B&I Lions 2017
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@Billy-Tell I thought neither Wales nor France had any remote inkling of how to use the ball when they had it, likewise Ireland - for all their huge possession stats, they could only manage one try from a maul. Generally the attacking nowce was poor and very lateral from all four teams, the creative attacking instinct 2nd nature to SH teams non-existent.
Where I think we will find the going difficult i.e. competitive is the smothering defence employed by NH teams.@Crash said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Billy-Tell I thought neither Wales nor France had any remote inkling of how to use the ball when they had it, likewise Ireland - for all their huge possession stats, they could only manage one try from a maul. Generally the attacking nowce was poor and very lateral from all four teams, the creative attacking instinct 2nd nature to SH teams non-existent.
Where I think we will find the going difficult i.e. competitive is the smothering defence employed by NH teams.Yip. Maul, box kicks and garyowens, and rush/smother defence. Don't see the lions creating a whole lot through their backs, Hogg excepted.
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Has anyone bought one of the new limited edition Super jerseys that will be worn in the Lions series? I haven't seen this posted yet but what a fuckup by Adidas. Obviously some marketing smart arse came up with a bright idea and then used the wrong info.
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You begin to wonder is there any point in the Lions travelling really.
Can't score, can't run, no attack - all they can do is defend. Why do they even bother playing the game?
Stuffed shopping bags in search of a trolley.
What a headline. 10/10.
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You begin to wonder is there any point in the Lions travelling really.
Can't score, can't run, no attack - all they can do is defend. Why do they even bother playing the game?
Stuffed shopping bags in search of a trolley.
What a headline. 10/10.
@Pot-Hale for the love of the game?
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@Pot-Hale for the love of the game?
@taniwharugby said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale for the love of the game?
Hmmmm.....
Nah.
Anything else? -
@taniwharugby said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale for the love of the game?
Hmmmm.....
Nah.
Anything else?@Pot-Hale said in B&I Lions 2017:
@taniwharugby said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale for the love of the game?
Hmmmm.....
Nah.
Anything else?Southern seas holiday?
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@Pot-Hale said in B&I Lions 2017:
@taniwharugby said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale for the love of the game?
Hmmmm.....
Nah.
Anything else?Southern seas holiday?
@canefan said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale said in B&I Lions 2017:
@taniwharugby said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale for the love of the game?
Hmmmm.....
Nah.
Anything else?Southern seas holiday?
In fucking winter??
With you lot of grousers for company, I presume? -
@canefan said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale said in B&I Lions 2017:
@taniwharugby said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale for the love of the game?
Hmmmm.....
Nah.
Anything else?Southern seas holiday?
In fucking winter??
With you lot of grousers for company, I presume?@Pot-Hale said in B&I Lions 2017:
@canefan said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale said in B&I Lions 2017:
@taniwharugby said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale for the love of the game?
Hmmmm.....
Nah.
Anything else?Southern seas holiday?
In fucking winter??
With you lot of grousers for company, I presume?It's not like the NH winter; it won't be snowing for starters. It is one of the highest honours for a home nations player to come down and get their arse handed to them in NZ isn't it?
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@Pot-Hale said in B&I Lions 2017:
@canefan said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale said in B&I Lions 2017:
@taniwharugby said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale for the love of the game?
Hmmmm.....
Nah.
Anything else?Southern seas holiday?
In fucking winter??
With you lot of grousers for company, I presume?It's not like the NH winter; it won't be snowing for starters. It is one of the highest honours for a home nations player to come down and get their arse handed to them in NZ isn't it?
@canefan said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale said in B&I Lions 2017:
@canefan said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale said in B&I Lions 2017:
@taniwharugby said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale for the love of the game?
Hmmmm.....
Nah.
Anything else?Southern seas holiday?
In fucking winter??
With you lot of grousers for company, I presume?It's not like the NH winter; it won't be snowing for starters. It is one of the highest honours for a home nations player to come down and get their arse handed to them in NZ isn't it?
It hasn't snowed round these parts for years. Snowflakes are sooo yesterday in modern Ireland.
Talking of which, enough of the "Home" Nations guff. It's Britain and Ireland. And we can mind our own arses, thank you very much.
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Has anyone spotted any stabs at the touring party following the last round?
Very, very interesting set up following the Irish victory. Streak aside, on balance I think Ireland have the best claims over the past 6-12 months to dominate this squad and the XV.
English fans may want to hear that, but if these fixtures were structured in a different way and the Italy/Ireland performances were weeks 1 and 2 - I think they get less of a rub going into June.
Scotland over-performed in the 6N, Ireland have the English and ABs scalp, England just equalled a world record streak and Gats has to show some loyalty to "his guys". So an interesting selection upcoming.
Even more interesting the Lions squad is probably coached by the 4th best coach of the lot, although still not a poor one but with a questionable back room. In hindsight perhaps reuiniting a Schmidt/Cotter ticket would have me a bit more worried.
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Has anyone spotted any stabs at the touring party following the last round?
Very, very interesting set up following the Irish victory. Streak aside, on balance I think Ireland have the best claims over the past 6-12 months to dominate this squad and the XV.
English fans may want to hear that, but if these fixtures were structured in a different way and the Italy/Ireland performances were weeks 1 and 2 - I think they get less of a rub going into June.
Scotland over-performed in the 6N, Ireland have the English and ABs scalp, England just equalled a world record streak and Gats has to show some loyalty to "his guys". So an interesting selection upcoming.
Even more interesting the Lions squad is probably coached by the 4th best coach of the lot, although still not a poor one but with a questionable back room. In hindsight perhaps reuiniting a Schmidt/Cotter ticket would have me a bit more worried.
@rotated It will be interesting as Gatland has to go back to his day job of coaching Wales after the tour. Will he risk losing the dressing room in the same way Henry did after the 2001 Lions? This is the problem if your own boys aren't dining at the top table within the squad.
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@canefan said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale said in B&I Lions 2017:
@canefan said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale said in B&I Lions 2017:
@taniwharugby said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Pot-Hale for the love of the game?
Hmmmm.....
Nah.
Anything else?Southern seas holiday?
In fucking winter??
With you lot of grousers for company, I presume?It's not like the NH winter; it won't be snowing for starters. It is one of the highest honours for a home nations player to come down and get their arse handed to them in NZ isn't it?
It hasn't snowed round these parts for years. Snowflakes are sooo yesterday in modern Ireland.
Talking of which, enough of the "Home" Nations guff. It's Britain and Ireland. And we can mind our own arses, thank you very much.
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Has anyone spotted any stabs at the touring party following the last round?
Very, very interesting set up following the Irish victory. Streak aside, on balance I think Ireland have the best claims over the past 6-12 months to dominate this squad and the XV.
English fans may want to hear that, but if these fixtures were structured in a different way and the Italy/Ireland performances were weeks 1 and 2 - I think they get less of a rub going into June.
Scotland over-performed in the 6N, Ireland have the English and ABs scalp, England just equalled a world record streak and Gats has to show some loyalty to "his guys". So an interesting selection upcoming.
Even more interesting the Lions squad is probably coached by the 4th best coach of the lot, although still not a poor one but with a questionable back room. In hindsight perhaps reuiniting a Schmidt/Cotter ticket would have me a bit more worried.
@rotated said in B&I Lions 2017:
Has anyone spotted any stabs at the touring party following the last round?
Very, very interesting set up following the Irish victory. Streak aside, on balance I think Ireland have the best claims over the past 6-12 months to dominate this squad and the XV.
English fans may want to hear that, but if these fixtures were structured in a different way and the Italy/Ireland performances were weeks 1 and 2 - I think they get less of a rub going into June.
Scotland over-performed in the 6N, Ireland have the English and ABs scalp, England just equalled a world record streak and Gats has to show some loyalty to "his guys". So an interesting selection upcoming.
Even more interesting the Lions squad is probably coached by the 4th best coach of the lot, although still not a poor one but with a questionable back room. In hindsight perhaps reuiniting a Schmidt/Cotter ticket would have me a bit more worried.
There was a pile of them in the Sunday Times yesterday. The Walrus wouldn't even take Hogg on tour because apparently you don't want an attacking player
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Can't find many others and can#t get to the ST ones (paywall)
There will be some interesting puzzles to solve which may or may not affect the squad selection though.
Captain: Gatland has come out and said that his tour captain is not guaranteed a starting test spot. I can see what he is getting at, not wanting anyone to get a free ride and not wanting one group to instantly feel they don't have a chance at playing. But this is an odd one. For me he needs to pick a leader with a 90%+ chance of starting the tests. Warburton fits the bill.
Game management: It won't be a case of simply picking a prospective test team then filling out the numbers. Given the high calibre of the mid week games and the schedule he almost needs to take 46 players and split them although this has been a disaster in the past. I don't know the official squad size but have seen comment of around 37. This will mean that the Saturday team reserves will need to back up on the Tuesdays.
Making selection decisions that don't alienate parts of the team on grounds of country. For example if I was him Hartley wouldn't be on the tour. Gatland has to balance up taking a player that is captain of the 'top team' yet not the best in his position. If he relegates him to mid week captain, what does that do to morale of the England players? Hartley is a starter or not there IMO.
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@rotated said in B&I Lions 2017:
Has anyone spotted any stabs at the touring party following the last round?
Very, very interesting set up following the Irish victory. Streak aside, on balance I think Ireland have the best claims over the past 6-12 months to dominate this squad and the XV.
English fans may want to hear that, but if these fixtures were structured in a different way and the Italy/Ireland performances were weeks 1 and 2 - I think they get less of a rub going into June.
Scotland over-performed in the 6N, Ireland have the English and ABs scalp, England just equalled a world record streak and Gats has to show some loyalty to "his guys". So an interesting selection upcoming.
Even more interesting the Lions squad is probably coached by the 4th best coach of the lot, although still not a poor one but with a questionable back room. In hindsight perhaps reuiniting a Schmidt/Cotter ticket would have me a bit more worried.
There was a pile of them in the Sunday Times yesterday. The Walrus wouldn't even take Hogg on tour because apparently you don't want an attacking player
@Crucial said in B&I Lions 2017:
@rotated said in B&I Lions 2017:
Has anyone spotted any stabs at the touring party following the last round?
Very, very interesting set up following the Irish victory. Streak aside, on balance I think Ireland have the best claims over the past 6-12 months to dominate this squad and the XV.
English fans may want to hear that, but if these fixtures were structured in a different way and the Italy/Ireland performances were weeks 1 and 2 - I think they get less of a rub going into June.
Scotland over-performed in the 6N, Ireland have the English and ABs scalp, England just equalled a world record streak and Gats has to show some loyalty to "his guys". So an interesting selection upcoming.
Even more interesting the Lions squad is probably coached by the 4th best coach of the lot, although still not a poor one but with a questionable back room. In hindsight perhaps reuiniting a Schmidt/Cotter ticket would have me a bit more worried.
There was a pile of them in the Sunday Times yesterday. The Walrus wouldn't even take Hogg on tour because apparently you don't want an attacking player
Haha. I've gotta read that. I love the Walrus's stuff. Got a link?
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@Crucial said in B&I Lions 2017:
@rotated said in B&I Lions 2017:
Has anyone spotted any stabs at the touring party following the last round?
Very, very interesting set up following the Irish victory. Streak aside, on balance I think Ireland have the best claims over the past 6-12 months to dominate this squad and the XV.
English fans may want to hear that, but if these fixtures were structured in a different way and the Italy/Ireland performances were weeks 1 and 2 - I think they get less of a rub going into June.
Scotland over-performed in the 6N, Ireland have the English and ABs scalp, England just equalled a world record streak and Gats has to show some loyalty to "his guys". So an interesting selection upcoming.
Even more interesting the Lions squad is probably coached by the 4th best coach of the lot, although still not a poor one but with a questionable back room. In hindsight perhaps reuiniting a Schmidt/Cotter ticket would have me a bit more worried.
There was a pile of them in the Sunday Times yesterday. The Walrus wouldn't even take Hogg on tour because apparently you don't want an attacking player
Haha. I've gotta read that. I love the Walrus's stuff. Got a link?
@MN5 said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Crucial said in B&I Lions 2017:
@rotated said in B&I Lions 2017:
Has anyone spotted any stabs at the touring party following the last round?
Very, very interesting set up following the Irish victory. Streak aside, on balance I think Ireland have the best claims over the past 6-12 months to dominate this squad and the XV.
English fans may want to hear that, but if these fixtures were structured in a different way and the Italy/Ireland performances were weeks 1 and 2 - I think they get less of a rub going into June.
Scotland over-performed in the 6N, Ireland have the English and ABs scalp, England just equalled a world record streak and Gats has to show some loyalty to "his guys". So an interesting selection upcoming.
Even more interesting the Lions squad is probably coached by the 4th best coach of the lot, although still not a poor one but with a questionable back room. In hindsight perhaps reuiniting a Schmidt/Cotter ticket would have me a bit more worried.
There was a pile of them in the Sunday Times yesterday. The Walrus wouldn't even take Hogg on tour because apparently you don't want an attacking player
Haha. I've gotta read that. I love the Walrus's stuff. Got a link?
ST is paywalled. We need someone with access to C&P it here.
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@rotated It will be interesting as Gatland has to go back to his day job of coaching Wales after the tour. Will he risk losing the dressing room in the same way Henry did after the 2001 Lions? This is the problem if your own boys aren't dining at the top table within the squad.
@Catogrande Gatland has been through that process before in 2013 but back then Wales were the 6 Nations champs. I would assume that the coaches form a selection panel to select the squad so he has an out.
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@MN5 said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Crucial said in B&I Lions 2017:
@rotated said in B&I Lions 2017:
Has anyone spotted any stabs at the touring party following the last round?
Very, very interesting set up following the Irish victory. Streak aside, on balance I think Ireland have the best claims over the past 6-12 months to dominate this squad and the XV.
English fans may want to hear that, but if these fixtures were structured in a different way and the Italy/Ireland performances were weeks 1 and 2 - I think they get less of a rub going into June.
Scotland over-performed in the 6N, Ireland have the English and ABs scalp, England just equalled a world record streak and Gats has to show some loyalty to "his guys". So an interesting selection upcoming.
Even more interesting the Lions squad is probably coached by the 4th best coach of the lot, although still not a poor one but with a questionable back room. In hindsight perhaps reuiniting a Schmidt/Cotter ticket would have me a bit more worried.
There was a pile of them in the Sunday Times yesterday. The Walrus wouldn't even take Hogg on tour because apparently you don't want an attacking player
Haha. I've gotta read that. I love the Walrus's stuff. Got a link?
ST is paywalled. We need someone with access to C&P it here.
@Crucial said in B&I Lions 2017:
@MN5 said in B&I Lions 2017:
@Crucial said in B&I Lions 2017:
@rotated said in B&I Lions 2017:
Has anyone spotted any stabs at the touring party following the last round?
Very, very interesting set up following the Irish victory. Streak aside, on balance I think Ireland have the best claims over the past 6-12 months to dominate this squad and the XV.
English fans may want to hear that, but if these fixtures were structured in a different way and the Italy/Ireland performances were weeks 1 and 2 - I think they get less of a rub going into June.
Scotland over-performed in the 6N, Ireland have the English and ABs scalp, England just equalled a world record streak and Gats has to show some loyalty to "his guys". So an interesting selection upcoming.
Even more interesting the Lions squad is probably coached by the 4th best coach of the lot, although still not a poor one but with a questionable back room. In hindsight perhaps reuiniting a Schmidt/Cotter ticket would have me a bit more worried.
There was a pile of them in the Sunday Times yesterday. The Walrus wouldn't even take Hogg on tour because apparently you don't want an attacking player
Haha. I've gotta read that. I love the Walrus's stuff. Got a link?
ST is paywalled. We need someone with access to C&P it here.
Paying for news on the interweb? What's next.....Paying for porn?
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Can't find many others and can#t get to the ST ones (paywall)
There will be some interesting puzzles to solve which may or may not affect the squad selection though.
Captain: Gatland has come out and said that his tour captain is not guaranteed a starting test spot. I can see what he is getting at, not wanting anyone to get a free ride and not wanting one group to instantly feel they don't have a chance at playing. But this is an odd one. For me he needs to pick a leader with a 90%+ chance of starting the tests. Warburton fits the bill.
Game management: It won't be a case of simply picking a prospective test team then filling out the numbers. Given the high calibre of the mid week games and the schedule he almost needs to take 46 players and split them although this has been a disaster in the past. I don't know the official squad size but have seen comment of around 37. This will mean that the Saturday team reserves will need to back up on the Tuesdays.
Making selection decisions that don't alienate parts of the team on grounds of country. For example if I was him Hartley wouldn't be on the tour. Gatland has to balance up taking a player that is captain of the 'top team' yet not the best in his position. If he relegates him to mid week captain, what does that do to morale of the England players? Hartley is a starter or not there IMO.
@Crucial said in B&I Lions 2017:
Captain: Gatland has come out and said that his tour captain is not guaranteed a starting test spot. I can see what he is getting at, not wanting anyone to get a free ride and not wanting one group to instantly feel they don't have a chance at playing. But this is an odd one. For me he needs to pick a leader with a 90%+ chance of starting the tests. Warburton fits the bill.
Both McGeechan and Woodward have come out in favour of Warburton. Best has also been mentioned but is he the top hooker?
