My Lions Team (3rd Test)

 Its a shame that everything has become so divisive but I guess that's human nature in here as we look to protect our own "families". Anyways having read all the posts over the last few days and reflected on them I have come up with what I think should have been the team for Saturday. This is a serious post so I hope it doesn't degenrate too much. Gatland has his reasons for his team selection and I have to respect that to some extent. However the following would have been the team to secure set piece ball in the scrum and line out and there is enough around the park to take it to the aussies. This team is not trying to please all nations it's genuinely what i think would be the team to give us the best chance of a win.

Youngs in included as I have put Evans in the boiler room as he is a huge presence, I appreciate he hasn't been on fire this tour but this is his type of game, I would also be happy with Grey there so no issues apart from familiarity and abrasiveness. Same goes for the 9 slot as there's little in it. We need lineout ball and Croft showed that he can secure that for us. Reuniting the centre partnership would have given some positive momentum and of course BOD would be Capt.

I would like to have peoples thoughts on this team and in particular; would it make anyone feel any better. I appreciate your responses as the board is really suffering at the moment - Cheers - Ruby


1 - Corbs
2 - Youngs
3 - Adam
4 - AWJ
5 - Evans
6 - Croft
7 - SOB
8 - Faletau
9 - Phillips
10 - Sexton
11 - North
12 - Roberts
13 - BOD
14 - Cuthbert
15 - Halfpenny

I like the team but for me I'd make two changes. Not a Phillips fan so would have Youngs in there. I'd also have Tuilagi in for Roberts as I think he just has that bit more potential to do something special and am more confident of his fitness.

As for would this make me happier, I'd say yes a bit. My general feelings of apathy towards this tour started before the first test though and won't derail your thread by going into why. Will still be glued to the screen Saturday morning though!

 Cheers Toadfish - I have no prob with Youngs at 9 as stated earlier - Mannu has also been injured and I would rather go with a tried and tested pairing first in midfield. Manu as a good wrecking tactic on 50 or so but both reasonable suggestions there mate

I agree with toadfish.

I think that the full dissection of this Lions tour will wait for another day, but some changes in basic choices early on would have made a big difference. The original touring party is probably within 2 or 3 changes of what anybody would find acceptable. Even the scots would have been happy if space had been found for KB, Grant (and possibly Laidlaw who would have been very useful for the extra games). But the choice of Warburton as captain over the force of nature that is POC just set things too much in the Gatlandball camp.

It will be very interesting to see if there is any post tour fallout over the assistant coaches. I am guessing all the final decisions have been made by Gatland. Rowntree probably has enough credit in the bank to survive whatever happens. The defense has been pretty strong and Farrell is a huge presence but it doesnt feel like its been his best few weeks. Its hard to notice Howley there at all...

Gray has made more tackles than Evans.
Gray has made more carries than Evans.
Gray works better at the breakdown and rucks than Evans.
Gray is taller than Evans so is better in the lineout.
Gray is Stronger so is better in the Scrums than Evans.

Furthermore Gray starting would also be in the ethos of the Lions. All countries being represented and all. Wouldn't expect you to understand though.

Evans is a better option than Parling though.

 Yeah, as Ive stated alerady I'd have no problem with Gray's inclusion - Evans was the best 2nd row in the 6 nations and is more abrasive but Grey also carries well and is a good line out operator. The stats are meaningless as they are derived from meaningless opposition

Is Tips good in the lineout? If so I would be inclined to bring him in for Croft and have O Brien at 6.

I just reckon we need a true 7, and Tipuric can practically give us a 3rd centre.

Other than that, I agree with Youngs and Tuilagi in for Phillips and Roberts

For what its worth I would have picked;

Corbisiero Hibbard Jones
Gray AWJ
O'Brien Faletau Tipuric
Murray Sexton
Tuilagi BOD
North Halfpenny Bowe

RubyGuby wrote:The stats are meaningless as they are derived from meaningless opposition

Gray outtackled Lydiate by 2-1 in the sweat box of Hong Kong against the Baa Baa's.

Did Lydiate consider the opposition meaningless when he was outtackled by a lock?

Good team Ruby.

But would you let them go out there and play or would you make them play Gatlandball?

Ruby what about your bench?

and for what it's worth my XV

1. Corbs
2. Hibbard
3. Cole
4. Gray
5. Evans
6. SOB
7. Tipuric
8. Faleteu
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Tuilagi
13. BOD
14. Halfpenny
15 Hogg

1. Corbiesero
2. Youngs
3. Jones
4. AWJ
5. Parling
6. Lydiate
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip
9. Phillips
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Roberts
13. BOD (c)
14. Bowe
15. Halfpenny

Bench: Cole, Hibbard, Vainapolo, Gray, Tipuric, Youngs, Farrell, Zebo

 

VictorU3 wrote:Ruby what about your bench?

Usual suspects on the bench

Cole
Hibbard
Grant
Grey/Evans
Tipuric although swapping him for Croft and moving SOB to 6 is a reasonable suggestion
B Youngs
Mannu
Farrell

Ruby what are you doing in 2017?

That would be too revealing but I can assure you I will be with the Lions - You see me out there often