Who should we have our eyes on for the Lions???

This year is very special, a Lions Year...!

I don't think there are many if any players with their name already on the team sheet, not even in the Squad list.

Making the build up to the touring party announcement in April a very exciting time for us fans to debate and conjure our thoughts on predictions and permutations of who might or might not make the tour party/1st XV.

Johnny Wilkinson.

Having retired from international rugby I would say he's a wild are mate. But apparently still showing great form for Toulon

There's a lion roaming Essex apparently.

Sorry, I meant 'who cares'.

That turned out to be Jason Leonard...

Theres always one suprise on the Lions squad, some guy who just emeges in the year of the tour and gets in the squad for 2009 it was Andy Powell, cant remember the squad in 2005 but im sure there was one. How many are there for the tour, 30 is it?

Henson

Yep 30 and I think there could be a few surprises.

I am really excited about the selection. I genuinely don't think anyone in any position is nailed on.

I hope the players know that, because there are a lot of lads out there who have a hell of a lot to play for.

drsambo1928 wrote:Theres always one suprise on the Lions squad, some guy who just emeges in the year of the tour and gets in the squad for 2009 it was Andy Powell, cant remember the squad in 2005 but im sure there was one. How many are there for the tour, 30 is it?

Actually it was Keith Earls in 2009

SuperGuinness69 wrote:

drsambo1928 wrote:Theres always one suprise on the Lions squad, some guy who just emeges in the year of the tour and gets in the squad for 2009 it was Andy Powell, cant remember the squad in 2005 but im sure there was one. How many are there for the tour, 30 is it?

Actually it was Keith Earls in 2009

I'd agree that Powell was more of a surprise than Earls.

Earls show talent and skill.

Ian Balshaw is a 'must' pick.

Although some people think Visser is the messiah, if he got picked, it would still represent one hell of an achievement for him and a pretty meteoric year. It would probably mean he would oust a more established player like Ashton, Trimble, Cuthbert etc. as well, so would be doubly impressive!

I think Ashely Beck could be a surprise inclusion to be honest, or Harry Robinson- although there is so mnuch competition for the wing spots in the squad.

I think Christian Wade could bring a lot to the table.

Christian Wade would be great, but has he got enough time to prove himself and overtake some of the other British wingers? That's my only concern. There's so much competition on the wings, he would have to really explode onto the international scene in the next fews months!

Christian Wade I ahve no doubt will be a great wing. he was caught out of position defensively when playing for England recently & needs to rectify that side of his game.
Hopefully he can continue with his Wasps form from last season & be in prime position for the AIs & 6Ns.

For sheer pace & one on one I don't think there is anyone better placed than him though.

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Christian Wade I ahve no doubt will be a great wing. he was caught out of position defensively when playing for England recently & needs to rectify that side of his game.
Hopefully he can continue with his Wasps form from last season & be in prime position for the AIs & 6Ns.

For sheer pace & one on one I don't think there is anyone better placed than him though.

Some of his tries at the JWC were just ridiculous. He's quite a finisher, that's for sure.

Powerful little guy too.

BigTrev, he reminds me of Shane Williams, Jason Robinson type player. Certainly one of the most exciting wingers I have seen and he is only 21 years old.

I think he would bring a huge amount to the Lions.

All he needs to do is sort out his defensive positioning, which hopefully he can learn quickly. There's no denying his natural ability.

You guys see him in the Barbarians games in SA over the summer? He was tenacious as well. Once he's got a sniff of the line, he really sacrifices his body to get there!

I've heard that this Second Division Japanese club player could have a future in the game:
http://www.mhi.co.jp/gsh/dynaboars/profile/wtb_08_shane.php

I guess the term "big in Japan" doesn't apply to wee Shane

Scots contribution?

Grey in the fifteen, Rennie, Denton. should be on the plane. Ford Visser, Laidlaw maybee. Wee Dunky weir for a wild card. Its a year too soon for some of these guys

Chris Ashton.

Nailed on. Gatland loves him.

As Pot Hale points out there could be a few "big names" who might splash out and not get called up...!!

I think Nigel Davies might be on the coaching staff if he has a good season at Glaws.

red_stag wrote:BigTrev, he reminds me of Shane Williams, Jason Robinson type player. Certainly one of the most exciting wingers I have seen and he is only 21 years old.

I think he would bring a huge amount to the Lions.

Jonny May, if he has a good season and gets a chance for England.

Morgannwg wrote:Johnny Wilkinson.

Dyou mean Jonny Wilkinson or is there a NKOTB

It doesn't matter who's picked. Lambs to the slaughter. A completely anachronistic waste of time.

Disclaimer: Other opinions are available.

EnglishReign wrote:Jonny May, if he has a good season and gets a chance for England.

Jonny May is a very good call. Very exciting prospect.

I've seen him play fullback wing and outside centre. But I thought he looked best at centre.

Stuart Hogg

Hope some players have the courage to say "thanks but no thanks" to the Lions next year....................for to help prolong their career and concentrate on what should be paramount, your club & country......................

Lions passed it's sell by date IMO............

John, I have to say I don't get that way of thinking at all.

I think its one of the best occasions in rugby.

What isn't to like about it whether you are a player, a fan or even a neutral.

John Cregan wrote:Hope some players have the courage to say "thanks but no thanks" to the Lions next year....................for to help prolong their career and concentrate on what should be paramount, your club & country......................

Lions passed it's sell by date IMO............

I agree

Edit: I don't agree that players should say "thanks but no thanks" though, it's still one of the biggest honour for a rugby player.

Although perhaps that statement was tongue in cheek.

I'm not a huge fan of the Lions either. I'll watch it and enjoy it, but it's not really that important to me. Like the Barbarians I'm just not that bothered about it.

Different strokes for different folks.

Have to say I find that really strange guys but sure to each his own.

Stag,


I think the Lions was a great fit for the Amateur era..........now it seems like an unneccessary distraction.
Completely understand why players would still want to be part of it though............

I think the Lions is a wonderful tradition that fits neatly in between WC years.

It is an honour for the B & I players & personally I like the fact that the nations can come together as one team.

Apart from that, as was stated on The Rugby Club last night, make up of the squad and team selection is the most debated subject in the pubs & rugby clubs.

red_stag wrote:Have to say I find that really strange guys but sure to each his own.

It's a great tradition and i enjoy watching it but i'd like to see it phased out as the other European countries get stronger and rugby becomes more global

Bananaman.

I think you should look out for anyone who has been at Wasps in the last decade.

I only really like the tours if they are in SA or New Zealand, i dont know why but i just dont like australia tours as much, and id agree it is a bit stale and it dosent usher up a sense of pride for me but i think its more for the players to say "I was good enough in my playing time to be considered on a squad lots of people will never be able to experience." Its a little self actualization for the players.

Sambo I think the reason SA and NZ are more attractive is because they have the Currie Cup and New Zealand's NPC teams with real history to their name.

Western Force, Canterbury, Natal, Hawkes Bay, Transvaal etc are all really powerful names not to mention the NZ Maori.

I agree with that Stag, although some commited Aussie Rugby union fan might want to attack me, Australia is not really a rugby (union) nation. New Zealand has rugby in its DNA and South Africa eat sleep and breath rugby, while Australia has too many other sports(Aussie Rules, Rugby League and even Soccer ) which takes away an impact similar to New Zealand or South Africa. I dont know why but I feel its the "Lions are coming" is the talk in the length of NZ or SA whenever they have their tours, but in Australia, they don't have as much of an interest.

Oh no its not a Rugby Union nation. Its behind Aussie Rules and Rugby League at a minimum.

The one thing about Lions is the travelling support. Its an amazing experience. There is more demand than for World Cups.

red_stag wrote:Sambo I think the reason SA and NZ are more attractive is because they have the Currie Cup and New Zealand's NPC teams with real history to their name.

Western Force Province, Canterbury, Natal, Hawkes Bay, Transvaal etc are all really powerful names not to mention the NZ Maori.

Corrected

Oops exactly. Western Province.

Feckit its Friday evening I'll make as many mistakes as I like.

Cheers GoWales - have a on me.

13 minutes to boozy time!!

red_stag wrote:Oops exactly. Western Province.

Feckit its Friday evening I'll make as many mistakes as I like.

Cheers GoWales - have a on me.

13 minutes to boozy time!!

You lucky lucky ******

Mutter mutter antibiotics mutter mutter

Wades doing his case no harm so far.

red_stag wrote:I think Christian Wade could bring a lot to the table.

After watching the game today. I think you are right. Wade and Varndell was a two man team today.