It’s one of the hottest debate topics egg-chasing has to offer.
Given we live in something of a green goldfish bowl on these Irish shores, there’s no harm getting input from elsewhere.
And so we have the HarpinOnRugby Lions Selector Panel, made up of one fan from each nation, with even the Irish panellist, this week’s contributor Mark Jackson, based abroad.
Well its certainly been an interesting post 6 nations. Injured heroes returning, early season runners falling. With Mr.Gatland putting the finishing touches to his chosen few, some will need a big sprint finish to make the plane. Picking a starting XV is a personal thing with loads of variations so seeing as this is my last shot before Warren G names his squad I'm going to name the 37 I feel should be wearing the famous red jersey down under. I've gone for a 20-17 Split Forwards to Backs .
My Famous XXXVII
Full Backs - L Halfpenny, R Kearney, S Hogg
Wings - A Cuthbert, G North, T Bowe , S Maitland
Centres- J Roberts, J Davies, B O'Driscoll, M Tuilagi
Fly Halves - J Sexton , O Farrell, I Madigan
Scrum Halves - M Phillips , B Youngs , C Murray
Back Row - T Falatau , J Tipuric , SWarburton , T Wood , S O'Brien, P O'Mahony
2nd Rows - A Wyn Jones, I Evans , N Hines , P O'Connell
Hookers - R Hibbard , R Best , T Youngs
Props - C Healy , G Jenkins , R Grant , A Jones , D Cole , E Murray
Well I reckon there are probably 30 of those pretty nailed on for a seat , the third Fly half role will probably go to James Hook , third Scrum Half will be between Danny Care , Laidlaw and Murray , Richardt Strauss might come into the reckoning for 3rd Hooker spot ( would be my choice if pushed instead of T Youngs ) and Geoff Parling will be unlucky to lose out but still think he is underpowered for a top class lock .
Well it will be an interesting fortnight or so lets hope Gatland doesn't lose the plot too much with his selections .
Mark Jackson (@markusjacksonus) is an Irishman living in London, a lover of this game we call Rugby along with Gaelic Football and NFL (All Hail The New York Giants), having played it for fun and money in many countries around the globe, am now earning a crust coaching, hopefully inspiring and passing along some knowledge gained to the next generation of players.
Fine selection but I would have Simon Zebo in-place of S Maitland just as I think he has the X factor for a little something special and a massive left boot.
ReplyDeleteTo name Warburton is a little "last year". He has had an average season and has done little deserving of a Lions selection. Peter O'Mahony is a very very average player and well below the standard of test rugby never mind this brand of "elite test" rugby. Heaslip's omission and O'Mahony's inclusion show's a clear lack of appreciation for what Heaslip had to do in the 6N. The red tinted agenda of course had their swipes at him during the 6N but failed to appreciate that he was covering the workload O'Mahony could not cover and playing the role of 6 and 8 at the same time much of the time. Against England and with ROG on the pitch he was having to cover ROG's tackles as well as his own. Heaslip and O'Brien had huge tackle counts because O'Mahony was so off the pace of the game and this inbalance in our back row was obvious for all who view rugby from a wider view than "where the ball is".
ReplyDeleteHeaslip was anonymous in attack is underpowered and doesnt make hard yards. His defence is passive compared with other back rowers available. Warburton showed more against england than heaslips done since 09. Peter O Mahony can be hit n miss but his inensity and lineout work edges him over others. Heaslips needs to work harder on his game on and off the pitch and get his head out of hi extra curricular activites
DeleteThe bookies are putting Warburton at odds-on for Lions captaincy, according to RTE.
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