Earls has only gone on one tour? Bit surprised at that.
Alun Wyn Jones would be the only one to have played in the 2009 test series.
Awj, Halfpenny and earls all still knocking around at international level which is pretty unreal tbf
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Great banter from zebo
Wasn’t Simon shaw the only fella from 97 to tour in 09?
Os du Randt I’m fairly sure played in the 95 and 07 World Cup finals. Not sure any boks played in 97 and 09.
Another regular pick is Watson. Based on what I don’t know.
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Frans Steyn definitely played in 09 as well as the 07 World Cup. Still only 33 now which is mad.
Token English lad. They’re the new jocks.
Is Hamish Watson a number 8? He seems fairly highly rated. CJ would be in the shake up though.
Not sure how many in the squad. It was 41 in New Zealand in 2017. It’s a shorter itinerary this time, so I suspect possibly closer to a 37 man squad. I’d select a 37 man squad along the following lines;
Back Three
Stuart Hogg, Liam Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit, Anthony Watson, Josh Adams, Sean Maitland
Centres
George North, Robbie Henshaw, Jonathan Davies, Garry Ringrose
Out Half
Finn Russell, Jonathan Sexton, Owen Farrell
Scrum Half
Conor Murray, Tomos Williams, Gareth Davies
Props
Rory Sutherland, Cian Healy, Wyn Jones, Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter, Kyle Sinckler.
Hooker
Ken Owens, Jamie George, Fraser Brown
Second Row
Maro Itoje, James Ryan, Iain Henderson, Alun Wyn Jones, Johnny Gray
Back Row
Tadhg Beirne, Josh Navidi, Hamish Watson, Tom Curry, Talupe Faletau, CJ Stander, Justin Tipuric
I suspect Gatland won’t bring Finn Russell and will select both Vunipolas.
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All three Welch backrow should travel, curry, Watson, Beirne and maybe Underhill. Stander wasn’t good enough to make it in SA before. He’s a solid enough player if gurning and running straight into the lad in front of you is your thing, but he ain’t lions material.
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Wouldn’t have Farrell on the squad myself, certainly not as an outhalf choice. He’s stone useless.
Neither vuinipola should be anywhere near the squad.
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Farrell is the player of his generation
Yeah that’s a nuance that most casual observers miss. While he offers a great physical presence, Stander has a tendency to not look up and play the pass outside of him.
Farrell may have to be accommodated somewhere yet though for his place kicking. Place kicking is crucial in South Africa above anywhere else as the ball travels miles up on the high veldt. Neil Jenkins was played at full back in 1997.
Gatland will bring Sexton, Biggar and Farrell.
The batch of wingers isn’t great this year. North seems to be a centre now, Rees-Zammit is electric and should start. Otherwise you’re picking from the likes of Watson, Van Der Merwe, Johnny May, James Lowe and Stockdale. Keith Earls may actually be in with a shout if he has a good champions cup campaign too.
If that cunt Johnny may goes, I’ll throw my hat at it.
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Has Gatty announced his back room team /brains trust?
Sir Iain McGeechans knowledge/expertise could be a big asset if called upon
Expertise in what?
100%
Suprised of @ChairmanDan
The purpose of the British Lions was to further the concept of the empire, the whole touring aspect was all about his/her majesty’s finest pitting oneself against the heathen, be it aborigne, afrikaaner or maori.
The midweek Wednesday games were all about a local tribal leader presenting The British Lions captain with a spear or some other symbol of their backward culture, before performing an undignifed “tribal dance” before the game took place.
Afterwards, colored women were made use of as the tourists attempted to civilize the locals.
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