Your Lions squad- Final 6 Nations Week.

Ok, so the trials are now over, and all the 6 nations matches done.

The Lions normally take 37 players on tour, 2 teams of 15 and 7 substitutes.

However now the substitutes bench is now 8 players (not 7), to include another specialist prop. So were looking at a squad of 38. So we need 2 players for each position, 1 extra front row forward in all 3 places, a lock, a back row player, a scrum half, a fly half and a utility back. The extra back row player is normally an Open side, so you'll want three Open sides in your squad.

Usual rules don't moan about my squad unless your going to post one yourself.

(1) Utility Back: James Hook (covers 10,12,13,15)

(2) Full backs: Leigh Halfpenny, Stuart Hogg
(2) Right Wing: George North, Tommy Bowe (if fit)
(2) Left Wing: Alex Cuthbert, Tim Visser

(2) Outside Center: Brian O'Driscoll, Manu Tuilagi
(2) Inside Center: Jamie Roberts, Luke Marshall (going to take a punt on him)

(3) Fly Hlaf: Dan Biggar, Owen Farrell, Jonathan Sexton
(3) Scrum Half: Mike Phillips, Conor Murray, Danny Care

(1) Utility Back Row Forward: Ryan Jones (4,5,6,8,)
(2) Number Eight: Toby Faletau, Sean O'Brien
(2) Openside Flanker: Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric
(2) Blindside Flanker: Chris Robshaw, James Haskell

(1) Spare Lock: Geoff Parling
(2) Middle Lock: Paul O'Connell, Ian Evans
(2) Front Lock: Richie Gray, Alun Wyn Jones

(3) Tight Head Prop: Adam Jones, Dan Cole, Mike Ross
(3) Hooker: Richard Hibbard, Rory Best, Tom Youngs
(3) Loose Head Prop: Gethin Jenkins, Mako Vunipola, Cian Healy

Players in squad:
Wales: 16
Ireland: 10
England: 9
Scotland: 3

(1) Utility Back: Mike Brown

(2) Full backs: Leigh Halfpenny, Stuart Hogg
(2) Right Wing: George North, Tommy Bowe (if fit)
(2) Left Wing: Alex Cuthbert, Simon Zebo

(2) Outside Center: Brian O'Driscoll, Manu Tuilagi
(2) Inside Center: Jamie Roberts, Luke Marshall (going to take a punt on him)

(3) Fly Hlaf: Dan Biggar, Owen Farrell, Jonathan Sexton
(3) Scrum Half: Mike Phillips, Ben Youngs, Danny Care

(1) Utility Back Row Forward: Ryan Jones
(2) Number Eight: Toby Faletau, Sean O'Brien
(2) Openside Flanker: Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric
(2) Blindside Flanker: Chris Robshaw, Tom Wood

(1) Spare Lock: Parling
(2) Middle Lock: Launchbury, Ian Evans
(2) Front Lock: Richie Gray, Alun Wyn Jones

(3) Tight Head Prop: Adam Jones, Dan Cole, Mike Ross
(3) Hooker: Richard Hibbard, Rory Best, Tom Youngs
(3) Loose Head Prop: Gethin Jenkins, Mako Vunipola, Cian Healy

Dang I forgot about Parling!
I had to make a change.

Hook is an embarassing selection IMO Shifty

36 man squad:

(2) Full backs: Leigh Halfpenny, Kearney
(4) Wing: George North, Zebo, Sharples, Trimble

(2) Outside Center: Davies Manu Tuilagi
(2) Inside Center: Twelvetrees, Luke Marshall

(3) Fly Half: Dan Biggar, Owen Farrell, Jonathan Sexton
(3) Scrum Half: Mike Phillips, Connor Murray, Laidlaw

(1) Utility Forward: Ryan Jones
(2) Number Eight: Toby Faletau, Beattie
(2) Openside Flanker: Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric
(2) Blindside Flanker: Chris Robshaw, Brown

(4) Lock: Ian Evans, Joe Launchbury, Donnacha Ryan, Alun Wyn Jones

(3) Tight Head Prop: Adam Jones, Craig Mitchell Dan Cole
(3) Hooker: Richard Hibbard, Rory Best, Tom Youngs
(3) Loose Head Prop: Jenkins, Bevington, James

RubyGuby wrote:Hook is an embarassing selection IMO Shifty

He has talent, Wales just don't want to use it. Besides he can cover almost all the back positions which makes him a useful utility player. Besides 70 odd caps and 8 years worth of international rugby under his belt. He's worth taking

Depends on squad size Shift.

If its 60 odd you might just be able to justify it...

Glas a du wrote:Depends on squad size Shift.

If its 60 odd you might just be able to justify it...

At least I wouldn't take Laidlaw, and 3 Welsh loose heads. Our scrum is good but it's not that good.

I'm also not sure about Marshall and Twelvetrees. I wouldn't risk 2 untested inside centres. Too much of a risk in my opinion.

You don't have to spread it about Shifty. We have got the four best loose heads on these Islands and three of the best four tight heads.'

What about Travis Boyle Glas

When not playing for the Scarlets he's on the sponge and water for Glynneath - could he perform that role for the Lions?

(1) Utility Back: Mike Brown

(2) Full backs: Leigh Halfpenny, Stuart Hogg
(2) Right Wing: George North, Tommy Bowe (if fit)
(2) Left Wing: Alex Cuthbert, Tim Visser

(2) Outside Center: Brian O'Driscoll, Manu Tuilagi
(2) Inside Center: Jamie Roberts, JD (plays outside for Wales but his an inside)

(3) Fly Hlaf: Dan Biggar, Owen Farrell, Jonathan Sexton
(3) Scrum Half: Mike Phillips, Conor Murray, Ben Youngs

(1) Utility Back Row Forward: Ryan Jones (4,5,6,8,)
(2) Number Eight: Toby Faletau, Sean O'Brien
(2) Openside Flanker: Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric
(2) Blindside Flanker: Chris Robshaw, Dan Lydiate (if fit)

(1) Spare Lock: Geoff Parling
(2) Middle Lock: Joe Launchbury, Ian Evans
(2) Front Lock: Richie Gray, Alun Wyn Jones

(3) Tight Head Prop: Adam Jones, Dan Cole, Mike Ross
(3) Hooker: Richard Hibbard, Rory Best, Tom Youngs
(3) Loose Head Prop: Gethin Jenkins, Paul James, Cian Healy

Anyone who thinks Cuthbert won't be touring is an idiot.

BORN FINISHER.

Glas a du wrote:You don't have to spread it about Shifty. We have got the four best loose heads on these Islands and three of the best four tight heads.'

I hope you don't think Jarvis is the third best tight head, unless you mean Sampson Lee or Scott Andrews!

Jarvis has been hopeless all season with the Ospreys he is part of the reason why we were so poor in the league early on this season, from the Bath game onwards he was penalised so much in the scrums he cost us god knows how many points. Maybe 12 every game.

t1000advancedprototype wrote:Anyone who thinks Cuthbert won't be touring is an idiot.

BORN FINISHER.

Oi stop cheating put your bloody squad in, don't comment on everyone elses!

Full Back: Hogg, Kearney
Right Wing: Cuthbert, Halfpenny
Outside Centre: BoD, Davies
Inside Centre: Roberts, Tuilagi, Marshall
Left Wing: North, Zebo
Outside Half: Farrell, Sexton
Scrum Half: Phillips, Youngs, Laidlaw

I probably would take hook or Earls as a utility. Laidlaw can cover SH and OH.

No8: Faletau, Morgan
Openside: Warburton, Tipuric
Blindside: Robshaw, O Brien, Ryan Jones (Utility)
Locks: Wyn Jones (c), Evans, Gray, Launchberry
TH: Jones, Cole
Hooker: Hibbard, Youngs, Best
LH: Jenkins, Vunipolo, Healy

Apparently it will be a 37 man squad.
I am only considering people who are fit and have featured prominently across the season. This rules out the likes of POC, Bowe, Lydiate.

Back 3:
Cuthbert, Halfpenny, Hogg, North, Visser, Wade

Centres:
Davies, Roberts, Tuilagi, AN Other

Half Backs:
Biggar, Farrell, Sexton, Laidlaw, Phillips, Youngs

Props:
Healy, James, Vunipola, Cole, Jones, Ross

Hookers:
Hibbard, Owens, AN Other

Second Row:
Evans, Jones, Launchbury, Parling, Ryan

Back Row:
Beattie, Faletau, O'Brien, Robshaw, Tipuric, Warburton, Wood


Wales - 16
England - 10
Scotland - 4
Ireland - 5
Undecided - 2

The two undecided places are at centre and hooker. I had BOD and Best there, but I feel that Best's performances have deteriorated over the 6Ns and yesterday he was downright poor. BOD has been struggling alll season to try and drag his body through the fight. He is a class act, but I just feel that physically he cannot do it anymore. However in neither case has anyone else put their hand up and demanded selection.

My two Wild Card selections are both English (touch of bias I accept) but just feel that Wade on the wing, and Vunipola at prop could do something special in Aus conditions.

no captain selected as of the candidates I am not sure anyone has nailed down a starting berth.

I thought it was funny Andy Nicoll saying after the Scottish game he thought they would have 7 players going, it does not match most (all) on here. If the 6N is the selection shop window then a lot of good but unproven (recent form) players will not be going Bowe, POC, Lydiate, Charteris, Rennie, Ben Morgan etc.

Ken Owens wildcard?

glamorganalun wrote:I thought it was funny Andy Nicoll saying after the Scottish game he thought they would have 7 players going, it does not match most (all) on here. If the 6N is the selection shop window then a lot of good but unproven (recent form) players will not be going Bowe, POC, Lydiate, Charteris, Rennie, Ben Morgan etc.

Too few of the scots really put their hands up for selection. the back 3 got too little ball.

Not be many Scots at all laidlaw, Brown, Hogg, Visser, Beattie. Maybe.

I fear Gatland will play Phillips ignoring the glacial slowness so a real SH might not get a chance.

I think more Scots put their hands up than Irish! Laidlaw hasn't had a bad game, neither has Kelly Brown.

Add to that Hogg, Maitland, Beattie and possibly Gray if he can get some fitness and I make that a possible 6 tourists.

I don't think there's been a Lions year where I've been so undecided about a squad after the 6N. What I think that the tournament did serve to do was squash a lot of the unwarranted hype about some of the younger players.

LH - Healy, Jenkins, Grant
Hooker - Best, Youngs, Hibbard
TH - Cole, Jones, Ross
Lock - Parling, Gray, Launchbury, Evans, Hines
Blindside - O'Brien, Brown
Openside - Robshaw, Tipuric, Warbuton
Eight - Faletau, Beattie

Scrum Half - Youngs, Philips, Care
Fly Half - Sexton, Farrell, Biggar
Centres - O'Driscoll, Tuilagi, Roberts, Davies
Wings - North, Maitland, Cuthbert, Visser
Full Back - Hogg, Halfpenny, Kearney

Best I can do at the moment, given who has a realistic shot at obtaining fitness in time.

RubyGuby wrote:Hook is an embarassing selection IMO Shifty

Hook? I thought he retired
Also there is nearly zero chance of Bowe going, but appreciate the support for him coming from the Welsh fans.

Hook is 27 years old and somehow he seems to have found himself surplus to requirements. The strength in the current squad is pretty incredible.

George Carlin wrote:I don't think there's been a Lions year where I've been so undecided about a squad after the 6N. What I think that the tournament did serve to do was squash a lot of the unwarranted hype about some of the younger players.

LH - Healy, Jenkins, Grant
Hooker - Best, Youngs, Hibbard
TH - Cole, Jones, Court
Lock - Parling, Gray, Launchbury, Evans, Hines
Blindside - O'Brien, Brown
Openside - Robshaw, Tipuric, Warbuton
Eight - Faletau, Beattie

Scrum Half - Youngs, Philips, Care
Fly Half - Sexton, Farrell, Biggar
Centres - O'Driscoll, Tuilagi, Roberts, Davies
Wings - North, Maitland, Cuthbert, Visser
Full Back - Hogg, Halfpenny, Kearney

Best I can do at the moment, given who has a realistic shot at obtaining fitness in time.

Only thing to question here is Court at L/H? Are you talking about Tom Court? Surely you mean Ross?

littlejohn wrote:

George Carlin wrote:I don't think there's been a Lions year where I've been so undecided about a squad after the 6N. What I think that the tournament did serve to do was squash a lot of the unwarranted hype about some of the younger players.

LH - Healy, Jenkins, Grant
Hooker - Best, Youngs, Hibbard
TH - Cole, Jones, Court
Lock - Parling, Gray, Launchbury, Evans, Hines
Blindside - O'Brien, Brown
Openside - Robshaw, Tipuric, Warbuton
Eight - Faletau, Beattie

Scrum Half - Youngs, Philips, Care
Fly Half - Sexton, Farrell, Biggar
Centres - O'Driscoll, Tuilagi, Roberts, Davies
Wings - North, Maitland, Cuthbert, Visser
Full Back - Hogg, Halfpenny, Kearney

Best I can do at the moment, given who has a realistic shot at obtaining fitness in time.

Only thing to question here is Court at L/H? Are you talking about Tom Court? Surely you mean Ross?

I did. Have changed. Am stoopid.

(2) full backs, Halfpenny, Hogg
(3) left wings, North, Maitland, Gilroy
(2) outside centre, BOD, JD2
(2) inside centre, Roberts, Twelvetrees
(3) right wing, Bowe, Wade, Cuthbert
(3) fly half, Bigger, Sexton, Farrell
(3) Phillips, Youngs, Care

(2) Number 8, Faletau, SOB
(3) openside, Tipric, Warburton, Armitage
(3) blindeside, POM, Ferris, Lydiate
(2) secondrow, Grey, AWJ
(2) second row, Evans, Parling
(3) TH, Jones, Cole, Murray
(3) hookers, Youngs, Hibbard, Best
(3) LH, Jenkins, Healy, Corbs

Welsh (16) Irish (9) English (10) Scotish (4)

Well, I think going by 6 Nations results, its only fair for the majority of the squad to be Welsh and English players, despite the huge loss by England yesterday. I will not include anyone who has not been part of the 6 Nations.

My 37 man squad:

(3) Tight Head Prop: Adam Jones, Dan Cole, Mike Ross
(3) Hooker: Richard Hibbard, Rory Best, Tom Youngs
(3) Loose Head Prop: Gethin Jenkins, Euan Murray, Cian Healy

(2) No. 4: Richie Gray, Alun Wyn Jones
(2) No. 5 Lock: Geoff Parling, Ian Evans
(1) Spare Lock: Joe Launchbury

(2) Blindside Flanker: Chris Robshaw, Kelly Brown
(2) Openside Flanker: Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric
(2) Number Eight: Johnnie Beattie, Jamie Heaslip

(3) Fly Half: Dan Biggar, Jonathan Sexton, Owen Farrell
(4) Scrum Half: Mike Phillips, Connor Murray, Ben Youngs, Greig Laidlaw

(2) Inside Centre: Jamie Roberts, Brad Barrit
(2) Outside Centre: BOD, Manu Tuilagi

(2) Left Wing: Tim Visser, George North
(2) Right Wing: Alex Cuthbert, Leigh Halfpenny
(2) Fullback: Stuart Hogg, Rob Kearney

13 Welsh
9 English
8 Irish
7 Scottish

in terms or representation, I think that is pretty darn fair. Despite Ireland coming 5th, they deserve to have 8 players in the squad and Scotland certainly deserve some good representation this year.

welshboii15 wrote:(2) full backs, Halfpenny, Hogg
(3) left wings, North, Maitland, Gilroy
(2) outside centre, BOD, JD2
(2) inside centre, Roberts, Twelvetrees
(3) right wing, Bowe, Wade, Cuthbert
(3) fly half, Bigger, Sexton, Farrell
(3) Phillips, Youngs, Care

(2) Number 8, Faletau, SOB
(3) openside, Tipric, Warburton, Armitage
(3) blindeside, POM, Ferris, Lydiate
(2) secondrow, Grey, AWJ
(2) second row, Evans, Parling
(3) TH, Jones, Cole, Murray
(3) hookers, Youngs, Hibbard, Best
(3) LH, Jenkins, Healy, Corbs

Welsh (16) Irish (9) English (10) Scotish (4)

the team that finish 3rd only get 4 tourists? You really think Care, Ferris and Lydiate have had a better 6 N than Brown, Laidlaw and Beattie?

On yesterday showing, Adam Jones has probably nailed the 1st choice TH spot, i believe Healy will be the loosehead, hooker is up for grabs as Ford and Best have been throwing out pizzas recently.

A 2nd row pairing of POC and AWJ would be legendary. But some says it takes as much time as you are out to get back to full strenght so POC might misses it sadly.

LH - Healy, Jenkins, Vunipola
Hooker - Best, Youngs, Hibbard
TH - Cole, Jones
Lock - Gray, Launchbury, Evans, POC, Hines
Blindside - O'Brien, Brown
Openside - Robshaw, Tipuric, Warburton
Eight - Faletau, Beattie

Scrum Half - Youngs, Murray, Care
Fly Half - Sexton, Farrell, Biggar, Madigan (covers whole backline)
Centres - O'Driscoll, Tuilagi, Davies
Wings - North, Maitland, Bowe, Cuthbert, Zebo
Full Back - Halfpenny, Hogg

12 Welsh
10 Irish - guess I am taking club form into account
9 English
6 Scottish

LH: Healy, Jenkins, Vunipola
Hooker:Best, Youngs, Hibbard
TH: Cole, Jones
Lock: Ryan, Parling, Launchbury, AWJ, Gray
Blindside: Jones, Brown
Openside: Roshaw, Tipuric, Warbs
N0.8: Faletau, SOB
Scrum Half: Youngs, Care, Phillips
Out Half: Biggar, Sexton, Farrell
Centre: BOD, Tuilagi, Marshall, Davies
Wing: North, Cuthbert,Maitland, Bowe, Zebo
Fullback: Hogg, Halfpenny, Brown

14 Welsh
11 English
9 Irish
3 Scottish

Fly half is the biggest problem because outside Sexton, who has been injured most of the season, thedre is little to chose from.

Biggar has grown as the tournament has gone on, but is a little slow and has not got great distribution skills. Hook is flakey and, in my opinion will struggle to get into the Wales squad next season.

Farrell is good defensively and normally a great goal kicker, but he is too slow for test level unless her is getting an absolute armchair ride. Add to that suspect temprement and hit and miss distribution. Flood has looked the better player for England this season and may go.

Scotland do not have a settled 10 so my choice would be:

Sexton and Flood with maybe Madigan and Laidlaw as utility players to act as 3rd 9&10.

Seagultaf wrote:Biggar has grown as the tournament has gone on, but is a little slow and has not got great distribution skills. Hook is flakey and, in my opinion will struggle to get into the Wales squad next season.

I don't think he;s slow but he is someone who needs his pack going forwards in front of him. If he has bad ball or the defense if flying up because the ball from the scrum half has been given to him under pressure then he is prone to mistakes and frustration.

Thankfully Wales were on the front foot in all of their last 4 games but it is going to be hard to know if the Lions will be on the front foot in the games.

Props (6);

Healy, Jenkins, 

Three horse race between Vunipola, Marler and Grant, I think you take Grant because he's the most consistent but Vunipola's work in the loose might swing it.

Jones, Cole

Two way tussle between Ross and Murray, the god follower is the better player.

Hookers (3);

Hibbard, Best

One of the most open positions with Youngs, Ford, Hartley and possibly Rees in contention, I'd take Youngs but it'll be close.

Lock (5);

Evans, Parling, Lauchbury, Jones

The injury to Gray opens up the 5th slot but if fit I'd take him and if not Ryan, Hamilton, Lawes, O'Connell and Hines will be in the frame, on form big Jim would possibly take it but I think they'd take a punt on O'Connell.

Flanker (4/5);

Wood, O'Brien, Robshaw, Tipuric

What a nightmare position, possibly one more spot available and it'll be between Warbuton, Brown and Jones, unfortunately I think they'd go Welsh despite Brown playing consistently well for Scotland.

Number Eight (2/3);

Faletau

The below average performances of Heaslip have opened the door to Beattie and maybe Morgan, I'd definitely take the fit and in form Beattie.

Scrum-half (3);

Philips, Youngs

Another three way race between Murray, Laidlaw and Care, I think Laidlaw's versatility and goal-kicking could give him an edge but wouldn't be surprised if they went for Care's tempo.

Fly-half (3);

Sexton, Farrell

Biggar has probably put himself in pole position but he's done very litte, unfortunately there's not much competition but I'd prefer Hook or possibly Flood.

Centre (4/5);

O'Driscoll, Roberts, Davies, Tuilagi

Maybe one more spot available, Barritt probably deserve it but Scott, Marshall and Twelvetrees are in the hunt.

Winger (4/5);

North, Cuthbert

Two spots available and there's reasonably slim pickings but Visser's strike-rate should secure him a ticket and then it's reasonably open between Gilroy, Maitland, Brown, Ashton and maybe Bowe or Zebo, I think Maitland offers the most currently.

Full-back (2/3);

Halfpenny

Either Kearney and Hogg both go or one will stay at home, Kearney has been average but solid whereas Hogg made a couple poor mistakes against France but has been the best counter-attacking player in the tournament, I'd prefer to take both.



Healy, Jenkins, Grant, Cole, Jones, Murray, Hibbard, Best, Youngs, Evans, Jones, Parling, Launchbury, Gray, Wood, O'Brien, Robshaw, Tipuric, Warburton, Faletau, Beattie - 21

Philips, Youngs, Laidlaw, Sexton, Farrell, Biggar, O'Driscoll, Roberts, Davies, Tuilagi, North, Cuthbert, Visser, Maitland, Halfpenny, Hogg - 16


Welsh - 15
English - 9
Scottish - 8
Irish - 5

bsando wrote:(3) Loose Head Prop: Gethin Jenkins, Euan Murray, Cian Healy

Slight booboo there?

I haven't contributed to a Lions squad thread yet - now the 6N's is over I'll take a stab at my 37 man squad.

FB: 1/2p, Kearney, Brown
Wing: North, Cuthbert, Maitland, Visser
Centre: Roberts, Davies, Tuilagi, Twelvetrees
FH: Sexton, Farrell, Biggar
SH: Phillips, Youngs, Laidlaw

Prop: Jenkins, Healey, Jones, Cole, Ross, James
Hooker: Hibbard, Youngs, Owens
Lock: Evans, AWJ, Lawes, Grey, launchburry
Flanker: Robshaw, Warburton, Tipuric, Wood,
No.8: Faletau, Beattie

English: 11
Welsh: 17
Irish: 4
Scottish: 5

I picked my team on what I believe are the most consistent over the past two seasons I left out POC so that means Grey would be gone for me, the lions are picked mot just on 6 nations which is 5 games but on form over past two or what ever seasons. So there's your answer ruggarradge. My opinion accept it

You could do a lot worse than take Matt Scott at 12. 1 try, 1 wrongly disallowed try, and a fantastic 50 metres break followed by an assist, all in a scotland team that gave him less ball in 5 games than all the others got in each individual game. Probably the highest tackle count of all the 12s aswell.

Doubt if Youngs will go on the evidence of yesterday. Robshaw may captain though.

Imperialbigdave wrote:You could do a lot worse than take Matt Scott at 12.

Yes it's true you could pick Nick De Luca!

LondonTiger wrote:

bsando wrote:(3) Loose Head Prop: Gethin Jenkins, Euan Murray, Cian Healy

Slight booboo there?

Let me check.

Nope - that's spelled correctly.

LHPs Gethin, James, Healy

Hookers Hibbard, Best, Youngs

THPs Adam, Cole, Murray

Locks AWJ, Evans, Launchbury, Ryan

BSs Robshaw, Wood

OSs Tipuric, Warburton

Number 8s Faletau, Beattie

UF Ryan Jones

ScHs Phillips, Laidlaw, Youngs

FHs Sexton, Biggar

IC Roberts, Scott, Marshall

OC JD2, Tuilagi, BOD

Wing Cuthbert, North, Maitland, Gilroy

FBs Hogg, 1/2p, Brown

UB Hook

Gatlands Lions selection and his justifications will be very interesting. Wales have recently played a very depleted Australian team four times and failed to record a win. The welsh pressure game won't work in Australia with SH refs. Walsh now represents Australia on the panel, so the Lions will not get him.,

Not sure I could select one yet, but there would be zero English players in the starting team obviously.

Dead right, Rec. Gatland has the difficult job of trying to meld the best bits from the England and Wales gameplans (particularly the Welsh defensive sequencing and alignment) with the other talented individuals from the home nations.

Telfer has said before that the coach needs to pick a gameplan first and then choose the players who can execute it - you're screwed if you pick the players in isolation from a well developed strategy from the outset. Gatland doesn't have time to start from scratch, however, and he will need to pick his units (tight five, loose forwards, halfbacks, midfield and back three) with his gameplan in mind which would indicate that Wales will feature heavily - however, what he also knows is that the Welsh team by itself will not beat the Wallabies.

It's the strategising that will result in some of the more controversial selections, I have no doubt. If we're playing out of our half the entire game, then it won't be a surprise at all if Wilkinson is one of the three 10s. If it's pill up the jumper, then Hines or Hamilton may feature. If we're going to harrass the arse off Barnes/Cooper and target their mistakes particularly, then we may well see Armitage.

Some things work against some teams and we have to acknowledge it. The reasons that Mike Phillips worked against the Hulk Smash approach of the Springboks is precisely why he shouldn't play against Australia.

Recwatcher wrote:Gatlands Lions selection and his justifications will be very interesting. Wales have recently played a very depleted Australian team four times and failed to record a win. The welsh pressure game won't work in Australia with SH refs. Walsh now represents Australia on the panel, so the Lions will not get him.,

As opposed to whenever England play them Aus are suddenly the best team in the world. Ireland versus England was the worst game in the 6 Nations but you all said it was a gripping, hard-fought, exciting win while the France/Wales game was terrible. Idiocy at it's finest. And yes of course, not forgetting we only smashed you yesterday because Walsh is anti-english. What a sweet victory. Bye bye chariots.

im sorry but the people selecting loose heads a tight heads really are showing rugby ignorance

also i cant believe how some are omitting Alyn Wyn Jones, he will be captain IMO

Yes Shane

was at 16/1 last weekend would love to see up to date odds.

And no I am not jumping on his bandwagon. I just feel he has been a colossus for us in the tight and is probably in the least competitive area of the squad in my opinion.

Charlie Hodgson could do a job for Midweek side,might help sexton and farrell with any issues they have.