| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 14:28 - May 6 with 1183 views | solemio |
And the best under the high ball. |  | |  |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 14:40 - May 6 with 1148 views | Darth_Koont |
Not really that much of a surprise. Think him and vd Merwe are equally suspect in defence but in tight matches (which they will be) vd Merwe’s breaking tackles stats and his ability to join in with the forwards from rucks will be an awful lot more relevant.
I think there are others who are more surprising and unlucky omissions like Kyle Sinckler and James Ryan. Think Lawes gets in because he can play second-row and flanker, when Ryan or Ritchie look better specialists.
But overall a great squad with a true balance between the home nations as well. Very pleased for Sam Simmonds too. |  |
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| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 14:40 - May 6 with 1146 views | Keno |
thats a very odd squad and more than a few surprises |  |
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| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 14:43 - May 6 with 1141 views | Darth_Koont |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 14:40 - May 6 by Keno |
thats a very odd squad and more than a few surprises |
I don’t think Sexton was ever in with a chance really. Biggar was better overall and then he doesn’t add variation as a backup like Finn Russell or Farrell (who like Lawes probably wouldn’t be there if he didn’t cover two positions). | |
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| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 14:55 - May 6 with 1102 views | BelsteadCav |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 14:40 - May 6 by Darth_Koont |
Not really that much of a surprise. Think him and vd Merwe are equally suspect in defence but in tight matches (which they will be) vd Merwe’s breaking tackles stats and his ability to join in with the forwards from rucks will be an awful lot more relevant.
I think there are others who are more surprising and unlucky omissions like Kyle Sinckler and James Ryan. Think Lawes gets in because he can play second-row and flanker, when Ryan or Ritchie look better specialists.
But overall a great squad with a true balance between the home nations as well. Very pleased for Sam Simmonds too. |
Have to disagree with you
He’s the most dangerous winger in the northern hemisphere by miles. Better than Daly and Watson, who have both been picked. I imagine Daly is there as he can play full back as well.
Streets ahead of the Welsh wingers, but he was always going to pick them |  |
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| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 15:06 - May 6 with 1078 views | Darth_Koont |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 14:55 - May 6 by BelsteadCav |
Have to disagree with you
He’s the most dangerous winger in the northern hemisphere by miles. Better than Daly and Watson, who have both been picked. I imagine Daly is there as he can play full back as well.
Streets ahead of the Welsh wingers, but he was always going to pick them |
We’re really talking left-wing here. But yes, Daly is lucky he covers 2 or 3 positions and his kicking at altitude might be pretty useful.
Think you’re over-egging May compared to Adams and vd Merwe. They’re all very dangerous depending on the opposition and the type of game. Adams is the best finisher, May the best runner and Vd M the best wrecking ball. With the games looking to be tight, physical affairs then May doesn’t look as good a choice. | |
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| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 15:07 - May 6 with 1070 views | Keno |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 14:43 - May 6 by Darth_Koont |
I don’t think Sexton was ever in with a chance really. Biggar was better overall and then he doesn’t add variation as a backup like Finn Russell or Farrell (who like Lawes probably wouldn’t be there if he didn’t cover two positions). |
I agree about Sexton, but then I wouldn't take Farrell either.
He could end up with the same midfield issue that England have in that by trying to play Farrell you leave it very unbalanced | |
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| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 15:21 - May 6 with 1039 views | BelsteadCav |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 15:07 - May 6 by Keno |
I agree about Sexton, but then I wouldn't take Farrell either.
He could end up with the same midfield issue that England have in that by trying to play Farrell you leave it very unbalanced |
Farrell will start, I think that’s a given | |
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| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 15:30 - May 6 with 1017 views | Darth_Koont |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 15:21 - May 6 by BelsteadCav |
Farrell will start, I think that’s a given |
Not so sure. I can see why Garland wants him in the touring party for his experience, kicking and cover at 10 and 12. Possibly to avoid a big furore around not selecting him too.
But he’ll probably have to work his way into contention in the early games.
On recent form I’d have Biggar with Henshaw and Harris in the centre, and Farrell would weaken that if he came in anywhere. | |
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| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 15:36 - May 6 with 1003 views | Keno |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 15:30 - May 6 by Darth_Koont |
Not so sure. I can see why Garland wants him in the touring party for his experience, kicking and cover at 10 and 12. Possibly to avoid a big furore around not selecting him too.
But he’ll probably have to work his way into contention in the early games.
On recent form I’d have Biggar with Henshaw and Harris in the centre, and Farrell would weaken that if he came in anywhere. |
Yes - Biggar with Henshaw and Harris | |
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| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 16:00 - May 6 with 974 views | Ftnfwest |
I think they should stop picking English players for the Lions, it just causes division and arguments. Particularly this time when the other countries could more than compete without them anyway. |  | | |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 16:06 - May 6 with 962 views | solemio |
All the Saracens players have been adversely affected by playing far less rugby than those in the top division. I think this is especially so for Farrell and Billy Vunipola. Next season will be very interesting, especially if as seems likely Saracens are promoted at the first time of asking.
This certainly adversely affected England's performance. Only Maro Itoje of their players was anywhere near normal form for their country. | | | |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 16:36 - May 6 with 929 views | RadioOrwell |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 15:21 - May 6 by BelsteadCav |
Farrell will start, I think that’s a given |
Well that's a really bad idea. Possibly true though. |  | | |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 16:37 - May 6 with 927 views | RadioOrwell |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 14:43 - May 6 by Darth_Koont |
I don’t think Sexton was ever in with a chance really. Biggar was better overall and then he doesn’t add variation as a backup like Finn Russell or Farrell (who like Lawes probably wouldn’t be there if he didn’t cover two positions). |
Farrell covers 2 positions equally badly. | | | |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 16:48 - May 6 with 900 views | Darth_Koont |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 16:37 - May 6 by RadioOrwell |
Farrell covers 2 positions equally badly. |
I agree. And especially after this year’s Six Nations.
But even leading up to the selection he was in most experts’ matchday 23.
I’ve never been a massive fan but he doesn’t have any major weaknesses which is a strength in itself. And of course his goal-kicking is world-class.
Give me Finn Russell or at least Biggar and a more exciting centre partnership any day of the week. | |
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| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 16:49 - May 6 with 898 views | yorkshireblue |
May has been struggling this season for England and Gloucester, so not a huge surprise. This time last year he was the most dangerous winger in the NH, but certainly not now, he's the third most dangerous winger at his club on current form.
For me personally, the biggest surprises are the omission of Slade/Davies (presumable for Aki, who I expect came into the reckoning following North's injury) and the inclusion of Jonny Hill - who whilst fantastic for Exeter, has been found lacking - so far - at test level. And he certainly gives away his fair share of daft penalties - but then so did Simon Shaw who put in one of the greatest Lions performances ever against the Spingboks.... Up until this weekend I would have said Ryan was a certainty to be on the plane, but was bullied by La Rochelle.
Pleased for Chris Harris, got a feeling he will start off as a mid-week player but has the capability to push his way into the test team. -
Love the Simmonds pick, offers something completely different to any other back-rows going, and could be a difference maker coming off the bench (or as a finisher in Eddie Jones parlance) |  | | |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 16:52 - May 6 with 893 views | Darth_Koont |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 16:00 - May 6 by Ftnfwest |
I think they should stop picking English players for the Lions, it just causes division and arguments. Particularly this time when the other countries could more than compete without them anyway. |
Who’s arguing about England players, you silly sod?  | |
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| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 17:01 - May 6 with 870 views | Darth_Koont |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 16:49 - May 6 by yorkshireblue |
May has been struggling this season for England and Gloucester, so not a huge surprise. This time last year he was the most dangerous winger in the NH, but certainly not now, he's the third most dangerous winger at his club on current form.
For me personally, the biggest surprises are the omission of Slade/Davies (presumable for Aki, who I expect came into the reckoning following North's injury) and the inclusion of Jonny Hill - who whilst fantastic for Exeter, has been found lacking - so far - at test level. And he certainly gives away his fair share of daft penalties - but then so did Simon Shaw who put in one of the greatest Lions performances ever against the Spingboks.... Up until this weekend I would have said Ryan was a certainty to be on the plane, but was bullied by La Rochelle.
Pleased for Chris Harris, got a feeling he will start off as a mid-week player but has the capability to push his way into the test team. -
Love the Simmonds pick, offers something completely different to any other back-rows going, and could be a difference maker coming off the bench (or as a finisher in Eddie Jones parlance) |
Think you’re right about Harris.
As a Scotland fan I’m made up he’s been selected. Started off the year willing Huw Jones to be in the Scotland team but watching Harris closer you see what a phenomenal player he is. With Steve Tandy coaching the Lions defence, it’s a no-brainer that his best defensive player and now arguably one of the best defensive backs in the world is going on the tour. | |
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| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 17:05 - May 6 with 860 views | yorkshireblue |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 17:01 - May 6 by Darth_Koont |
Think you’re right about Harris.
As a Scotland fan I’m made up he’s been selected. Started off the year willing Huw Jones to be in the Scotland team but watching Harris closer you see what a phenomenal player he is. With Steve Tandy coaching the Lions defence, it’s a no-brainer that his best defensive player and now arguably one of the best defensive backs in the world is going on the tour. |
Good article on Harris her and what he brings to the table - behind a paywall but free for today I think https://www.thexv.rugby/2021/04/23/the-defensive-lion/
The big Lions related news today is that there is set to be no documentary 
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-9548877/Lions-fail-sell-doc | | | |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 17:19 - May 6 with 843 views | clive_baker |
I was quite surprised by it too, I think he's unlucky. I still think you could make a case for him as someone who is there or thereabouts among the best wingers in the Northern hemisphere. There's so much strength in depth though, especially across the back row and back 3. Its a strong looking squad. |  |
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| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 17:20 - May 6 with 840 views | Darth_Koont |
Cheers. Yep, very good article.
And the journalist makes a good point about Harris in attack. There are more exciting 13s like Slade, Ringrose or Huw Jones but he’s solid and superb at keeping the ball and the attack alive. So ultimately you’re probably not losing anything anyway. | |
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| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 21:56 - May 6 with 738 views | Ftnfwest |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 16:52 - May 6 by Darth_Koont |
Who’s arguing about England players, you silly sod? |
The Twitter bunch as usual. Of course it could be quite academic as few if any of the English players could be in the starting team anyway. | | | |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 22:04 - May 6 with 724 views | RadioOrwell |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 16:48 - May 6 by Darth_Koont |
I agree. And especially after this year’s Six Nations.
But even leading up to the selection he was in most experts’ matchday 23.
I’ve never been a massive fan but he doesn’t have any major weaknesses which is a strength in itself. And of course his goal-kicking is world-class.
Give me Finn Russell or at least Biggar and a more exciting centre partnership any day of the week. |
OF is never too far from a card of some description.
Winding him up would be strategy number one for the South Africans. | | | |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 22:09 - May 6 with 719 views | Darth_Koont |
| No Jonny May in the Lions tour on 21:56 - May 6 by Ftnfwest |
The Twitter bunch as usual. Of course it could be quite academic as few if any of the English players could be in the starting team anyway. |
Yeah, the starting 15 will be mostly Welsh and Irish, I’d imagine.
I think there’s a fair few of the England boys (George, Lawes, Daly, Mako Vunipola, maybe even Farrell) who were brought in as back up and on past merits.
Which is fair enough but should make the warm-up games tasty as people try to stake a legitimate claim.
But if fit then I can only see Furlong, Itoje, Murray, Henshaw and Hogg as guaranteed starters (Beirne will be in there somewhere too, I expect). So much up for grabs – it’s going to be a cracking tour. | |
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