Friday, January 11, 2013
Inaugural HSBC Lions Monthly - Episode 1
We're now in Lions year so in the build up to one of the highlights of the 2013 rugby calendar, HSBC will be releasing a Lions Monthly episode each month up until the Tour.
The first of which features a round up of news and opinions ahead of the 2013 Tour of Australia. It focusses on the appointment of the three assistant coaches to Warren Gatland, includes an amusing chat with Brian O'Driscoll, and a summary of first team XV's with Nick Evans, Jonathan Davies, and Gavin Hastings.
Going forward the segments will feature insightful interviews with players, ambassadors, behind the scenes content, and all sorts of other Lions 2013 activity.
Posted at 3:10 pm | 21 comments
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Posted in British & Irish Lions 2013
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Viewing 21 comments
WelshWizardry January 12, 2013 2:59 pm
Rob Howley looks absolutely delighted to be there. Fair play, that's good to see.
Guest January 12, 2013 5:26 pm
1. Healy -big ball carrier and great at the breakdown/ Corbisiero -solid, wouldn't say outstanding though/ Grant -suprised by how well he played in AI
2. Strauss/Best -no one seems that exceptional at hooker tbh
3. Cole -in my opinion he's well in front of the competition atm, Jones probably second choice
4. Gray -been off form a little recently but would flourish in this team
5. Ryan -someone to be the enforcer compared to Gray's atheleticism, maybe AW Jones or Launchberry
6. Ferris -we're spoiled for choice when it comes to back row but an awesome player if fit/ Lydiate
7. Warburton -if he returns to form but if not I'd go for Wood. I haven't seen enough of Armitage to judge but maybe him. Would like to see Rennie on tour though, lots of potential and very like Hooper.
8. Denton -we'll see how he goes in 6N but another guy with huge work rate and I'm not that impressed by Faletau or Heaslip atm. Putting O'Brien at 8 would certainly not weaken the squad though
9. Care -real buzz when he's playing/ Youngs
10. Sexton -not a huge amount of competition but a really good player/ Flood or Farrel; haven't watched Toulon much but if Wilkinson really is playing as well as people say he might fit in?
11. Visser -great player (3 times top try scorer in a league with all the Welsh and Irish wingers, while playing for a pretty average team) and really looks for the ball in a similar way to Ashton a couple of years ago, would finish a lot of trys/ Bowe
12. Tuilagi -Beast and really maturing
13. Davies -more creative then he might seem. Maybe play Bowe here though. Bit of a leftfield suggestion but maybe Hogg, if only for non-tests: I think his speed and creativity would compliment a big 12 like Tuilagi
14. North -strong player with good skills
15. Kearney -consistant but will be interesting to see Goode/Brown in 6N. Maitland is a classy player so he's one to examine in 6N too and I would like to see Hogg go on tour
Should be a great series :)
2. Strauss/Best -no one seems that exceptional at hooker tbh
3. Cole -in my opinion he's well in front of the competition atm, Jones probably second choice
4. Gray -been off form a little recently but would flourish in this team
5. Ryan -someone to be the enforcer compared to Gray's atheleticism, maybe AW Jones or Launchberry
6. Ferris -we're spoiled for choice when it comes to back row but an awesome player if fit/ Lydiate
7. Warburton -if he returns to form but if not I'd go for Wood. I haven't seen enough of Armitage to judge but maybe him. Would like to see Rennie on tour though, lots of potential and very like Hooper.
8. Denton -we'll see how he goes in 6N but another guy with huge work rate and I'm not that impressed by Faletau or Heaslip atm. Putting O'Brien at 8 would certainly not weaken the squad though
9. Care -real buzz when he's playing/ Youngs
10. Sexton -not a huge amount of competition but a really good player/ Flood or Farrel; haven't watched Toulon much but if Wilkinson really is playing as well as people say he might fit in?
11. Visser -great player (3 times top try scorer in a league with all the Welsh and Irish wingers, while playing for a pretty average team) and really looks for the ball in a similar way to Ashton a couple of years ago, would finish a lot of trys/ Bowe
12. Tuilagi -Beast and really maturing
13. Davies -more creative then he might seem. Maybe play Bowe here though. Bit of a leftfield suggestion but maybe Hogg, if only for non-tests: I think his speed and creativity would compliment a big 12 like Tuilagi
14. North -strong player with good skills
15. Kearney -consistant but will be interesting to see Goode/Brown in 6N. Maitland is a classy player so he's one to examine in 6N too and I would like to see Hogg go on tour
Should be a great series :)
brawnybalboa January 12, 2013 9:30 pm
Lock is going to be a difficult position to pick, but Courtney Lawes? Grey, O'Connell, AWJ and Ian Evans in my mind are still ahead in the pecking order
FinMac January 12, 2013 10:45 pm
Think I agree with most of that.
At Hooker would go for Best or Hartley over Strauss.
What about Lawes instead of Ryan as your enforcer? Puts in some almighty hits.
I do agree with, what some people might say as controversial, Denton at 8. No one seems to be talking about him but I dont think Heaslip and Morgan are playing better than him. Faletau would be an alternate option but I just feel that Denton does that little bit extra than Faletau.
There is no stand out 12 atm which is why Tuilagi is an option. However, I think Tuilagis running game is a waste at 12. Instead he would be creating the space for the 13 which i think someone like Jamie Roberts should be doing for him. I would go with Roberts 12 and Tulagi 13. Davies is still great player though but Tuilagi offers more.
At Hooker would go for Best or Hartley over Strauss.
What about Lawes instead of Ryan as your enforcer? Puts in some almighty hits.
I do agree with, what some people might say as controversial, Denton at 8. No one seems to be talking about him but I dont think Heaslip and Morgan are playing better than him. Faletau would be an alternate option but I just feel that Denton does that little bit extra than Faletau.
There is no stand out 12 atm which is why Tuilagi is an option. However, I think Tuilagis running game is a waste at 12. Instead he would be creating the space for the 13 which i think someone like Jamie Roberts should be doing for him. I would go with Roberts 12 and Tulagi 13. Davies is still great player though but Tuilagi offers more.
DaRabman January 13, 2013 7:49 am
As an England supporter and Quins fan...
Nick Easter? You must be joking.
Nick Easter? You must be joking.
Greased-up Deaf Guy January 13, 2013 1:24 pm
@DaRabman You should have started; "As a moron".
will January 13, 2013 1:38 pm
The guys selecting the teams in this program are supposed to be the most well informed rugby fanatics, yet their choices of players in each position seem to be faithful to their nations or clubs rather than ability! To me they are a missing the point, best team not best players, although they havent even done that.
15-Ben Foden 14-Chris Ashton 13-manu tuilagi 12-Jamie Roberts 10-Owen Farrel 9-Mike philips 8-Jamie Heaslip 7-Chris Robshaw 6-Sean O'Brien 5-Richie Gray 4-donnacha Ryan 3-Dan Cole 2-tom youngs 1-Cian Healey
15-Ben Foden 14-Chris Ashton 13-manu tuilagi 12-Jamie Roberts 10-Owen Farrel 9-Mike philips 8-Jamie Heaslip 7-Chris Robshaw 6-Sean O'Brien 5-Richie Gray 4-donnacha Ryan 3-Dan Cole 2-tom youngs 1-Cian Healey
blast blast blast January 13, 2013 2:13 pm
1. Cian Healy 2. Tom Youngs 3. Dan Cole 4. Donnacha Ryan 5. Richie Gray 6. Stephen Ferris 7. Tom Wood 8. Jamie Heaslip 9. Danny Care 10. Jonny Sexton 11. Tommy Bowe 12. Brian O Driscoll 13. Manu Tualagi 14. George North 15. Rob Kearny or Mike Brown.
I dont know why dan cole isnt first choice tighthead he is the best in the northern hemisphere at what he does.Rory Best is not good enough to be an international player and with people saying courtney lawes has to be in the team, hes been out injured for a long time and needs to start playing well for northampton before hes even considered for the lions. I chose tom wood over warburton because of his ball stealing, anyone who did what he did to the all blacks is simply class and his ability in the lineout. Any no.8 from any country is a solid pick. Care is playing awesome at the moment and with real flair. Sexton is a simple choice. BOD at 12 and Tualagi at 13 because i see bod being the more composed and clever distributer of the ball whilst tualagi is more of an organic battering ram. North and Bowe are both class wingers and Kearny at 15 because he is the most consistent/best fullback, although brown is playing with such flair at the moment and is always looking to attack, he can also be used as wing cover.
I dont know why dan cole isnt first choice tighthead he is the best in the northern hemisphere at what he does.Rory Best is not good enough to be an international player and with people saying courtney lawes has to be in the team, hes been out injured for a long time and needs to start playing well for northampton before hes even considered for the lions. I chose tom wood over warburton because of his ball stealing, anyone who did what he did to the all blacks is simply class and his ability in the lineout. Any no.8 from any country is a solid pick. Care is playing awesome at the moment and with real flair. Sexton is a simple choice. BOD at 12 and Tualagi at 13 because i see bod being the more composed and clever distributer of the ball whilst tualagi is more of an organic battering ram. North and Bowe are both class wingers and Kearny at 15 because he is the most consistent/best fullback, although brown is playing with such flair at the moment and is always looking to attack, he can also be used as wing cover.
Captain Obvious January 13, 2013 2:16 pm
I'm fairly surprised so few people mention Leigh Halfpenny, he was just phenomenal in last year's Six Nations. Lydiate and A. R. Jones are the heart of the Welsh defence, without them the side is a lot more fragile, I can't imagine a Lions team without them.
Icy January 13, 2013 11:58 pm
Surprised by a lot of these. The last day any of the home nations played a test, England put on a pretty impressive display against NZ. None of the starting 15 from that match are included in this 15.
Not sure any players are nailed on this time round which makes selection exponentially more difficult than usual, (first names on team sheet then build balanced team around them). I know it's only January but would normally have some players with the shirt to lose going into the 6 Nations.
Too many injury and recent form worries in the 15 above as well. This is the toughest set of fixtures for a Lions tour I've ever seen and looking forward to the mid-week matches against the Super 15 teams. There's enough talent between the four nations to pick on form and take the series.
All I'll say is if Gatland et al get the selection right it should roundly disappoint any Welsh, Irish, English or Scottish fan with even a bit of national bias.
Not sure any players are nailed on this time round which makes selection exponentially more difficult than usual, (first names on team sheet then build balanced team around them). I know it's only January but would normally have some players with the shirt to lose going into the 6 Nations.
Too many injury and recent form worries in the 15 above as well. This is the toughest set of fixtures for a Lions tour I've ever seen and looking forward to the mid-week matches against the Super 15 teams. There's enough talent between the four nations to pick on form and take the series.
All I'll say is if Gatland et al get the selection right it should roundly disappoint any Welsh, Irish, English or Scottish fan with even a bit of national bias.
Canadian content January 14, 2013 5:13 am
Cole, jones, Healy, coresibo, Jenkins
Best, youngs, Cronin
Gray, lawes, Ryan, launchbury
Denton, warburton, Obrien, robshaw, Heaslip, ferris, Scottish 7
Care, Dickson, blair, munster boy
Sexton, Farrell, Scottish boy
Bod, manu, Davies, Roberts, Williams
Bowe, north, visser if defence improves, Kearney, brown, Goode
Best, youngs, Cronin
Gray, lawes, Ryan, launchbury
Denton, warburton, Obrien, robshaw, Heaslip, ferris, Scottish 7
Care, Dickson, blair, munster boy
Sexton, Farrell, Scottish boy
Bod, manu, Davies, Roberts, Williams
Bowe, north, visser if defence improves, Kearney, brown, Goode
stroudos January 14, 2013 11:41 am
Brilliant anecdote from O'Driscoll about everyone cheering as he gave Austin Healey a hiding!
Nothing against Healey, but I bet he's an irritating git on tour and a total wind-up merchant. I can imagine him really asking for it.
Nothing against Healey, but I bet he's an irritating git on tour and a total wind-up merchant. I can imagine him really asking for it.
Jeroo January 14, 2013 4:03 pm
I agree with stroudos - that was the highlight for me. Would love to hear Healeys account of the event!
Also interesting that Easter is in at 8 (on that selection). Would love to see him on the tour. Six Nations will be huge, so many places up for grabs.
Also interesting that Easter is in at 8 (on that selection). Would love to see him on the tour. Six Nations will be huge, so many places up for grabs.
Adam January 16, 2013 1:09 am
My pic assuming fit...
1 - Gethin Jenkins, Sheridan, Vunipola
2 - Ford, Hartley, best
3 - Jones, Cole,
4 - Grey, Launchbury,
5 - AWJ, Parling, Lawes
6 - Lydiate, Croft, robshaw
7 - Armitage, warburton
8 - Denton, Ferris, Haskell
9 - Care, Youngs, Phillips
10 - Sexton, wilkinson, Hook
11 - Visser, Bow, Cuthbert
12 - Roberts, Manu
13 - Davies, BOD
14 - North, Brown,
15 - Foden, half penny, Kearny, Goode
1 - Gethin Jenkins, Sheridan, Vunipola
2 - Ford, Hartley, best
3 - Jones, Cole,
4 - Grey, Launchbury,
5 - AWJ, Parling, Lawes
6 - Lydiate, Croft, robshaw
7 - Armitage, warburton
8 - Denton, Ferris, Haskell
9 - Care, Youngs, Phillips
10 - Sexton, wilkinson, Hook
11 - Visser, Bow, Cuthbert
12 - Roberts, Manu
13 - Davies, BOD
14 - North, Brown,
15 - Foden, half penny, Kearny, Goode
Kettlerugby January 16, 2013 5:11 am
Doubt BOD will get picked, too many injuries lately and a lot of good young guys coming through. On current form that was possibly one of the worst team the 'experts' could have picked.
NotBiasEnglishman27 January 17, 2013 3:51 pm
surely they must be trying to wind us up with Nick Easter number 8?
Neutral Man January 17, 2013 7:46 pm
Nick Easter?? That's a joke right? Surely Ben Morgan is a shoe in if he shows any of the form he produced last year. After that I'd go Heaslip, O'Brien and maybe even Denton.
Tim Visser and Cian Healy should be on that team too.
Tim Visser and Cian Healy should be on that team too.
the case February 17, 2013 10:28 pm
There going to pick the inform players, for once this has nothing to do with english players in france or anything. The best players go.
1- Cian Healy
2- Richard Hibbard
3- Dan Cole
4-Joe launchbury
5- AW Jones
6- Chris Robshaw
7- Steffon Armitage
8- Jamie Heaslip
9- Ben Youngs
10- Owen Farrell
11- Tim Visser
12- BOD
13- Tuilagi
14- Maitland
15- Leigh Halfpenney
16- Dylan Hartley
17- Gethin Jenkins
18-Adam Jones
19- Donncha Ryan
20- Ryan Jones
21- Danny Care
22- Jonny Sexton
23- George North
1- Cian Healy
2- Richard Hibbard
3- Dan Cole
4-Joe launchbury
5- AW Jones
6- Chris Robshaw
7- Steffon Armitage
8- Jamie Heaslip
9- Ben Youngs
10- Owen Farrell
11- Tim Visser
12- BOD
13- Tuilagi
14- Maitland
15- Leigh Halfpenney
16- Dylan Hartley
17- Gethin Jenkins
18-Adam Jones
19- Donncha Ryan
20- Ryan Jones
21- Danny Care
22- Jonny Sexton
23- George North
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