B&I Lions 2017

gollum

So they will have Englands lineout, Irelands choke defence & Wales ability to land on your face get knocked out & jump back up again.

Crucial

There has been a lot of rumours that Ben Ryan will be involved somewhere.
Not the case or not announced?

He does seem quite bust trying to tie together this stadia/super team thing in the islands though

gollum

@Crucial

Still 2 more roles to name

Crucial

There's also no announcement yet on who will be the QC, the Press Relations officer or the undertaker (for those that could have doid)

rotated

Enough with the hypothetical XV's I would like to see these pundits drop some 22s on us. For the first time in a long time a side has the opportunity to select a bench that can at least get parity with ours.

That's if it is selected properly, the guys of the bench buy in and Gats executes it properly. Three big IFs - but our trump card could potentially be nullified on this tour.

Catogrande

@Crucial said in B&I Lions 2017:

There were also some pundit selections in the Sunday Times (firewalled I think) which included one from Stephen Jones who demonstrated his complete lack of selection ability having players out of position and a large contingent of Welsh.

Edit: found a post on another website with a photo of the selections

There's some odd selections in amongst all that. Sort of "I like this bloke and he has to be in the team but there's someone else I can't leave out, so I'll put him in somewhere". How many are picking Itoje as a 6 based primarily on his zero appearances there at international level and few at club level? It's not as if we don't have some bloody good 6s as it is.

Crucial

@Catogrande I agree. Itoje could be a good 6, but so could Brodie Rettalick if you wanted him to be one as long as he had a fair bit of practice in the role.
Of those selections I think DillydallyO's is the best although I also think a great case could be made for keeping Itoje on the bench as impact.
There is some good depth at lock, why not use it to advantage and have your most athletic player coming on for the last 30?

gollum

@Catogrande said in B&I Lions 2017:

There's some odd selections in amongst all that. Sort of "I like this bloke and he has to be in the team but there's someone else I can't leave out, so I'll put him in somewhere". How many are picking Itoje as a 6 based primarily on his zero appearances there at international level and few at club level? It's not as if we don't have some bloody good 6s as it is.

Wasn't Itoje at 6 a fair bit in the Aussie tour?
Edit, spent 50 mins there in the 3rd test when Harrison got yanked & a bit there in the earlier 2

Catogrande

@Crucial I agree, I reckon Itoje could be a decent option anywhere in the back 5 but in a Lions context perhaps a bench spot would be the better option. It's not as if we're short of locks, AWJ, either of the Gray boys, any of the English locks. Not overly impressed with Toner though. Always good in the line-out but not so consistent elsewhere.

You can certainly tell which one of the pundits has played international rugby in the pack!

Crucial

Two hacks, one world cup winner and one ex international that insists on proving time and time again what a terrible analyst he is.
Those RWC 2011 panel interviews with Barnes are still comedy gold.

Snowy

@Crucial That really is funny. Selective editing but it has started my day well. Barnes is an idiot - must be something about that name...

Wurzel

That Joseph/Farrell midfield combo those pundits keep selecting does nothing for more. Wouldn't be concerned at all if that's who Gatland picked for the Tests.

taniwharugby

@Stargazer said in B&I Lions 2017:

Confirmed: Steve Borthwick (England), Andy Farrell (Ireland) and Rob Howley (Wales) announced by Head Coach Warren Gatland as the 2017 Lions Coaching Team

http://www.lionsrugby.com/news/warren-gatland-announces-coaching-team-15159#.WEgEurJ96Ul

Heard on the radio this morning that Jason O'Halloran is a shot at being involved given his involvement with Scotland.

Virgil

@Crucial said in B&I Lions 2017:

Two hacks, one world cup winner and one ex international that insists on proving time and time again what a terrible analyst he is.
Those RWC 2011 panel interviews with Barnes are still comedy gold.

An oldie but a goodie.

TeWaio

@Virgil hadn't ever seen that, that is pure gold

Catogrande

@TeWaio I haven't clicked on it yet. I am already squirming with the potential embarrassment factor, given what occurred.
#stillinshock

MajorPom

@Catogrande Nothing to be embarrased about Cato. Selective quoting followed by selective clips which show the selective quotes as being wrong!

Frye

@MajorRage yeah nah.

Both the selective quotes and the selective clips were representative of their respective gists.

Catogrande

@MajorRage said in B&I Lions 2017:

@Catogrande Nothing to be embarrased about Cato. Selective quoting followed by selective clips which show the selective quotes as being wrong!

You convinced me. Glad you did. I'd assumed it was from the 2015 RWC, hence the embarrassment factor. Funny to watch though. I have to say, even without hindsight Martin and Barnes were talking absolute bollocks with no justification whatsoever.

Gold

Bovidae

Tew confirmed some details yesterday:

There will be no warm-up test for the ABs prior to the 1st test vs Lions (no time in Super rugby schedule)
The Blues and Crusaders will have their ABs available.
Highlanders, Chiefs and Hurricanes will be AB-free unless players are released for game-time.

Also, a fourth match will be added to the 2017 EOYT but it won't be England - it could even be a game against a club side.

The Silver Fern

B&I Lions 2017