Lions Test XV Prediction game.

Its a long way out. We have a season, minus two games, ahead of us that will display the form of players in contention.

Let's see if you can name a Lions Starting XV for the first test now and see how close you to what the actual starting XV will be in the first test on Saturday 22 June 2013 at the Suncorp.


Let's say

3 points for guessing the correct First XV starter
2 points for a match day 22 player
1 point for a definite first XV player who suffers injury on tour.

I would say that adding a replacements bench is in necessary. It would also give you a better chance of guessing the XV with a list of 22.

So PLEASE ONLY NAME YOUR XV, not your 22.

I'm sure many of you will want to criticise and analyse each others teams, but please refrain from doing so until you have posted your own selection.

Kingsley Jones criticised Matt Dawson's team on Scrum V. He didn't agree with the 2/3 England players in the starting team....

Morgannwg wrote:Kingsley Jones criticised Matt Dawson's team on Scrum V. He didn't agree with the 2/3 England players in the starting team....

I agree with Kingsley on the point of Parling, I think there are better than him around that will be closer to selection in the 2nd row

1. G. Jenkins
2. R. Ford
3. A. Jones
4. R. Gray
5. P. O'Connell
6. S. Ferris
7. S. Warburton
8. B. Morgan
9. M. Phillips
10. T. Flood
11. T. Visser
12. J. Roberts
13. J. Davies
14. G. North
15. B. Foden

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:Kingsley Jones criticised Matt Dawson's team on Scrum V. He didn't agree with the 2/3 England players in the starting team....

I agree with Kingsley on the point of Parling, I think there are better than him around that will be closer to selection in the 2nd row

I woud have posted their teams on the thread for a laugh to buy I can't find them online.

What are yours?

1 Healy
2 Best
3 Cole
4 Gray
5 O'Connell
6 Rennie
7 Robshaw
8 Denton
9 Phillips
10 Sexton
11 North
12 Roberts
13 Davies
14 Bowe
15 Kearney

Bench:
Jones
Ford
Ross
Ferris
Blair
Flood
Tuilagi

Two tightheads on the bench biltong

LondonTiger wrote:Two tightheads on the bench biltong

No need for bench players.

What's your team LT...???

Here you go Maes,

Healy
Ford
Jones
Gray
POC
Lydiate
Heaslip
Warburton

Phillips
Sexton

Bowe
Tuliagi
Davies
North

Kearney

Sorry was not being critical - just trying to help. The team I think will be selected (but not my team) is:

Jenkins
Ford
Jones
O'Connell
Gray
Lydiate (Ferris injured otherwise would be selected)
Rennie (Warburton injured and misses tour, otherwise would be selected and captain)
Ryan jones
Phillips
Sexton
Bowe
Roberts
JD2
North
Kearney


My own team would look very different - but that was not the question

LT,

For me I would always pick Lydiate but wouldn't be upset if Ferris got nod,agree about Warburton and his injuries so hopefully he is managed well by the Blues and Wales.

I think Ryan Jones is a big call at No8, am pretty sure he will tour and have a great tour but I think there better starters than him out there.

But then again as Maes said its a long way out and injury form etc all change.

Faletau had second season syndrome, Heaslip was a long way from his best, Denton is new and England's No8 is yet to be decided.

Gut feel that Ryan Jones could sneak in.

1. Jenkins
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Gray
5. POC
6. Ferris
7. Rennie
8. Morgan
9. Youngs
10. Flood
11. Visser
12. Tuilagi
13. Davies
14. North
15. Foden

LT,

Like said I feel he will def tour, then who knows I guess

LondonTiger wrote:Sorry was not being critical - just trying to help.

My own team would look very different - but that was not the question

Hey LT

No worries mate. You and Bil actually made me think it's prob best to just make this a XV thing as it would be simpler, so cheers.

Interesting that you wish to back your perception of what the team will likely be rather than backing who you personally think will make the grade..

Halfpenny
North
Davies
Tuilagi
Bowe (Shane is coxed out of retirement )
Sexton
Murray

James
Best
A Jones
Gray
AW Jones
Ferris
Warburton (c)
Morgan

Bench

Ford
Jenkins
Cole
Lawes
Lydiate
Phillips
Hook
Foden

This is not the squad that I would pick myself, but the squad that I could see being selected.

LondonTiger wrote:Two tightheads on the bench biltong

Yeah, sorry, I am getting old, can't always remember who plays where.

maestegmafia wrote:Interesting that you wish to back your perception of what the team will likely be rather than backing who you personally think will make the grade..

Isn't that the same thing though? Who the coaches will pick rather than who we think they should.

Otherwise it's a case of who do you think should be Lions XV?

Biltong wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Two tightheads on the bench biltong

Yeah, sorry, I am getting old, can't always remember who plays where.

And for a former prop too...! Us former backs look up to the inciteful front row objective opinions on the dark arts committed by you lot down there in the mud and muck, (probably dust and gravel in your case).

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Halfpenny
North
Davies
Tuilagi
Bowe (Shane is coxed out of retirement )
Sexton
Murray

James
Best
A Jones
Gray
AW Jones
Ferris
Warburton (c)
Morgan

Bench

Ford
Jenkins
Cole
Lawes
Lydiate
Phillips
Hook
Foden

This is not the squad that I would pick myself, but the squad that I could see being selected.

For a minute there, I thought you had Ben Morgan playing full back....

maestegmafia wrote:

Biltong wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Two tightheads on the bench biltong

Yeah, sorry, I am getting old, can't always remember who plays where.

And for a former prop too...! Us former backs look up to the inciteful front row objective opinions on the dark arts committed by you lot down there in the mud and muck, (probably dust and gravel in your case).

Well former props aren't known for their wit, are they?

TropicalHotdog wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Interesting that you wish to back your perception of what the team will likely be rather than backing who you personally think will make the grade..

Isn't that the same thing though? Who the coaches will pick rather than who we think they should.

Otherwise it's a case of who do you think should be Lions XV?

Maybe, it was a point raised by London tiger and not me so ask him as I did.

Anyhow...!

Welcome to 606V2 I see you are new. Very friendly site. It appears you will have a lot in common with posters on here as you appear to be the third member of 606V2 to be a fan of Captain Beefheart and his magic band. Though I must admit the most recent one seemed to have stopped posting the day before you joined...?

I think we should start an admiration thread on the late and great abstract rock n roller somewhere else don't you?

I've started a thread, we can compare favourite tunes.

https://www.606v2.com/t34714-captain-beefheart-admiration-thread#1533962

Biltong wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Biltong wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Two tightheads on the bench biltong

Yeah, sorry, I am getting old, can't always remember who plays where.

And for a former prop too...! Us former backs look up to the inciteful front row objective opinions on the dark arts committed by you lot down there in the mud and muck, (probably dust and gravel in your case).

Well former props aren't known for their wit, are they?

Ha ha ha...!

Adam Jones is pretty amusing in interview...! And I have been witness to a few Jason Leonard and Jeff Probyn after dinner speeches. Always very entertaining.

I was under the impression that the question was who do you think will play in the first Test - that meant trying to think like Warren Gatland, which was tricky.

LondonTiger wrote:I was under the impression that the question was who do you think will play in the first Test - that meant trying to think like Warren Gatland, which was tricky.

Well as it is a game I guess it is a matter of which tactics you would choose to use would likely work out best.

Good luck all, may the best man/Lady win..!

I was about to post this weeks ESPN scrum.com Lions team of the week but it's a bit inaccurate.

Have a look yourselves

http://www.espnscrum.com/lions-tour-2013/rugby/story/169626.html

I stopped paying attention to the especially sfter reading -:

"3. Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys)

Ospreys' tight-head Adam Jones is thought by many to be a banker for next summer's Lions tour as long as he regains his fitness but it is his team-mate Jarvis who has been a stand out performer for the Welsh region in their opening PRO12 clashes."

Yes he has stood out, but only because the Ospreys scrum has been getting stuffed.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:I stopped paying attention to the especially sfter reading -:

"3. Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys)

Ospreys' tight-head Adam Jones is thought by many to be a banker for next summer's Lions tour as long as he regains his fitness but it is his team-mate Jarvis who has been a stand out performer for the Welsh region in their opening PRO12 clashes."

Yes he has stood out, but only because the Ospreys scrum has been getting stuffed.

Agree with that. I made the same decision.

1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Adam Jones
4. Richie Gray
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Sam Waburton
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Mike Phillips
10. Jonathon Sexton
11. Tim Visser
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Jonathan Davies
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Good choices their 606 mate.


There is definitely a wide range of opinions being covered. All likely. Best was a good call though at hooker. Gives another leader figure.

maestegmafia wrote:Good choices their 606 mate.


There is definitely a wide range of opinions being covered. All likely. Best was a good call though at hooker. Gives another leader figure.

Not sure about 8 and 11. I can't really see a fit North being left out, but equally, Cuthbert has been playing better than him internationally. Meanwhile I think JD2 is nailed on for 13 even against Tuilagi and BOD, and Roberts gets in by default at 12 (who else? Darcy!) and Halfpenny's goal kicking and brilliant defense should land him the FB jersey (Gatland is also a huge fan of Halfpenny's attitude and work ethic).

I can't see an entirely Welsh 11 - 15 though, so we could see MacVisser, or possible see JD2/Tuilagi/BOD at 12 with one at 13.

A good 6Ns for England may force a few of there players into the team, but at the moment, I can't see many with a hope of more than a bench spot. Even though there were 2nd in the 6Ns they seem to lack real standout players - perhaps Tuilagi, Ashton and Robshaw when on form are the exceptions. I would start Flood at 10, but I think he might struggle this season to get enough gametime internationally even to keep his shirt at Tigers, even though he is probably the best 10 to get the most out of the Lions backline.

Morgannwg wrote:Kingsley Jones criticised Matt Dawson's team on Scrum V. He didn't agree with the 2/3 England players in the starting team....

Found the Dawson Prediction for you

15. Kearney
14. Cuthbert
13. BOD
12. Tuiliagi or Jamie Roberts
11. North
10. Sexton
9. Care

8. Heaslip.
7. Warburton
6. Lydiate
5. Parling.
4. Gray.
3. Jones
2. Best.
1 Jenkins

Cheers mate.

We can let Dawson play too I think. Test his knowledge vs 606 punditry...!

What was Phill KJ's team...???

maestegmafia wrote:What was Phill KJ's team...???

Only Dawson did one.

KJ was excellent again on ScrumV, I wish he was on it more often.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:I stopped paying attention to the especially sfter reading -:

"3. Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys)

Ospreys' tight-head Adam Jones is thought by many to be a banker for next summer's Lions tour as long as he regains his fitness but it is his team-mate Jarvis who has been a stand out performer for the Welsh region in their opening PRO12 clashes."

Yes he has stood out, but only because the Ospreys scrum has been getting stuffed.

yes I agree - apart from that it pretty much picked the best players over the weekend.

wales606 wrote:

A good 6Ns for England may force a few of there players into the team, but at the moment, I can't see many with a hope of more than a bench spot. Even though there were 2nd in the 6Ns they seem to lack real standout players - perhaps Tuilagi, Ashton and Robshaw when on form are the exceptions. I would start Flood at 10, but I think he might struggle this season to get enough gametime internationally even to keep his shirt at Tigers, even though he is probably the best 10 to get the most out of the Lions backline.

I think Dan Cole is probably Englands best stand out player, an most likely contender for the Lions XV from England. Ashton stands out against a broken defence, so I would not be surprised if he only makes the midweek games. Tuilagi and Robshaw both great players who deserve a lions cap, but there are lots of good players.

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:I stopped paying attention to the especially sfter reading -:

"3. Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys)

Ospreys' tight-head Adam Jones is thought by many to be a banker for next summer's Lions tour as long as he regains his fitness but it is his team-mate Jarvis who has been a stand out performer for the Welsh region in their opening PRO12 clashes."

Yes he has stood out, but only because the Ospreys scrum has been getting stuffed.

yes I agree - apart from that it pretty much picked the best players over the weekend.

15 Brown (Quins)
14 Eastmond (Bath)
13 Tuilagi (Leicester)
12 Banahan (Bath)
11 Ashton (Saracens
10 Burns (Glaws)
9 K Dickson (Quins)

1 Court (Ulster)
2 Hartley (Saints)
3 Jarvis (Ospreys)
4 Kitchener (Leicester)
5 Robson (Quins)
6 Ferris (Ulster)
7 Robson (Quins)
8 Morgan (Glaws)

Not really sure that is being exactly unbiased. ESPN show which league again? I make tht 12 Aviva Players, and 3 Rabo players (12 English, 1 Welsh, 2 Irish), and Ferris was only a sub so gawd knows how bad every other openside in the Rabo and Aviva must have been.

Gatland knows (and likes) Gethin/AJones henc why I reckon he will pick them. They are certainly good enough to play.

Jenkins has had injury issues recently, and the attritional nature of the T14 could cause problems.
Cole meanwhile is not far behind Jones in the scrummaging. His game though is progressing all the time.

Playing in Australia I could see them going for the younger men instead - and Healy (or even Marler) and Cole getting the nod during the series.

15.Kearney
14.North
13.Davies
12.Roberts
11.Ashton
10.Sexton
9. Care
8.Heaslip
7.Warburton
6.SOB
5.O Connell
4.Gray
3.A.Jones
2.Best
1.Healy

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:I stopped paying attention to the especially sfter reading -:

"3. Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys)

Ospreys' tight-head Adam Jones is thought by many to be a banker for next summer's Lions tour as long as he regains his fitness but it is his team-mate Jarvis who has been a stand out performer for the Welsh region in their opening PRO12 clashes."

Yes he has stood out, but only because the Ospreys scrum has been getting stuffed.

yes I agree - apart from that it pretty much picked the best players over the weekend.

True I thought Dowson had a quality game

15 Brown (Quins)
14 Eastmond (Bath)
13 Tuilagi (Leicester)
12 Banahan (Bath)
11 Ashton (Saracens
10 Burns (Glaws)
9 K Dickson (Quins)

1 Court (Ulster)
2 Hartley (Saints)
3 Jarvis (Ospreys)
4 Kitchener (Leicester)
5 Robson (Quins)
6 Ferris (Ulster)
7 Robson (Quins)
8 Morgan (Glaws)

Not really sure that is being exactly unbiased. ESPN show which league again? I make tht 12 Aviva Players, and 3 Rabo players (12 English, 1 Welsh, 2 Irish), and Ferris was only a sub so gawd knows how bad every other openside in the Rabo and Aviva must have been.

Yes it was slightly tongue in cheek because I haven't seen every game but I did see Ulsters game & I would have had Dowson at 6.

I thought Dowson had a very good game for the Saints he would be my pick.

Their seems to a couple picking Gethin Jenkins. When he might not even make the team.

Same goes for Paul Oconnel,

Regard the wingers in think one will be North, and the other Ashton.

I dont think Phillips will go to be honests scrum half will be between Youngs, Care, anybe Redden.

Fly half will be intersting in my opinion. Between Flood, Sexton and An Other.
I dont think it will be Priestland. not at the moment any way.

maj can't you blydi read? It says select your own team before you start scrutinising everybody else's inclusions!



You really are in a world of your own eh.

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Rory Best
3. Adam Jones
4. Richie Gray
5. Courtney Laws
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Ross Rennie
8. David Denton
9. Mike Phillips
10. Jonathan Sexton
11. Tim Visser
12. jamie Roberts
13. manu Tuilagi
14. George North
15. Leigh Halfpenny

LondonTiger wrote:Faletau had second season syndrome, Heaslip was a long way from his best, Denton is new and England's No8 is yet to be decided.

Gut feel that Ryan Jones could sneak in.

Its a good call. Hopefully he returns from current injury with the form he had last year, best form of his life.

My prediction:
1. Healy
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Gray
5. O'Connell
6. Lydiate
7. Warburton
8. Morgan
9. Care
10. Sexton
11. Visser
12. Roberts
13. Tuilagi
14. North
15. Kearney

maestegmafia wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Faletau had second season syndrome, Heaslip was a long way from his best, Denton is new and England's No8 is yet to be decided.

Gut feel that Ryan Jones could sneak in.

Its a good call. Hopefully he returns from current injury with the form he had last year, best form of his life.

I would happily bet with anyone than R.Jones won't make it into the squad. Too many good backrowers ahead of him in my opinion.

'Shocked - I think Ryan is too much one of Gats go to guys to be left out. I would hazard a guess that Ryan Jones and James Hook will be shoe-horned into the squad as versitility players, whether they deserve to or not.

Scarletspiderman I hope you are wrong but maybe you won't be.

Hopefully Gatland will see that a few backrowers can play more than one backrow position like SOB and KB.

I would rather have specialists.

So difficult to decide, so put in some second choices too.

1. Cian Healy(Gethin Jenkins)
2. Rory Best (Dylan Hartley)
3. Dan Cole(Adam Jones)
4. Richie Gray
5. Tom Palmer (Paul O'Connell)
6. Dan Lydiate (James Haskell)
7. Chris Robshaw (Sam Warbuton)
8. David Denton (Ben Morgan)
9. Mike Phillips (Danny Care)
10. Jonny Sexton (Toby Flood)
11. Tommy Bowe ( Chris Ashton)
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Manu Tuilagi (Jonathan Davies)
14. George North
15. Halfpenny (Kearney)