Warren Gatland announced as Lions coach

First topic message reminder :

Apparently, according to Ian McGeechan anyway Gatland has been given the job again.

Why do people rush to build survival bunkers when the End of the World is nigh? I must ask Eddie when next I see him. He'll know the answer.

Cyril wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

Exiledinborders wrote:Not much sign of France growing players on a conveyor belt of excellence.  They seem more interested in a conveyor belt of foreign players in search of a pension.

It's only the beginning of such a possible direction of fortunes, Exiled.  I'm old enough to realise the new megabuck club Leagues (also now pushing their weight into International issues) are just getting into their stride.  I'm talking about the big changes that have already taken place in recent years and the ones being discussed.  The future will be a tougher place to be for lesser Rugby Nations without a doubt.

Agreed. Ireland already rely on foreign talent in key positions.

I think Ireland and England actually have the right balance, hence having good teams and some depth in key positions. The club/provincial teams in each nation recruit overseas players intelligently, unlike the French, and often give priority to their academy talent.
An interesting thought though, would England struggle without their carriers like Hughes and the Vunipola bros? Who would fill in for them and be as effective?

Sinckler, Morgan, Harrison although early doors looks a little raw could. Chisholm in a year or 2. You have players like Ewers on the fringes, or was in the recent past.

uncle_nigel wrote:I think Ireland and England actually have the right balance, hence having good teams and some depth in key positions. The club/provincial teams in each nation recruit overseas players intelligently, unlike the French, and often give priority to their academy talent.
An interesting thought though, would England struggle without their carriers like Hughes and the Vunipola bros? Who would fill in for them and be as effective?

The closest to a proven option is Ben Morgan, who did a similar (if less well rounded) job to Billy and did it well for some time. A bit short of form and fitness, though. Beaumont is quite a big carrier but we've yet to see if he can do it at international level.

Beyond that you have Clifford, who isn't going to do Billy's job of "I'm going to run straight at you and you just try to stop me", but has the acceleration to turn a pick and go into a break if the defensive positioning is even fractionally off. Needs to work on his consistency, though, and would need to be part of a more All Black style lineup where the locks or 6 are the primary carriers and Clifford is looking for the offload.

In the longer term, Underhill and Chisholm don't have Billy's bulk but both of them carry hard and have the core strength and body position to break the gain line in traffic. Again, unproven at the top level.

Oh, and there's the Hask. Who's been known to play No 8 from time to time.

Oh, and Sinckler, Mako, George, potentially Marler if he can raise his fitness a bit. Te'o too, maybe

No 7&1/2 wrote:Sinckler, Morgan, Harrison although early doors looks a little raw could. Chisholm in a year or 2. You have players like Ewers on the fringes, or was in the recent past.

Fearns is coming back to the Premiership too after impressing in France. I've heard a few pundits say he was underused by club and country and could yet feature in Jones' thinking. He's 27.

There's quite a lot when you think of though as above not really proven in a lot of cases.

I had a feeling Ben Morgan would be mentioned but he seems to have fallen out of favour with both the fans and coaches, but besides him England look quite well stocked.

The old 'how well would you do if all your best players were injured' thing.

We are in a decent place at the moment, and we can probably absorb those kinds of problems better than anyone else in the NH.

And yes, we are bloody lucky to have the Vunipola brothers, but we have worked bloody hard to get them into shape for international rugby too. (Just think what would happen if Oz could do the same with Skelton).

lostinwales wrote:
And yes, we are bloody lucky to have the Vunipola brothers, but we have worked bloody hard to get them into shape for international rugby too. (Just think what would happen if Oz could do the same with Skelton).

Yeah Sarries did well managing the Vunipola bros there, and now they'll do the same for Will Skelton.

Going to have to lock this thread or we'll lose it. 

Anyone want to start another?

You'll lose it?

Can't compute that one, George.  Has it been a violent dog of the thread to date?  I've only popped in now and then and the usual boys seem to be acting gentlemanly enough..... for 606ers that is.

Anyway, yes, start another thread and call it:  Warren Gatland announces Surrender.

Exiledinborders wrote:They seem more interested in a conveyor belt of foreign players in search of a pension.

Some might describe the England team as that.

Gooseberry wrote:

Exiledinborders wrote:They seem more interested in a conveyor belt of foreign players in search of a pension.

Some might describe the England team as that.

Or Wales, Scotland or Ireland.......

SecretFly wrote:You'll lose it?

Can't compute that one, George.  Has it been a violent dog of the thread to date?  I've only popped in now and then and the usual boys seem to be acting gentlemanly enough..... for 606ers that is.

Anyway, yes, start another thread and call it:  Warren Gatland announces Surrender.

After a certain number of posts the website that hosts our forum automatically ends the thread - stops them getting too big

Is there an equivalent website that monitors Gatland's head size?