Who’s your pick for Lions 2021

[Scott1]

Unfortunately I can see Watson not making the cut.

Hamish or Anthony? I think Anthony is nailed on,but I think May misses out.

Hamish, Anthony is 100% nailed down imo

[Scott1]

If you take 5 back 3 players then it’s Williams (starting FB),Hogg (ability to play 10),Watson then 2 from the rest. Gatland likes Daly too.

LRZ is nailed on going IMO

Good shout

[RagingBull]

My guess at the lions tour team is (Who I think Gatland will pick not who I would want)
1: Jones, Vunipola, Marler
2: Owens, George, Cowan Dickie
3: Francis, Sinckler, Porter/Furlong,
4: Wyn Jones, Gray,
5: Itoje, Henderson/Ryan, Bernie
6: Navidi, Underhill,
7:Tipuric, Curry,
8: Faletau, Vunipola, Stander

9: Davies, Murray, Price
10: Biggar, Sexton/Russel, Farrell
11: LRZ,
12: Davies, Henshaw
13: North, Ringrose
14: Watson, DVDM
15: Williams, Hogg

[Scott1]

My guess at the lions tour team is (Who I think Gatland will pick not who I would want)
1: Jones, Vunipola, Marler
2: Owens, George, Cowan Dickie
3: Francis, Sinckler, Porter/Furlong,
4: Wyn Jones, Gray,
5: Itoje, Henderson/Ryan, Bernie
6: Navidi, Underhill,
7:Tipuric, Curry,
8: Faletau, Vunipola, Stander

9: Davies, Murray, Price
10: Biggar, Sexton/Russel, Farrell
11: LRZ,
12: Davies, Henshaw
13: North, Ringrose
14: Watson, DVDM
15: Williams, Hogg

Struggling to pick the bones out of any of that looking through Gatlands eyes!

[Scott1]

Could possibly take Henderson and Ryan,pick Beirne as a 6 who covers lock and number 8 and only take 2 specialist 8s

[RagingBull]

Could possibly take Henderson and Ryan,pick Beirne as a 6 who covers lock and number 8 and only take 2 specialist 8s

My other train of thought is Gray will miss out for Henderson, Ryan and Bernie.
With Henderson covering 6 and as you say Bernie 6 and 8.

[Scott1]

Could possibly take Henderson and Ryan,pick Beirne as a 6 who covers lock and number 8 and only take 2 specialist 8s

My other train of thought is Gray will miss out for Henderson, Ryan and Bernie.
With Henderson covering 6 and as you say Bernie 6 and 8.

Good shout! Certainly helps to be picked if you can cover more than one position.

[TigerFeetSteve]

Smaller squad utility players will be key

North covers wing and centre - will go
Beirne covers back row and lock - will go
Farrell covers 10 & 12 - will go

Lawes covers back row and lock may just squeeze in there too...

[Scott1]

Smaller squad utility players will be key

North covers wing and centre - will go
Beirne covers back row and lock - will go
Farrell covers 10 & 12 - will go

Lawes covers back row and lock may just squeeze in there too...

Hogg covers 10 from FB
Williams covers wing from FB
Daly 11,13,14,15

[Scott1]

Henry Slade anyone?

[Welford56]

I'm not a follower of the James Ryan hype, which I think is enhanced by the media who see him as the PO'C successor. Admittedly I haven't seen a lot of him other than the internationals, but when I have seen him he comes across fairly anonymous and in the Autumn Nations Cup I felt he was lucky to stay on the field with some reckless ruck entries. That did seem to be when the media spin surrounding him was at it's full frenzy and may have heaped a bit too much pressure on him to perform. For me Henderson offers far more and Beirne's recent form and flexibility to cover 6 probably hasn't helped his countryman's case either.

If it were my selection though and if he can find some fitness/form, I would take Launchbury. He doesn't get the respect he deserves at top level. He's a big lump, has a heck of an engine and covers the hard ground well.

[Scott1]

Good shout on Joe! I remember him outplaying "The Warrior" in the 6N game leading up to the 2017 tour when he was incredibly left out. I remember the furore at the time,definitely one of the worse none picks of recent times.

[Scott1]

I believe Joe even got MOTM in the Wales game,he was outstanding!

[TigerFeetSteve]

Kruis may be another not being talked about who has a chance of going. Just look at the England pack missing him and Lauchbury and it looks a different animal

[LE18]

I doubt Marler will want to go, he didn't want to be in a bubble with England and I'm sure that travelling to SA, the team will be in a massive bubble. (although I think he should be selected)