2013: Who will make the plane?
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With the excitement building ahead of 2013's visit to Australia, we decided to pump up the volume by compiling our current British & Irish Lions squad.
Every three weeks or so Planet Rugby will update its leaderboard for who should pack their bags, who should keep the diary open and who should stock the fridge with a few beers, pizzas and ice creams for soaking up the tour on the couch, as the most coveted of selections fast approaches.
We must stress that long-term injuries have been taken into account for our calls. However, those nearing a return to action are accommodated.
Here we go - make sure to give your feedback.
FULL-BACKS
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: For now, the number 15 jersey belongs to Leigh Halfpenny who was the stand-out player for Wales during the end-of-year internationals. His accuracy from the tee will no doubt be utilised Down Under, whilst his heroic defence has already been noted by the Wallabies. But we won't write off Alex Goode just yet. The England full-back also proved to be hugely effective for his country throughout the November Tests, and whilst he doesn't possess Halfpenny's boot, Goode's breaks certainly provided plenty of go-forward.
On standby: Rob Kearney, Lee Byrne, Simon Zebo
Best make other plans next June: Ben Foden, Stuart Hogg, Rob Miller, Delon Armitage
WINGS
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: Warren Gatland is spoilt for choice in this department, with usual suspects Tommy Bowe and Alex Cuthbert once again proving to be a huge threat on their respective wings. Andrew Trimble is promoted from last week's standby list thanks to some excellent touches for club and country, whilst full-back cum wing Mike Brown proved he can cause plenty of damage out wide. Craig Gilroy is the new face who leaps ahead of Tim Visser, who revealed some defensive lapses playing for Scotland, and George North.
On standby: Chris Ashton, Tim Visser, George North
Best make other plans next June: Liam Williams, Ugo Monye, Christian Wade, David Strettle, Sean Lamont
CENTRES
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: If Gatland was still debating on whether to play Manu Tuilagi in the B&I Lions' Test or midweek side, his mind was surely made up after the England centre's barnstorming performance against New Zealand. Tuilagi's partner in crime Brad Barritt also proved his worth, though we believe Jamie Roberts still has the inside track for the number 12 jersey with veteran Brian O'Driscoll also a certainty despite playing no part in the November internationals - his wealth of experience is just too much to leave behind. Jonathan Davies squeezes onto the plane Down Under as our fifth centre.
On standby: Scott Williams, Jonathan Joseph, Keith Earls
Best make other plans next June: James Downey, Anthony Allen, Darren Cave, Gordon D'Arcy, Ashley Beck
FLY-HALVES
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: Now here's where it gets a whole lot tougher. The battle for the number ten shirt is beginning to really heat up between Ireland pivot Jonathan Sexton and England's Owen Farrell, who was on our standby list as a centre last time out. But it's Sexton's consistency that will in all likelihood win him the nod, as Farrell followed up his dominant display over All Blacks star Dan Carter at Twickenham by missing four out of seven penalties for Saracens a week later. Toby Flood drops to our standby list, and Rhys Priestland falls out completely after suffering an injury setback so go for Jonny Wilkinson.
On standby: Dan Biggar, Greig Laidlaw, Toby Flood, James Hook
Best make other plans next June: Rhys Priestland, Ruaridh Jackson, Ronan O'Gara, Danny Cipriani, Charlie Hodgson, Freddie Burns
SCRUM-HALVES
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: With Mike Phillips battling for form, we could see an Englishman pulling on the famous red jersey if Danny Care and Ben Youngs continue doing what they did for their country for their respective clubs. Greig Laidlaw continues to be a dark horse though, as he can fill in at nine or ten.
On standby: Conor Murray, Danny Care, Tavis Knoyle
Best make other plans next June: Eoin Reddan, Richard Wigglesworth, Lloyd Williams, Lee Dickson
NUMBER EIGHTS
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: Leinster number eight Jamie Heaslip remains the top contender here, after leading Ireland to that thumping victory over Argentina. Thomas Waldrom topped England's stats against Australia but was dropped for Ben Morgan, whose efforts against South Africa and New Zealand put him on the plane. Despite his national and club sides struggling, Scotland's David Denton clings on to his seat, but James Coughlan and Nick Easter are on the radar after impressive performances in the Heineken Cup.
On standby: James Coughlan, Toby Faletau, Kelly Brown
Best make other plans next June: Peter O'Mahony, Jordan Crane, Nick Easter, Andy Powell
FLANKERS
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: Tom Wood moves into contention after impressive outings in the November Internationals, with England captain Chris Robshaw alongside him. The two remaining spots are a battle between three players - Stephen Ferris and Sean O'Brien are currently battling back to full fitness and Sam Warburton is hinting at a return to form. For the moment, O'Brien is just edged out.
On standby: Justin Tipuric, Ross Rennie, Sean O'Brien, Dan Lydiate
Best make other plans next June: Tom Johnson, John Barclay, Alasdair Strokosch, Chris Henry, Tom Croft, Ryan Jones, Iain Henderson
SECOND-ROWS
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: Geoff Parling dropped out of the squad in Edition 3 but comes back in following November. Lions experience however is essential, so Clermont's Nathan Hines travels, along with Alun-Wyn Jones. Much like his Irish team-mates, the longer Paul O'Connell stays sidelined the more his chances diminish. Richie Gray like Denton is stuck in a losing rut with club and country. The final spot is a shootout between Donnacha Ryan and possible bolter Joe Launchbury, with the Irishman edging it.
On standby: Paul O'Connell, Richie Gray, Joe Launchbury, Jim Hamilton, Courtney Lawes
Best make other plans next June: Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Al Kellock, Donncha O'Callaghan, Ian Evans, Mike McCarthy
HOOKERS
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: With all of the focus on Leinster's duo at hooker, Rory Best returned from injury with a bang against Northampton and secured his spot. That being said, Richardt Strauss will still travel. As for Dylan Hartley, a ban could be on the horizon after yet another citing against an Irish player which could deny him of more valuable game time. Tom Youngs and Sean Cronin are both over his shoulder.
On standby: Tom Youngs, Sean Cronin, Matthew Rees
Best make other plans next June: Ross Ford, Richard Hibbard, David Paice
PROPS
Kiss the wife and kids goodbye: Cian Healy currently has the jump on Gethin Jenkins after some strong performances for club and country in recent weeks, whilst Dan Cole's performance against Tony Woodcock hands him the edge over Adam Jones. All four are definities, all four are world-class. Mike Ross should also travel.
On standby: Ryan Grant, Alex Corbisiero, Mako Vunipola
Best make other plans next June: Paul James, Euan Murray, Andrew Sheridan, Tom Court, Joe Marler
By Ben Coles and Dave Morris
@bencoles_
Comments
Scrumpoacher says...
Arguments for? Yawn (and missing the point or not even fully read/understood in some cases)...arguments against? Only mine really-I suppose the Southern Hemisphere readers/bloggers/supporters have bypassed the article as it is narrow and irrelevant, or just plain boring to them...I want to grow our game as it is the best game in the world. The bones of my argument are essentially move on and look outwards, otherwise it will remain a cottage industry. By all means keep the lions, but use it to promote the game, it will reap rewards later and what's wrong with big corporate backing? It's already happening so embrace it. Finally- chillax dudes its only a game and my uneducated 'jealous?' antipodean opinion... :-)
Posted 21:09 13th December 2012
APV1 says...
@ Irishzimbabwean - let's have another look after the 6N. I'm still on the crest after the NZ match, so blinded somewhat by England's brilliance..
Posted 16:46 13th December 2012
Irishzimbabwean says...
APV1 - you normally work with both eyes open! Letting yourself down here - please put your Lions hat on and take Red Rose one off. We want to win after all!
Posted 14:18 13th December 2012
TVaddict says...
@scrumpoacher
-The home nations have a better record against the big three than the lions do. For instance 2009 when Lions lost to South Africa, but then Ireland went on to beat them later that year. Or England after the 2001 lions tour.
-If your still thinking about the empire when you think about rugby then how old/mentally ill are you?
-The lions tour makes loads of money, much more so than a NH vs SH one of clash. This is because new tournaments like that tend to not be very popular and believe me when I say that if the Lions tour didn't make a lot of money then it wouldn't happen.
-As others have mentions the NH does a lot more to develop rugby in other nations, unlike the big three who have only now let Argentina join when maybe 2008 (after coming third in the world) would have been more appropriate (of course there would have been organisational issues making this difficult).
-I find it hilarious when people use terms like 'made up' in this context. Do you think that all other rugby tournaments have existed since time began, rather than also being 'made up'? Do you realise how silly that is? I hope so.
Posted 14:16 13th December 2012
heart_of_oak says...
Since the tour is going ahead, no matter what some people think, let's focus on who we'd take.
If everyone that could be selected was fit and available to tour, then this would be my 1st 15 :
Healy
Best
Cole
Gray
Lawes
Wood
Armitage S
Robshaw
Care
Sexton
North
Roberts
Tuilagi
Armitage D
Kearny
I would definitely take Paul O'Connell and BoD for their experience. If they're both fit and in form, they'd be invaluable. I might start with both in place of Gray and Roberts/Tuilagi.
I'm a bit concerned about the kicking which I see as Sexton's weak point. To compensate for that, it might be necessary to have Halfpenny at FB though I think Kearny's the best FB we have at the moment and it'd be a risk sacrificing him.
It'd be nice for the sake of good touring party relationships to have more Scots and Welsh. Warburton and Lydiate come close for me but I don't see what's so special about Alun Wyn Jones. Warburton's form needs to improve - a good 6 nations would see him come back into the reckoning. Robshaw has done fantastically well for England with all the stats showing what a great contribution he makes for England. So I found a place for him at No. 8, a position in which he often plays.
Steffon Armitage is in the form of his life and has to go. Delon Armitage has calmed down alot since his time in France and is now playing great rugby, scoring tries and not giving away penalties or getting sent off. He's quick and his defence is very good. He can also cover FB if needed.
But which other Scots could make the team ? A team with only one Scot in it is hardly representative of the British Isles and Ireland. But if no other Scot really stands out, that's what we could end up with.
Posted 14:16 13th December 2012
blametheref says...
Totally agree with Scrumpoacher, The B+I Lions should be history, it only adds to the Northern Hemisphere 'inferority complex' and SH 'confidence' that we have to send a ganged team of all our nations to compete with the SH nations. Not only this, but usually frontline players return out of form and usually knackered and France win their Grand Slams following Lions tours.
Posted 13:34 13th December 2012
APV1 says...
@ DanBach - Hear! Hear! Thank you for so eloquently explaining many of our points of view.
Posted 13:03 13th December 2012
DanBach says...
@scrumpoacher
I detect an undertone of jealousy in your disregard for the Lions. A background, or historical underpinning is what elevates a sporting event into a great one, hence why local derbies generate more excitment than your average fixture.
Making a tired link to notions of empire as to why the Lions and their fans enjoy the idea of taking on the SH teams is purile and misguided and suggests an inferiority complex on your part.
When the tests take place in the Summer, the stadiums will be full, the intensity will be a step up again from any international match and the tour will be a success as a spectacle and as you pointed out, financially.
When a post begins with 'no one else probably feels this way' you should take time to consider whether it is one of those thinking out loud moments, best kept as an inner monolgue for fear of revealing too many of your insecurities as opposed to any form of interesting topic for discussion.
Posted 12:40 13th December 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Scrumpoacher: its extremely profitable so your "money spent" argument counts against you. Coaches and players from both sides see this a a career ultimate along with WC. It's your argument that is outdated. It happens every Lions tour but gets ignored because touring is essential to rugby and this is the greatest rugby tour.
Posted 12:13 13th December 2012
APV1 says...
@ scrumpoacher - one might argue that the tour *is* all about developing Tier 2 and Tier 3 nations. Just look at where the Lions' nations are, according to the RWC draw and the current IRB Rankings:
England - Tier 2
Ireland - Tier 2
Wales - Tier 3
Scotland - Tier 3
And we're playing against Australia, who have been in Tier 1 for ever.
And feel free not to watch it. Personally I'm really looking forward to it. The Best of Britain against an old foe? Fantastic entertainment and, I hope, some fantastic rugby.
Posted 10:36 13th December 2012
leinster_goy says...
@scrumpoacher
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Posted 10:34 13th December 2012
leinster_goy says...
@kentaff
three european cups in four years
Posted 10:29 13th December 2012
lawynd says...
@scrumpoacher - entities like the Lions and the Barbarians are exactly the reason that rugby hasn't slid into a full-blown capitalist culture like football has; it might seem anachronistic but actually, it's a celebration of why most of us play and enjoy the game. If it was about empire and influence then I'm reasonably certain that Ireland, Scotland and Wales wouldn't be involving themselves, or do you not really understand our history? Or does it simply bore you because you're on the 'outside'?
As it is, we've done a darn sight more to promote rugby outside of the traditional strongholds than you chaps in the antipodes have; the Churchill Cup being a glaring example. And whilst I'm sure someone will point out that England objected to it, we were far quicker to integrate France and Italy into a European competition than you were to include Argentina, and the other Pacific nations still don't get a look-in! And of course we have a club competition with representatives from Romania and Spain or Portugal every year. It's definitely not perfect but it's a start, at least.
Oh, and weren't Japan supposed to be hosting the 2011 RWC? I forget who it went to instead...
Posted 09:26 13th December 2012
fozza says...
No hatemail, scrumpoacher, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
I think part of the charm is the "outdated" notion. It's also true that it's harder for the Lions to come together to win this kind of series as you are putting 4 team's mentalities into one. So it's much harder for the Lions to do what Scotland has done in the last couple of years (beating the Aussies on home soil).
Having said all that, the history of the Lions is such that it would be a sad, sad day if it was replaced by a one off game between the northern and southern hemispheres. This was done for charity and it wasn't popular, maybe because it's new.
Perhaps I was mistaken but my impression is that the southern hemisphere teams look forward to these tours as much as the Brits do, especially as it happens only once every 12 years. Your post makes me feel this is not the case. However, it's possibly hard to fully understand the power of the Celtic nations and the English coming together for a tour of this sort. As an Englishman living in Scotland it's hard to describe the pleasure of actually supporting the same international team as my Jock-ular friends!!!
If you haven't seen it, I would suggest watching the Living with the Lions documentary from 1997. I know it's old history but it shows the emotion involved and how important it is to people.
Posted 08:41 13th December 2012
Jediboy says...
Scrumpoacher - if it's boring, don't watch, don't even comment. You are entitled to your opinion of course, but I'd suggest that the fact that the Lions history goes back 125 years, it's earned it's place in the gams.
The Lions (British Isles) played their first test in 1888, before even Australia, SA and New Zeakand had played their first test matches. A rich history.
If anything, I'd say it's your attitude that's outdated, and ideed very boring. Zzzzz
I can't wait for the Lions tour, it's pretty unique in sport.
Posted 07:56 13th December 2012
scrumpoacher says...
No one else probably feels this way, but does the idea of the best players from 4 different countries coming together sound a bit like compensating? I mean really, its nice for a bit of history and all that, but is it necessary these days?
Maybe to make the 'home nations' feel better about themselves due to their usual average performances v the southern sides and to remember the good old days of empire (how great are we? and how low are you? etc)
The money spent on this jolly could be better spent on developing the game elsewhere. Or alternatively, dont go to AU/NZ/SA-go to where we can promote our game-not just 'play with ourselves'. A game in Argentina or the US would be much more beneficial for world rugby and growing our game. Another annoying facet of the Lions tour is the absolute yawnfest of a midweek provincial game-go to Zim or Namibia when in SA or have Japan visit Oz etc etc.
Sure everyone will retort that the revenue earned by the tour is more than the money spent on it but cant we have an alternate money spinner other than an anachronism? Southern Hemisphere team v Northern? (results a foregone conclusion) or a tournament such as a 'Northern cup' including the 2nd tiers?
Sorry B&I Lions fans but the model is outdated and quite frankly boring for those outside it. I will certainly not be excited at my Wallabies winning or indeed losing against a made up team team on their summer holidays. Send all hate mail to Trinats et al.
Posted 04:30 13th December 2012
olearyc5 says...
Probably your most ridiculous edition yet. Didn't fully agree on anything there.
Posted 22:47 12th December 2012
scot_rsa says...
I don't think Denton is a number 8 - would see him there as a ball carrying flank though. Scotland need to invest in a proper 8 perhaps McInally during 6N. Also Grant and Welsh could be Caledonian dark horses in the front row albeit late starters. Well, someone has to talk about Scotland!
Posted 20:46 12th December 2012
Jediboy says...
With 6 months to go this is all a little pointless at the moment.
Posted 17:09 12th December 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Why Lee Burn? He did his best to prevent the win on the w/e. don't think Gethin Jenkins should be a definite whereas Lidiate and Gray must go. Wilko was not too good for Toulon and Burns adds much more creativity and hes accurate too. Brown is great for wing/FB options. England should play 3 fullbacks when Foden is back on form. Lions can play 2, and Visser should be a cert. Now let me read the comments... Ben7 your team is best one to me, but I'd have Denton or Heaslip for Morgan... But not for much longer if Morgan keeps his improvement rate going. Particularly where I agree with you is 2 fullbacks and Launch + Gray. Would also consider Barritt for Roberts. Wow at last half the Lions in suggested 15 are Aviva players... We might have a chance. Start a pro12 15 and we die.
Posted 15:04 12th December 2012