Six Nations / Lions

[lifetime fan]

I think there's a possibility the tour teams could win every single game such is the strength of depth.

 

& despite Englands good performance against Scotland I still think the omission of Armitage is ridiculous. Tom Wood is a quality player but Armitage is just ridiculous. Ireland also need to put O'Brien back at 6 as he isn't a 7.

 

 

He really reminds me of an Ian McGeechan Lions player. I can still see him having a massive impact on the tour.

[Guest LFD]

Dallaglio was on the other night saying regards to captain, Gatland always selects a forward so he doesn't think he'll be choosing O'Driscoll as captain.

[lifetime fan]

Dallaglio was on the other night saying regards to captain, Gatland always selects a forward so he doesn't think he'll be choosing O'Driscoll as captain.

 

 

McGeechan was the same.

[George Costanza]

He really reminds me of an Ian McGeechan Lions player. I can still see him having a massive impact on the tour.

 

Can Armitage be picked if he doesn't play for England in the six nations? He's an absolute beast though

[George Costanza]

Roberts at 12, Tuilagi at 13 is the most likely centre partnership imo. Manu is probably (if fit) one of the first names on the Lions teamsheet despite awesome competition from O'Driscoll, Davies, Hook & even Twelvetrees.

[Guest LFD]

Do you think Tuilagi and O'Driscoll could work as a partnership? They are both 13's, but it would be a shame for one to miss out really.

[George Costanza]

I think they could yes. With the exception of Giteau and Conrad Smith there's not a huge difference between 12 & 13 nowadays. Most teams go for a combination of strength and line breaking rather than intelligence and playmaking

[bouncebrigade]

Conor Murray > Mike Phillips (fake tan wearing, pastry eating cunt) based on Saturday's showings.

[Rapey Hugh]

Play Manu at 12 if you must but BOD must start if fit. There is simply no better 13 available defensively and in terms of creativity. Plus Manu is a decent bosh merchant and would form an impenetrable 10/12 channel with sexton.

 

What we learned the round:

 

Dan Cole has no.3 locked out. That guy is a hell of a technical player.

 

It is now obvious to all that Hartley is a shithouse cunt, finally!

 

Warburton shouldn't be starting( not that we all didn't know this). He also shouldn't get anywhere near the lions captaincy

 

Ben Youngs has one hand on the 9

 

Hogg should travel.

 

As for the captaincy for me it has to be a garunteed starter every test, who is consistent in every game and offers more around the field than just their positional duties.

Step foreward Rory Best.

[mrw74]

I would put a bet on Halfpenny starting at 15 for the Lions.

 

It took quite a lot of beer, and a fine set from High on Fire on Saturday night, for me to calm down after the Wales game. Too many players being picked on past reputation, I'm looking at you Jamie Roberts, and on current form, despite obvious bias from Gatland, I cant see many Welsh starters in the Lions team.

[Guest LFD]

Play Manu at 12 if you must but BOD must start if fit. There is simply no better 13 available defensively and in terms of creativity. Plus Manu is a decent bosh merchant and would form an impenetrable 10/12 channel with sexton.

 

What we learned the round:

 

Dan Cole has no.3 locked out. That guy is a hell of a technical player.

 

It is now obvious to all that Hartley is a shithouse cunt, finally!

 

Warburton shouldn't be starting( not that we all didn't know this). He also shouldn't get anywhere near the lions captaincy

 

Ben Youngs has one hand on the 9

 

Hogg should travel.

 

As for the captaincy for me it has to be a garunteed starter every test, who is consistent in every game and offers more around the field than just their positional duties.

Step foreward Rory Best.

 

Agree with all that, except about Best.

[Rapey Hugh]

Agree with all that, except about Best.

 

In fairness everyone I have said it to has called me a loon for it! I'm really hoping for BOD but I reckon it's gonna be a forward so I just let a rugby crush get the better of me!

[Guest LFD]

Dallaglio also said he wouldn't be surprised if someone like Shaw travelled. He probably won't make the starting XV, but he is a good traveller, would bring experience, he knows Gatland and he can play in the mid week team.

 

I think Gatland might select a lot of the player in France. Even Sheridan might go.

[Guest LFD]

Wales struggling in the rankings:

 

1(1) NEW ZEALAND 90.08

2(2) SOUTH AFRICA 86.94

3(3) AUSTRALIA 86.87

4(5) ENGLAND 83.90

5(4) FRANCE 83.49

6(6) IRELAND 81.33

7(7) SAMOA 78.71

8(8) ARGENTINA 78.71

9(10) ITALY 77.82

10(9) WALES 77.27

11(11) TONGA 76.10

12(12) SCOTLAND 75.83

13(13) FIJI 71.52

14(14) CANADA 71.41

15(15) JAPAN 70.09

16(16) USA 68.32

 

International Rugby Board - World Rankings: Full world rankings

[gaz181]

I was at the Wales-Ireland game on Saturday and I couldn't believe how flat it was. It just didn't feel like the opening game of a six nations at all. I wasn't very hopeful of a Wales victory beforehand but I wasn't expecting that first half performance. Some of the basic errors were shockingly bad. The night out after was a hell of a lot better than the game anyway.

[Unrighteous]

I love the six nations but it's been hard to get coverage since I moved from England... and then I never remember to look for links because i forget when they are...

[Conor]

My lions selection as it stands after week 1 of the 6N:

 

LHP - Healy

HK - Best

THP - Cole

SR - Gray

SR - Ryan

BSF - Obrien

OSF - Tipuric/Robshaw

N8 - Heaslip

SH - Youngs

FH - Sexton

IC - Manu

OC - O'Driscoll

LW - North/Bowe

RW - Ashton/halfpenny

FB -Kearney

[Rapey Hugh]

My lions selection as it stands after week 1 of the 6N:

 

LHP - Healy

HK - Best

THP - Cole

SR - Gray

SR - Ryan

BSF - Obrien

OSF - Tipuric/Robshaw

N8 - Heaslip

SH - Youngs

FH - Sexton

IC - Manu

OC - O'Driscoll

LW - North/Bowe

RW - Ashton/halfpenny

FB -Kearney

 

This! With perhaps the change of Zebo in at 11 if current rate of improvement continues.

[lifetime fan]

Agree with this.

 

A Welsh coach guarantees there is no chance of a 50% English starting line up.

 

Not that I think there should be mind.

 

 

Welsh, what do you think is ridiculous about this post mate?

 

There won't be a 50% English starting line up and nor should there be in my opinion.

 

Do you seriously think Lions coaches don't slightly favour players they know and have previously worked with?

[Guest LFD]

Bowe is injured isn't he?

[Rapey Hugh]

Bowe is injured isn't he?

 

He is but could make it back in time, might be a bit out of form by then but is IMO the best 14 in the pool of players.

[Ring of Fire]

I expect Lydiate and Alan Wyn to be knocking on the test team door once fit. Warburton will be the headline casualty. Would not be surprised to see Wilkinson sneak onto the plane.

 

Agree with the comments above re - the atmosphere in the Millennium in the first half. It was like a morgue even before we self imploded.

[RedKnight]

Too many people there for the day out. At the Australia game in 2011 I had a woman ask me how long the sin bin period was for.

[Welsh]

Welsh, what do you think is ridiculous about this post mate?

 

There won't be a 50% English starting line up and nor should there be in my opinion.

 

Do you seriously think Lions coaches don't slightly favour players they know and have previously worked with?

 

I didn't see Nick's initial post of him saying there would be a 50% reply as I skip all of Nicks posts.

 

This is my bad, as I have since read the conversation between yourself, Nick & LFD.

 

I'll be repping you when I'm next on spread mate, apologies.

[mrw74]

I expect Lydiate and Alan Wyn to be knocking on the test team door once fit. Warburton will be the headline casualty. Would not be surprised to see Wilkinson sneak onto the plane.

 

 

I think that comment is bang on the money. Lydiate was player of the tournament last year and if, and its a big if, he recovers from his injury in time, he will be in the starting 15. Gatland knows and trusts him. Warburton is definitely in danger of being left out as his form is just woeful at the moment.