Lions Squad - Who's In?

[Slick]

I see the Six Nations app doesn't even include Russell in the player of the tournament poll for Stand Off, only FSmith, Pendergast and Garbisi.

That is quite amazing

[SaintK]

I see the Six Nations app doesn't even include Russell in the player of the tournament poll for Stand Off, only FSmith, Pendergast and Garbisi.

Ridiculous that he's not there!!! Garbisi has had a shocking 6N.

[Uncle fester]

I see the Six Nations app doesn't even include Russell in the player of the tournament poll for Stand Off, only FSmith, Pendergast and Garbisi.

Thanks for letting me know. I've picked my team.

Screenshot_2025-03-14-11-25-17-39_d8309eb06070c4197a775270e6ac9381.jpg (611.6 KiB) Viewed 1978 times

[Slick]

I see the Six Nations app doesn't even include Russell in the player of the tournament poll for Stand Off, only FSmith, Pendergast and Garbisi.

Thanks for letting me know. I've picked my team.
Screenshot_2025-03-14-11-25-17-39_d8309eb06070c4197a775270e6ac9381.jpg

Not enough 3rd placed Ireland

[Biffer]

I see the Six Nations app doesn't even include Russell in the player of the tournament poll for Stand Off, only FSmith, Pendergast and Garbisi.

And people say we're paranoid.

[Paddington Bear]

I see the Six Nations app doesn't even include Russell in the player of the tournament poll for Stand Off, only FSmith, Pendergast and Garbisi.

Thanks for letting me know. I've picked my team.
Screenshot_2025-03-14-11-25-17-39_d8309eb06070c4197a775270e6ac9381.jpg

A timely reminder that the much vaunted Irish development pipeline is actually a plane ticket from New Zealand disguised as a Blackrock uniform

[Uncle fester]

I see the Six Nations app doesn't even include Russell in the player of the tournament poll for Stand Off, only FSmith, Pendergast and Garbisi.

Thanks for letting me know. I've picked my team.
Screenshot_2025-03-14-11-25-17-39_d8309eb06070c4197a775270e6ac9381.jpg

Not enough 3rd placed Ireland

I put in 2 Welsh as well. I'm nice like that. *


* There was no Irish option in those positions.

[SaintK]

One or two Irish players will be looking over their shoulders unless they pull their fingers out in the second half

[Blackmac]

One or two Irish players will be looking over their shoulders unless they pull their fingers out in the second half

Ringrose and JvdF have had a torrid half. Hansen and Lowe not great either but I think they have a lot of credit in the bank.

[Uncle fester]

One or two Irish players will be looking over their shoulders unless they pull their fingers out in the second half

Ringrose and JvdF have had a torrid half. Hansen and Lowe not great either but I think they have a lot of credit in the bank.

I don't know where this assumption that Ringrose is in contention comes from.

[Blackmac]

One or two Irish players will be looking over their shoulders unless they pull their fingers out in the second half

Ringrose and JvdF have had a torrid half. Hansen and Lowe not great either but I think they have a lot of credit in the bank.

I don't know where this assumption that Ringrose is in contention comes from.

The Irish.

[Uncle fester]

Ringrose and JvdF have had a torrid half. Hansen and Lowe not great either but I think they have a lot of credit in the bank.

I don't know where this assumption that Ringrose is in contention comes from.

The Irish.

There's more to Ireland than just Leinster you know

[Blackmac]

I think quite a few English forwards have stepped up and put a lot of pressure on the Irish. Possibly even to the extent of pushing Itoje into the captains armband because I'm not sure Doris is still guaranteed his place.

[Slick]

I think quite a few English forwards have stepped up and put a lot of pressure on the Irish. Possibly even to the extent of pushing Itoje into the captains armband because I'm not sure Doris is still guaranteed his place.

None of the backs though. Maybe Ford as an understudy to Finn

[Oxbow]

I think quite a few English forwards have stepped up and put a lot of pressure on the Irish. Possibly even to the extent of pushing Itoje into the captains armband because I'm not sure Doris is still guaranteed his place.

None of the backs though. Maybe Ford as an understudy to Finn

It's only spelled with one 'n'.

[duke]

I think quite a few English forwards have stepped up and put a lot of pressure on the Irish. Possibly even to the extent of pushing Itoje into the captains armband because I'm not sure Doris is still guaranteed his place.

None of the backs though. Maybe Ford as an understudy to Finn

Freeman and Mitchell are in with a shout along with Smith…

[Blackmac]

I think quite a few English forwards have stepped up and put a lot of pressure on the Irish. Possibly even to the extent of pushing Itoje into the captains armband because I'm not sure Doris is still guaranteed his place.

None of the backs though. Maybe Ford as an understudy to Finn

Freeman and Mitchell are in with a shout along with Smith…

I think Mitchell and Fin Smith. Don't think Freeman unseats any of the favourites.

[Slick]

I think quite a few English forwards have stepped up and put a lot of pressure on the Irish. Possibly even to the extent of pushing Itoje into the captains armband because I'm not sure Doris is still guaranteed his place.

None of the backs though. Maybe Ford as an understudy to Finn

It's only spelled with one 'n'.

Fin has done very little to become a Lion

[SaintK]

None of the backs though. Maybe Ford as an understudy to Finn

It's only spelled with one 'n'.

Fin has done very little to become a Lion

Hmmm
More than Prendergast and any Welshman and probably more than the other Smith

[Big D]

It's only spelled with one 'n'.

Fin has done very little to become a Lion

Hmmm
More than Prendergast and any Welshman and probably more than the other Smith

For me the 10s are the Fin(n)s +1.

[Slick]

It's only spelled with one 'n'.

Fin has done very little to become a Lion

Hmmm
More than Prendergast and any Welshman and probably more than the other Smith

Do you honestly think so? I’ve seen a few flashes of a very good young player, but I haven’t seen anywhere near consistent brilliance.

Don’t get me wrong, I like him so far, but to be thinking he is a Lion seems massively over the top on the performances of this 6N

[sockwithaticket]

He's only in the conversation because behind Russell there's no obvious candidate.

Ford was magnificent when he came on, but he's not managed to play all that much in the last 18 months. and even if he stays fit from now until the Lions tour Sale aren't going to provide many top end games for him to 'prove his worth'. I'd still take him, mind. He's class, all he should have to prove is fitness. Also need to compensate for being bizarrely overlooked for previous tours...

[Slick]

Just keep playing Scotland

[el capitan]

50% English, 30% Scottish, 20% Irish sounds about right.

Maybe find a spot for a Welshman or two to hold the tackle-bags/emergency cover for the dirt trackers bench.

[Enzedder]

He's only in the conversation because behind Russell there's no obvious candidate.

Ford was magnificent when he came on, but he's not managed to play all that much in the last 18 months. and even if he stays fit from now until the Lions tour Sale aren't going to provide many top end games for him to 'prove his worth'. I'd still take him, mind. He's class, all he should have to prove is fitness. Also need to compensate for being bizarrely overlooked for previous tours...

It's the surname. Who the fuck chooses a Ford these days. Guaranteed to break down at least once a week.

[Punter15]

He's only in the conversation because behind Russell there's no obvious candidate.

Ford was magnificent when he came on, but he's not managed to play all that much in the last 18 months. and even if he stays fit from now until the Lions tour Sale aren't going to provide many top end games for him to 'prove his worth'. I'd still take him, mind. He's class, all he should have to prove is fitness. Also need to compensate for being bizarrely overlooked for previous tours...

It's the surname. Who the fuck chooses a Ford these days. Guaranteed to break down at least once a week.

Andy will take his boy. Test match animal etc.

[Big D]

OK fuck it, the too early and very blue tinted specs squad.
Using the same initial numbers per position as 2021 except 1 more centre (numbers per position taken in '21 in brackets):

Hooker (3): Sheehan, Kelleher, George (thought about Lake)
Props (6): Furlong, Porter, Genge, Stuart, Fagerson, Schoeman
Second Rows (5 counting Lawes as an extra backrow): Itoje, Bierne, Ryan, Chessum, Jenkins
Back row (7 including Lawes): Doris, Morgan, Curry (T), Earls, JvDF, Curry (B), one of Ritchie/Dempsey/Fagerson

SH (3): JGP, Mitchell, Williams although White was good tonight.
10 (3): Finn, Fin, one of the Irish two (can't see Farrell not taking one).
Centres (5): Tuipulotu, Jones, Ringrose, Aki, Jordan
Back 3 (6): Kinghorn, Graham, VdM, Lowe, Keenan, Freeman

38 total (21 forwards and 17 backs)

England - 11
Ireland - 14
Scotland - 10
Wales - 3

[Enzedder]

OK fuck it, the too early and very blue tinted specs squad.
Using the same initial numbers per position as 2021 except 1 more centre:

Hooker (3): Sheehan, Kelleher, George (thought about Lake)
Props (6): Furlong, Porter, Genge, Stuart, Fagerson, Schoeman
Second Rows (5 counting Lawes as an extra backrow): Itoje, Bierne, Ryan, Chessum, Jenkins
Back row (7 including Lawes): Doris, Morgan, Curry (T), Earls, JvDF, Curry (B)

SH (3): JGP, Mitchell, Williams although White was good tonight.
10 (3): Finn, Fin, one of the Irish two (can't see Farrell not taking one).
Centres (5): Tuipulotu, Jones, Ringrose, Aki, Jordan
Back 3 (6): Kinghorn, Graham, VdM, Lowe, Keenan, Freeman

38 total (21 forwards and 17 backs)

England - 11
Ireland - 11
Scotland - 10
Wales - 3
NZ - 3

Fixed (someone else can do the Saffers)

[Tichtheid]

Back row (7 including Lawes): Doris, Morgan, Curry (T), Earls, JvDF, Curry (B), one of Ritchie/Dempsey/Fagerson

This is Courtney Lawes, yeah?

I don't get that at all. I've seen him mentioned a few times, but I don't get it

[Big D]

Back row (7 including Lawes): Doris, Morgan, Curry (T), Earls, JvDF, Curry (B), one of Ritchie/Dempsey/Fagerson

This is Courtney Lawes, yeah?

I don't get that at all. I've seen him mentioned a few times, but I don't get it

Brackets are reference to the 2021 squad numbers per position. There were 6 second rows and 6 back rows taken in 21 including Lawes. I would take 5 locks and 7 back rows this time and not Lawes.

[Biffer]

I think quite a few English forwards have stepped up and put a lot of pressure on the Irish. Possibly even to the extent of pushing Itoje into the captains armband because I'm not sure Doris is still guaranteed his place.

The problem with Itoje in that captains armband is there'd be twenty players in the squad thinking 'I don't respect him'

Who does everyone respect?

It's a short list

Russell
Sheehan
Genge
Tuipolotou

Maybe Ryan

It's a short list to find someone that, on day one of the lions camp, all of them would go 'yeah, top quality player, absolutely good guy'.

The lions captain can't take three weeks convincing people he should be the Captain.

[Blackmac]

Back row (7 including Lawes): Doris, Morgan, Curry (T), Earls, JvDF, Curry (B), one of Ritchie/Dempsey/Fagerson

This is Courtney Lawes, yeah?

I don't get that at all. I've seen him mentioned a few times, but I don't get it

Yeah, terrible move when players are being so critically judged on form in this tournament and the autumn series. He was a decent player in his day but christ knows why he is getting this much adulation two years after he retired.

[Blackmac]

OK fuck it, the too early and very blue tinted specs squad.
Using the same initial numbers per position as 2021 except 1 more centre (numbers per position taken in '21 in brackets):

Hooker (3): Sheehan, Kelleher, George (thought about Lake)
Props (6): Furlong, Porter, Genge, Stuart, Fagerson, Schoeman
Second Rows (5 counting Lawes as an extra backrow): Itoje, Bierne, Ryan, Chessum, Jenkins
Back row (7 including Lawes): Doris, Morgan, Curry (T), Earls, JvDF, Curry (B), one of Ritchie/Dempsey/Fagerson

SH (3): JGP, Mitchell, Williams although White was good tonight.
10 (3): Finn, Fin, one of the Irish two (can't see Farrell not taking one).
Centres (5): Tuipulotu, Jones, Ringrose, Aki, Jordan
Back 3 (6): Kinghorn, Graham, VdM, Lowe, Keenan, Freeman

38 total (21 forwards and 17 backs)

England - 11
Ireland - 14
Scotland - 10
Wales - 3

Can't see that Jenkins, Lawes and Morgan deserve it. Thought White had one of his best games tonight.

[Tichtheid]

Back row (7 including Lawes): Doris, Morgan, Curry (T), Earls, JvDF, Curry (B), one of Ritchie/Dempsey/Fagerson

This is Courtney Lawes, yeah?

I don't get that at all. I've seen him mentioned a few times, but I don't get it

Brackets are reference to the 2021 squad numbers per position. There were 6 second rows and 6 back rows taken in 21 including Lawes. I would take 5 locks and 7 back rows this time and not Lawes.

Fairy Nuff

I think there are massive numbers vying for the backrow, I'm not sure Scotland will have much of a representation there

[Tichtheid]

I think quite a few English forwards have stepped up and put a lot of pressure on the Irish. Possibly even to the extent of pushing Itoje into the captains armband because I'm not sure Doris is still guaranteed his place.

The problem with Itoje in that captains armband is there'd be twenty players in the squad thinking 'I don't respect him'

Who does everyone respect?

It's a short list

Russell
Sheehan
Genge
Tuipolotou

Maybe Ryan

It's a short list to find someone that, on day one of the lions camp, all of them would go 'yeah, top quality player, absolutely good guy'.

The lions captain can't take three weeks convincing people he should be the Captain.

Tuipulotu is supposedly a captain that players easily fall in behind - his lack of recent game time counts against him.

I really like Genge as a player and for me he is the starting loosehead - is he a Lions captain? I'd be happy enough if he takes on that mantle and is successful, but why isn't he England captain or club captain
Sheehan is nailed on starter but again I don't see him as a captain
Russell just needs to play

[Slick]

He's only in the conversation because behind Russell there's no obvious candidate.

Ford was magnificent when he came on, but he's not managed to play all that much in the last 18 months. and even if he stays fit from now until the Lions tour Sale aren't going to provide many top end games for him to 'prove his worth'. I'd still take him, mind. He's class, all he should have to prove is fitness. Also need to compensate for being bizarrely overlooked for previous tours...

Who would you not take?

[Slick]

I think quite a few English forwards have stepped up and put a lot of pressure on the Irish. Possibly even to the extent of pushing Itoje into the captains armband because I'm not sure Doris is still guaranteed his place.

The problem with Itoje in that captains armband is there'd be twenty players in the squad thinking 'I don't respect him'

Who does everyone respect?

It's a short list

Russell
Sheehan
Genge
Tuipolotou

Maybe Ryan

It's a short list to find someone that, on day one of the lions camp, all of them would go 'yeah, top quality player, absolutely good guy'.

The lions captain can't take three weeks convincing people he should be the Captain.

With respect my Scottish friend, I think that’s bollocks.
Iroje is a hugely respected player

[sockwithaticket]

He's only in the conversation because behind Russell there's no obvious candidate.

Ford was magnificent when he came on, but he's not managed to play all that much in the last 18 months. and even if he stays fit from now until the Lions tour Sale aren't going to provide many top end games for him to 'prove his worth'. I'd still take him, mind. He's class, all he should have to prove is fitness. Also need to compensate for being bizarrely overlooked for previous tours...

Who would you not take?

I wouldn't be taking any who've put the red 10 shirt on this year. That's easy.

The Irish lads can flip a coin and the loser's out of the running. Neither has made enough of an impression for me to have a strong feeling about them.

[sockwithaticket]

I think quite a few English forwards have stepped up and put a lot of pressure on the Irish. Possibly even to the extent of pushing Itoje into the captains armband because I'm not sure Doris is still guaranteed his place.

The problem with Itoje in that captains armband is there'd be twenty players in the squad thinking 'I don't respect him'

Who does everyone respect?

It's a short list

Russell
Sheehan
Genge
Tuipolotou

Maybe Ryan

It's a short list to find someone that, on day one of the lions camp, all of them would go 'yeah, top quality player, absolutely good guy'.

The lions captain can't take three weeks convincing people he should be the Captain.

Tuipulotu is supposedly a captain that players easily fall in behind - his lack of recent game time counts against him.

I really like Genge as a player and for me he is the starting loosehead - is he a Lions captain? I'd be happy enough if he takes on that mantle and is successful, but why isn't he England captain or club captain
Sheehan is nailed on starter but again I don't see him as a captain
Russell just needs to play

He has been both to be fair. Club captaincy was only recently taken away and it had as much to do with availability as anything else. Prem clubs have quite a tradition of giving captaincy to a guy who's around all season rather than any stellar internationals they may have.

International captaincy was under Eddie and I can understand Borthwick making a break with that (althoughI feel like he had Genge as captain at Leicester).

[Biffer]

I think quite a few English forwards have stepped up and put a lot of pressure on the Irish. Possibly even to the extent of pushing Itoje into the captains armband because I'm not sure Doris is still guaranteed his place.

The problem with Itoje in that captains armband is there'd be twenty players in the squad thinking 'I don't respect him'

Who does everyone respect?

It's a short list

Russell
Sheehan
Genge
Tuipolotou

Maybe Ryan

It's a short list to find someone that, on day one of the lions camp, all of them would go 'yeah, top quality player, absolutely good guy'.

The lions captain can't take three weeks convincing people he should be the Captain.

With respect my Scottish friend, I think that’s bollocks.
Iroje is a hugely respected player

So well respected you can’t even spell it.

He might be respected for his play, but every game opposition players are looking at him like he’s a fuckwit,