the touring party, and potentially the test team, through their ball carrying and defensive work all season long, and are absolute definite choices for me. Alun Wyn Jones may have had his leadership questioned on a couple of occasions but it is imperative to take players who know what this tours entail, how to prepare on them and what is required in terms of supporting the whole squad. He has been there and done it all in this respect and deserves his spot on the plane again. Devin Toner and Iain Henderson are right on the cusp of touring and in any other year they, along with Richie Gray and Courtney Lawes, would be shoe-ins. However, the form of the younger Gray brother, Johnny gets him  on the plane just in front. Finally, winning in New Zealand requires dictating the set-piece and there is no better exponent of the line-out than George Kruis. If fit, he will offer a combination physicality and cuteness in the air which could have the All Blacks scratching  their heads and having to think on their feet.

Back Row
7 from the 15 or so potential options was always going to be difficult. Sam Warburton has had a 6 Nations up there with his best ever and could find himself starting the Test Series back in his favoured number 7 shirt. Billy Vunipola can compete with Kieran Read as a truly world-class number 8 and simply must travel. C J Stander may play at 6 for Ireland, but his ability to cover 8 means that both Jamie Heaslip and Ross Moriarty stay at home. Taulupe Faletau will be staying them due to not being the player he can be over the past 12 months. Justin Tipuric is exciting in the loose, a fine ball player and a clever line-out option who edges Hamish Watson on experience too. In a better club side, Watson will be an excellent prospect in 4 year’s time. After recent weeks, to ignore Peter O’Mahony would seem madness at this moment in time. He offers very similar qualities to Tipuric whilst wearing 6 on his back, but has that added menace to his game which could certainly upset the All Blacks when they try to play the expansive style they are so used to. Further to this, taking a 6 who will do all the dirty work that goes unnoticed while tackling himself to a standstill will be vital. Chris Robshaw does this in spades and would bring great leadership to the midweek team if he misses out on test selection. And so to the final forward spot. Sean O’Brien covers the entire back row and on his day is a fine harrier who links play at the same time as smashing anything in sight. His form has been patchy this season though, and there have been days where he perhaps played himself out of the tour. In a similar vein, James Haskell has his good days and bad. His potential qualities as a tourist, coupled with his ability to impact games from the bench makes him a very close, but potentially very vital, selection.

Please feel free to offer comments and opinions before I post my backs in a couple of day's time....

In summary:

McGrath
M Vunipola
Healy
Best
Owens
George
Furlong
Cole
Sinckler
Itoje
Launchbury
A-W Jones
J Gray
Kruis
Warburton
B Vunipola
Stander
Tipuric
O'Mahony
Robshaw
Haskell

Have started writing a long piece about the squad in my view - will post later.

In the meantime, you need to leave 2 of those at home Rich. Gatland pretty clear on the fact he is taking 37 players.....

Who gets the chop?!

One round of the six nations to go then, who needs a big game to give themselves a chance of touring?

Rob Evans
Kyle Sinckler
Courtney Lawes
Ross Moriarty
Finn Russell
George Ford
Huw Jones
Jack Nowell

Have all given me food for thought recently - I could find an opening for all of the above in my squad if they continue the way they're going.......

Champions League Final 2013 - Wembley

Sat in the heart of the Dortmund fans when Robben scored the last minute winner for their biggest rivals.

The Dortmund fans were incredibly gracious in defeat, never stopped singing and were cordial to the Bayern fans as we left the stadium. We were drinking with both sets of fans which was just remarkable at such a highly charged event.

Gethin can also play both sides and would be making a 4th tour. Mako or McGrath would start the test anyway so take Gethin to captain the midweek side and show the young uns what makes a good tourist etc.

Faletau needs to get back to his form of 2-4 years ago for me - Heaslip has been fantastic whenever I have watched him over the last 12 months.

I could live with Tipuric over Robshaw but I'd actually be looking to SOB to start the tests at 7. The guy is phenomenal on the floor and we have to slow down their back row somehow.

Owens or Best I'm ok either way. Owens is a little on the small side for me, but I'm really expecting Jamie George to be the test hooker anyway - Gatland loves his hookers to be aggressive and dynamic - think Hibbard 4 years ago.

I think the squad is actually easier to pick than previous years - only huge competition in the second and back row for me tbh. In most other positions it's a couple of definitely and then a toss up isn't it?

Joseph would shade it for me, but yes his form needs to improve.

Think to be honest that only Farrell, Hogg, Sexton and probably Murray are guaranteed starters for me in the test team, and of them Faz the only 100% certainty.

If it's 38 rather than 37, it will be 8 back rowers and then I would also take Moriarty.

Did a quick count and we are taking 33/38 the same - we would make a good tour committee!

Jenkins/Evans
Best/Owens
Robshaw/Tipuric
Heaslip/Faletau
Maitland/Seymour

I can't persuade you with the experience/test match animal argument in any of these cases?

Gatland is on record as saying 37 or 38 to go, so think you'll need to lose a centre Rich. Daly can play there after all.

Farrell as Captain is an absolutely brilliant shout imho. Instantly converted - not sure Gatland has ever had a back as captain though?

No idea if this will generate any interest here but me and a few mates have been coming up with our Lions squads for the tour to New Zealand later in the year.

Mine is below, with the next in line for each position in brackets. I.e. If someone gets injured the bracketed player would fly out.

All thoughts and opinions welcome!

Loosehead Prop:
Jack McGrath
Mako Vunipola
Gethin Jenkins
(Joe Marler)

Hooker:
Rory Best
Dylan Hartley
Jamie George
(Ken Owens)

Tighthead Prop:
Tadhg Furlong
Dan Cole
WP Nel
(Kyle Sinckler)

Lock:
Alun Wyn Jones (capt)
Joe Launchbury
Maro Itoje
Richie Gray
Jonny Gray
(George Kruis)

Back Row:
Sean O'Brien
Sam Warburton
Stander
Chris Robshaw
James Haskell
Jamie Heaslip
Billy Vunipola
(Ross Moriarty)

Scrum-Half:
Conor Murray
Ben Youngs
Rhys Webb
(Greig Laidlaw)

Fly-Half:
Jonny Sexton
Dan Biggar
(George Ford)

Centre:
Owen Farrell
Robbie Henshaw
Jonathan Davies
Jonathan Joseph
(Huw Jones)

Wing:
Elliot Daly
Anthony Watson
Sean Maitland
George North
(Simon Zebo)

Full Back:
Stuart Hogg
Leigh Halfpenny
Liam Williams
(Rob Kearney)

14 English
9 Irish
9 Welsh
5 Scottish

Haven't bothered with a starting 15/23 as all dependant on form on tour for me, but you are welcome to offer your own!

Hopefully they go with

Win outright - 3 points
Win on pens - 2 points
Lose on pens - 1 point
Lose outright - nil pois

Would work in the group stage I think, thought haven't investigated.

Also also... How is Kingston Dreadlocks playing me to win the loser's bracket with the team he's got?! He should give me a whooping this week.

I have lost some very high scoring games!!! Still can't believe I have gone 6-7 though!! Ah well has been great fun as is every year!

How many teams make the playoffs???

Still have no idea how I am 3-7

Hated my team for a couple of weeks but very happy with them now.

Have scored 390 points over last 3 weeks so must be in with a shout of the 3 week prize this year at least.

Zeke Elliott a shoe-in for Number 1 pick next year I think. Glad I gambled and took him 4th overall!!!

Feel like I've been a bit unlucky this year!

Scored 120 and lost this week!

I run a school trip there every year and I absolutely love the city.

Our typical itinerary is:

Day 1 - arrive lunchtime, wander round Central Park, check out a couple of bits of shopping along Fifth Ave and normally go Bloomingdales too, then Top of the Rock for sunset.

Day 2 - UN Building tour in the morning (one of my favourite things to do by far), a bit more shopping and a walk down towards Times Square. Dinner there and then a Broadway show - we have seen Matilda, Chicago and Wicked multiple times. All incredible.

Day 3 - Grand Central Station, get the subway to Brooklyn (High Street) and walk back along the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan taking in the view. Then down to Battery Park, ferry across to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, back to walk along Wall Street and check out the Financial District before checking out the 9/11 Memorial and One World Observatory for evening. Back up to Midtown for an evening meal in a sports bar/restaurant which caters for teenage groups where we normally watch the NBA playoffs.

Day 4 - Empire State Building, Macy's, shopping along Fifth Ave and then home!!!

Any spare time we wander up to Central Park and just let the kids relax.

Is one of the best weeks of every year for me. I absolutely adore NYC and everything about it.

Wow, maybe we should just take you with us ruud! School trips to New york?? When I was at school they took us to the local abbotoir.
Got to google the UN building now, if you go regularly and it's your favourite it's got to be worth a look, right?
You seem to fit a lot in though, if you can do all that with a gang of kids we should manage ok.
Thanks for posting x

UN Building is very informative and educational and I think the whole organisation is fascinating. One year we actually got to watch Ban-Ki Moon speak which was incredible.

I would really recommend getting the subway to Brooklyn and walking back along the bridge - this gives you some of the most inspiring views.

Do enjoy!!! Don't forget to look up!!!

I run a school trip there every year and I absolutely love the city.

Our typical itinerary is:

Day 1 - arrive lunchtime, wander round Central Park, check out a couple of bits of shopping along Fifth Ave and normally go Bloomingdales too, then Top of the Rock for sunset.

Day 2 - UN Building tour in the morning (one of my favourite things to do by far), a bit more shopping and a walk down towards Times Square. Dinner there and then a Broadway show - we have seen Matilda, Chicago and Wicked multiple times. All incredible.

Day 3 - Grand Central Station, get the subway to Brooklyn (High Street) and walk back along the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan taking in the view. Then down to Battery Park, ferry across to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, back to walk along Wall Street and check out the Financial District before checking out the 9/11 Memorial and One World Observatory for evening. Back up to Midtown for an evening meal in a sports bar/restaurant which caters for teenage groups where we normally watch the NBA playoffs.

Day 4 - Empire State Building, Macy's, shopping along Fifth Ave and then home!!!

Any spare time we wander up to Central Park and just let the kids relax.

Is one of the best weeks of every year for me. I absolutely adore NYC and everything about it.