Lions Squad - Who's In?

[charltom]

Can't see them taking 5 centers. Reckon one of those will miss out for a more utility type player such as an Osbourne.

Or indeed Jordan.

And might Lawrence make it in over one of Farrell's familiar Irish names?

[charltom]

I will have a go at a Lions squad. Based on 37 as per SA tour.

Forwards (20):
LHP - Porter, Schoeman, Genge
Hooker - Sheehan, Kelleher, Lake
THP - Furlong, Fagerson, Bealham
2nd Row - McCarthy, Beirne, Cummings, Martin, Itoje,
Back Row - Doris, JVdF, Morgan, Earl, Dempsey/Fagerson, Cunningham-South

Backs (17):
9 - JGP, Williams, White/Mitchell
10 - Russell, Smith x2
Centres - Huwipulotu, Aki, Ringrose, Henshaw
Back 3 - Keenan, Kinghorn, Duhan, Graham, Hansen/Lowe, Dyer

Ireland - 15
Scotland -9/10
England - 7/8
Wales - 3

Clearly a lean towards Scottish players there and tried to get Wales up to 3. I suspect there will end up more English than Scots as they are stronger in areas Scotland have depth and Scotland stronger in areas that are full of competition so expect there will end up being 6-8 Scots.

Furlong needs a good 6 N to prove his fitness, he's not the player he was last Lions tour. Don't rate Bealham much. But can't think of any alternatives
Chessum if fully recovered over Martin
Cunningham-South maybe a good impact player but can't do 80 minutes
Feyi-Waboso over Dyer for his power through the tackle

Yeah THP is a bit grim at the moment.

C-S would be an impact player in that scenario. Would load up the bench for maximum impact as I think the Aussies are more susceptible late on than others. Back row selection might change weekly.

Dyer was a token pick. Wales will need 3-4.

Really? They're playing worse than Scotland were when they didn't get 3-4...

[Biffer]

Furlong needs a good 6 N to prove his fitness, he's not the player he was last Lions tour. Don't rate Bealham much. But can't think of any alternatives
Chessum if fully recovered over Martin
Cunningham-South maybe a good impact player but can't do 80 minutes
Feyi-Waboso over Dyer for his power through the tackle

Yeah THP is a bit grim at the moment.

C-S would be an impact player in that scenario. Would load up the bench for maximum impact as I think the Aussies are more susceptible late on than others. Back row selection might change weekly.

Dyer was a token pick. Wales will need 3-4.

Really? They're playing worse than Scotland were when they didn't get 3-4...

Just what I was going to say. Will Farrell play the politics game or just pick who he thinks is best?

There’s likely to be more pressure to include some Welsh players due to that massive tv money they bring…

[Big D]

Furlong needs a good 6 N to prove his fitness, he's not the player he was last Lions tour. Don't rate Bealham much. But can't think of any alternatives
Chessum if fully recovered over Martin
Cunningham-South maybe a good impact player but can't do 80 minutes
Feyi-Waboso over Dyer for his power through the tackle

Yeah THP is a bit grim at the moment.

C-S would be an impact player in that scenario. Would load up the bench for maximum impact as I think the Aussies are more susceptible late on than others. Back row selection might change weekly.

Dyer was a token pick. Wales will need 3-4.

Really? They're playing worse than Scotland were when they didn't get 3-4...

They still have some quality players. From the Geech and Gats tours Scotland have had at least 2 in the initial squads iirc. Would have been more but for Nel having a neck injury and Jones tearing his hamstring when bang in form.

Wales still have some decent players amongst the dross. Could see a road where more make it than we expect right now.

[Ovals]

Yeah THP is a bit grim at the moment.

C-S would be an impact player in that scenario. Would load up the bench for maximum impact as I think the Aussies are more susceptible late on than others. Back row selection might change weekly.

Dyer was a token pick. Wales will need 3-4.

Really? They're playing worse than Scotland were when they didn't get 3-4...

They still have some quality players. From the Geech and Gats tours Scotland have had at least 2 in the initial squads iirc. Would have been more but for Nel having a neck injury and Jones tearing his hamstring when bang in form.

Wales still have some decent players amongst the dross. Could see a road where more make it than we expect right now.

I'm not a big fan of the Lions and would happily see our guys left at home - but it definitely works better if all the home nations are represented - so, hopefully we'll see some Welsh involvement - makes for a better union of supporters.

[dpedin]

Really? They're playing worse than Scotland were when they didn't get 3-4...

They still have some quality players. From the Geech and Gats tours Scotland have had at least 2 in the initial squads iirc. Would have been more but for Nel having a neck injury and Jones tearing his hamstring when bang in form.

Wales still have some decent players amongst the dross. Could see a road where more make it than we expect right now.

I'm not a big fan of the Lions and would happily see our guys left at home - but it definitely works better if all the home nations are represented - so, hopefully we'll see some Welsh involvement - makes for a better union of supporters.

I really struggle to find a single Welsh player who I would pick on form shown at international level over the past 12 months, and certainly none who have clearly outshone candidates in the same position from other countries. If you also want to pick squad on basis of proven partnerships, style of play, etc then it makes it even more difficult to justify any Welsh guys being selected. I had hoped the likes of Morgan, Reffell and Wainright might have put up a decent showing in defeats but even they looked subdued and well below form. They all need a good 6Ns to have any chance of selection and on current Wales form that looks a tough ask!