Lions Team for 1st Test

[id@53]

The Daily Telegraph are reporting that Sky Sports News saw the Lions training and know the makeup of the Test Team. They're reporting it as being -

Jenkins, Mears, Vickery, AWJ, POC, Croft, Wallace, Heaslip, Phillips, Jones, Monye, Roberts, Brian O'Driscoll, Bowe, Byrne

[Comer Toes]

Trust me, source is solid from other thread

[ronk]

That would seem to be the team of frontrunners as indicated by the Tuesday match.

[shelly94]

Lions (vs South Africa, first Test, Saturday June 20)

15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)
10. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
9. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)

8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)
7. David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
6. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England)
5. Paul O'Connell (Munster/Ireland) Captain
4. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
3. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
2. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales)

Replacements

16. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
17. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
18. Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster/Ireland)
19. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
20. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
21. Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland)
22. Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland)

[Hacker G]

Only surprises on the bench really. Tommy Bowe as backup centre?

[ronk]

I like that team. I had a feeling they'd go for an openside on the bench. There are only 4 form backrows and there's enough versatility to retain balance with any combination of them (as well as with anyone else on the bench).

I had wondered whether DOCs captaincy was to prepare him for captaining next Tuesday or to alert the British media to the fact that he might be selected in the XXII.

Bit surprised about Ross Ford and really gutted for Luke. Adam Jones was a tiny surprise but makes sense that Vickery won't play 80 minutes (barring injuries) so a tighthead was needed.

[claire_m]

Only surprises on the bench really. Tommy Bowe as backup centre?

I'd say it's more likely to be Ugo. He's spent a fair bit of time there over the past couple of seasons for Quins.

Not sure I'd have started with Croft as I haven't been that impressed with him and I may have chosen Blair over Ellis (who i don't rate at all. Neither do his club mind!). I'm not a fan ov Vickery, but I concede he's done OK and let's face it, there had to be a waspie in there somewhere!

TBH, most of that team picked itself though.

[shelly94]

no real surprises in it. Lets hope they can win on saturday now

[Leezer]

i would have been feeling more confident with Ferris in the team but i think we'll do grand......LIONS!!!!!!!!!

[Hacker G]

I'd say it's more likely to be Ugo. He's spent a fair bit of time there over the past couple of seasons for Quins.

Not sure I'd have started with Croft as I haven't been that impressed with him and I may have chosen Blair over Ellis (who i don't rate at all. Neither do his club mind!). I'm not a fan ov Vickery, but I concede he's done OK and let's face it, there had to be a waspie in there somewhere!

TBH, most of that team picked itself though.

Didn't realise that, thought he looked more an out and out finisher than someone who could play centre.

Wouldn't be delighted with blindside or sub SH either, but there aren't that many great options after Ferris got injured and neither Blair or Ellis have really set the world alight so we've really got to hope Phillips doesn't get injured (or suspended for getting into a fight)!

[El Diablo]

gutted for Luke.

I think a couple of dodgy kicks did for his chances in the end. He has definately looked sharper than Rob over the few games and he would cover more positions than Rob off the bench.......surprised. Delighted for Rob of course:happy clapper: . I hope he gets a chance.

[Hickiefan]

Would say Rob's massive boot was a factor - think that tactic will be employed.

[Hippo]

Croft is going to be pretty lightweight in this company. Well done to DOC on making the bench, though he's maybe a bit unlucky not to start, thought he was excellent the other day and has been jumping really well at 2. Unfortunate for Luke, but at least there's no S Williams!

[tones]

i would have been feeling more confident with Ferris in the team but i think we'll do grand......LIONS!!!!!!!!!

Yep would totally agree. Btw PR campaigns do work - look at Tom Croft. I really think he'll be shown up massively.

[CiaranIrl]

Solid team. Not sold on Croft, but it shows we are not afraid to seriously challenge their lineout. If we were to steal ball on their lineout, think what it would do to the Boks/Lions morale. Yeah, I know it's unlikely, but I didn't imagine us stealing Leicester lineout till I saw it my own eyes in Murryfield.

I have a worry about where they will find players for the midweek game. If ROG starts against the emerging boks, he'll be close to burn out, and I think he would be suited to the high altitude kicking in the second test. I wish they would call up a number 7 and a number 10 for cover - a 7 instead of playing Worsley and Hines in the back row. Jennings and Sexton, but I'm biased

[LeRouxIsPHat]

i would have been feeling more confident with Ferris in the team but i think we'll do grand......LIONS!!!!!!!!!

Yep would totally agree. Btw PR campaigns do work - look at Tom Croft. I really think he'll be shown up massively.

Yeah I agree about Croft. Apart from the lineout we won't know he's playing.

Btw I said on another thread the other day that Phil Greening had icked Powell at 8 in his team and also Sheridan at loosehead in an all English front row...well he was just on Sky sports news saying that the right team was picked and that Sheridan hadn't done enough...good man Phil!

[suisse]

i would have been feeling more confident with Ferris in the team but i think we'll do grand......LIONS!!!!!!!!!

Yep would totally agree. Btw PR campaigns do work - look at Tom Croft. I really think he'll be shown up massively.

And yet the English media didn't quite get their wish - no Worsley and Shaw? Lee Mears is only one of three who looks genuinely close to rivalling his opponent.

An unexpected team, but considering this side is piucked from 4 nations, there is f%~k all dynamism on the bench. If the Lions are trailing by 10 with 10 to go, who do you bring on to turn things around? Kearney is too conservative. Really feel Luke should be there somewhere.

[jezzer]

Ferris, Shanklin, O'Leary, Fla and Halfpenny are massive losses when you look at it...

[ronk]

I don't get the complaining about Croft's selection. There are 3 players out of the tour in his position. He's a better option than Worsley and has been in form.

Sure he's lightweight, but it's not like we have a choice (any more).

[dipper]

Ferris, Shanklin, O'Leary, Fla and Halfpenny are massive losses when you look at it...

Yeah Ferris and Flannery would both have made that team. Happy to see Rob there but it is at Luke's expense unfortunately.