riocard911 wrote: ↑May 5th, 2021, 9:34 am
Am I really worried about Lions selections? Not really. Leinster winning European titles is way more important to me than whatever the Lions do or don't do every four years. Does Leinster players getting Lions experience profit Leinster or even Ireland? Not sure on that either. Okay, if they play in the Tests they get to experience huge pressure games and are exposed to new coaches and players from the other nations. But when they come back worn out and unusable for a couple of months or even crocked? In James Ryan's case this summer, I think I'd rather see instagram pics of himself going fishing and off for pints in Connemara with Max Deegan and recharging his batteries then going into battle for the BIL in Safferland.
Perhaps not the thread for it, but seeing as it has come up...
Bernard Jackman was on the42.ie Rugby Weekly podcast last week with Murray Kinsella. He said that, in France, when they know they are safe from relegation but out of contention for the Bouclier, they let their SH players go home and arrange any medical procedures for front liners...it got me thinking. Imagine if the Irish squad got just one summer like that? But, alas, the feckin Lions.
Let's face it, the Lions is a relic of amateurism designed to line the pockets of Sky Sports. It is a hype train that appeals to the sort of people who bought tickets for Garth Brooks. I realise that, come July, rugby fans will have very little to discuss and coverage will be wall-to-wall Lions. But deep down we should surely all know that it is nonsense.
The very idea of "Britain and Ireland" should be enough to turn off most viewers, but they'll churn the hypemilk until it turns to hypebutter by having #LionsWatch, #PowerOfFour, and creating a faux "heritage" like
Living with the Lions. It is b*%&!x that serves only to injure Ireland's best players every 4 years (whither Jack McGrath?). Imagine how Ireland would do next year if Leinster and Munster used the Rainbow Cup as a development competition and gave their front liners a proper rest and long preseason? Start like a train next year, to use Berch's phrase.
But, yeah, sure, after a 12 month season a trip to pandemic ravaged South Africa seems like a great plan.
I'm more likely to watch the Rainbow Cup. And not likely at all to be checking in here in July.
Rant over. Apologies to all the traditionalists.