Lions starting 15 for first test?
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- leinsterlank
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- Joined: April 19th, 2008, 6:39 pm
Lions starting 15 for first test?
The squads are out and the pundits are shamed, well the times pundits anyway and especially stephen jones (what a lemon)!!!Only 38 days to go and my initial feelings on the team go a little something like this.
15- byrne
14-bowe
13-o'driscoll
12-flutey
11-kearney ( i think kearneys loss in form is solely contributed to the leinster tactics i.e. kick in own half. I think the tour will revitalise him)
10-rog (this is the hardest call because there is little between the two but i think rog has a lot to prove to himself after his last two tours.)
9- phillips (his power game will be necessary)
8-heaslip (again another hard call and i think geecs will have a few tricks up his sleeve for
7-williams (has to play for continuity reasons)
6-wallace
5- POC
4- Hines ( i think he's gonna have a huge tour after a tough campaign in france has hardened him)
3-jenkins
2-flannery
1-murray
let me know what you's think.
15- byrne
14-bowe
13-o'driscoll
12-flutey
11-kearney ( i think kearneys loss in form is solely contributed to the leinster tactics i.e. kick in own half. I think the tour will revitalise him)
10-rog (this is the hardest call because there is little between the two but i think rog has a lot to prove to himself after his last two tours.)
9- phillips (his power game will be necessary)
8-heaslip (again another hard call and i think geecs will have a few tricks up his sleeve for
7-williams (has to play for continuity reasons)
6-wallace
5- POC
4- Hines ( i think he's gonna have a huge tour after a tough campaign in france has hardened him)
3-jenkins
2-flannery
1-murray
let me know what you's think.
"It feels great. I've played for the team for 10 years and it was worth the wait. I love Leinster and I wanted to do it before the end of my career."
- BOD, Heineken Cup and Grand Slam Winner 2009
- BOD, Heineken Cup and Grand Slam Winner 2009
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
1.jenkis
2.mears
3.murray
4.jones
5.o connell(c)
6.wallace
7.williams
8.heaslip
9.phillips
10.jones
11.williams
12.roberts
13. o driscoll
14.bowe
15byrne
2.mears
3.murray
4.jones
5.o connell(c)
6.wallace
7.williams
8.heaslip
9.phillips
10.jones
11.williams
12.roberts
13. o driscoll
14.bowe
15byrne
Fr. B's philisophical genius:
X -> X
X -> X
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
Squad for Highveld XV... First test....
1.Jenkins
2.Flannery
3.Murray
4.Alun-Wyn Jones
5.O'Connell(c)
6.Ferris
7.Quinlan
8.Heaslip
9.O'Leary
10.Jones
11.Fitzgerald
12.Flutey
13.Earls
14.Halfpenny
15.Kearney
16.Rees, 17.Rhys Jones, 18.Hines, 19.Powell, 20.Philips, 21.O'Gara, 22.Roberts.
I think he'll give the young, new guys a run out!! get them use to each other, a taste of whats to come if you will.
1.Jenkins
2.Flannery
3.Murray
4.Alun-Wyn Jones
5.O'Connell(c)
6.Ferris
7.Quinlan
8.Heaslip
9.O'Leary
10.Jones
11.Fitzgerald
12.Flutey
13.Earls
14.Halfpenny
15.Kearney
16.Rees, 17.Rhys Jones, 18.Hines, 19.Powell, 20.Philips, 21.O'Gara, 22.Roberts.
I think he'll give the young, new guys a run out!! get them use to each other, a taste of whats to come if you will.
Last edited by papachino on April 21st, 2009, 9:49 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
no wallace!? no o driscoll?! no byrne?! you gotta be trippin!!!papachino wrote:1.Jenkins
2.Flannery
3.Murray
4.Alun-Wyn Jones
5.O'Connell(c)
6.Ferris
7.Quinlan
8.Heaslip
9.O'Leary
10.Jones
11.Fitzgerald
12.Flutey
13.Earls
14.Halfpenny
15.Kearney
16.Rees, 17.Rhys Jones, 18.Hines, 19.Powell, 20.Philips, 21.O'Gara, 22.Roberts.
I think he'll give the young, new guys a run out!! get them use to each other, a taste of whats to come if you will.
Fr. B's philisophical genius:
X -> X
X -> X
- olaf the fat
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Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
papachino wrote:1.Jenkins
2.Flannery
3.Murray
4.Alun-Wyn Jones
5.O'Connell(c)
6.Ferris
7.Quinlan
8.Heaslip
9.O'Leary
10.Jones
11.Fitzgerald
12.Flutey
13.Earls
14.Halfpenny
15.Kearney
16.Rees, 17.Rhys Jones, 18.Hines, 19.Powell, 20.Philips, 21.O'Gara, 22.Roberts.
I think he'll give the young, new guys a run out!! get them use to each other, a taste of whats to come if you will.
Should they not be trying to win the First test?
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Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
I'm more surprised by the inclusion of Rhys Jones who not alone wasn't picked for the tour but doesn't actually exist! Mcgeechan is known for picking wildcards though....The Guru wrote:no wallace!? no o driscoll?! no byrne?! you gotta be trippin!!!papachino wrote:1.Jenkins
2.Flannery
3.Murray
4.Alun-Wyn Jones
5.O'Connell(c)
6.Ferris
7.Quinlan
8.Heaslip
9.O'Leary
10.Jones
11.Fitzgerald
12.Flutey
13.Earls
14.Halfpenny
15.Kearney
16.Rees, 17.Rhys Jones, 18.Hines, 19.Powell, 20.Philips, 21.O'Gara, 22.Roberts.
I think he'll give the young, new guys a run out!! get them use to each other, a taste of whats to come if you will.
- leinsterlank
- Knowledgeable
- Posts: 314
- Joined: April 19th, 2008, 6:39 pm
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
are you talking about the first game of the tour?this selection is madness.papachino wrote:1.Jenkins
2.Flannery
3.Murray
4.Alun-Wyn Jones
5.O'Connell(c)
6.Ferris
7.Quinlan
8.Heaslip
9.O'Leary
10.Jones
11.Fitzgerald
12.Flutey
13.Earls
14.Halfpenny
15.Kearney
16.Rees, 17.Rhys Jones, 18.Hines, 19.Powell, 20.Philips, 21.O'Gara, 22.Roberts.
I think he'll give the young, new guys a run out!! get them use to each other, a taste of whats to come if you will.
"It feels great. I've played for the team for 10 years and it was worth the wait. I love Leinster and I wanted to do it before the end of my career."
- BOD, Heineken Cup and Grand Slam Winner 2009
- BOD, Heineken Cup and Grand Slam Winner 2009
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
1. Jenkins
2. Mears
3. Vickery
4. Hines
5. O'Connell(c)
6. Ferris
7. Williams
8. Wallace
9. Phillips
10. Jones
11. Williams
12. Flutey
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Byrne
Quite a low Irish representation in that team considering the squad, but Fla, DOC and Fitz are probably the only close calls. I don't think DOC will start, Fla is a strong possibility and Fitz's inclusion depends more on Williams than Fitz...
ROG will have to have a storming couple of warmup games to displace Jones.
2. Mears
3. Vickery
4. Hines
5. O'Connell(c)
6. Ferris
7. Williams
8. Wallace
9. Phillips
10. Jones
11. Williams
12. Flutey
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Byrne
Quite a low Irish representation in that team considering the squad, but Fla, DOC and Fitz are probably the only close calls. I don't think DOC will start, Fla is a strong possibility and Fitz's inclusion depends more on Williams than Fitz...
ROG will have to have a storming couple of warmup games to displace Jones.
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
1. Jenkins
2. Flannery
3. Murray
4. AW Jones
5. POC
6. Ferris
7. M Williams
8. Wallace
9. Philips
10. O Gara
11. S Williams
12. Shanklin
13. BOD
14. Bowe
15. Byrne
2. Flannery
3. Murray
4. AW Jones
5. POC
6. Ferris
7. M Williams
8. Wallace
9. Philips
10. O Gara
11. S Williams
12. Shanklin
13. BOD
14. Bowe
15. Byrne
Brannigans Law is like Brannigans love, hard and fast!
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
Stephen Jones in disguise!papachino wrote:1.Jenkins
2.Flannery
3.Murray
4.Alun-Wyn Jones
5.O'Connell(c)
6.Ferris
7.Quinlan
8.Heaslip
9.O'Leary
10.Jones
11.Fitzgerald
12.Flutey
13.Earls
14.Halfpenny
15.Kearney
16.Rees, 17.Rhys Jones, 18.Hines, 19.Powell, 20.Philips, 21.O'Gara, 22.Roberts.
I think he'll give the young, new guys a run out!! get them use to each other, a taste of whats to come if you will.
Rhys Jones... the cr@p welsh winger from a while back?
Saturday 23rd May 2009 - Number 1
Saturday 21st May 2011 - Brace
Saturday 19th May 2012 - Hatrick!
Saturday 21st May 2011 - Brace
Saturday 19th May 2012 - Hatrick!
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Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
Just had a thought - I'm sure every fan is saying the same about his/her club, but anyway...........
If we look at the Lions potential starting XV, I'm sure many of us would have BOD, Luke and Heaslip in there. But imagine if Kearney showed better form, and usurped Lee Byrne? Would it be beyond that stuff of legend for Leinster to have 4 players starting a Lions test match? You have to imagine that all 4 boys are contenders, with BOD making every team, and so far one of Luke or Rob there, with Heaslip better than 50/50 chance judging by pundits' predictions. Certainly there is a better chance of each of those that some of the other selections made.
Good luck boys - wish I was heading down to see ye!
If we look at the Lions potential starting XV, I'm sure many of us would have BOD, Luke and Heaslip in there. But imagine if Kearney showed better form, and usurped Lee Byrne? Would it be beyond that stuff of legend for Leinster to have 4 players starting a Lions test match? You have to imagine that all 4 boys are contenders, with BOD making every team, and so far one of Luke or Rob there, with Heaslip better than 50/50 chance judging by pundits' predictions. Certainly there is a better chance of each of those that some of the other selections made.
Good luck boys - wish I was heading down to see ye!
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
I certainly think Luke has a shot - We've seen his immense defence throughout the year but people who havn't seen him in action consistently over the last few years don't know about his incredible attacking play. I can see him putting in some top performances in SA and making a big claim for the test side.
Saturday 23rd May 2009 - Number 1
Saturday 21st May 2011 - Brace
Saturday 19th May 2012 - Hatrick!
Saturday 21st May 2011 - Brace
Saturday 19th May 2012 - Hatrick!
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
ye there is every chance that there will be more leinster players in just as there is every chance that we will have less players on it. trying to predict the team for the tests is pretty much academic. if mcgeechan is to stand by his word then form on the initial matches will decide who starts and who does not. thats not even taking into account the injury possibilities.
by the time the test squad is announced i think there is every chance we will see earls, fitzo and kearney somewhere in the 22.
by the time the test squad is announced i think there is every chance we will see earls, fitzo and kearney somewhere in the 22.
Fr. B's philisophical genius:
X -> X
X -> X
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
No no, the hair bear, Adam Rhys Jones!!!! and the first test is against the Highveld XV.... there players from the Currie cup.... from valke and Blue Bulls and all....Semi pro/Pro teams....with all the pro players either on the SA team or the club teams!simonno6 wrote:Stephen Jones in disguise!papachino wrote:1.Jenkins
2.Flannery
3.Murray
4.Alun-Wyn Jones
5.O'Connell(c)
6.Ferris
7.Quinlan
8.Heaslip
9.O'Leary
10.Jones
11.Fitzgerald
12.Flutey
13.Earls
14.Halfpenny
15.Kearney
16.Rees, 17.Rhys Jones, 18.Hines, 19.Powell, 20.Philips, 21.O'Gara, 22.Roberts.
I think he'll give the young, new guys a run out!! get them use to each other, a taste of whats to come if you will.
Rhys Jones... the cr@p welsh winger from a while back?
olaf the fat, are you telling me that's not a good team to send out to Highveld???
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
pretty sure the title of the thread is 'team for the first test' as in international test match.papachino wrote:No no, the hair bear, Adam Rhys Jones!!!! and the first test is against the Highveld XV.... there players from the Currie cup.... from valke and Blue Bulls and all....Semi pro/Pro teams....with all the pro players either on the SA team or the club teams!simonno6 wrote:Stephen Jones in disguise!papachino wrote:1.Jenkins
2.Flannery
3.Murray
4.Alun-Wyn Jones
5.O'Connell(c)
6.Ferris
7.Quinlan
8.Heaslip
9.O'Leary
10.Jones
11.Fitzgerald
12.Flutey
13.Earls
14.Halfpenny
15.Kearney
16.Rees, 17.Rhys Jones, 18.Hines, 19.Powell, 20.Philips, 21.O'Gara, 22.Roberts.
I think he'll give the young, new guys a run out!! get them use to each other, a taste of whats to come if you will.
Rhys Jones... the cr@p welsh winger from a while back?
olaf the fat, are you telling me that's not a good team to send out to Highveld???
Fr. B's philisophical genius:
X -> X
X -> X
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
I assume you are pulling the piss.papachino wrote:1.Jenkins
2.Flannery
3.Murray
4.Alun-Wyn Jones
5.O'Connell(c)
6.Ferris
7.Quinlan
8.Heaslip
9.O'Leary
10.Jones
11.Fitzgerald
12.Flutey
13.Earls
14.Halfpenny
15.Kearney
16.Rees, 17.Rhys Jones, 18.Hines, 19.Powell, 20.Philips, 21.O'Gara, 22.Roberts.
I think he'll give the young, new guys a run out!! get them use to each other, a taste of whats to come if you will.
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
that was my squad for Highveld XV...ror wrote:I assume you are pulling the piss.
this would be my 1st SA test squad!
1.Sheridan
2.Flannery
3.Murray
4.Alun-wyn Jones
5.O'Connoll
6.Ferris
7.Williams
8.Heaslip
9.O'Leary
10.O'Gara
11.Fitzgerald
12.Shanklin
13.O'Driscoll
14.Bowe
15.Byrne
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
ah right - so your not completely bonkers!
Saturday 23rd May 2009 - Number 1
Saturday 21st May 2011 - Brace
Saturday 19th May 2012 - Hatrick!
Saturday 21st May 2011 - Brace
Saturday 19th May 2012 - Hatrick!
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
15. Byrne
14. Bowe
13. BOD
12. Shanklin
11. Williams
10. Jones
9. Phillips
8. Heaslip
7. Wallace
6. Ferris
5. O'Connell
4. AW Jones
3. A Jones
2. Flannery
1. Murray
16. Mears
17. Vickery
18. O'Callaghan
19. M Williams
20. O'Leary
21. ROG
22. Fitzgerald
Only realised afterwards that I didn't pick a single English player in the test team!
Heineken Cup semis and final and the 6 tour matches before the first test could drastically change that team
14. Bowe
13. BOD
12. Shanklin
11. Williams
10. Jones
9. Phillips
8. Heaslip
7. Wallace
6. Ferris
5. O'Connell
4. AW Jones
3. A Jones
2. Flannery
1. Murray
16. Mears
17. Vickery
18. O'Callaghan
19. M Williams
20. O'Leary
21. ROG
22. Fitzgerald
Only realised afterwards that I didn't pick a single English player in the test team!
Heineken Cup semis and final and the 6 tour matches before the first test could drastically change that team
Re: Lions starting 15 for first test?
Lots of time for things to change but..
15 Kearney
14 Bowe
13 BOD
12 Flutey
11 Williams
10 Jones
9 O'Leary
1 Jenkins
2 Mears
3 Murray
4 Hines
5 O'Connell
6 Quinlan
7 Wallace
8 Ferris
16 Flannery
17 Vickery
18 Wyn Jones
19 Heaslip
20 Phillips
21 O'Gara
22 Fitzgerald
I suspect I'll be wrong about Phillips not starting and there are a few surprises in there, especially the backrow. But Powell has still to convince me. I also wouldn't be surprised about Vickery getting to start on the basis that he can be subbed back on anyway and will cover 2 positions that way.
Shane Williams is someone I'm unsure of. Halfpenny is playing better and if Williams is fading then a hard decision will have to be made. But I was watching highlights from last years 6N and Wales were practically a one man team. He was amazing. Change tactics and teammates and see if it starts to come off.
With the concerns over the physicality of the 'Boks backrow I can see the attraction of moving Ferris to 8. I still think Heaslip is up to the task and people forget that was shortlisted for player of the 6N. The selection of Quinlan makes a lot more sense if McGeechan is considering that backrow as a possibility.
Might change the balance of the 2nd row though in favour of O'Callaghan.
15 Kearney
14 Bowe
13 BOD
12 Flutey
11 Williams
10 Jones
9 O'Leary
1 Jenkins
2 Mears
3 Murray
4 Hines
5 O'Connell
6 Quinlan
7 Wallace
8 Ferris
16 Flannery
17 Vickery
18 Wyn Jones
19 Heaslip
20 Phillips
21 O'Gara
22 Fitzgerald
I suspect I'll be wrong about Phillips not starting and there are a few surprises in there, especially the backrow. But Powell has still to convince me. I also wouldn't be surprised about Vickery getting to start on the basis that he can be subbed back on anyway and will cover 2 positions that way.
Shane Williams is someone I'm unsure of. Halfpenny is playing better and if Williams is fading then a hard decision will have to be made. But I was watching highlights from last years 6N and Wales were practically a one man team. He was amazing. Change tactics and teammates and see if it starts to come off.
With the concerns over the physicality of the 'Boks backrow I can see the attraction of moving Ferris to 8. I still think Heaslip is up to the task and people forget that was shortlisted for player of the 6N. The selection of Quinlan makes a lot more sense if McGeechan is considering that backrow as a possibility.
Might change the balance of the 2nd row though in favour of O'Callaghan.