Lions Selection Competition

by **LondonTiger** Mon 15 Apr 2013, 1:09 pm

Sadly no prize - other than the "glory".

Rules relatively straightforward:

Warren Gatland (or more likely Andy Irvine) will be announcing the squad to tour Australia after the HEC/Amlin semi-finals. You have between now and midnight (board time) on Sunday 28th to name the players you believe he will take. You can amend your list at any time, up to that time. Please put the players you most expect to tour first (ie not in positional order) as the winner is the poster who names the most touring players before naming a wrong one. In event of a tie, well we count to the second non-tourist etc.

My entry will follow.

Edit:
Please note you can amend your teams to account for injuries - so long as this is done before Gatland announces his squad.

by hugehandoff Mon 15 Apr 2013, 1:46 pm

1/4 finals aready played

by **LondonTiger** Mon 15 Apr 2013, 1:48 pm

hugehandoff wrote:1/4 finals aready played

Yeah, my brain turned last 4 into 1/4 finals. cheers, OP amended.

by hugehandoff Mon 15 Apr 2013, 1:58 pm

LT.....which non 6Ns players do you think should be on the plane. This may well change given that those returning from injury may impress in a similar style to Paul O'Connell. For me it is:
1. Paul O'Connell
2. Tommy Bowe
3. Sheridan
4. Lydiate

by **LondonTiger** Mon 15 Apr 2013, 2:06 pm

Quite a few could make it - though Gatland keeps saying only those able to travel with the squad can go, theoretically ruling out players in the T14 playoffs.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 15 Apr 2013, 2:07 pm

My Entry (so far)

Mike Phillips
Adam Jones
Leigh Halfpenny
George North
Dan Cole
Ben Youngs
Rory Best
Cian Healy
Jonny Sexton
Richard Hibbard
Alun-wyn Jones
Toby Faletau
Jamie Roberts
Manu Tuilagi
Brian O'Driscoll
Stuart Hogg
Ryan Grant
Paul O'Connell
Alex Cuthbert
Sean O'Brien
Sam Warburton
Jonathan Davies
Jamie Heaslip
Geoff Parling
Ian Evans
Ryan jones
Euan Murray
Tommy Bowe
Tim Visser

by sirBiggles Mon 15 Apr 2013, 2:11 pm

Gatland also said he will only pick players playing in Wales for Wales.... That soon changed ...

by SuperTanker Mon 15 Apr 2013, 2:17 pm

My Entry (so far)

Adam Jones
Leigh Halfpenny
George North
Alex Cuthbert
Ben Youngs
Cian Healy
Justin Tipuric
Sam Warburton
Chris Robshaw
Manu Tuilagi
JD2
Brian O'Driscoll
Jamie Roberts
Mike Philips
Dan Cole
Sean O'Brian
Dan Lydiate
Owen Farrell

by hugehandoff Mon 15 Apr 2013, 2:24 pm

Current draft:
O'Connell
Adam Jones
1/2 p
North
Phillips
Ben Youngs
Cian Healy
Sexton
Biggar
Rory Best
Hibbard
Wyn-Jones
Roberts
O'Driscoll
Warburton
Tipuric
Robshaw
Cole
Faletau
Jonathan Davies
Zebo
Tuilagi

by mckay1402 Mon 15 Apr 2013, 3:34 pm

sirBiggles wrote:Gatland also said he will only pick players playing in Wales for Wales.... That soon changed ...

no he didn't

by sirBiggles Mon 15 Apr 2013, 5:01 pm

mckay1402 wrote:
sirBiggles wrote:Gatland also said he will only pick players playing in Wales for Wales.... That soon changed ...

no he didn't

the so called "Gatland's Law" of 2008, when he made the statement that players playing in Wales will be selected for Wales above those playing outside of Wales. The day after (I believe) Dwayne Peel signed for Sale and Gatland states this would be an exception as negotiations where already in place..... many more exceptions followed.

So.... yes he did... if not in so many words. We all knew what he meant, but his bluff was called and he had to back down.

by welshboii15 Mon 15 Apr 2013, 5:21 pm

Current draft;
Adam Jones
AWJ
Faletau
Hibbard
Phillips
Roberts
JD2
North
Cuthbert
Halfpenny
Cole
Parling
B.Youngs
Wade
Gray
Brown
Hogg
Bowe
O'Connell
Best
Healy
Sexton
BOD

by offload Mon 15 Apr 2013, 5:27 pm

My FINAL 38

Adam Jones
Dan Cole
Gethin Jenkins
Cian Healy
Rory Best
Alan Wyn Jones
Paul O'Connell
Ian Evans
Justin Tipuric
Sam Warburton
Toby Faletau
Mike Phillips
Ben Youngs
Jonathan Sexton
Jamie Roberts
Manu Tuilagi
Brian O'Driscoll
Jonathan Davies
Lee Halfpenny
George North
Alex Cuthbert
Paul James
Richard Hibbard
Tom Youngs
Richie Gray
Heaslip
Chris Robshaw
Sean O'Brien
Kelly Brown
Greg Laidlaw
James Hook
Stuart Hogg
Tommy Bowe
Maitland
Grant
Biggar
Kearney
Hines

by GunsGerms Mon 15 Apr 2013, 5:29 pm

How many players is he taking?

by **Biltong** Mon 15 Apr 2013, 5:29 pm

Just one question LT, if a player gets injured we don't get penalised right?

I mean if we aren't aware of an injury it would not reflect on our selection.

George North
Rory Best
Alex Cuthbert
Leigh Halfpenny
Tuilagi
Owen Farrell
Mike Philips
Jd
Roberts
Gray
Sexton
Youngs
Parling
Healy
Cole
O'Connol
Sheridan

For now.

by Guest Mon 15 Apr 2013, 5:41 pm

sirBiggles wrote:
mckay1402 wrote:
sirBiggles wrote:Gatland also said he will only pick players playing in Wales for Wales.... That soon changed ...

no he didn't

the so called "Gatland's Law" of 2008, when he made the statement that players playing in Wales will be selected for Wales above those playing outside of Wales. The day after (I believe) Dwayne Peel signed for Sale and Gatland states this would be an exception as negotiations where already in place..... many more exceptions followed.

So.... yes he did... if not in so many words. We all knew what he meant, but his bluff was called and he had to back down.

I agree that he said it and that he backed down. But is Gatland a good coach? I think he is - 2 Grand Slams for Wales in 5 seasons, to add to 3 Premiership titles and the Heineken Cup with Wasps - which for me is more important than whether he got egg on his face over something he said.

by offload Mon 15 Apr 2013, 5:45 pm

optimist wrote:
sirBiggles wrote:
mckay1402 wrote:
sirBiggles wrote:Gatland also said he will only pick players playing in Wales for Wales.... That soon changed ...

no he didn't

the so called "Gatland's Law" of 2008, when he made the statement that players playing in Wales will be selected for Wales above those playing outside of Wales. The day after (I believe) Dwayne Peel signed for Sale and Gatland states this would be an exception as negotiations where already in place..... many more exceptions followed.

So.... yes he did... if not in so many words. We all knew what he meant, but his bluff was called and he had to back down.

I agree that he said it and that he backed down. But is Gatland a good coach? I think he is - 2 Grand Slams for Wales in 5 seasons, to add to 3 Premiership titles and the Heineken Cup with Wasps - which for me is more important than whether he got egg on his face over something he said.

It was never a "law" it was his stated preference. It probably still is, but he has to deal with the reality in front of him.

by welshboii15 Mon 15 Apr 2013, 6:00 pm

Sexton is going and I see biggar as the second choice. Why have players like BOD, Bowe, Cuthbert, north, tuilagi, JD2 and then have Farrell at 10 the the out side backs would have the ball least creative 10 available. Hodgson would be picked before him personally

by B91212 Mon 15 Apr 2013, 6:34 pm

A. Jones
Warburton
Phillips
North
Halfpenny
Cole
Healy
Best
Sexton
Cuthbert
B. Youngs
Farrell
BOD
Tuilagi
O'Brien
Roberts
K. Brown
POC
Tupuric (19)
-------------------------------
Faletau
Hibbard
Kearney
Wyn-Jones
Lydiate
Grant
Laidlaw
Youngs. T
Murray
Launchberry
Grey
Evans. I
Hogg
Croft
Davies. J
Visser
Vunipola. M
Wood (37)

by bazalicous Mon 15 Apr 2013, 7:03 pm

Why does everyone always have jenkins in their picks when Toulon have clearly said he wont be released if they reach the final and gatty all but said he defo wont be bringing anyone who cant go with the first plane???

If he brings jenkins then there's Sheridan, Hines and Byrne to consider,.. plus a certain Mr Wilkinson....

by sirBiggles Mon 15 Apr 2013, 7:13 pm

optimist wrote:
I agree that he said it and that he backed down. But is Gatland a good coach? I think he is - 2 Grand Slams for Wales in 5 seasons, to add to 3 Premiership titles and the Heineken Cup with Wasps - which for me is more important than whether he got egg on his face over something he said.

I never said he wasnt a good coach, you need to read the other posts to get my comment in context....

LondonTiger wrote:Quite a few could make it - though Gatland keeps saying only those able to travel with the squad can go, theoretically ruling out players in the T14 playoffs.

to which I replied...

sirBiggles wrote:Gatland also said he will only pick players playing in Wales for Wales.... That soon changed ...

Which offload said he never said that... to my response you responded to...

..............

offload wrote:
It was never a "law" it was his stated preference. It probably still is, but he has to deal with the reality in front of him.

Never said it was a law, I was using the tag the media put on it. They tagged it "Gatland's Law" which is why I put it in quotes...

The point I tried to make, was, Gatland has said several times that only players who can travel with the squad will go. My point, is that he may say that but will make exceptions for players he wants in the touring party. My reference to the so named (by the media) "Gatland's Law" is that he has a track record of saying one thing, but making exceptions where it suits.

Hope I can put an end to this line of debate.... thumbsup

by 123456789 Mon 15 Apr 2013, 7:50 pm

I think there'll be a squad of 35

1. Halfpenny
2. Roberts
3. Cuthbert
4. Tipuric
5. Warburton
6. Jones (Adam)
7. Healy
8. Hibbard
9. Hogg
10. Faletau
11. O'Driscoll
12. North
13. Phillips
14. Sexton
15. O'Connell
16. Kelly Brown
17. Richie Gray
18. Maitland
19. Alun Wyn Jones
20. Ian Evans
21. Beattie
22. Farrell
23. Best
24. Murray
25. Cole
26. Sheridan
27. Youngs
28. Davies
29. Tuilagi
30. Hook
31. Bowe
32. Ford
33. O'Brien
34. Kearney
35. Hamilton

Can I have a bonus point if I guess correctly that Paul O'Connell will be Captain

by reallybored Mon 15 Apr 2013, 8:05 pm

Ryan Grant

More to follow

by Glas a du Mon 15 Apr 2013, 8:49 pm

Adam Jones
Warburton
Phillips
Roberts
North
Halfpenny
Tuilagi
Best
Sexton
Jenkins
Hibbard
Faletau
Jon Davies
Farell
O Brien
Kearney
Cuthbert
Alun Wyn Jones
Ian Evans
Cole
Heaslip
Healy
POC
Wood
BOD
Tipuric
Robshaw
Launchberry
Madigan
P James
K Owens
Lydiate
Brown
Murray
Gray
Beattie
Grant
Laidlaw
D Ryan
Hogg
Ford
Hamilton

Parling

by Glas a du Mon 15 Apr 2013, 8:53 pm

Excellent thread by the way.

Tip - remember its Gatlandball...

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 15 Apr 2013, 10:00 pm

Staggering that Kelly Brown still isn't getting noticed. His 20th game on the trot when he has tackled everything that so much as twitched and set up a try by battering through 2 defenders...

my picks thus far :

Brown, Halfpenny, Hogg, Tipuric, Adam Jones, Ben Youngs, Farrell, O'Brian, O'Connell, O'Driscoll, Ian Evans and Faleteu

more to follow...

by **LondonTiger** Mon 15 Apr 2013, 10:07 pm

I have, so far, picked hardly any back row forwards as competition is so fierce

by Guest Mon 15 Apr 2013, 10:41 pm

sirBiggles wrote:
optimist wrote:
I agree that he said it and that he backed down. But is Gatland a good coach? I think he is - 2 Grand Slams for Wales in 5 seasons, to add to 3 Premiership titles and the Heineken Cup with Wasps - which for me is more important than whether he got egg on his face over something he said.

I never said he wasnt a good coach, you need to read the other posts to get my comment in context....
LondonTiger wrote:Quite a few could make it - though Gatland keeps saying only those able to travel with the squad can go, theoretically ruling out players in the T14 playoffs.

to which I replied...
sirBiggles wrote:Gatland also said he will only pick players playing in Wales for Wales.... That soon changed ...

Which offload said he never said that... to my response you responded to...

..............

offload wrote:
It was never a "law" it was his stated preference. It probably still is, but he has to deal with the reality in front of him.

Never said it was a law, I was using the tag the media put on it. They tagged it "Gatland's Law" which is why I put it in quotes...

The point I tried to make, was, Gatland has said several times that only players who can travel with the squad will go. My point, is that he may say that but will make exceptions for players he wants in the touring party. My reference to the so named (by the media) "Gatland's Law" is that he has a track record of saying one thing, but making exceptions where it suits.

Hope I can put an end to this line of debate....

I'm not trawling through your other posts looking for a hint as whether or not you think Gatland is a good coach. I just gave my opinion about what I think is important, with a few facts to illustrate his coaching success.

by Looseheaded Tue 16 Apr 2013, 12:27 am

Adam Jones
Dan Cole
Sexton
Phillips
North
Cuthbert
Hogg
Halfpenny
Healy
Jenkins
Best
Warburton
BOD
SOB
Tipuric
Falatau
Youngs
AWJ
Roberts
Evans
Biggar

by bedfordwelsh Tue 16 Apr 2013, 6:04 am

sirBiggles wrote:Gatland also said he will only pick players playing in Wales for Wales.... That soon changed ...

No he never, he said players playing outside of Wales will have to be playing regular rygby and be first choice and with that proviso the only one he picked who wasn't first choice was Jenkins.

Phillips is first choice for Wales and first choice for Toulon.

by sirBiggles Tue 16 Apr 2013, 11:22 am

bedford, he actually said lots of "different words" during that week. He said "players in Wales will be in the driving seat", "players leaving Wales need to consider their international career" was two I remember. However, with Peel signing for Sale and being the 1st choice No 9 at the time, he changed his tone several times during the week. Which is really the point I was making.

Gatland will say one thing, but will not necessarily carry it out to the letter, if he has to. Hence, the statement that players have to travel with the touring party or not at all, will be overlooked for any player (ie Gethin) who he wants in the touring party but unable to join at the beginning.

by nlpnlp Tue 16 Apr 2013, 6:49 pm

Back on topic:

Adam Jones
Leigh Halfpenny
Jonathan Sexton
George North
Dan Cole
Cian Healy
Rory Best
Richard Hibbard
Alun Wyn Jones
Justin Tipuric
Sean O’Brien
Toby Faletau
Mike Phillips
Ben Youngs
Sam Warburton
Stuart Hogg
Paul O’Connell
Jonathan Davies
Jamie Roberts
Owen Farrell
Ian Evans
Peter Grant
Gethin Jenkins
Alex Cuthbert
Manu Tuilagi
Richie Gray
Mike Ross
Tommy Bowe
Jamie Heaslip
Rob Kearney
Brian O’Driscoll
Tom Youngs
Tom Croft
Danny Care
Tim Visser
James Hook
Joe Launchbury

Not confident on about 9 or 10 of them!

by **George Carlin** Tue 16 Apr 2013, 7:54 pm

GunsGerms wrote:How many players is he taking?

Assume 37 or thereabouts Guns.

by mckay1402 Tue 16 Apr 2013, 8:26 pm

offload wrote:
optimist wrote:
sirBiggles wrote:
mckay1402 wrote:
sirBiggles wrote:Gatland also said he will only pick players playing in Wales for Wales.... That soon changed ...

no he didn't

the so called "Gatland's Law" of 2008, when he made the statement that players playing in Wales will be selected for Wales above those playing outside of Wales. The day after (I believe) Dwayne Peel signed for Sale and Gatland states this would be an exception as negotiations where already in place..... many more exceptions followed.

So.... yes he did... if not in so many words. We all knew what he meant, but his bluff was called and he had to back down.

I agree that he said it and that he backed down. But is Gatland a good coach? I think he is - 2 Grand Slams for Wales in 5 seasons, to add to 3 Premiership titles and the Heineken Cup with Wasps - which for me is more important than whether he got egg on his face over something he said.

It was never a "law" it was his stated preference. It probably still is, but he has to deal with the reality in front of him.

what he said was essentially that of two played in the same position were playing roughly at the same level but one played on Wales and the other didn't then the former would be selected. Not what was then laid down in the media as gatland saying nobody playing outside Wales would be selected. He never backed down because he never needed to.

by SecretFly Tue 16 Apr 2013, 10:05 pm

Would I be cheating if I knew Gatland personally and could ask him to give me my 'guess' list a few days before it's announced???

by Glas a du Tue 16 Apr 2013, 10:08 pm

No, because he'll chuck in a red herring you won't spot...

by SecretFly Tue 16 Apr 2013, 10:28 pm

He already mentioned the red herring.
It's Wade.
That's my first choice...just to prove I'm brave, with forewarned info Wink

by king_carlos Fri 19 Apr 2013, 9:51 pm

My entries as of the moment (the order will probably change a lot with more thought!):

1.Jones
2.Cole
3.Best
4.Hibbard
5.Youngs, Ben
6.Phillips
7.Roberts
8.North
9.Halfpenny
10.Wyn Jones
11.O'Brien
12.Tipuric
13.Sexton
14.Healy
15.Faletau
16.Cuthbert
17.O'Driscoll
18.Warburton
19.Ryan
20.Jenkins
21.Evans
22.Davies
23.Tuilagi
24.O'Connell
25.Ryan
26.Farrell
27.Heaslip
28.Robshaw
29.Youngs, Tom
30.Bowe
31.Kearney, Rob
32.Murray, Euan
33.Hook
34.Wood
35.Sheridan
36.Hines
37.Laidlaw
38.Wade

by bsando Sun 21 Apr 2013, 11:27 am

1. Hogg
2. Halfpenny
3. Healy
4. Hibbard
5. Tiperic
6. Cole
7. Wade
8. A. Jones
9. B youngs
10. Phillips
11. Faletau
12. Farrell
13. Sexton
14. Davies
15. North
16. Cuthbert
17. Best
18. Maitland
19. Brown
20. Robshaw
21. AWJ
22. Grant
23. Parling
24. Visser
25. AWJ
26. Biggar
27. Jenkins
28. D. Ryan
29. Hines
30. I. Evans
31. Heaslip
32. Scott
33. Vunipola
34. Tuilagi
35. Laidlaw
36. Warburton
37. Ashton
38. Bowe

by ChequeredJersey Sun 21 Apr 2013, 12:26 pm

This isn't who i wouod bring but who I think will go

1. Healy
2. Hibbard
3. Jones
4. Grant
5. Best
6. Cole
7. O'Connell
8. Launchbury
9. Evans
10. Ryan
11. Brown
12. Tipuric
13. Lydiate
14. SOB
15. Morgan
16. Warburton
17. Youngs
18. Phillips
19. Laidlaw
20. Sexton
21. Farrell
22. Biggar
23. Roberts
24. Tuilagi
25. O'Driscoll
26. Davies
27. Bowe
28. North
29. Halfpenny
30. Kearney
31. Hogg
32. Zebo

by dummy_half Mon 22 Apr 2013, 2:26 pm

Based on a squad of 38, so two full XVs plus one set of replacements (i.e. 3 x both props, hookers, scrum half and one additional 2nd row, back row, 10-12 and back 3 player):

LH - Healy, Jenkings, Grant
Hooker - Best, Hibbard, Youngs
TH - Jones, Cole, Ross

2nd row: Gray, Launchbury, Evans, Parling, POC

Flankers: Tipuric, Warburton, Robshaw, SOB, Ryan Jones

#8 - Faletau, Beattie

SH - Youngs, Phillips, Laidlaw

10 - Sexton, Farrell, Hook

Centres - BOD, Tuilagi, Roberts, Scott

Back 3 - 1/2p, Hogg, North, Mike Brown, Maitland, Gilroy, Bowe.

I'm pretty sure on about 25 of these (assuming they are fit). The others are basically guesses. Least sure of the back 3 players beyond 1/2p, Hogg and North.

by Glas a du Mon 22 Apr 2013, 2:36 pm

You've got the right name DH Very Happy

Rubric, rubric, rubric!

by No 7&1/2 Mon 22 Apr 2013, 2:48 pm

Oh dear I can't decide who I'll take from 1 day to another so I'll be miles from Gatland!

1. Healy
2. Jenkins
3. T. Youngs
4. Best
5. Jones
6. Cole
7. O'Connell
8. Launchbury
9. Hines.
10. AW Jones
11. Wood
12. Lydiate
13. Tipuric
14. Warburton
15. Morgan
16. Faletau
17. B. Youngs
18. Phillips
19. Sexton
20. Farrell
21. Roberts
22. O'Driscoll
23. Tuilagi
24. Marshall
25. North
26. Cuthbert
27. Bowe
28. Wade
29. Halfpenny
30. Hogg
31. Laidlaw
32. James
33. O'Brien
34. Jonathan Davies
35. Brown.

But I'll be wrong!

by **LondonTiger** Mon 22 Apr 2013, 4:00 pm

Guys, please remember to list your names in most-likely-to-tour order. the first wrong name and I stop counting.

by gowershowerpower Mon 22 Apr 2013, 4:28 pm

1. Gavin Henson

by **LondonTiger** Mon 22 Apr 2013, 4:34 pm

gowershowerpower wrote:1. Gavin Henson

Stranger things have happened. Andy Titterall being a Lion for one.

by gowershowerpower Mon 22 Apr 2013, 4:38 pm

hahaha.....WTF.

by ChequeredJersey Mon 22 Apr 2013, 4:47 pm

OK. I'll change mine then

by Tiger/Chief Mon 22 Apr 2013, 5:21 pm

Healy
Cole
Jones
Best
Warburton
Phillips
B youngs
Sexton
Wyn jones
O'connel
Gray
Farrell
Tuilagi
1/2 penny
Roberts
North
Cuthbert
Hogg
Tipuric
Croft
Lydiate
Robshaw
Falatau
Morgan
Care
Ashton
Wade
T youngs
Hibbard

by No 7&1/2 Tue 23 Apr 2013, 8:40 am

LondonTiger wrote:Guys, please remember to list your names in most-likely-to-tour order. the first wrong name and I stop counting.

Balls. Always read the article in full!

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