Huge talent on display out there from many clubs but agree why aren't we picking them now, are we waiting for a rainy day or something.
With three tours under his belt already so why not with all that experience, i've not seen the team sheet as yet but i'm sure's going to be disapointment and joy for the players not selected.
Because he lacks the single most important trait required of a leader on the pitch, discipline. He was one of the worst offenders during the 6 nations. Anyway, it's time to blood new blood, far too many aging players who should be giving way to build for the future. Andy
I can see AWJ as tour captain but I can't see him making the test team and if Gatland insists on appointing his buddy, he needs to say who will lead the test team We will find out very shortly Lions squad announcement timings 12:09 BST - Captain announcement 12:28 BST - Squad named
Of those under consideration, Alun Wyn Jones, Maro Itoje, Stuart Hogg, Owen Farrell and Ken Owens, I think only he and Hogg will have enough respect from the rest of the squad. I'm no fan of Farrell at the best of times. Maro Itoje is a great player, but not a Captain - Yet. I must admit to not having much of an opinion either way about Owens, I don't know enough about him. So it's Hogg or Jones for me, and if Jones has it then so be it. Nasher.
Well AWJ gets the nod, and the squad has been picked the only thing I can say now is SA 3 - 0 Lions A team mostly of no hope'ers
Backs: Josh Adams (Wales), Bundee Aki (Ireland), Dan Biggar (Wales), Elliot Daly (England), Gareth Davies (Wales), Owen Farrell (England), Chris Harris (Scotland), Robbie Henshaw (Ireland), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Conor Murray (Ireland), Ali Price (Scotland), Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales), Finn Russell (Scotland), Duhan Van Der Merwe (Scotland), Anthony Watson (England), Liam Williams (Wales). Forwards: Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Jack Conan (Ireland), Luke Cowan-Dickie (England), Tom Curry (England), Zander Fagerson (Scotland), Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Jamie George (England), Iain Henderson (Ireland), Jonny Hill (England), Maro Itoje (England), Wyn Jones (Wales), Courtney Lawes (England), Ken Owens (Wales), Andrew Porter (Ireland), Sam Simmonds (England), Rory Sutherland (Scotland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Mako Vunipola (England), Hamish Watson (Scotland), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales, capt). Certain selections just begger belief
i was off to murryfield to watch them but its now been called off as we were told the ground was only half capacity and bars and resturants could still be shut, so we got out money back.
I do like the idea with new blood in any team but you'll need experience also alongside youth on the pitch against southern hemisphere teams.
I don't disagree with you but for me, the home nations' rugby has got stale and lacks adaptability which was clearly demonstrated by the appalling rugby England played. IMO, it needs something radical, starting at the top. Andy
The Scots played much better than the results showed. I am dead chuffed that Hamish Watson us in the squad as I thought he was simply outstanding every game. Wales were a bit fortunate to win the 6 nations but you make your own luck. AWJ is the only choice for captain and gave away significantly less penalties than, say Itoje. He plays the game on the edge and is good at winding up the opposition. I was surprised that England have 11 players on the squad after their dismal showing. Hopefully they can play to their full potential under the Lions as opposed to the downright predictable displays shown under Jones. Regardless I will be cheering all Lions games on and am very much looking forward to it (despite the fact that I should be there watching in person but, that’s life).
If you mean the coach and staff then yes time for a new positive direction, as we've immense talent for selection but they need freedom of expression when they play.
You can start right at the top with the RFU and work your way down and please, please, please, someone sack Eddie Jones. Andy
Do you remember Will Carling saying old farts back in the day about the above cookie crew, that did make me laugh at the time but nothing's changed in what thirty plus years.
Watch three odd shows last night just to get in the mood on the previous tours which i enjoyed, the selection list was fine by me except that i'm not a fan of Elliot Daly a good player in his own right but i think we could have chosen better. As for Ben Youngs rejecting the call up where's he coming from it's what every rugby player needs for completion as a professional sportsman before they retire.
