15 months until Lions Tour of Oz

[rdracup]

.. and which England players in Lancaster's squad could expect to be there. Ok it is too early to start picking but it is a bit of a test about where England and Lancaster are today. For example I would bet that Flood has a far better chance than Farrell or Hodgson (or Ford for that matter) of making it... yet he does not make the 22 this weekend.

Lions is about experience and maybe after another season a few more will put there hand up... but only Croft .. and only after last weekend for him... comes close to being a pick IMHO.

[MJ Chairman]

Off the current squad I would say Croft, Cole and Manu are more probable than possible.

Couple of Tigers long shots could be Tom Youngs and Miles Benjamin.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Cole, Manu, Hartley (by default), Parling, Morgan. & Farrell will go.

[PM76]

From Tigers: Cole and Manu are certains. Croft, Youngs and Flood probables (form dependant) with Parling being a possible, if he can stay injury free why not??

From England: Cole, Manu, Lawes and Foden are pretty certain. Ashton, Croft, Youngs (maybe Care though), and Flood/ Farrell (one will go IMO) probables. With Hartley, Parling, Wood and Corbisiero being possibles. Morgan missess due to the strength of the other 8s (Heaslip, Faletau, Denton), although I would not be suprised to see him over-taken by Crane next year.

[Bill W (2)]

Should Wales win the Grand Slam and Ireland beat England then I think there will be two English players in the Lions squad (Croft and Cole) a token Scot, 4 Irish and the rest will be Welsh.

And the Aussies will win all three tests.

[tig1]

A pity that Cipriani is returning to the Uk. It would have be interesting to see him turning out for Melbourne vs the Lions (if selected).

Dan Cole, Tom Wood, Ben Youngs, Manu, Tom Croft, Owen Farrell.

Loads of Welsh and Irish.

2 - 1 series win Lions.

[kingol22]

Think the pack could have quite a few english and scots in it.
Cole, Gray, Parling, Croft, Denton. Corbisero is an outside bet, not sure where the hooker will come from and Warbuton will be at 7. not a bad pack

[Tiglon]

Cipriani will be in the Lions squad. You heard it here first.

[Smudge]

The Lions is an outdated concept and frankly I would be happy if none of our
players went.

It's like NZ Aus and SA sending a combined team over here to play us.

If there is a tour, all the home nations should be able to go alone, especially
in the professional era.
I particularly remember the 82 Lions tour to NZ and Brace wasn't even selected.
The Irish mafia consinged Dusty to be a dirt tracker and they were roundly stuffed.
A few months later, an England team led by Brace beat NZ at home.
Sweet revenge and I was there.
Confine the Lions to history.

[tig1]

The Lions is an outdated concept and frankly I would be happy if none of our
players went.

It's like NZ Aus and SA sending a combined team over here to play us.

If there is a tour, all the home nations should be able to go alone, especially
in the professional era.
I particularly remember the 82 Lions tour to NZ and Brace wasn't even selected.
The Irish mafia consinged Dusty to be a dirt tracker and they were roundly stuffed.
A few months later, an England team led by Brace beat NZ at home.
Sweet revenge and I was there.
Confine the Lions to history.

Interesting view Smudge.

Actually i feel the complete opposite. My opinion is that the powers that be have diluted the value of Interntional matches with the overkill of games.

The Lions every 4 or 5 years remains one of the few events in rugby that hasnt been devlued by overkill....although admittedly playing a warm up game vs the baa baas in HK tests my patience.

Reading the players various articles, books and dvds, it seemed to me that most players on the 2009 tour considered it the highlight of their career. Maybe Phil Vickery was the exception......

[Hull Fan]

Cipriani will be in the Lions squad. You heard it here first.

Only as a water boy though!

[mightymouse]

I wouldn't have Hartly in the Lions squad for several reasons

Ford Best and Cronin all better options than him

the token scot(s) should be Ford Jacobsen Gray Hamilton Denton and Rennie

The token English should be Croft, Manu, Parling,Cole, Corbisero

The Irish will be Best, Cronin, Ferris, Murray,Kearney,Bowe, Earls, Sexton Trimble, O'Brian

assuming a squad of about 33 that would mean the other 13 will be welsh and touring party and first team should be led by Warburton

and for what it is worth with that squad I think The lions could beat Australia 2 - 1

[Will S]

There are not too many England players that would really push for a Lions place let alone a starting position.

An on form Lawes would stand a good chance.
Croft will certainly go but the backrow options will be very competitive.
Ben Youngs on form (which he isn't at the moment) is probably the best 9 available.
Manu is the clear option at 13 and is probably the most likely English starter.
If Ashton and Foden can get back on song then they will both be close.
I think one of the most open positions will be 10. Not a lot between all the guys and it will be interesting to see who sticks their hand up next season (will be interesting to see how players like Cips and George Ford get on next year!).

All will be irrelevant if Gatland gets the job as I think he will have his clear favourites!

[jgriffin]

If Gatland gets the job
Another debacle is on the cards here unless a lot of thought is given to the type of player and the style required. A feared pack is a requirement and mobile players like Croft a necessity. National sides do not easily translate into great Lions - I think the coach is the key factor and how inclusively they approach the task.

[Bill W (2)]

If Gatland gets the job
Another debacle is on the cards here unless a lot of thought is given to the type of player and the style required. A feared pack is a requirement and mobile players like Croft a necessity. National sides do not easily translate into great Lions - I think the coach is the key factor and how inclusively they approach the task.

I refer you to my post earlier in the thread!