RugbyRebels

I'd rather have Dylan Hartley than Ford and thats saying something.

Jonny G had better go or I'll be very annoyed - unless he has a very bizarre collapse of form. I think I'd take him, Henderson, Itoje and Launchbury. Devin Toner has been quietly excellent as well, so I might take him too, given both Itoje and henderson could be pretty comfortable at 6.

Toner is a must, IMO, as well as the Gray boys, Itoje and one of Kruis or Launchbury.

Eugene Wrayburn wrote:I'd rather have Dylan Hartley than Ford and thats saying something.

Jonny G had better go or I'll be very annoyed - unless he has a very bizarre collapse of form. I think I'd take him, Henderson, Itoje and Launchbury. Devin Toner has been quietly excellent as well, so I might take him too, given both Itoje and henderson could be pretty comfortable at 6.

I don't think anyone has suggested Ford for the Lions, have they? He wouldn't even get picked for Scotland if we had any decent alternatives.

hugh_woatmeigh wrote:I know it's only Georgia but both Gray boys, Seymour and Hogg put in good claims today. I still think Hogg needs to have a solid 6N from a defensive POV to convince Gatland that he's worthy of a test spot instead of a mid week place.

Ford was also very good but unless he plays like that against the big boys consistently he won't be anywhere near the party.

Stones of granite wrote:

Eugene Wrayburn wrote:I'd rather have Dylan Hartley than Ford and thats saying something.

Jonny G had better go or I'll be very annoyed - unless he has a very bizarre collapse of form. I think I'd take him, Henderson, Itoje and Launchbury. Devin Toner has been quietly excellent as well, so I might take him too, given both Itoje and henderson could be pretty comfortable at 6.

I don't think anyone has suggested Ford for the Lions, have they? He wouldn't even get picked for Scotland if we had any decent alternatives.

Er...

Eugene Wrayburn wrote:

hugh_woatmeigh wrote:I know it's only Georgia but both Gray boys, Seymour and Hogg put in good claims today. I still think Hogg needs to have a solid 6N from a defensive POV to convince Gatland that he's worthy of a test spot instead of a mid week place.

Ford was also very good but unless he plays like that against the big boys consistently he won't be anywhere near the party.

Stones of granite wrote:

Eugene Wrayburn wrote:I'd rather have Dylan Hartley than Ford and thats saying something.

Jonny G had better go or I'll be very annoyed - unless he has a very bizarre collapse of form. I think I'd take him, Henderson, Itoje and Launchbury. Devin Toner has been quietly excellent as well, so I might take him too, given both Itoje and henderson could be pretty comfortable at 6.

I don't think anyone has suggested Ford for the Lions, have they? He wouldn't even get picked for Scotland if we had any decent alternatives.

Er...

How is that a suggestion on my part? I know Ford won't perform that way against the big teams therefore he will be nowhere near the touring party...

He was superb on the weekend but it's only Georgia.

Unless Ford has 5 games like how he played against Georgia and Scotland win the 6N he will not be a Lions tourist.

I don't see that happening

Eugene Wrayburn wrote:

hugh_woatmeigh wrote:I know it's only Georgia but both Gray boys, Seymour and Hogg put in good claims today. I still think Hogg needs to have a solid 6N from a defensive POV to convince Gatland that he's worthy of a test spot instead of a mid week place.

Ford was also very good but unless he plays like that against the big boys consistently he won't be anywhere near the party.

Stones of granite wrote:

Eugene Wrayburn wrote:I'd rather have Dylan Hartley than Ford and thats saying something.

Jonny G had better go or I'll be very annoyed - unless he has a very bizarre collapse of form. I think I'd take him, Henderson, Itoje and Launchbury. Devin Toner has been quietly excellent as well, so I might take him too, given both Itoje and henderson could be pretty comfortable at 6.

I don't think anyone has suggested Ford for the Lions, have they? He wouldn't even get picked for Scotland if we had any decent alternatives.

Er...

Er what? I'm not seeing any contradiction to what I wrote.

I just added Ford as an afterthought. He was one of our best 4 or 5 players on the weekend but unlike the others won't be in the mix. That's all...

My view is that we have three players that itd be very disappointing if they didnt go. A decent sized further bunch that are contenders but have very strong rivals (and most of whom won't go) and then a few with an outside chance if they play exceptionally.

Should go (and could start):
Nel
J Gray
Hogg

Could go (in rough order of likelihood):
Richie Gray (only problem is the competition in that position)
Dickinson (if he gets fitness and form back)
Seymour
Dunbar (needs a bit of sharpness back but looking solid and not too many 12s about)
Taylor (if gets last 6N form, why not)
Jones (maybe more of an outside shot but not that much depth at 13)
Hardie (nothing recent to show but few out and out sevens so if he hits form might have an outside shot as has an ok rep)

Outside chance:
Laidlaw (I wouldnt but some rate him higher)
Russell (Id be tempted but suspect the 10s will be Sexton, Farrell and Biggar)
Maitland - I wouldnt but Gatland picked him before
Bennet (has the talent but would need to nail a place down)
Ford (as mentioned, would need to show a lot more but not that many hookers about and has experience)

Let me know if I have forgotten someone with a chance. Id like to say M Scott but not lookinh likely.

Id say the chances are it will be 3-4 but (if we win the 6N and Glasgow do well in Europe!) it could go up to around 8-9

Cameo wrote:My view is that we have three players that itd be very disappointing if they didnt go. A decent sized further bunch that are contenders but have very strong rivals (and most of whom won't go) and then a few with an outside chance if they play exceptionally.

Should go (and could start):
Nel
J Gray
Hogg

Could go (in rough order of likelihood):
Richie Gray (only problem is the competition in that position)
Dickinson (if he gets fitness and form back)
Seymour
Dunbar (needs a bit of sharpness back but looking solid and not too many 12s about)
Taylor (if gets last 6N form, why not)
Jones (maybe more of an outside shot but not that much depth at 13)
Hardie (nothing recent to show but few out and out sevens so if he hits form might have an outside shot as has an ok rep)

Outside chance:
Laidlaw (I wouldnt but some rate him higher)
Russell (Id be tempted but suspect the 10s will be Sexton, Farrell and Biggar)
Maitland - I wouldnt but Gatland picked him before
Bennet (has the talent but would need to nail a place down)
Ford (as mentioned, would need to show a lot more but not that many hookers about and has experience)

Let me know if I have forgotten someone with a chance. Id like to say M Scott but not lookinh likely.

Id say the chances are it will be 3-4 but (if we win the 6N and Glasgow do well in Europe!) it could go up to around 8-9

You could add "if the sun turns blue, if Brexit turns out to be a good thing..." ! Not going to happen

Cameo wrote:My view is that we have three players that itd be very disappointing if they didnt go. A decent sized further bunch that are contenders but have very strong rivals (and most of whom won't go) and then a few with an outside chance if they play exceptionally.

Should go (and could start):
Nel
J Gray
Hogg

Could go (in rough order of likelihood):
Richie Gray (only problem is the competition in that position)
Dickinson (if he gets fitness and form back)
Seymour
Dunbar (needs a bit of sharpness back but looking solid and not too many 12s about)
Taylor (if gets last 6N form, why not)
Jones (maybe more of an outside shot but not that much depth at 13)
Hardie (nothing recent to show but few out and out sevens so if he hits form might have an outside shot as has an ok rep)

Outside chance:
Laidlaw (I wouldnt but some rate him higher)
Russell (Id be tempted but suspect the 10s will be Sexton, Farrell and Biggar)
Maitland - I wouldnt but Gatland picked him before
Bennet (has the talent but would need to nail a place down)
Ford (as mentioned, would need to show a lot more but not that many hookers about and has experience)

Let me know if I have forgotten someone with a chance. Id like to say M Scott but not lookinh likely.

Id say the chances are it will be 3-4 but (if we win the 6N and Glasgow do well in Europe!) it could go up to around 8-9

Russell's only chance is in the event of an injury crisis. If that constitutes outside then fair enough.

My indignation was ripe...Adder, you grande fud.

Cameo wrote:Id be very surprised is Jonny didnt go. I think Richie is worthy of a place too. To be fair I wouldnt want to be picking which second rows to leave out this year though

It's going to be a very tough pick. Even if 2/8 of the main contenders are injured it will still be tough on someone.
I've always had a lot of time for Borthwick.....he knows what he's doing.

ARM wrote:My indignation was ripe...Adder, you grande fud.

Sorry but I'm afraid someone has to counterjinx

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Cameo wrote:My view is that we have three players that itd be very disappointing if they didnt go. A decent sized further bunch that are contenders but have very strong rivals (and most of whom won't go) and then a few with an outside chance if they play exceptionally.

Should go (and could start):
Nel
J Gray
Hogg

Could go (in rough order of likelihood):
Richie Gray (only problem is the competition in that position)
Dickinson (if he gets fitness and form back)
Seymour
Dunbar (needs a bit of sharpness back but looking solid and not too many 12s about)
Taylor (if gets last 6N form, why not)
Jones (maybe more of an outside shot but not that much depth at 13)
Hardie (nothing recent to show but few out and out sevens so if he hits form might have an outside shot as has an ok rep)

Outside chance:
Laidlaw (I wouldnt but some rate him higher)
Russell (Id be tempted but suspect the 10s will be Sexton, Farrell and Biggar)
Maitland - I wouldnt but Gatland picked him before
Bennet (has the talent but would need to nail a place down)
Ford (as mentioned, would need to show a lot more but not that many hookers about and has experience)

Let me know if I have forgotten someone with a chance. Id like to say M Scott but not lookinh likely.

Id say the chances are it will be 3-4 but (if we win the 6N and Glasgow do well in Europe!) it could go up to around 8-9

That looks more or less right. I'd have Seymour and Russell and Laidlaw a little higher and Ford a little lower.

I really hope Seymour goes. He doesn't get much press outside Scotland so is something of a dark horse. But he scores tries--something close to one every two games for Scotland, which given that he's be on the losing side quite often, is pretty impressive. He is also one of the best in the business under the high ball.

Matt Ha wrote:I really hope Seymour goes. He doesn't get much press outside Scotland so is something of a dark horse. But he scores tries--something close to one every two games for Scotland, which given that he's be on the losing side quite often, is pretty impressive. He is also one of the best in the business under the high ball.

On Sat they said he had gone through a bit of a try doubt, 5 games without a try

We had centres and wingers not so long ago that didn't score a try in 50 caps

I really think it will depend on the 6N

If Scotland loses to Wales then we will get no more than 2 - 3 in the original party, being in Australia we may get a few more as injury cover but we really need 3 wins to have at least 1 starting Lion in a test

whatisthejava wrote:

Matt Ha wrote:I really hope Seymour goes. He doesn't get much press outside Scotland so is something of a dark horse. But he scores tries--something close to one every two games for Scotland, which given that he's be on the losing side quite often, is pretty impressive. He is also one of the best in the business under the high ball.

On Sat they said he had gone through a bit of a try doubt, 5 games without a try

We had centres and wingers not so long ago that didn't score a try in 50 caps

Yep. Thought that was telling too.

Lamont was basically our most dangerous runner for a century, with over 100 tests, and scored 20 maybe? At a push? I guess that's where the bar of 1 in 5 comes from.

whatisthejava wrote:I really think it will depend on the 6N

If Scotland loses to Wales then we will get no more than 2 - 3 in the original party, being in Australia we may get a few more as injury cover but we really need 3 wins to have at least 1 starting Lion in a test

I'd go further than this. I'd say that Scotland will get no more than 2/3 in the squad unless we have a truly exceptional 6 Nations.

Oh, and Ford will be nowhere near it. Gatland won't even take his telephone number with him.

Does the introduction of bonus points in the 6N help or hinder Scotland lIons selections

Will we actually try and play more adventurous rugby and go for the tries

ARM wrote:My indignation was ripe...Adder, you grande fud.

Oops - this was supposed to be on the Huw Jones thread. I had been drinking...

whatisthejava wrote:Does the introduction of bonus points in the 6N help or hinder Scotland lIons selections

Will we actually try and play more adventurous rugby and go for the tries

Dont think itl make a difference to our style except of it makes some other teams open up. I think we try and play some of the most adventurous rugby in the 6N generally. Still got to be going some to score 4 tries against a good international team

Have we ever scored 4 tries in a 6N game excluding Italy

whatisthejava wrote:Have we ever scored 4 tries in a 6N game excluding Italy

Sure, but not for a while. vs Ireland in 2006 or 2007 is maybe the most recent

Edit - now I think about it that might have been 2007 and thus a WC warm up, so maybe not. 1999 and the last season of the 5N you went nuts and hammered teams, but not so much since

Further edit - yes, against Ireland still but in 2001, tries from Henderson, Leslie, Pountney and Smith in a 32-10 win