Lions Predictions 2013

Jiggs'Hamstring

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Fascinating 6 Nations done and dusted, countdown to the Lions tour well and truly on. Here's my current 15:

1. Cian Healey
2. Rory Best
3. Adam Jones
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Jim Hamilton
6. Chris Robshaw
7. Sam Warburton (c)
8. Toby Faletau
9. Mike Phillips
10. Jonathan Sexton
11. George North
12. Jonathan Davies
13. Man Utd Tuilagi
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Leigh Halfpenny
 
Healy
Best
A Jones
Launchbury
AW Jones
Robshaw
Warburton (c)
Faletau

Phillips
Farrell
North
O'Driscoll
Tuilagi
Cuthbert
Halfpenny
 
Will Greenwood's XV:

Grant
Hibbard
A Jones
I Evans
Parling
Robshaw
Warburton (c)
Faletau

Phillips
Sexton
North
Roberts
Tuilagi
Halfpenny
Hogg
 
Jonathan Davies' XV:

Jenkins
Hibbard
A Jones
AW Jones
Parling
Warburton
Tipuric
Faletau

Phillips
Farrell
North
O'Driscoll
Davies
Cuthbert
Halfpenny
 
Jeremy Guscott's XV:

Healy
Hibbard
A Jones
Launchbury
AW Jones
Robshaw
Tipuric
Faletau

Phillips
Sexton
North
Roberts
O'Driscoll
Kearney
Halfpenny
 
Andy Nicol's XV:

Jenkins
Best
A Jones
Launchbury
AW Jones
Wood
Warburton
Faletau

B Youngs
Sexton
North
Tuilagi
O'Driscoll
Cuthbert
Hogg
 
Keith Wood's XV:

Jenkins
Owens
A Jones
Launchbury
AW Jones
Warburton
Tipuric
O'Brien

B Youngs
Sexton
North
Roberts
O'Driscoll
Hogg
Halfpenny
 
Mine changes every day but at the moment

Jenkins
Best
A Jones
Launchbury
AW Jones
Robshaw
Warburton
Faletau

B Youngs
Sexton
North
Tuilagi
O'Driscoll
Halfpenny
Hogg
 
1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Richard Hibbard
3. Adam Jones
4. Alun-Wyn Jones
5. Joe Launchbury
6. Sean O'Brien
7. Sam Warbuton
8. Toby Faletau
9. Mike Phillips
10. Jonny Sexton
11. George North
12. Man Utd Tuilagi
13. Brian O'Driscoll
14. Stuart Hogg
15. Leigh Halfpenny
 
Yup, along with O'Mahoney, who I hate. Big shouts for those 2.

Also I don't even think Youngs is the best in England, let alone GB and Ireland. Farrell should be second fiddle to Sexton and what about a shout for Zebo?

Tuilagi has to be there for me.
 
Seems weird that there are so many shouts for Jenkins (almost everyone would put him on the plane) given that he plays second fiddle to Sheridan for Toulon.

Regarding Youngs I do think he's England's best scrum half atm and I'd say he'll probably make the squad along with Laidlaw for his extra kicking ability and Phillips as the starter.
 
I'd be very surprised if Phillips didn't get the call at 9. His service is limited, but when he's in the mood you've got an extra back row in your team. He gets under people's skins.

I terms of O'Driscoll and O'Connell, I really would be delighted to see them in there if they were genuinely fit and firing. Would be harsh on some players who had strong 6 Nations' though. There's a real nice balance about Davies and Tuilagi in the centre, but if O'Driscoll's at his best then he's in.

Healy's rush of blood against England might cost him his place – stupid behaviour like that can lose you a Test – but I still think he's the best loosehead available.
 
There's normally one or two surprises when the squad is eventually announced. I would love to see Madigan given an opportunity. He is on fire for Leinster.
 
Announcement due any minute. Apparently no-one has guessed the squad and there are 'a few surprises'...
 
Backs: Leigh Halfpenny, Stuart Hogg, Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Alex Cuthbert, Sean Maitland, George North, Jonathan Davies, Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Man Utd Tuilagi, Owen Farrell, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray, Mike Phillips, Ben Youngs

Forwards: Dan Cole, Cian Healy, Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Matt Stevens, Mako Vunipola, Dylan Hartley, Richard Hibbard, Tom Youngs, Ian Evans, Richie Gray, Alun-Wyn Jones, Paul O'Connell, Geoff Parling, Tom Croft, Toby Faletau, Jamie Heaslip, Dan Lydiate, Sean O'Brien, Justin Tipuric, Sam Waburton
 
Stevens seems crazy, surprised at Hartley and Maitland too. And yeah, think most people had Best as the first choice, let alone the 4th.
 
Robshaw not making the cut either was a bit surprising, thought he'd done enough.
 
Overall it's left me underwhelmed, although it's still a fine squad with some seriously good players.
 
Matt Stevens and Mako Vunipola are strange inclusions and only taking two stand-off's is a massive gamble.

Maitland deserves his spot.
 
Matt Stevens included, Robshaw and Best not included? I also like Kelly Brown too.

Is 2 10s enough for a 10 match tour?

Meh.
 
Vunipola's inclusion is ridiculous, the guy can't scrum even if his life depended on it. The Aussies must be pissing themselves looking at that squad. Best's exclusion after he had a fantastic 6 nations is an equally braindead decision....even still, it's a Lions Tour. Going to be an absolutely cracking summer of rugby
 
Where's Zebo too? Such a meh sort of team.
 
Computer says yes.

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Really poor kicking with the pressure off from Sexton there.

Good win eventually though. Liked both 9s, Cuthbert, O Connell etc etc.

Brits, standard South African behaviour. :lol:
 
First test Saturday. Midweek loss wasn't too worrying as it was a thrown together team, but a little worrying that so many of the backs seem to be carrying injuries and Jamie Roberts will be a big miss. Still confident, but very nervous.
 
Can't wait for this tonight. Should be some craic in Sydney later.

The first 15 is spot on for me, just a wee bit surprised at the bench. The Irish bias in me would definitely have O'Brien in there for his versatility alone, and how Youngs is in ahead of Murray is beyond me given form on tour so far. I thought Murray was pushing hard for a starting spot - to not make the bench is shocking to me.

Anyway, another couple of hours and drinking will begin, should be a great game and a great night. Sydney folk are waxing lyrical over Israel Folau, looking forward to seeing him getting nailed later on.
 
Almost time for kick-off. IMO, this Australian team is a bit weak. I think lions will dominate, I'm going lions by 10-14.
 
Almost time for kick-off. IMO, this Australian team is a bit weak. I think lions will dominate, I'm going lions by 10-14.

Can't say I agree, going to be a brilliant game.
 
Can't say I agree, going to be a brilliant game.
My predictions are pretty useless most of the time so you're probably right.

First try to Aus. Ridiculous from the referee - almost no advantage given to the lions.
 
The kid is a phenomenon. That is fecking unreal what he's just done there. Halfpenny is just ridiculous too.