Lions 2017

[Donny B.]

f%~k the Lions, it doesn't matter and it's no more proper test rugby than South Africa v BaBas lat week.

Can having four or five members of a Lions team from Ireland ever top the satisfaction of beating them on our own? Look at the England in the summer they went down and beat Australia 3-0 on their own? We came within a whisker of beating South Africa with half a team. Jesus, Scotland nearly beat Australia yesterday.

That is what the home nations should be aspiring to, beating these f%~kers on our own. Winning as part of a Lions team has no material benefit other than to Sky and the rest of this bullshit enterprise.

[Hippo]

predicting it is fun though

as it stands the Welsh makeup may be waning

But their fake tan is holding up well.

the pink cowboy hats protect them from the worst of it

Given the apparently high levels of waxing/laser treatment visible among our guys I'm not sure we're really in a position to throw stones here

[fourthirtythree]

...and surely O'Callaghan was a pioneer in fake tan for rugby players. I mean, Gavin Henson copied him...

[Oldschoolsocks]

I'm pretty sure DOC's colouring was down to him drinking 2 litres of carrot juice per day, pretty surprised that one never caught on


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[backrower8]

Leinster players in the running after round 3 of 6N:

Certainties: McGrath, Healy, Furlong, Sexton, Henshaw
Possibles: Toner, SOB, Jamie, Ringer - Dev to lose out of this group. Hopeful for the others
Outside bets: VDF, Rob

I think there is a very good chance that Sexton, Henshaw and Ringer will make it as a midfield "unit"

[Golf Man]

Leinster players in the running after round 3 of 6N:

Certainties: McGrath, Healy, Furlong, Sexton, Henshaw
Possibles: Toner, SOB, Jamie, Ringer - Dev to lose out of this group. Hopeful for the others
Outside bets: VDF, Rob

I think there is a very good chance that Sexton, Henshaw and Ringer will make it as a midfield "unit"

Wouldn't have Healy and McGrath as certainties just yet. McGrath hasn't been completely at his best although probably still in pole position. Healy is fighting for third LH - so definitely not a cert. Would say that Ringrose is more in the outside bet category than possibles. Agree on Toner - very very stiff competition for him and if anything he is falling behind some of the opposition, slightly as some second rows have really excelled. (Gray x 2, Launchbury, I can't see AWJ not going, Itoje is nailed on and Kruis is still a probable imo)

VDF - very very outside bet - obviously he has been injured but standard is very high in the backrow, and I can't see him selected as a specialist 7 (tipuric will be ahead of him and Warburton likely to travel as well)

Kearney - unless there are a lot on injuries I don't see him as even an outside bet

Probably ultimately have 6 or so from Leinster. Maybe 3 from Munster, 1 from Ulster - if he picks a 37 man squad. Almost certainly be a few more from Scotland than there has been for some time. There will probably be more Welsh than deserve it. And around 13-15 from England

[fourthirtythree]

McGrath will need to rediscover some form to be in contention. Two big matches to do it but he had a bad day on Saturday.

[wixfjord]

McGrath will need to rediscover some form to be in contention. Two big matches to do it but he had a bad day on Saturday.

He's under a bit of pressure now I'd say. Don't think Schmidt will drop him, but Healy is getting a lot closer than he has been for a while.

[FLIP]

No loosehead in the world can really deal with an opposition prop dragging them down by the arm every time the ref is on the other side of the scrum. We didn't lose any of our scrums because after the French prop got pinged for it he never did it while Owens was on that side. Pretty poor by Owens not to see the cause of the collapsed scrums.

[Golf Man]

McGrath will need to rediscover some form to be in contention. Two big matches to do it but he had a bad day on Saturday.

Ah he is still well in contention and will be after the 6 nations - its not a position of huge depth => Healy/McGrath/Vunipola/Marler are to the fore - bit of a gap to the Welsh and Scottish options, with Jenkins a bit of a wildcard because of Gatland

His levels have certainly dropped a bit - some issues in the scrum, not majorly, but definitely coughed up a couple of balls sloppily

[wixfjord]

No loosehead in the world can really deal with an opposition prop dragging them down by the arm every time the ref is on the other side of the scrum. We didn't lose any of our scrums because after the French prop got pinged for it he never did it while Owens was on that side. Pretty poor by Owens not to see the cause of the collapsed scrums.

It's not even that, his effectiveness in open play is the bigger issue, has been dropping in the last few months.

[Oldschool]

No loosehead in the world can really deal with an opposition prop dragging them down by the arm every time the ref is on the other side of the scrum. We didn't lose any of our scrums because after the French prop got pinged for it he never did it while Owens was on that side. Pretty poor by Owens not to see the cause of the collapsed scrums.

It's not even that, his effectiveness in open play is the bigger issue, has been dropping in the last few months.

He's probably been concentrating on his scrummaging because of the opponents he's faced so far in Europe and the heavyweights in the 6Ns arena as with mire Europe props to come.

[MunsterSugar]

Think Mako V and McGrath are certain. 3rd spot is anybodies but may go to a prop who can do both sides. Healy certainly not certainty.
I know people have Heaslip as cert BUT he's not as Billy Vunipola is in mix and Faletau will go as Gatland loves him. Think the 3rd 8 will be like a Stander. Basically a 6 or 7 who can play 8.

For me Sexton Henshaw O'Brien McGrath and Furlong will travel for certain with Heaslip and Healy only other 2 who have chance of making tour. Rest won't

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

[munster#1]

Hard to see both McGrath and healy going, as neither have been massively impressive thus far. Their case may be further hurt if Joe decides to rotate them for the remaining 2 games, as neither will be viewed as nailed on first choice.

Far more likely that marler, Billy and one of healy or McGrath will travel along with a prop who can play both sides.

We may find ourselves in a strange position where no Irish lock travels. When is the last time that happened?

My bet is launchberry, AWJ, both Gray's and itoje as bench option.

Full backs will be Hogg and halfpenny as out and out fullbacks, with a couple of wingers who can cover there.

Really looking forward to seeing who gets selected, especially seeing who the bolters are.

[fourthirtythree]

No loosehead in the world can really deal with an opposition prop dragging them down by the arm every time the ref is on the other side of the scrum. We didn't lose any of our scrums because after the French prop got pinged for it he never did it while Owens was on that side. Pretty poor by Owens not to see the cause of the collapsed scrums.

It's not even that, his effectiveness in open play is the bigger issue, has been dropping in the last few months.

That's more what I was thinking of, apart from that really high profile knock on he did I, perhaps unfairly but... I blame him for getting it wrong from Sexton's quick tap from the penalty (Heaslip took it beautifully and put it on to Earls taking a line that looked training ground. Ruck. McGrath struggles in contact and the ball is messy and the momentum is gone, we struggle next ruck it pops out and hopeful pass results).

I thought he didn't have a great day at the scrum either, not always, but a couple of times it looked to me like he didn't get it right.

[MunsterSugar]

Thing is there isn't much competition at prop really like standard isn't bad but not wow there is a standout

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

[nc6000]

Can we forget about Hartley being captain? I don't think he's good enough to make the test team, he doesn't seem to play more than 60 minutes and his inability to get a handle on what was going on against Italy was remarkable. He had to get Haskell to question it with Poite. I'm not sure he'd be much use at a table quiz.

[MunsterSugar]

Was on BBC tonight on radio about rumours Sale Wnger Danny Salomona or something is being seriously tipped as wildcard

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

[desperado]

what is it with David Kelly in the Indo? He's written 2 articles in the past week adding to the 'growing chorus'' .... 'Lions captaincy' etc. Have I missed something - is this a solo run by Kelly or are others calling for it. Not saying he wouldn't be good - but does he have the consistent captaincy experience at a high level? Where in the pecking order should he lie?

[Peg Leg]

Who?