Wilko bids to make the Lions

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19820611


Never say never but I'd say pretty unlikely.

I'm 100% certain he'll tour and have been for a while. No doubt about it. As sure as night follows day .

I've got a better chance

Ill take those odds Mowgli

Could be worse they could pick Preistland

Maybe we will get to see the Wilkinson/Henson/BOD combinator again!

Interesting...so in the 6 nations 4 teams have 4 10's with 4 on the bench generally and from what I can recall Wilkinson hasnt been playing these. So 8 10's cant keep out Wilko for the Lions tour?

No danger Wilkinson will tour. I don't think Gatland will take many players who don't stand at least an outside chance of making the test team.

maestegmafia wrote:Ill take those odds Mowgli

i'd say you've got a better chance than JW

If he grows his hair really long - he may make it as the mascot. Otherwise he'll have to buy his own ticket like the rest of us.

If he's on form then why not, there is no outstanding candidate currently playing in any of the other sides.

He had batter not play - he was useless last lions tour he was on and is simply not good enough. At least with Gatland not being English there is a decent chance he is not blinded by the bullshine surrounding wilko.

South of France has been agreeing with his game a lot tbh, and i'd be more worried that if he's in the picture for a 10 space, what does that say about all home nations 10's at the moment?

Why not, his still one of the top FH in the NH.

Picture this the Lions series is tied 1-1, 30secs left on the clock of the 3rd test on comes Wilko for the tired and beaten 2nd rate FH, Ben Youngs makes a dash for the line only to be snagged just inside the Aussie 22 up steps Dan Cole to throw a beautiful pass back to Wilko who slots the ugliest drop goal ever between the posts, the Aussie fall to the ground in floods of tears.

Arise Sir Wilko

bedfordwelsh wrote:If he's on form then why not, there is no outstanding candidate currently playing in any of the other sides.

Agree with bedford here, he's the starting flyhalf for one of the best teams in europe if he is playing well then why shouldn't he go ? the only real standout flyhalf at the moment is Sexton, flood does a job and preistland is out of form. I don't think i'd want wilko starting for the 1st team as i'd hope we would play a more attacking game with roberts, tuilagi, north, visser, bowe, kearney etc etc forming the backline. Johny however is one of the most experienced guys on the block he would be an awesome addition to the squad mentoring other players and setting the ethos, he would also be a great guy to lead the mid week team. If then sexton and flood get injured who knows.

Oh come on boys - let it go. He's jogging around in the sun enjoying his twilight years and memories. Hersh, I think you might have soiled your pants typing that.

the fact that this is even a topic of debate shows the parlous state of 10s in the Home Nations. Sexton is the main man, but after that it looks a bit thin. Priestland has been in poor form. England's options are not exactly inspiring. We cannot go north of the border just yet either. Hopefully the AIs will change the picture, but if it does not then JW on the bench to Sexton may not be a bad option.

ermm.. Really wilko!

Well in fairness Australia have their own problems at flyhalf. Cooper has thrown all his toys out of the cot, Beale seems to be the latest to try out that position and JOC coming back at 12 could help cement that. Or he may even move there and Beale moves back to 15. Who knows who will be standing next year. Maybe Wilko will put his hand up for Australia by getting caught shoplifting in France and tracing his origins back to Oz.

Wilko is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down the pecking order. Some of you seem to have forgotton the date - the game has moved on in ten years.

Plenty of better candidates able to get the backs moving.

Sexton, Preistland, laidlaw, Flood, just for starters

TJ wrote:Wilko is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down the pecking order. Some of you seem to have forgotton the date - the game has moved on in ten years.

Plenty of better candidates able to get the backs moving.

Sexton, Preistland, laidlaw, Flood, just for starters

Wilko has lead Toulon to 7 wins on the trot. In the toughest club comp in the Northern Hemisphere. Whether he can still step it up to international level is debatable, but on current form he's definitely in the frame - he's head and shoulders above Priestland and Flood so far this season.

TJ wrote:Wilko is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down the pecking order. Some of you seem to have forgotton the date - the game has moved on in ten years.

Plenty of better candidates able to get the backs moving.

Sexton, Preistland, laidlaw, Flood, just for starters

Just no

Plus he has the experience, and coolness. Seldom plays a bad game in the English shirt, only game I can remember was against France bout 5 years ago at Twickenham, when Chabal was on form.

And yes, the game has moved on, but certain 3 pointers are still game winners, imho, specially in tight suitations

TJ wrote:Wilko is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down the pecking order. Some of you seem to have forgotton the date - the game has moved on in ten years.

Has the game really moved on?

If anything the game has gone backwards.

There is a big difference between chillaxing in the south of France and going on a Lions tour.

But he's a pro and if he did get picked i'm sure he wouldn't let the side down and even if he never played a match would still give his all in training and help in any way that he can.

And his attacking form for Toulon has been sublime.

I think he could tour and do a very good job.

I think the quality of #10 across the board isn't that high: Sexton, Flood, Priestland, Laidlaw, O'Gara, Farrell, Biggar, Parks, Madigan

Seriously these are not players who jump out as being truly top class.

Wikinson is certainly capable of touring. He brings experience, a winning track record and is certainly good enough to be 2nd or 3rd choice.

I think we should just pick youngons anyway

mystiroakey wrote:I think we should just pick youngons anyway

Why? We are not trying to develop players. I think we pick whoever fits in nicely. That doesnt just mean on the pitch but also off it. Who will be good on tour for 6-7 weeks. Who will be a positive influence in the camp? etc.

I have noticed a lot of posters just want young lads because . . . .they are young.

Well i dont see the point in lions as a majorly comeptitive fixture. so id rather develop players

HERSH wrote:

TJ wrote:Wilko is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down the pecking order. Some of you seem to have forgotton the date - the game has moved on in ten years.

Has the game really moved on?

If anything the game has gone backwards.

Really Maybe the teams you watch :-) For most its far more important to get the backs into the game quickly and to move the ball quickly - something Wilko for all his strengths was never able to do.

meAtwork wrote:Plus he has the experience, and coolness. Seldom plays a bad game in the English shirt, only game I can remember was against France bout 5 years ago at Twickenham, when Chabal was on form.

And yes, the game has moved on, but certain 3 pointers are still game winners, imho, specially in tight suitations

Like the Ones Laidlaw (and Preistland) keep on slotting?

meAtwork wrote:Plus he has the experience, and coolness. Seldom plays a bad game in the English shirt, only game I can remember was against France bout 5 years ago at Twickenham, when Chabal was on form.

And yes, the game has moved on, but certain 3 pointers are still game winners, imho, specially in tight suitations

Seldom a bad game in an England shirt? he has been mince for years!

mystiroakey wrote:Well i dont see the point in lions as a majorly comeptitive fixture. so id rather develop players

Ah well thats a different story so. If you dont see the value in the Lions why take any players.

TJ, me think the lady doth protest too much!

red_stag wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Well i dont see the point in lions as a majorly comeptitive fixture. so id rather develop players

Ah well thats a different story so. If you dont see the value in the Lions why take any players.

Because so many do see the value. I respect that fact

Regardless of how he's playing i think we should avoid taking him.

In 4 nations we MUST be able to produce a FH to take the helm. Sexton looks the one if he is on form.

Even just in England ranks young Burns at Glos has looked very impressive...and if he can continue this vein of form...and continue to improve his game...he could be a challenge for the AI's and 6n's and thus a(very) dark horse for the Lions.

Do you want to bring back Johnson and Back as well? How about Beaumont?

Wilkos days are long gone. He was never as good as some of you think and certainly now is well well down the pecking order.

mystiroakey wrote:

red_stag wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Well i dont see the point in lions as a majorly comeptitive fixture. so id rather develop players

Ah well thats a different story so. If you dont see the value in the Lions why take any players.

Because so many do see the value. I respect that fact

Fair play

TJ wrote:Do you want to bring back Johnson and Back as well? How about Beaumont?

Wilkos days are long gone. He was never as good as some of you think and certainly now is well well down the pecking order.

TJ, I merely think there is room for an experienced player who is playing very well in the French league to come on tour and be a good influence both on and off the field. I think our current flyhalves are mediocre and this is a big part of it.

TJ wrote:Do you want to bring back Johnson and Back as well? How about Beaumont?

Wilkos days are long gone. He was never as good as some of you think and certainly now is well well down the pecking order.

Disagree with that...one of the best FH's ever...like it or not.

But his time has gone...must look forward.

Wilko will only be two years older than O'Gara was in 2009, when you take into account how long he was out injured post 2003 then IMO he can be the Lions 1st/2nd choice FH.

It's only Aus at the end of the day, even England win downunder.

GeordieFalcon wrote:must look forward.

No we must look at this season. The here and now. Our only goal is to pick a group who can beat Australia in June.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

TJ wrote:Do you want to bring back Johnson and Back as well? How about Beaumont?

Wilkos days are long gone. He was never as good as some of you think and certainly now is well well down the pecking order.

Disagree with that...one of the best FH's ever...like it or not.

But his time has gone...must look forward.

One of the best 10s ever - get real. A good but flawed player.

Fantastic kicker, very good in defence, never more than adequate at his best even at releasing the backs.

he was very easy to counter - set a loose forward after him and he retreated behind the scrum lying ever deeper and deeper meaning that the backs threat was negated. he also used to go missing a lot in attack playing not at first receiver but hiding in the centres.
If you want a 10 who can play field position behind a dominant pack and wait for penalties then fine - if you want a 10 to take on the opposition and create for the backs he is not and never was your man

red_stag wrote:

TJ wrote:Do you want to bring back Johnson and Back as well? How about Beaumont?

Wilkos days are long gone. He was never as good as some of you think and certainly now is well well down the pecking order.

TJ, I merely think there is room for an experienced player who is playing very well in the French league to come on tour and be a good influence both on and off the field. I think our current flyhalves are mediocre and this is a big part of it.

I agree that our crop right now are not great - but Wilko is still well down the pecking order. He is simply too slow - around the field and between the ears.

TJ it seems to me that you are based you opinions on things that happened a long time ago instead of what he is now doing in the Top 14.

Any player can learn new skills and he is doing very well playing with Freddy Michalak and Matt Giteau every week.

I have seen excellent attacking qualities from him - certainly enough to be 2nd or 3rd choice for the lions.

TJ

Yawn...every Wilko crictic simply brings out the "he couldnt attack" rubbish.

Get yourself on Youtube and actually watch some of his play...dont just go along with the sheep!

Sexton and Priestland are nailed on.

Wilko, ROG and Dan Biggar are fighting it out for the 3rd spot and my money is on sir Jonny

Yeah not surfe where this cant attack riubbish spans from- Its clearly just something they can attck because his defense and kicking was out of this world

Priestland hasn't been right since last years RWC.

How does it make him nailed on for the Lions, plus his kicking is poor at best.

Wilko if fit will go, maybe not as 1st choice but he'll be on the plane maybe Gatland will us him to rub his heels.