Lions Watch

[JSRF10]

Gatlands teams have employed the blitz defense for years and it consistently hasn't worked against southern hemisphere teams. It will be interesting to see if they go for a different approach this time around.

 

[Scott Allen]

Agree with exception of Davies and Farrell on bench need a back three replacement.

Yep - agree you need a back 3 replacement but rather than go for a specialist Farrell can play 15 and Davies has played on the wing for Wales.

If you wanted a specialist - Kearney for Davies but then your only centre cover is Farrell whereas having Davies gives a little more flexibility.

 

[Cardiffblue]

They've got a pretty good team. Something like:

15. Kearny
14. Bowe
13. O'Driscol
12. Roberts
11. North
10. Sexton
9. Youngs
8. Heslip
7. Warburton
6. O'Brien
5. O'Connell
4. Jones
3. Jones
2. Hibbard
1. Jenkins


Maybe I'm bias against England, I can't tell. The important point is that they are a solid team all round, mainly in the forwards but once this team is on the front foot they will be hard to stop. Australia relies on individual brilliance a lot more than the Lions will do.

I'd tip us to win, but can't see a walkover happening unless the conditions are picture perfect and we play the reds backline.

Whose the Jones at 4? I know we have a few of them in the Welsh Phonebook but not everyone's called Jones

 

[Braveheart81]

Whose the Jones at 4? I know we have a few of them in the Welsh Phonebook but not everyone's called Jones

Alun Wyn Jones.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Forgive my ignorance, but what's up with Ashton?

1) He's crap
2) He's crap
3) he's crap

 

[Cardiffblue]

can't see AWJ making test team

 

[Braveheart81]

1) He's crap
2) He's crap
3) he's crap

You forgot to mention what a good bloke he is and how he's a favourite amongst the rugby public the world over.

This is the sarcasm smiley right? -->

 

[Cardiffblue]

Howley coached them last time around and he tried a bit different tactics that what they did in the championship run. First they kicked balls out or let it roll out as where they always try to keep it in or set it up then use the kick and chase. Other thing is that they also tried to employ the blitz defense against more skillful players.

We'll see. IMO Jonny will be called in at 10 from the secret call up list. My thoughts: too many Welshmen risking injury.

Wales blew two games here last year mostly thanks to Rhys losing the plot. As long as they can keep their heads, this team will do better

 

[JSRF10]

We'll see. IMO Jonny will be called in at 10 from the secret call up list. My thoughts: too many Welshmen risking injury.

Don't know why Gatland has put himself in this situation, why not just call up Hook/Madigan for the initial squad if Wilko didn't fancy it? Saves a whole lot of hassle once the inevitable injury comes.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Don't know why Gatland has put himself in this situation, why not just call up Hook/Madigan for the initial squad if Wilko didn't fancy it? Saves a whole lot of hassle once the inevitable injury comes.

Not Hook unless you want a utility player of average quality in any position. Crabs cross field at 10. We don't call Gatland 'cementhead' for nothing.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Think the byline needs changing to 'Welshmen dressed up as Wales playing for Orcland'. Read a piece by 1/2p the other day saying that playing for Wales meant as much or more, even if Lions is sposed to be peak of a players career

 

[qwerty51]

Should've taken Wood over Croft.

Best's lineout throwing was rubbish in the 6N, that's what cost him. Would've had Zebo or Visser over Maitland as well.

Impressive 6 from Leicester.

 

[Blue]

Will it surpass the fall out from the Aus V SA quarter final in the last World Cup? Now that would be some whingefest!!

A little sensitive already? At least wait for the games to start.

 

[Blue]

My 23:

Halfpenny, Cuthbertson, Davies, Roberts, North, Biggar, Phillips
Faletau, Tipuric, Captain Fantastic, AWJ, Evans, Jenkins, Hibbard, Jones

16 Lydiate, 17-23 Who gives a fuck?

 

[Cardiffblue]

My 23:

Halfpenny, Cuthbertson, Davies, Roberts, North, Biggar, Phillips
Faletau, Tipuric, Captain Fantastic, AWJ, Evans, Jenkins, Hibbard, Jones

16 Lydiate, 17-23 Who gives a fuck?

This one

 

[boyo]

Chris Ashton:-

Hair-pulling is twattish behaviour.

 

[Cardiffblue]

So it continues! Ashton is still crap tho

 

[boyo]

Dylan Hartley:-

(about 10sec. mark)

Examples of twattish behaviour.

 

[Bardon]

As a Lions fan let me be the first to apologies in advance for whatever deplorable act Dylan Hartley commits on the tour. He may be wearing red this summer but he doesn't represent us fans and the majority of us will be just as disgusted as you guys.

Hartley may actually behave himself on the tour and it might be another Lion who does something unforgivable. But he's the only one for whom the press won't use the phrase "out of character" when reporting any such incident.

Anyway let's hope that the main talk is about an amazing series of rugby from both sides.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

What are the key points about the Lions squad announcement that the Fleet Street press are frothing at the mouth over?

Robshaw missing?
Too many Welsh?