E17yid
Well-Known Member
- Jan 21, 2013
- 17,110
- 30,926
That's massively pushing it. Next tour, perhaps.
The Rugby Thread
- Thread starter tototoner
- Start date
That's massively pushing it. Next tour, perhaps.
Arnoldtoo
The thinking ape's ape
- May 18, 2006
- 35,413
- 55,181
I think that might even be worth a small bet, injuries etc permitting.
E17yid
Well-Known Member
- Jan 21, 2013
- 17,110
- 30,926
Not a bad shout though I can't imagine the odds will be that great. With regards to this tour you don't want to put to much on his plate just let him get on with what he does best. Ratalik is enough of a distraction for a young lad so doesn't need the burden of captaincy weighing heavily on him. Alun will sort out Ratalik.
- Oct 2, 2004
- 48,269
- 47,358
- Staff
- #2,964
In terms of Lions captaincy it's going to be very tricky, well it should be anyway.
I suspect Gatland will go with AWJ because he knows him, but I'm not convinced he'd be in my starting XV, and that's the major issue with picking a captain because it has to be a guaranteed starter.
Of the international captains, for me none of them are guaranteed starters, and there are very few positions where you'd be able to pick a guaranteed starter at the moment.
So for me, slightly out of left field, I'd go for Farrell as captain. I think he'll definitely start (whether it's at 10 or 12), he has a brilliant winning mentality (and he seems to have curbed the angrier side of his game) and his Dad is part of the coaching team which must be helpful. He's also part of the England leadership under Jones (I think he captains when Hartley goes off) so he's got a bit of experience in that department.
Won't necessarily be popular with non-English rugby fans, but I also think there's an argument for making the captain someone from the strongest team at the time, and that is certainly England at the moment regardless of what happens in Dublin.
Other than Farrell, Hogg and Itoje, I'm struggling to think of anyone who is an absolute nailed on starter if you pick the team tomorrow. We should have a very strong pool of players to pick from and should be a massive tour.
I suspect Gatland will go with AWJ because he knows him, but I'm not convinced he'd be in my starting XV, and that's the major issue with picking a captain because it has to be a guaranteed starter.
Of the international captains, for me none of them are guaranteed starters, and there are very few positions where you'd be able to pick a guaranteed starter at the moment.
So for me, slightly out of left field, I'd go for Farrell as captain. I think he'll definitely start (whether it's at 10 or 12), he has a brilliant winning mentality (and he seems to have curbed the angrier side of his game) and his Dad is part of the coaching team which must be helpful. He's also part of the England leadership under Jones (I think he captains when Hartley goes off) so he's got a bit of experience in that department.
Won't necessarily be popular with non-English rugby fans, but I also think there's an argument for making the captain someone from the strongest team at the time, and that is certainly England at the moment regardless of what happens in Dublin.
Other than Farrell, Hogg and Itoje, I'm struggling to think of anyone who is an absolute nailed on starter if you pick the team tomorrow. We should have a very strong pool of players to pick from and should be a massive tour.
E17yid
Well-Known Member
- Jan 21, 2013
- 17,110
- 30,926
You're in for a shock then mate as he'll start every test.
Edit, I'd hardly say Murray is nailed on seeing as Webb has rediscovered his form prior to his injury. Too close to call between those 2. You can't go wrong with that one though it will cause Gats a headache I'm sure.
- Oct 2, 2004
- 48,269
- 47,358
- Staff
- #2,967
I don't doubt AWJ will start every test, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the right decision. I'm not saying this just to wind up a Welshman (I promise) but I think I'd be hard pushed to pick AWJ ahead of Kruis, Itoje, Lawes or Launchbury, particularly based on this Six Nations (other than Kruis).
As for Murray v Webb that's a very interesting battle. Murray has been the better player in the past 12 months, but my gut instinct is that Webb is a better player on his day (despite currently being one of the more punchable players in World rugby). I suspect they'll both get quite a bit of game time.
Last edited:
Japhet
Well-Known Member
- Aug 30, 2010
- 19,286
- 57,673
Didn't realise you were picking the team. I stated an opinion but what you've said appears to be a cast iron fact. Should we be calling you Warren?
mpickard2087
Patient Zero
- Jun 13, 2008
- 21,894
- 32,582
Hartley (c)
Furlong; Sexton; Murray; Stander?
E17yid
Well-Known Member
- Jan 21, 2013
- 17,110
- 30,926
And I stated my opinion, you can call me Gatland if you like.
E17yid
Well-Known Member
- Jan 21, 2013
- 17,110
- 30,926
You're either on a wind up or you are as blinkered as the most deluded Rawkite
If you just said Launchbury then I could see that, but to essentially say Alun Wyn shouldn't even get in the squad and you'd just pick 4 English locks just goes to show your biasand I'm not saying Lawes and Kruis are bad players but they're not Alun Wyn Jones.
I also find it funny that you keep mentioning the Rhys Webb thing when, as a Quinns fan, you have 2 of the most vile players in the game and I don't need to mention their names as you know exactly who they are.
mpickard2087
Patient Zero
- Jun 13, 2008
- 21,894
- 32,582
No point fighting about the team/squad. It's Gatland picking it. Last time he picked such non-entities as Ian Evans, so this time we'll no doubt be seeing dross like Cuthbert, Lydiate and Priestland along with hasbeens such as Roberts, Jenkins, Adam Jones and JPR Williams...
E17yid
Well-Known Member
- Jan 21, 2013
- 17,110
- 30,926
Hartley (c)
I wouldn't be too opposed to this. He's reigned in his anger and led England well.
- Oct 2, 2004
- 48,269
- 47,358
- Staff
- #2,976
Furlong far from nailed on for the starting team. Same with Sexton depending on what they do with Farrell (who is ahead of him at the moment IMO). Murray I would have said yes, but Webb is snapping at his heals now, and Stander still has work to do to prove he's a first choice pick (Saturday will be a big game for him) as the Ireland back row were poor against Wales (where Tipuric and Warburton shone).
Have to agree to disagree. Furlong is head and shoulders the best tighthead prop available; likewise Sexton is the best fly half.
- Oct 2, 2004
- 48,269
- 47,358
- Staff
- #2,978
Wowzers reign it in chap it's all just opinions
Launchbury and Lawes have both played better than AWJ in this six nations, and I don't think that's just an English opinion, and Itoje and Kruis have been by far the best lock partnership in Europe in the last 12 months, and partnerships count for a lot. Conversely I think AWJ has been good but not amazing in this 6Ns (although he was excellent against Ireland).
And as for your anti-Quins outburst well I never
I can understand the hatred of Marler, although he's a genuinely lovely bloke (having met him) and as for Brown I think people judge him on when he was younger rather than the last 3-4 years...but as he's probably leaving Quins at the end of this year he's dead to me so slag away.
Webb is just a chippy little bastard. Whenever you hear him near the ref he's appealing for something like he's John Terry. Just a sign of how rugby will start to go eventually unfortunately.
mpickard2087
Patient Zero
- Jun 13, 2008
- 21,894
- 32,582
Yes just the one red card and lengthy ban this season...
He played well at the weekend, but in general not offering much outside the set piece these days. Hooker is definitely the weakest position depth wise though, and he is the Captain of a consecutive championship winning, could possibly be consecutive grand slam achieving, and win streak equalling team... If this was one of the Celtic nations they would be screaming for his inclusion!
E17yid
Well-Known Member
- Jan 21, 2013
- 17,110
- 30,926
Wowzers reign it in chap it's all just opinions
Launchbury and Lawes have both played better than AWJ in this six nations, and I don't think that's just an English opinion, and Itoje and Kruis have been by far the best lock partnership in Europe in the last 12 months, and partnerships count for a lot. Conversely I think AWJ has been good but not amazing in this 6Ns (although he was excellent against Ireland).
And as for your anti-Quins outburst well I never
I can understand the hatred of Marler, although he's a genuinely lovely bloke (having met him) and as for Brown I think people judge him on when he was younger rather than the last 3-4 years...but as he's probably leaving Quins at the end of this year he's dead to me so slag away.
Webb is just a chippy little bastard. Whenever you hear him near the ref he's appealing for something like he's John Terry. Just a sign of how rugby will start to go eventually unfortunately.
Reign it in, outburst? Lol. Nah mate, you're clearly trolling so I'll leave you too it, you're obviously looking for a reaction.
Similar threads
