Lions selection with a difference...

Lions tours are full of tradition, one being the youngest touring Lion has to look after the Lions mascot (the cuddly toy Lion) no matter where they are, and if found without it is subject to a tour fine.

Keith Earls had the honour last and passed it to Leigh Halfpenny who joined the party late due to injury before having to withdraw again with injury passing the duty back to Keith Earls.

So, who's your money on for getting this honour this time round...

George North at a guess.

Reckon you have it there... I cant think of anyone younger in with a shout of being in the touring party...

Nope scrap that, Stuart Hogg...

George North 13 April 1992
Stuart Hogg 24 June 1992

So a few months in it..

What about Owen Farrell. Isn't he about 21?

N'ah apparently Farrel is ancient September 21, 1991. Could quite well be a very young Lions contingent this year. Especially when you think Foxy, Tuppance, Tipuric, Warburton, Biggar are all around 23-24, and Manu is only 21.

Rhys Patchell

How old is Launchbury?

Launchbury April 12, 1991 ... but does he really deserve a Lions place.

I don't think so... He had a good AI series, which set him as one to watch in the 6 Nations, but I don't think he lived up to the hype.

Maybe one for the future, but nowhere near good enough to replace Lions second rowers such as: Alyn Wyn; Ian Evans; Parling; POC if fit; Donnacha Ryan; Hamilton; without even considering players who can fit into 2nd and back row like Ryan Jones which gives cover on the bench.

I think Launchbury will off to Argentina with the English side and will be the better for it, as if he does get a Lions spot, it will not be a test one.

sirBiggles wrote:Nope scrap that, Stuart Hogg...

George North 13 April 1992
Stuart Hogg 24 June 1992

So a few months in it..

My haircut's older than that.

wales606 wrote:Rhys Patchell

That would be a big call...

sirBiggles wrote:Launchbury April 12, 1991 ... but does he really deserve a Lions place.

I don't think so... He had a good AI series, which set him as one to watch in the 6 Nations, but I don't think he lived up to the hype.

Maybe one for the future, but nowhere near good enough to replace Lions second rowers such as: Alyn Wyn; Ian Evans; Parling; POC if fit; Donnacha Ryan; Hamilton; without even considering players who can fit into 2nd and back row like Ryan Jones which gives cover on the bench.

I think Launchbury will off to Argentina with the English side and will be the better for it, as if he does get a Lions spot, it will not be a test one.

I don't think Launchbury was ever hyped. He had an exceptional AI series ( with MOM displays) and then continued his very good form into the 6Ns until he unfortunately got injured. I think he did well to recover & make the Wales game but didn't look fully fit to me. I have seen him regularly (admittedly as a biased Wasps supporter!) & he just does not have bad games & is frequently excellent.
His handling,speed and agility are second to none compared to the other locks available.
I think he has been consistently as good as any lock in the 6Ns & would be surprised not to see him go on the Lions Tour.

Wouldn't surprise me to see someone like Wade tour, I wouldn't think a forward stands a chance, and North/Hogg are very young for their stature in their int teams.

But generally doesn't the youngest get fined or penalised? Who's going to enforce a penalty on George... God?

thebluesmancometh wrote:Wouldn't surprise me to see someone like Wade tour, I wouldn't think a forward stands a chance, and North/Hogg are very young for their stature in their int teams.

But generally doesn't the youngest get fined or penalised? Who's going to enforce a penalty on George... God?

Simon Shaw!! in full YMCA biker gear

Knackeredknees wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:Wouldn't surprise me to see someone like Wade tour, I wouldn't think a forward stands a chance, and North/Hogg are very young for their stature in their int teams.

But generally doesn't the youngest get fined or penalised? Who's going to enforce a penalty on George... God?

Simon Shaw!! in full YMCA biker gear

Think Gatland and co would help George too then...

thebluesmancometh wrote:Who's going to enforce a penalty on George... God?

Craig Joubert

Who?