YOUR Lions squad - 38 player

First topic message reminder :

Rules:

1) Attack other peoples squads all you like provided you have the balls to post one your self.
2) Squad should be 38 man, 2 players for each position and 8 subs for a game.

15 Staurt Hogg, Leigh Halfpenny, Rob Kearney
14 Chris Ashton, Tommy Bowe,
13 Brian O'Driscoll, Billy Twelvetrees,
12 Manu Tuilagi, Jamie Roberts,
11 George North, Tim Visser,
10 Owen Farrell, Jonathan Sexton, James Hook,
9 Ben Youngs, Conor Murray, Mike Phillips,
8 Jamie Heaslip, Toby Faletau,
7 Chris Robshaw, Sean O'Brien, Justin Tipuric,
6 Ryan Jones, James Haskell,
5 Paul O'Connell, Geoff Parling,
4 Richie Gray, Donncha O'Callaghan, Joe Launchbury,
3 Adam Jones , Dan Cole, Geoff Cross,
2 Rory Best, Dylan Hartley, Tom Youngs,
1 Gethin Jenkins, Cian Healy, Joe Marler,

Welcome to 606v2, Ulster12.

LH - Healy, Jenkins, Grant
Hooker - Best, Youngs, Ford
TH - Cole, Jones, Murray
Lock - Parling, Gray, Launchbury, Evans, Hines
Blindside - Wood, O'Brien
Openside - Robshaw, Armitage
Eight - Faletau, Beattie, Heaslip

Scrum Half - Youngs, Philips, Laidlaw
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.
Leaving out Zebo and Ryan Jones was incredibly difficult.

Some interesting selections Ulster12.

Someone a few weeks ago made the point that in selecting a Lions team / squad you are looking at how they are going to play immediately and don't have to look to the future (unlike with national teams, where there is a certain amount of development within each World Cup cycle). As such you can make an argument for the inclusion of the likes of Sheridan and Easter based on how they are playing now.

I'm not convinced that they (or Wilkinson) are necessarily the right picks on current form, but there is at least a reasonable argument to be made either way.

Dummy half youre 100% correct, there will be question marks over all those players as they have been criticised heavily in the past. But as you say the lions is a one off and it is about getting the right blend in the touring party.

Sheridan I know will be a controversial one as a lot of England fans were disappointed at how he was viewed as the most destructive loosehead in the NH but then ended up so injury prone! But by all accounts hes playing well in Toulon,has destroyed Aussie scrums in the past, and although it's maybe not the best way to pick a team, he (like Hodgson) will be happy to be there and to have the chance and hopefully create a healthy environment playing midweek.

Everytime I watch harlequins play nick Easter is in the thick of everything, his carrying,offloading and lineout work are all still of international standard and again I think he would be a great midweek leader who could push Morgan all the way! He may not have the pace off the base but he stays on his feet and keeps the ball alive really well,as good as Heaslip or Beattie or Faletau.

15 Leigh Halfpenny, Rob Kearney, Staurt Hogg
14 Alex Cuthbert, Sean Maitland, Tommy Bowe
13 Bradley Barritt, Brian O'Driscoll
12 Manu Tuilagi, Jamie Roberts
11 George North , Tim Visser
10 Jonathan Sexton, Owen Farrell
9 Ben Youngs, Mike Phillips, Greig Laidlaw
8 Toby Faletau, Jamie Heaslip
7 Chris Robshaw, Justin Tipuric
6 Sean o'brien, Ryan Jones, Kelly Brown
5 Nathan Hines, Joe Launchbury
4 Richie Gray, Alun Wyn Jones
3 Adam jones, Dan Cole, Euan Murray
2 Rory Best, Dylan Hartley, Ross Ford
1 Gethin Jenkins, Cian Healy, Ryan Grant

38 Sam Warburton (still have this weird feeling Gatland will find some excuse to take him)

15 Leigh Halfpenny, Rob Kearney, Staurt Hogg
14 Tommy Bowe, Alex Cuthbert
13 Manu Tuilagi, Brian O'Driscoll
12 Brad Barritt, JD2, 36
11 George North, Craig Gilroy (bolter)
10 Jonathan Sexton, Owen Farrell
9 Ben Youngs, Danny Care, Greig Laidlaw
8 Toby Faletau, Jamie Heaslip
7 Chris Robshaw, Justin Tipuric, Sean O'brien
6 Tom Wood, Ryan Jones,
5 Nathan Hines, Geoff Parling
4 Richie Gray, Alun Wyn Jones, Joe Launchbury
3 Dan Cole, Adam Jones, Euan Murray
2 Rory Best, Tom Youngs, Ross Ford
1 Cian Healy, Gethin Jenkins, Ryan Grant

Earlier on this season I had Hogg as a bolter after watching him score a hat trick against Munster last season among other tries. I was begining to think it was a flash in the pan but he has been very good this 6 nations. I'd have him in the squad but start Halfpenny at 15.

I think Luke Marshall could be a bolter now if he gets enough games for Ulster. There are not that many quality 12s around.

As I said before I hope there are not too many Irish players called up. We've about 10 players injured at the moment and a Lions tour will take alot out of a squad.

H: Best, Ford, Youngs
LH: Healy, Grant, Jenkins
TH: Cole, Jones, Murray

SR: Gray, Hines, Launchbury, Ryan

BS: Brown, Ferris, Croft
OS: Robshaw, Warburton
No 8: Falatau, Beattie, Morgan

SH: Youngs, Care, Laidlaw
FH: Farrell, Sexton,

IC: Barritt, Roberts
OC: Tuilagi, O’Driscoll

W: North, Maitland, Cuthbert, Gilroy, Visser
FB: Hogg, Halfpenny, Kearney

Players are listed by position, and in order by which I would rank them for a starting test spot. However, as I have said before, each player, once picked, should be given an equal chance to start in a test. Performance in training and warm-up matches should be given equal weight to Six Nations performance and reputation.

Are we not expecting the squad to be slightly larger than 38? Not speaking from any knowledge, but that number seems quite low.

Anyway, sticking with 38 as per rules of the thread, and in no particular order...

Back 3: Halfpenny, Kearney, Hogg, Ashton, Foden, North
Centre: O'Driscoll, Tuilagi, Twelvetrees, Roberts, Davies
Flyhalf: Sexton, Farrell, Burns
Scrumhalf: Youngs, Care, Laidlaw
Back Row: Wood, O'Brien, Falateu, Beattie, Robshaw, Croft, Warburton
Second Row: Gray, Hamilton, Lawes, Launchbury, Ryan
TH Prop: Cole, A Jones, Cross
Hooker: Best, Hibbard, Ford
LH Prop: Healy, Jenkins, Sheridan

Ferris, Lydiate and Bowe not considered due to injury, but would all be there otherwise (and may still be)

Looseheads - Healy, Corbs

Hookers - Best, Youngs, Ford (we really need a couple of guys to throw their hands up alongside Best)

Tightheads - Cole, Jones, Murray

Locks - Gray, Parling, Ryan, Launchberry, Hines (such a shame POC probably wont make it)

Blindsides - Wood, SOB, Croft (the loss of Ferris for the season is devastating)

Opensides - Robshaw, Tipuric

No 8s - Faletau, Heaslip (hopefully Heaslip can find some form!)

SH - Youngs, Care, Murray

FH - Sexton, Farrell, Flood

Inside Centre - Barritt

Outside Centre - Tuilagi, BOD, JDv2 (Davies covering inside centre)

Wings - Halfpenny, North, Zebo, Bowe (I'd still want Bowe and Zebo there if they return for the HC knockout stages)

FB - Hogg, Brown, Kearney

I think that's a 37 man squad which is around what I'd expect. 20 - 17 forwards backs split which also seems pretty realistic.

I must say the loss of Ferris for the season is devastating with Lydiate already injured. If fit Ferris would've been just about the first name on my team sheet - fortunately Wood is playing really well as are Brown/Jones who just missed the squad and SOB is on fire. From that squad I'd go for the below side at the moment:

1.Healy 2.Best 3.Cole 4.Gray 5.Parling 6.SOB 7.Robshaw 8.Faletau 9.Youngs 10.Sexton 11.North 12.JDv2 13.BOD 14.Halfpenny 15.Hogg
16.Youngs 17.Corbs 18.Jones 19.Hines 20.Wood 21.Care 22.Farrell 23.Tuilagi

The thinking on 28 players is 2 teams of 15 and 8 subs which are used these days.

king_carlos wrote:Looseheads - Healy, Corbs

Hookers - Best, Youngs, Ford (we really need a couple of guys to throw their hands up alongside Best)

Tightheads - Cole, Jones, Murray

Locks - Gray, Parling, Ryan, Launchberry, Hines (such a shame POC probably wont make it)

Blindsides - Wood, SOB, Croft (the loss of Ferris for the season is devastating)

Opensides - Robshaw, Tipuric

No 8s - Faletau, Heaslip (hopefully Heaslip can find some form!)

SH - Youngs, Care, Murray

FH - Sexton, Farrell, Flood

Inside Centre - Barritt

Outside Centre - Tuilagi, BOD, JDv2 (Davies covering inside centre)

Wings - Halfpenny, North, Zebo, Bowe (I'd still want Bowe and Zebo there if they return for the HC knockout stages)

FB - Hogg, Brown, Kearney

I think that's a 37 man squad which is around what I'd expect. 20 - 17 forwards backs split which also seems pretty realistic.

I must say the loss of Ferris for the season is devastating with Lydiate already injured. If fit Ferris would've been just about the first name on my team sheet - fortunately Wood is playing really well as are Brown/Jones who just missed the squad and SOB is on fire. From that squad I'd go for the below side at the moment:

1.Healy 2.Best 3.Cole 4.Gray 5.Parling 6.SOB 7.Robshaw 8.Faletau 9.Youngs 10.Sexton 11.North 12.JDv2 13.BOD 14.Halfpenny 15.Hogg
16.Youngs 17.Corbs 18.Jones 19.Hines 20.Wood 21.Care 22.Farrell 23.Tuilagi

Very good XXIII Carlos - I think we'll need more than 2 looseheads in the squad though so I would stick Ryan Grant in there. I would add Jamie Roberts as another 12 and I don't think that Heaslip's current form justifies his place. I hope to feic he gets back up to speed too.

king-carlos

Please explain why you have put "BOWE" in your team when he is not even playing for his club yet?

Madge,

Why do you criticise people's selections? Have you done one yourself, as I'm sure it would be interesting to read who you would select over players you say shouldn't be picked.

15.Halfpenny,Kearney,Byrne
14.Tommy Bowe,Alex Cuthbert
13.Manu Tuilagi, Billy Twelvetrees
12.Brad Barritt,Jamie Roberts
11.George North,Mike Brown
10.Jonny Sexton,Owen Farrell,Dan Biggar
9.Ben Youngs,Connor Murray,Greg Laidlaw
8.Faletau,Morgan
7.Sam Warburton,Chris Robshaw,Tipuric
6.James Haskell, Alistair Stroksoch
5.Paul O'Connell, Ryan Jones
4.Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbuy,Richie Gray
3.Dan Cole,Adam Jones,Geoff Cross
2.Tom Youngs,Dylan Hartely,Rory Best
1.Cian Healy,Alex Coerberserio,Andrew Sheridan

Some really odd picks:

Laidlaw, good kicker and tactician but far too lightweight for international rugby.
Hook, has any one actually seen how poor he has been when he has played for Wales this season?
Farrel, great goal kicker, poor outside half. With Halfpenny and Sexton in the squad he is behind, Flood and Biggar.
Barritt, good defensively and thats about all I can say.
Sheriden, not good enough for Enland squad!
Wilkinson, has not been good enough for the last 5 years, lives on his repuation.

15 Goode Halfpenny A. N. OTHER

14 Ashton ?? ??

13 MANU T Twelvetrees.( would of prefared BOD but dont think BOD will travel)

12 Barrit JD2

11 ?? ??

10 FARRAL SEXTON WILKINSON

9 Youngs, Care, Murry

8 Morgan Faletue

7 S Armatage Robshaw Tipuric

6 Wood, ??

5 Simon Shaw ??

4 J Launchberry Grey (Possibly Lawes if he reagains his form) but at this moment NO

3 Dan Cole Adam Jones

2 T youngs Ford

1 Sheridan Healey.

Seagultaf - Laidlaw is not that lightweight and good SH often are small guys? He is pretty much the same size as Genia for example and bigger than Peter Stringer.

Whilts he is perhpas not the best SH in the world he is a very good player and to my mind has exactly the attributes needs for the lions. I think he would do well as first choice and even captain because of this. Very much a team man with no huge ego to manage, good tactician, adaptable and above all else calm and level headed.

Next weekend will give us a good clue. I look forward to the comparison with Philips

TJ wrote:Seagultaf - Laidlaw is not that lightweight and good SH often are small guys? He is pretty much the same size as Genia for example and bigger than Peter Stringer.

Whilts he is perhpas not the best SH in the world he is a very good player and to my mind has exactly the attributes needs for the lions. I think he would do well as first choice and even captain because of this. Very much a team man with no huge ego to manage, good tactician, adaptable and above all else calm and level headed.

Next weekend will give us a good clue. I look forward to the comparison with Philips

When I say lightweight I am not only refering to size, there have been lots of small but extreemly powerful scrum halfs. No doubt about Laidlaw's skills but he gets brushed aside in the tackle too often for me.

Been improving on this and less exposed at SH. Clearly been working hard at his tackling and no werse than other small SHs

15
Halfpenny, Kearney, Hogg
14
Liam Williams, Maitland
13
Davies, Barritt
12
Roberts, Tuilagi
11
North, Zebo
10
Sexton, Farell, Biggar
9
Phillips, Youngs, Care
8
Beattie, Faletau, Ryan Jones
7
Robshaw, Tipuric
6
Wood, Brown, O'Brien
5
Launchbery, Evans
4
Gray, Ryan
3
Jones, Cole, Ross
2
Youngs, Hibbard, Best
1
Grant, Healy, Jenkins

15. Halfpenny, Hogg, Kearney
14. Bowe, Cuthbert
13. Tuilagi, BOD
12. Davies, Barritt, Roberts
11. North, Visser
10. Sexton, Farrell, Biggar
9. Phillips, Youngs, Laidlaw
8. Faletau, Heaslip
7. Tipuric, SOB
6. Robshaw, R.Jones, K.Brown
5. Parling, Lauchberry
4. Gray, AWJ
3. Jones, Cole, Murray/Cross
2. Best, Youngs, Hibbard
1. Jenkins, Healy

majesticimperialman wrote:15 Goode Halfpenny A. N. OTHER

14 Ashton ?? ??

13 MANU T Twelvetrees.( would of prefared BOD but dont think BOD will travel)

12 Barrit JD2

11 ?? ??

10 FARRAL SEXTON WILKINSON

9 Youngs, Care, Murry

8 Morgan Faletue

7 S Armatage Robshaw Tipuric

6 Wood, ??

5 Simon Shaw ??

4 J Launchberry Grey (Possibly Lawes if he reagains his form) but at this moment NO

3 Dan Cole Adam Jones

2 T youngs Ford

1 Sheridan Healey.

Morgannwg, laughable as it is, Majestic's squad has a whole 28 players more than yours.

Morgannwg wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:15 Goode Halfpenny A. N. OTHER

14 Ashton ?? ??

13 MANU T Twelvetrees.( would of prefared BOD but dont think BOD will travel)

12 Barrit JD2

11 ?? ??

10 FARRAL SEXTON WILKINSON

9 Youngs, Care, Murry

8 Morgan Faletue

7 S Armatage Robshaw Tipuric

6 Wood, ??

5 Simon Shaw ??

4 J Launchberry Grey (Possibly Lawes if he reagains his form) but at this moment NO

3 Dan Cole Adam Jones

2 T youngs Ford

1 Sheridan Healey.

So you think my team selection is verty funny eh MORGANNWG.

So where is your team then Morgannwg?

Ohhhhh i forgot, your team would be the entire Welsh team right Morgannwg.

I would just like to "REMIND YOU" Warren Gatland is in charge of the Lions. Not only that, he would like to win the series, not just turn up and give Australia a few games. Like what happens every time Wales play Australia.

Well according to your regurgitation, Gatland is going to be biased and pick the whole Wales team for the Lions. So which is it madge? Because you're contradicting yourself here.

I've picked my squad on previous threads.

Morgannwg wrote:Well according to your regurgitation, Gatland is going to be biased and pick the whole Wales team for the Lions. So which is it madge? Because you're contradicting yourself here.

I've picked my squad on previous threads.

Your the one who keeps saying England players are not good enough to wipe welsh players boots.

Guys - stop feeding trolls.
Morgannwg is intending to wind folk up and get arguments going. He is best ignored when he does this and maybe he will stop if no one rises to him.

majesticimperialman wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:Well according to your regurgitation, Gatland is going to be biased and pick the whole Wales team for the Lions. So which is it madge? Because you're contradicting yourself here.

I've picked my squad on previous threads.

Your the one who keeps saying England players are not good enough to wipe welsh players boots.

No I don't. Resorting to lies oh dear how low!

majesticimperialman wrote:king-carlos

Please explain why you have put "BOWE" in your team when he is not even playing for his club yet?

maj - Picking on technicalities he's in the squad not my side. On justifying the selection I simply feel he's a guy who if fit is too good to miss out therefore I'll keep putting him in my squads right up until the moment we can be sure he wont be available. Same as I did with Ferris and POC until I was as good as certain they wouldn't have time to prove themselves, also the same way I kept BOD in the squads a couple of months back when many felt he wouldn't make it.

My justification for all of them was (and for Bowe still is) that he would simply add too much to the squad if available to discount him this far out. All the other wing option are either flawed - Ashton, Visser, North, Cuthbert are all great weapons on form but are inconsistent and don't have great all round games, Gilroy/Zebo are inexperienced internationally etc.

When you consider Bowe's all round game, versatility and experience he is the best wing option, and one of the best backs options, we have for a Lions tour and as such I desperately hope he makes it! For those who call me a romantic (or less kind things!) for picking injured players my next choice on the wing would be JSD so not much argument against it really....

15
Halfpenny, Kearney, Hogg
14
Visser, Maitland
13
Davies, BOD
12
Roberts, Tuilagi
11
North, Zebo
10
Sexton, Farell, Biggar
9
Phillips, Youngs, Care
8
Heaslip, Faletau, Ryan Jones
7
Robshaw, Tipuric
6
Wood, Brown, O'Brien
5
Launchbery, Evans
4
Gray, Ryan
3
Jones, Cole, Ross
2
Youngs, Hibbard, Best
1
Grant, Healy, Marler

15 - Halfpenny, Kearney, Hogg
14 - Maitland, Bowe (if fit, Cuthbert/Ashton if not)
13 - Tuilagi, JD2
12 - Scott, Roberts
11 - North, Brown (Brown is quality, would want him in the squad somewhere)
10 - Farrell, Sexton, ? (Flood?)
9 - Youngs, Laidlaw, Philips (I'm not a huge fan of Philips but he does offer somthing different, Laidlaw is a good little general, Youngs is quality)
8 - Faletau, Beattie (Morgan/Heaslip of course could push if they find form/fitness)
7 - Robshaw (capt.), Tipuric
6 - Wood, Brown, SOB
5 - Gray, Parling, R. Jones (again, as with Brown I want to find a way for Jones to make the squad so pick him at lock)
4 - Launchbury, Ryan
3 - Cole, A. Jones, Murray
2 - Best, Ford, Youngs
1 - Healy, Jenkins, Corbs (if fit and finds form, Grant if not)

11 English
10 Welsh
9 Scottish
7 Irish
1 undecided

15 Halfpenny, Kearney, Hogg
14 Visser, Maitland
13 Tuilagi , Small forest
12 Barrett, scott
11 North, Zebo
10 Sexton, Farell, Biggar
9 Youngs, Care, Laidaw
8 Heaslip, Faletau, Beattie
7 Robshaw, Tipuric
6 Wood, Brown, O'Brien
5 Launchbery, Hamilton (possibly Hines)
4 Gray, Parling
3 Jones, Cole, Ross
2 Ford, Youngs, Best
1 Grant, Healy, Marler

Scottish squad plus a few English, maybe BOD. No effing taffs. Job done.

Let's take an over 30's squad and have them with experience:

1.Sheridan
2.Best
3.Jones
4.Hines
5.Parling
6.Johnson
7.Scaysbrook
8.Easter

9.Peel
10.Jones/Wilko

11.Byrne
12.Darcy
13.BOD
14.JSD
15.Murphy

king_carlos wrote:Let's take an over 30's squad and have them with experience:

1.Sheridan
2.Best
3.Jones
4.Hines
5.Parling
6.Johnson
7.Scaysbrook
8.Easter

9.Peel
10.Jones/Wilko

11.Byrne
12.Darcy
13.BOD
14.JSD
15.Murphy

No room for little Shane?

wales606 wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Let's take an over 30's squad and have them with experience:

1.Sheridan
2.Best
3.Jones
4.Hines
5.Parling
6.Johnson
7.Scaysbrook
8.Easter

9.Peel
10.Jones/Wilko

11.Byrne
12.Darcy
13.BOD
14.JSD
15.Murphy

No room for little Shane?

He probably would warrant a place on the left with Byrne replacing Murphy at 15 - as much as I hate to say that as a Tigers fan but his powers are finally fading

If we picked Shane it would probably mean a fourth test at the Millenium stadium for him to say goodbye though...

king_carlos wrote:Let's take an over 30's squad and have them with experience:

5.Parling

Not 30 till October. Jim Hamilton is 30 though, while POC, DOC and Leo Cullen all qualify quite easily. Or if you want really experienced Simon Shaw is still playing.

I think Gatland should take Shaw and Wilko just to give the English press something easy that they can write endlessly about. That way they won't have time for muckraking.

Not that cry baby Shawsy!!

Visser unlikely but Geoff Cross - on the basis of one decent game ?

LondonTiger wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Let's take an over 30's squad and have them with experience:

5.Parling

Not 30 till October. Jim Hamilton is 30 though, while POC, DOC and Leo Cullen all qualify quite easily. Or if you want really experienced Simon Shaw is still playing.

Yeah I'd like to give Shawsy a run out actually. I've just been watching the Lions 09 DVD and he was absolutely brilliant on that tour in fairness to him! POC I didn't choose due to injury - great news on another thread that he's returning for the Muster 2nds so may make the HC QF's though.