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
APV1 says...
@ Irishzimbabwean - sadly not. I'm hoping to get my grubby hands on a couple of tickets for Twickenham and maybe the Wales : England match too.
My birthday always falls near the first weekend of the 6N. This year it's in the week between the first two weekends of matches. My cousin celebrates his the following week, so we always use it as a good excuse to get together and have a party.
And it's probably not worth travelling all the way to Dublin, only to watch Ireland get humiliated, after-all..!
;-)
@ banky - the Lions will be made up of Lions-qualified players, regardless of where they were bread or bred! If you don't like multi-culturalism, you probably shouldn't watch the Lions. Or any of the countries which make up the Lions. Or any of the countries we play against. Or the 6N. Or the RWC. Or 4N. Or T14, HC, Amlin, LV=, S15, ITM, AP, Pro12, CC, etc, etc. Get over it.
Posted 14:24 19th December 2012
banky says...
i hope when the lions are picked that all players are homebread no imports from south africa new zealand this is the british and irish lions after all.this team is about the best of our homegrown talent taking on one of the southern hemisphere sides.
Posted 10:59 19th December 2012
Irishzimbabwean says...
APV1 - am going from Harare to Dublin for the Ireland v England game in February. Don't suppose you will be there?
Posted 10:14 19th December 2012
APV1 says...
@ Irishzimbabwean - he's number 37, of course!!
Posted 16:47 18th December 2012
Irishzimbabwean says...
APV1 - how on earth did you manage to leave out Jonny May?
Posted 12:05 18th December 2012
APV1 says...
@ Irishzimbabwean - here you go then. Squad of 36 (in no particular order):
15 - Brown, Armitage & Goode
Wings - Wade, Ashton, Sharples & Foden
Centres - Tuilagi, Barritt, JTH & Twelvetrees
10 - Burns, Farrell & Flood
9 - Care, Youngs & Dickson
8 - Morgan, Haskell & Robshaw (c)
Flankers - Wood, Croft, Johnson & Armitage
2R - Lawes, Parling, Attwood & Launchbury
2 - Hartley, Youngs & Webber
Props - Cole, Vunipola, Marler, Wilson & Sheridan
Much more balanced than my last attempt. Especially when you consider how versatile some players are:
Brown, Armitage & Foden cover wing and 15. Farrell & 12Trees at FH or 12. Haskell and Robshaw all across the backrow. Launchbury and Lawes cover 6 and 2R. It's a great deal of talent to send to Australia.
Your version, Irishzimbabwean, relies far to much on the other nations. You see how I've managed to exclude all non-English players? Well that's the secret with the Lions. Let's just hope that Gats got my message, eh?!
Posted 11:41 18th December 2012
Irishzimbabwean says...
DavidCartwright - wonder if either of Craig Gilroy or Jonny May will be the next Jason Robinson?
Posted 05:42 18th December 2012
DavidCartwright says...
Quite rightly some posters are saying there's a long way to go yet. One of my strongest memories of the previous Lions tour to Australia in 2001 was Jason Robinson setting the series on fire with a fantastic opening try. At this equivalent point he had just switched codes and had not yet played for England. Where would he have been on these teamsheets at that time?
Posted 23:26 17th December 2012
Irishzimbabwean says...
APV1 - any feedback on the proposed Lions squad now we are three weeks past England beating the All Blacks? Please see proposed squad below melkdave's comment.
Posted 14:04 17th December 2012
APV1 says...
@ melkdave - Hear! Hear! The Lions are like the "Team GB" of rugby (with the welcome addition of our Irish cousins, of course).
What's not to like?
Posted 10:11 17th December 2012
three6three6 says...
The pinnacle of any British & Irish player is playing for the B&I Lions... and of course playing in a winning series.
Talk to any South African or New Zealand rugby enthusiast about the possibility of their 'provincial' team playing a British & Irish Lions team and there will be unbounded enthusiasm.... A motivated team of the best that B&I can produce touring away from home.... it is a mouth watering prospect!
However, talk to your average Australian rugby supporter about the same thing.... and well you simply do not see the same levels of enthusiasm. Why not? Well Australia hardly has the same sense of history with the B&I Lions.... they usually saw the Lions briefly as a stop over in the past when the B&I Lions were on route to New Zealand. In any event Australia usually lost these international matches. This changed in 1992 when Australia was the main destination (for the first time) for the B&I Lions.
Posted 12:36 16th December 2012
melkdave says...
@Scrumpoacher
The Lions certinally arnt outdated imo,,its a chance every 4 years for these rugby mad ilses,to get behind a single team,it reminds us that we can be one people with a single objective rugby wise.We will argue about the squad selections ,moan and groan as our favourites fall by the wayside ,but once the squad is selected and touring ,all 4 nations will be united in cheering them onto victory.We dont have many occasions to show a totally united front sport wise Not even the olympics,as Ireland are seperate, The Lions is the only time every citazen of the 4 nations are united in a sporting or any endevour,why would anyone want to stop that?? Espically with all the good will,and feelings that come with a series win or like 09 a close loss Personally i cheer for all the home nations when they play against any SH team or team from anywhere. outside BritainThe Lions allows everyone else too,and not be bothered that so and so is english or welsh,scottish or irish ..
Posted 14:38 15th December 2012
Irishzimbabwean says...
Injuries allowing - the following team would be very hard to beat.
15.Kearney.
14. Bowe.
13. O'Driscoll.
12.Roberts.
11. North.
10. Sexton.
9. Phillips.
1. Healy.
2. Best.
3. Cole.
4. O'Connell.
5. Parling.
6. Ferris.
7. Robshaw (captain).
8. Heaslip.
16. Corbeisero.
17. Ford.
18. Jones (Adam).
19. Gray.
20. O'Brien.
21. Care.
22. Farrell.
23. Tuilagi.
Squad Members.
24. Mike Ross.
25. Joe Marler.
26. Matthew Rees.
27. Jim Hamilton.
29. Donnacha Ryan.
29. Sam Warburton.
30. Tom Wood.
31. Eoin Reddan.
32. Toby Flood.
33. Brad Barrett.
34. Jonathan Davies.
35. Tom Visser.
36. Alex Cuthbert.
37. Leigh Halfpenny.
Means 2 teams of 15 and a bench of 8. 13 Irish, 11 English, 9 Welsh, 5 Scots.
Bolter to look out for - Marshall of Ulster (the centre).
Posted 09:07 15th December 2012
heart_of_oak says...
A weak Scotland isn't good for NH rugby. I don't blame Andy Robinson either. I think he did his best with the talent available. We all need good quality rugby playing nations around us to keep stretching and challenging each other. I think Lawynd may have a point and the SRU should give consideration to working with an exiles team. Agree with you too Scot_rsa that to be representative, a Lions team needs a good mix of all nationalities.
Posted 17:49 14th December 2012
lawynd says...
@scot_rsa - I've long thought that Scotland and Wales are missing a trick by not working with the two Exile clubs in London.
Posted 16:47 14th December 2012
scot_rsa says...
I should add that currently moves are afoot to look at Academies that will provide the chance for good club players to get quality game time. We don't seem to agree who should run them though and it will be a few years before they bear fruit. I'm not anti-England or Wales but I've always felt a good mix of nations provides the best Lions sides. Scotland need to catch up.
Posted 15:14 14th December 2012
scot_rsa says...
heart_of_oak - have to agree Scotland have very few Lions and it is telling that it has been a trend since 1997 at least. Reasons? Well we certainly produce as many quality club players as any other small nation but their chances to step up to Pro/Heineken level are tiny because we only have 2 pro teams therefore 30-50 places and many of those places are taken by foreign stars. Plus the attendances in a football obsessed country don't generate the revenue to make a 3rd or 4th Pro team attractive or even viable. The SRU have a tough job but sadly seem clueless in expanding the game and giving talent the opportunity. We have good youngsters but many are now going to France just to get game time. Sad for Scotland and the Lions (of who I'm a big fan).
Posted 15:06 14th December 2012
heart_of_oak says...
Scot_rsa, what's happening with Scottish rugby at the moment ? Of the current Scottish players, only Richie Gray makes my touring party. Of course, it's only my opinion but if you look at PR's selection of current 'dead certs', there's only Nathan Hines from Scotland. Admittedly there are a few more possibles. But if you agree that the state of Scottish rugby isn't good right now, then why do you think that is ?
Posted 12:29 14th December 2012
lawynd says...
So in Scrumpoacher's humble opinion, he is right and everyone else is wrong. Colour me not surprised by this turn of events.
The fact is, you're incredibly insular down south and incredibly provincial as a result; it seems that unless it directly involves your three (I'm not including Argentina beause even your pundits can't name half of their players) nations then you don't care. Whereas up here, we appreciate rugby no matter where it is or whom it is being played by - AP, Pro12 (watching S4C muted is hilarious), Top 14, Heineken and Amlin, Super 15, 4N and 6N, Pacific Nations Cup, ITM and Currie Cup, age-grade tours and competitions, women's international rugby...I've watched some of all of those in the past year and enjoy the rugby on offer in general. If you want the game to move on and look outwards then I suggest starting off in your own back yard because overall, we're already making a reasonable fist of things up here.
Posted 11:20 14th December 2012
Artherfish says...
@scrumpoacher I tend to agree with some of your argument that in a world of far more regular internationals between North and South that the infrequent visit of a scratch team of the norths best every few years against not always the best single nation team in the south is a bit odd. Especialy as single nation northern teams can now beat the south on there own without having to team up to do it. I'm not so quick to discard the Lions v Trination idea. Think of it, three matches one each in country. Odds are high we would get beeten more often than not to start with but there are some leveling factors. Firstly the lions is a scrtach team not an established unit combined over several seasons and so stugle to be greater than the sum of its parts. The best indaviduals dont always make the best teams. Would a mix of the trinations best automaticaly perform greater than its parts. The spectical would be great. What a show. And here's a thought, the next time round the tri nations could tour up North. Mega money spinner all round and send the proceeds to the nations that need it. I like the idea even if we did start out getting trounced a few times but i have a suspicion it would be close enough to be exciting.
Posted 11:06 14th December 2012