British & Irish Lions - Selection. Mark 1.0.
1888.
An Irishman, Englishman, Welshman and a Scotsman walk into a bar. They have a chug and a chinwag, before you know it they agree to create a touring rugby team that will combine the best players from each nation. Delighted with their creation, they move on to discuss who would be selected for said team. They cannot agree. Rather, they agree to disagree in perpetuity.
As much as on field unity is paramount to the ability of the British & Irish Lions to be successful on field. The disharmony when it comes to selection discussion is a key indicator that the brand is alive and well in the eye of the rugby public. We value the jersey. It matters who is picked. When it doesn't, it ends.
So, with that backdrop, welcome to my inaugural Lions selection meeting/monologue.
Conflicts of Interest
Admit it. We all have them. Whether it be affinity to players from a certain nation or being a coach who has a son vying for selection. Ok, the latter scenario is unlikely to be applicable to any readers of this blog. In depth analysis of the Farrell scenario suggests that although Andy might be trying to score his son a free holiday, Owen's rugby ability is sufficient to dismiss any claim of nepotism.
My COI, I'm a Welsh fan. No qualms when Gatland picked Jonathan Davies over BOD. Happy if anything.
During the Championship, my willing to sacrifice sleep for live Rugby was only extended to Wales. Attempting to counter this imbalance, I watched the Ireland v England and Scotland v Ireland matches this week, full episodes. Takes ages when you don't have sufficient control over your touchscreen telephone to fast forward in the increments required to cut out the breaks in play.
That's confession done. I will try and be objective - promise.
To Warrenball or not to Warrenball.
Before the grand reveal, I'll allow you a sneak preview. 24 June, Eden Park, British & Irish Lions 10/12 jumpers are hanging on the pegs of J. Sexton & O. Farrell. No shocks there.
This selection is perfectly logical based upon the performances of the aforementioned players over the last couple of seasons. But for it to come to fruition it will require Warren Gatland to shun, or at least adapt, the game plan with which he has become synonymous, Warrenball. A simple strategy that favours a couple of big boppers in the midfield.
If the plan is to go with a baller at 12. How does this impact squad selection? As it stands, England are the only home nation that operate with the second play maker. Do the Lions have sufficient time time to prepare using the following formula?
=IF(12=OwenFarrell,"gameplanA","Warrenball")
If the answer is no. Should Farrell be considered only as a ten? Or should the selection panel broaden their parameters to take in other players who are comfortable with the brief at both 10 and 12. Note, this is not me blabbering to try and justify selecting Gavin Henson as a bolter. Imagine the scenes.
Am I doing Robbie Henshaw, Scott Williams and Alex Dunbar a disservice by dissing their service?
The humdinger
I think come April 19 there will be plenty of disappointed Scottish players and fans.
Regardless of whether they were joint second or fourth in the 2017 Six Nations, Scotland have plenty to be gleeful about in the present, and optimistic about for the future. They deserved to beat both Ireland and Wales with performances that were both emotional and clinical.
But...
The Scots didn't feature in any of the tests that best replicated the intensity and ferocity that awaits the Lions in New Zealand. The encounters that featured two of England, Ireland and Wales - these were the humdingers. The Scots were convincingly dispatched at Twickenham. As good as they were against their Celtic rivals, the Twickenham performance will have left Lions selectors with the one thing they can't have on tour - doubt.
Ok, here goes, my squad is as follows:
Props: McGrath, Healy, Vunipola, Cole, Furlong, Sinckler
Hookers: Rory Best, Ken Owens, Jamie George
Locks: A W Jones, Itoje, Launchbury, Henderson, Parling
Back Row: Warburton, Vunipola, O'Brien, O'Mahony, Faletau, Tipuric, Haskell
Scrum Halves: Murray, Webb, Youngs
Fly Halves: Sexton, Farrell, Ford
Centres: Henshaw, Joseph, Davies, Slade
Wings: North, Daly, Nowell, Watson
Full Backs: Hogg, Williams
Justifications
Gatland has stressed the importance of having a good environment off the field, if they are to have any chance in the test series. This insight has led to favorable outcome in my selection for Haskell and also out of the international wilderness, Geoff Parling. Selection of the latter might be influenced by the fact that he comes across as a good bloke on the Lions Raw doco. A good bloke over a tackling machine like Jonny Gray - not likely. Reminder, Matt Stevens went on the last tour as part time prop, part time jukebox.
The Henry Slade selection provides the Lions with facility to replicate the dual play maker setup in the midweek team. The fact that he's a top player also helps.
Happy to be talked round.
Front row union, I don't profess to know the intricacies of what you get up to. Or what type of prop/hooker is best suited to facing the All Blacks. Feedback welcomed. Marler over Healy?
Jonathan Davies shone on tour in 2013 but his selection is in the balance this time, after an ordinary Six Nations. In a throwback to 2013, Gatland might find himself forced to chose between Davies and an Irish rival. Gary Ringrose was excellent against England.
Trivia -Who was the last Lion called Gary?
On the wing, Watson edges it over a list of capable others. His top end speed being the deal breaker. For capable others read: Zebo, Seymour and Earls.
There it is. Come at me.
An Irishman, Englishman, Welshman and a Scotsman walk into a bar. They have a chug and a chinwag, before you know it they agree to create a touring rugby team that will combine the best players from each nation. Delighted with their creation, they move on to discuss who would be selected for said team. They cannot agree. Rather, they agree to disagree in perpetuity.
As much as on field unity is paramount to the ability of the British & Irish Lions to be successful on field. The disharmony when it comes to selection discussion is a key indicator that the brand is alive and well in the eye of the rugby public. We value the jersey. It matters who is picked. When it doesn't, it ends.
So, with that backdrop, welcome to my inaugural Lions selection meeting/monologue.
Conflicts of Interest
Admit it. We all have them. Whether it be affinity to players from a certain nation or being a coach who has a son vying for selection. Ok, the latter scenario is unlikely to be applicable to any readers of this blog. In depth analysis of the Farrell scenario suggests that although Andy might be trying to score his son a free holiday, Owen's rugby ability is sufficient to dismiss any claim of nepotism.
My COI, I'm a Welsh fan. No qualms when Gatland picked Jonathan Davies over BOD. Happy if anything.
During the Championship, my willing to sacrifice sleep for live Rugby was only extended to Wales. Attempting to counter this imbalance, I watched the Ireland v England and Scotland v Ireland matches this week, full episodes. Takes ages when you don't have sufficient control over your touchscreen telephone to fast forward in the increments required to cut out the breaks in play.
That's confession done. I will try and be objective - promise.
To Warrenball or not to Warrenball.
Before the grand reveal, I'll allow you a sneak preview. 24 June, Eden Park, British & Irish Lions 10/12 jumpers are hanging on the pegs of J. Sexton & O. Farrell. No shocks there.
This selection is perfectly logical based upon the performances of the aforementioned players over the last couple of seasons. But for it to come to fruition it will require Warren Gatland to shun, or at least adapt, the game plan with which he has become synonymous, Warrenball. A simple strategy that favours a couple of big boppers in the midfield.If the plan is to go with a baller at 12. How does this impact squad selection? As it stands, England are the only home nation that operate with the second play maker. Do the Lions have sufficient time time to prepare using the following formula?
=IF(12=OwenFarrell,"gameplanA","Warrenball")
If the answer is no. Should Farrell be considered only as a ten? Or should the selection panel broaden their parameters to take in other players who are comfortable with the brief at both 10 and 12. Note, this is not me blabbering to try and justify selecting Gavin Henson as a bolter. Imagine the scenes.
Am I doing Robbie Henshaw, Scott Williams and Alex Dunbar a disservice by dissing their service?
The humdinger
I think come April 19 there will be plenty of disappointed Scottish players and fans.
Regardless of whether they were joint second or fourth in the 2017 Six Nations, Scotland have plenty to be gleeful about in the present, and optimistic about for the future. They deserved to beat both Ireland and Wales with performances that were both emotional and clinical.
But...
The Scots didn't feature in any of the tests that best replicated the intensity and ferocity that awaits the Lions in New Zealand. The encounters that featured two of England, Ireland and Wales - these were the humdingers. The Scots were convincingly dispatched at Twickenham. As good as they were against their Celtic rivals, the Twickenham performance will have left Lions selectors with the one thing they can't have on tour - doubt.
Ok, here goes, my squad is as follows:
Props: McGrath, Healy, Vunipola, Cole, Furlong, Sinckler
Hookers: Rory Best, Ken Owens, Jamie George
Locks: A W Jones, Itoje, Launchbury, Henderson, Parling
Back Row: Warburton, Vunipola, O'Brien, O'Mahony, Faletau, Tipuric, Haskell
Scrum Halves: Murray, Webb, Youngs
Fly Halves: Sexton, Farrell, Ford
Centres: Henshaw, Joseph, Davies, Slade
Wings: North, Daly, Nowell, Watson
Full Backs: Hogg, Williams
Justifications
Gatland has stressed the importance of having a good environment off the field, if they are to have any chance in the test series. This insight has led to favorable outcome in my selection for Haskell and also out of the international wilderness, Geoff Parling. Selection of the latter might be influenced by the fact that he comes across as a good bloke on the Lions Raw doco. A good bloke over a tackling machine like Jonny Gray - not likely. Reminder, Matt Stevens went on the last tour as part time prop, part time jukebox.
The Henry Slade selection provides the Lions with facility to replicate the dual play maker setup in the midweek team. The fact that he's a top player also helps.
Happy to be talked round.
Front row union, I don't profess to know the intricacies of what you get up to. Or what type of prop/hooker is best suited to facing the All Blacks. Feedback welcomed. Marler over Healy?
Jonathan Davies shone on tour in 2013 but his selection is in the balance this time, after an ordinary Six Nations. In a throwback to 2013, Gatland might find himself forced to chose between Davies and an Irish rival. Gary Ringrose was excellent against England.
Trivia -Who was the last Lion called Gary?
On the wing, Watson edges it over a list of capable others. His top end speed being the deal breaker. For capable others read: Zebo, Seymour and Earls.
There it is. Come at me.
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