Who’s your pick for Lions 2021

[TigerBoy1880]

Watching the 2nd Lions test versus the Boks in 2009 on Rugbypass. Wow what a test match!

For me, I know a lot has changed but the game will be won in the set piece so currently this should be the XV:

1 Genge
2 George
3 Furlong
4 Itoje (c)
5 Ryan
6 Wainwright
7 Curry
8 Navidi
9 Davies
10 Biggar
11 Stockdale
12 Tuilagi
13 Joseph
14 Watson
15 Hogg

Not Tuilagi at 12! I cringe every time I see someone do this!

[Scott1]

Gatlands side or yours?

[Scott1]

I see Slade being involved if he cuts the inconsistency, hes potentially world class. So much skill

[JP14]

Gatlands side or yours?

A mix. Trying to pick the best side using Gatland’s way of thinking plus with the best side who can win in South Africa.

[JP14]

England play Tuilagi at 12/13 and he plays the same way, England showed in the final that 10/12 playmaker with Tuilagi at 13 is not the solution. Another option would be Tomkins at 12.

[Longshanks]

A few variations:

6. Curry
7. Watson H
8. Vunipola B

10. Hastings
12. Ringrose
13. Tuilagi
14. Adams

21. Youngs B
22. Farrell
23. Watson A

Hastings clearly the longest bet - but seems to me to have more potential than the rest of the 10s put together.
Farrell (just) because he's a 10 or 12 and kicker.

[Scott1]

Think Underhill will be in the 23 if hes fit due to his physicality. Farrell will be in the 23 too. Ford will miss out regardless of form and there will be a few ridiculous Welsh calls .

[mol2]

England play Tuilagi at 12/13 and he plays the same way, England showed in the final that 10/12 playmaker with Tuilagi at 13 is not the solution. Another option would be Tomkins at 12.

The problem in the final wasn't in the centres.
The pack got stuffed (more to the point Macko did) and it all crumbled from there. Expecting the centres to create much when the pack can't secure the ball, let alone front foot ball is unlikely.

The lions should beat South Africa. On the day they won the final fair and square but overall you would not have had them down in the top two at the world cup.

[Scott1]

I disagree mol. Look what Rassie has done in a short space of time,I fully expect SA to be favourites come kick off time and I hope its every bit as good as 2009 which easily eclipsed 2013 and 2017 for me in terms of drama and excitement, I was glued to every second.

[kk20gb30]

Personally , would make the Lions favorites to beat South Africa.The key is achieving at least parity in the forwards - which we are more than capable of doing.Against us , is the proposed tour schedule (as it stands of now) - very little time in terms of prep and in finding and getting the Test side on the field of play.

[Scott1]

Not for me,SA progress has been clearly visible under Razzie and they can put out a monster pack with a 6/2 split while leaving good forwards out. Couple that with the magic in their backs and home advantage and I've no doubt they will be favourites, I expect the bookies will agree too. Be interesting to see if anyone backs their gut and lumps on the Lions ££££

[TigerBoy1880]

England play Tuilagi at 12/13 and he plays the same way, England showed in the final that 10/12 playmaker with Tuilagi at 13 is not the solution. Another option would be Tomkins at 12.

Youngs, Ford, Farrell, Tuilagi most certainly worked against New Zealand in the World Cup Semi Final.

I believe Tuilagi is better when he is at 13.

[Scott1]

I still believe an interchanging Slade/Manu can work. Was interesting to see us play Underhill in the Brad Barritt 12 role crashing it up. Gave us another option

[JP14]

Agree Ford's chances are slim at best which is a shame, Farrell over Russell is a good call in terms of selection but I would like the Scot to tour to offer something different for the midweek matches.

[JP14]

I disagree mol. Look what Rassie has done in a short space of time,I fully expect SA to be favourites come kick off time and I hope its every bit as good as 2009 which easily eclipsed 2013 and 2017 for me in terms of drama and excitement, I was glued to every second.

I hope so but maybe nothing will ever eclipse it, the utter stupidity by O'Gara, the tries by Croft, Fourie & Williams, performances by Kearney, Stephen Jones & Simon Shaw, the Beast nailing Vickery, young Morné Steyn nailing that 80 minute penalty. This is just naming a few highlights.

Perhaps the best thing was seeing the Sea of Red in the crowds.