RugbyRebels

Theres some bizarre thread going on in the Scottish board taking percentage of players picked who have lost to Scottish teams and therefore shouldnt be Lions, its fuzzy logic but they do have a point in that 2 players statistically is very low given where they finished in the 6N - and yes I know that doesnt make them individually better players.

I would argue that they Johnny Gray is unlucky, but not as unlucky as Launchbury
I would argue that Nel would have been in with a shout if he had played in the 6N ,but he didnt
I would argue that not having a back row representative in 8 is unfortunate - but then England only have 1 - maybe Watson at a push over Moriaty who I cant really understand why he is going.
I would argue that I would have taken Laidlaw if he hadnt have got injured over Youngs, but then as captain of the midweek side

I would have taken Russell over Biggar, no question in my mind - neither would trouble the 23 but Russells performances in the 6N for me warranted his inclusion over Biggar

Of the two they have taken "Nailed on" Full back Hogg, whilst I love watching him play is as dodgy as a flappy armed straw man in defence and will inevitably get dropped after the first test for the "ever reliable" but attackingly bereft Halfpenny

When you look at the other wingers picked, Seymour is destined for dirt tracker midweek games.

That said, of the 21 Welsh representatives I can only see North and Warburton starting the tests (and North only if he improves), maybe Webb and Faletau on the bench.

The Majority of the starting 15 should come from England/Ireland.

Maybe

Hogg, North, Henshaw, Farrell, Daly, Sexton, Murray, McGrath, Best, Furlong, Itoje, Kruis, Stander, Warburton, Vunipola

B: George, Vuniploa, Sinkler, Henderson, Faletau, Webb, Payne, Watson

As an outsider I don't see much of Patchell but I really think teams would be much more worried about your back line if he was somewhere in the mix. The idea of having to question whether he would run, kick or pass is really something.

Maybe he's in the position Slade is for England, sort of.

Mikey Brown wrote:As an outsider I don't see much of Patchell but I really think teams would be much more worried about your back line if he was somewhere in the mix. The idea of having to question whether he would run, kick or pass is really something.

Maybe he's in the position Slade is for England, sort of.

Whereas there is no doubt Patchell is a fine player I'm not entirely sure 10 is his best position, I think he would make a great 2nd 5/8, his decision making can be a little ponderous at times, something I have noticed more since he moved to the Scarlets.

Given that Gatland's picking the Lions, I wouldn't be surprised to see Halfpenny start, maybe even JD2 (who should not even be on the plane) will find his way into the 23 somewhere. And Halfpenny at 15 would allow Gatland to dispense with Farrell.

AWJ too (although I would argue he should at least be in the 23). Ditto Sanjay.

Webb has a chance of making the XV IMO, if he hasn't completely shredded his reputation playing for the currently dire Ospreys.

Biggar shouldn't be in the squad (but hey, it keeps him off the Wales tour so not the end of the world). Agree vs Russell.

That's sort of what prompted the comparison actually. Both big, brave guys, if not the bulkiest, but with enough skills that they could be useful in any position in attack. I'd also say 12.

I don't see either as best used to boss the other backs phase after phase but their biggest asset is a real rugby instinct and a bit of time on the ball at the gain line. To me those skills are absolutely invaluable in midfield.

I'd hate for you guys to actually find a way of consistently unleashing North/Williams/Davies etc. who are all great runners given a bit of room.

MrK wrote:Theres some bizarre thread going on in the Scottish board taking percentage of players picked who have lost to Scottish teams and therefore shouldnt be Lions, its fuzzy logic but they do have a point in that 2 players statistically is very low given where they finished in the 6N - and yes I know that doesnt make them individually better players.

I would argue that they Johnny Gray is unlucky, but not as unlucky as Launchbury
I would argue that Nel would have been in with a shout if he had played in the 6N ,but he didnt
I would argue that not having a back row representative in 8 is unfortunate - but then England only have 1 - maybe Watson at a push over Moriaty who I cant really understand why he is going.
I would argue that I would have taken Laidlaw if he hadnt have got injured over Youngs, but then as captain of the midweek side

I would have taken Russell over Biggar, no question in my mind - neither would trouble the 23 but Russells performances in the 6N for me warranted his inclusion over Biggar

Of the two they have taken "Nailed on" Full back Hogg, whilst I love watching him play is as dodgy as a flappy armed straw man in defence and will inevitably get dropped after the first test for the "ever reliable" but attackingly bereft Halfpenny

When you look at the other wingers picked, Seymour is destined for dirt tracker midweek games.

That said, of the 21 Welsh representatives I can only see North and Warburton starting the tests (and North only if he improves), maybe Webb and Faletau on the bench.

The Majority of the starting 15 should come from England/Ireland.

Maybe

Hogg, North, Henshaw, Farrell, Daly, Sexton, Murray, McGrath, Best, Furlong, Itoje, Kruis, Stander, Warburton, Vunipola

B: George, Vuniploa, Sinkler, Henderson, Faletau, Webb, Payne, Watson

I see a fair few people say this yet when I ask for proof, I don't get a lot of response. Can you elucidate me?

QwentyJ wrote:

MrK wrote:Theres some bizarre thread going on in the Scottish board taking percentage of players picked who have lost to Scottish teams and therefore shouldnt be Lions, its fuzzy logic but they do have a point in that 2 players statistically is very low given where they finished in the 6N - and yes I know that doesnt make them individually better players.

I would argue that they Johnny Gray is unlucky, but not as unlucky as Launchbury
I would argue that Nel would have been in with a shout if he had played in the 6N ,but he didnt
I would argue that not having a back row representative in 8 is unfortunate - but then England only have 1 - maybe Watson at a push over Moriaty who I cant really understand why he is going.
I would argue that I would have taken Laidlaw if he hadnt have got injured over Youngs, but then as captain of the midweek side

I would have taken Russell over Biggar, no question in my mind - neither would trouble the 23 but Russells performances in the 6N for me warranted his inclusion over Biggar

Of the two they have taken "Nailed on" Full back Hogg, whilst I love watching him play is as dodgy as a flappy armed straw man in defence and will inevitably get dropped after the first test for the "ever reliable" but attackingly bereft Halfpenny

When you look at the other wingers picked, Seymour is destined for dirt tracker midweek games.

That said, of the 21 Welsh representatives I can only see North and Warburton starting the tests (and North only if he improves), maybe Webb and Faletau on the bench.

The Majority of the starting 15 should come from England/Ireland.

Maybe

Hogg, North, Henshaw, Farrell, Daly, Sexton, Murray, McGrath, Best, Furlong, Itoje, Kruis, Stander, Warburton, Vunipola

B: George, Vuniploa, Sinkler, Henderson, Faletau, Webb, Payne, Watson

I see a fair few people say this yet when I ask for proof, I don't get a lot of response. Can you elucidate me?

Err... You do support Scotland right? Hogg has even been on record admitting its the worst part of his game a couple of times in the past. It's gotten better but there have been times this season when he's been exposed and left flapping at thin air.

Just one example. That was no quick turn of pace from Dan Carter who looks like he is running in treacle these days - it was a shocking half arsed attempt from Hogg.

hugh_woatmeigh wrote:

QwentyJ wrote:

MrK wrote:Theres some bizarre thread going on in the Scottish board taking percentage of players picked who have lost to Scottish teams and therefore shouldnt be Lions, its fuzzy logic but they do have a point in that 2 players statistically is very low given where they finished in the 6N - and yes I know that doesnt make them individually better players.

I would argue that they Johnny Gray is unlucky, but not as unlucky as Launchbury
I would argue that Nel would have been in with a shout if he had played in the 6N ,but he didnt
I would argue that not having a back row representative in 8 is unfortunate - but then England only have 1 - maybe Watson at a push over Moriaty who I cant really understand why he is going.
I would argue that I would have taken Laidlaw if he hadnt have got injured over Youngs, but then as captain of the midweek side

I would have taken Russell over Biggar, no question in my mind - neither would trouble the 23 but Russells performances in the 6N for me warranted his inclusion over Biggar

Of the two they have taken "Nailed on" Full back Hogg, whilst I love watching him play is as dodgy as a flappy armed straw man in defence and will inevitably get dropped after the first test for the "ever reliable" but attackingly bereft Halfpenny

When you look at the other wingers picked, Seymour is destined for dirt tracker midweek games.

That said, of the 21 Welsh representatives I can only see North and Warburton starting the tests (and North only if he improves), maybe Webb and Faletau on the bench.

The Majority of the starting 15 should come from England/Ireland.

Maybe

Hogg, North, Henshaw, Farrell, Daly, Sexton, Murray, McGrath, Best, Furlong, Itoje, Kruis, Stander, Warburton, Vunipola

B: George, Vuniploa, Sinkler, Henderson, Faletau, Webb, Payne, Watson

I see a fair few people say this yet when I ask for proof, I don't get a lot of response. Can you elucidate me?

Err... You do support Scotland right? Hogg has even been on record admitting its the worst part of his game a couple of times in the past. It's gotten better but there have been times this season when he's been exposed and left flapping at thin air.

Just one example. That was no quick turn of pace from Dan Carter who looks like he is running in treacle these days - it was a shocking half arsed attempt from Hogg.

I've seen worse...

I'm not denying he could do more but it's when people use it to justify why he shouldn't be playing that I see it as an issue.