Lions Bolters

[ceemec]

ATH selection is ridiculously kind to Ireland. 7 starters: Healy, Best, Cole, Launchbury, Parling, SOB, Robshaw, Faletau, Youngs, Sexton, Zebo, Tuilagi, BOD, North, Kearney.

Right now, I'd have Healy, Best, SOB and Sexton definitely. BOD will probably creep in based on big match experience and his ability to deliver on the occasion.

Panel (Kay, Quinlan and EOS) reckon captaincy is between Robshaw and BOD.

[simonokeeffe]

Kearney will travel but looks midweek
Robshaw wont make test side unless captain

Welsh centers playing poorly which increases BODs chances, Scots have no centers either
No reason Manu cant play 12 with BOD outside him

[Oldschool]

One perfomance will not bury any player's chances. The exception being the captaincy.

[bamboozle]

i reckon Fitzgerald is in with a chance if he stays fit...

Hogg & Visser should travel. Would love to see BOD captain but dont think he'd stay fit for the 3 tests...hard ground & bad ankles dont go well.

[ceemec]

I genuinely think that if Fitz got a couple of starts in the 6N, he'd be in the mix. I don't think it will happen though. I expect DK to go with Earls on the wing and McFadden on the bench. McFadden's form and effort deserves it but Fitzgerald would stand a far better chance of making a big impact, I think, if he was to be introduced.

I think it's a straight shoot out between BOD and Robshaw now for the captaincy and it will depend on how the next few weeks go. If Robshaw leads England to a slam, it will be hard to ignore his claim especially since Warburton is now out of the picture for the openside jersey and no blindside has really put their hands up hugely yet making the SOB at 6 option a strong possibility.

[goreyguy]

The less Irish players the better in my book.

[Leinster Exile]

The less Irish players the better in my book.

Why?

[simonokeeffe]

Have a feeling Maitland would make it over Hogg
Only Irish 3/4 going I reckon are BOD, Kearney, Bowe

[ceemec]

EDIT. Just re read and completely misinterpreted post!

[simonokeeffe]

ahh I was gonna comment

[goreyguy]

The less Irish players the better in my book.

Why?

because the lions historically have caused players to be gassed out the following season

[ceemec]

ahh I was gonna comment

Apologies for getting your hopes up. Misread the three quarters as 3 or 4 Irish players to make the squad!

[simonokeeffe]

ahh I was gonna comment

Apologies for getting your hopes up. Misread the three quarters as 3 or 4 Irish players to make the squad!

haha

that would make us Scotland

[mikey]

The less Irish players the better in my book.

Why?

because the lions historically have caused players to be gassed out the following season

Its true we did not win the HC the season following the last tour....(2009-2010) but I dont think you could blame our loss that year to Lions fatigue...

I hope we have a good showing - its a great team to play in, and something players value in their careers, and great for fans to see how the disparate nations gel. And I hope to be there, and want to cheer as many Irish, and in particular, as many Leinster guys as possible....!!!

[simonokeeffe]

with Quinny in mind the atmosphere at those matches will be great with that many ex pats esp Irish at the games (and with the Aussie addresses to get tickets) delighted to see BOD et al

[gleesonisgod]

The less Irish players the better in my book.

Why?

because the lions historically have caused players to be gassed out the following season

Rugby is older than Sky Sports and the Heineken cup. The Lions's are the highlight of our fabulous sport's calendar. The Lions > Ireland > Leinster.

I reckon if you asked the squad now, most of them would choose a Lions series win over a H-Cup victory. I hope that we have a huge representation this year.

[tigerburnie]

Rugby is older than Sky Sports and the Heineken cup. The Lions's are the highlight of our fabulous sport's calendar. The Lions > Ireland > Leinster.

I reckon if you asked the squad now, most of them would choose a Lions series win over a H-Cup victory. I hope that we have a huge representation this year.

I can't speak for the players,but just now I would go with Tigers>England>Lions and that is sad as I have been a huge fan of the Lions for decades, I just don't like Gatland being involved,we have enough people with a better pedigree within the British & Irish to lead the Lions.

[Mackman15]

Maybe I've been at the sherry again and maybe not so much bolter as unexpected recall but one name not mentioned as yet.

Nathan Hines

[hugonaut]

Maybe I've been at the sherry again and maybe not so much bolter as unexpected recall but one name not mentioned as yet.

Nathan Hines

I think Hines will go as well. Probably the best second row in Europe this season. Brilliant hands, big scrummager, great engine, ruck monster. He's Australian as well, which adds spice.

[simonokeeffe]

and he'll do nicely for token Scottish forward