Irish Lions 2009?

So...how many do ye think we'll get....? I'll go for...(* for test place)

Kearney
Bowe*
O'Driscoll*
Geordan Murphy
O'Gara
Flannery
O'Connell-Captain*
O'Callaghan
Ferris*
Heaslip*
Wallace
Leamy

Keith Earls could be the token surprise selection...

I think the test team should be (on 6 nations form)

Lee Byrne, Bowe, BOD, Riki Flutey, Shane Williams, Steven Jones, Mike Phillips, Andrew Sheridan, Lee Mears, Euan Murray, Big Paulie, Alun Wyn Jones, Ferris, Heaslip, Martyn Williams.

Subs: Rob Kearney, Ronan O'Gara, Mike Blair, Phil Vickery, Jerry Flannery, O'Callaghan, David Wallace.

The only notable absentee from the above list would be Luke Fitzgerald, I also wouldn't be surprised if John Hayes gets a call-up. Keith Earls definately won't be selected.

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Originally Posted by joeSoap

So...how many do ye think we'll get....? I'll go for...(* for test place)

Kearney
Bowe*
O'Driscoll*
Geordan Murphy
O'Gara
Flannery
O'Connell-Captain*
O'Callaghan
Ferris*
Heaslip*
Wallace
Leamy

Keith Earls could be the token surprise selection...

I think the test team should be (on 6 nations form)

Lee Byrne, Bowe, BOD, Riki Flutey, Shane Williams, Steven Jones, Mike Phillips, Andrew Sheridan, Lee Mears, Euan Murray, Big Paulie, Alun Wyn Jones, Ferris, Heaslip, Martyn Williams.

Subs: Rob Kearney, Ronan O'Gara, Mike Blair, Phil Vickery, Jerry Flannery, O'Callaghan, David Wallace.

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That's the test XV I would pick anyway.

I don't Geordan Murphy is going to make the squad. Hayes is a shoe-in for a squad place I'd say.

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Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

I don't Geordan Murphy is going to make the squad. Hayes is a shoe-in for a squad place I'd say.

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Well, they'll probably only bring 2 specialist tight head props and I reckon Euan Murray and Vickery are well ahead of Hayes. But thats only my opinion and I'd love it if the Bull got another tour before retiring.

Got my tickets for the 2 games in Cape Town & the Durban test :D

Lee Byrne will be full back in the tests, he's possibly the best in the world right now and only's Kearneys exceptional form has raised doubts,Kearney will go as a utility cover Armitage or Patterson as actual full back cover, despite Armitage having a good 6N, Patterson’s kicking might give him the nod

Williams on the left but I think he will struggle in the physicality of the battle
Centres are BOD & 1 other, Shanklin is a good call although I like Flutey and I think D'Arcy will go as long as he can prove his fitness in the coming weeks, he has the magic touch that is needed against the best in the world. I think those will be the 4 centres. That said James Hook might beat D’Arcy to the punch because of versatility
The other wing is an issue Sackey will definitely go not sure about the test side but he won’t be far off, has had a good 6 Nations. Of the Irish Wings, I’d love to see Luke Fitzgerald get a chance but of the 2 I suspect it will be Bowe who gets the run with maybe Thom Evans making the last spot or it effectively being allocated for Kearney.

The half backs are an area where I think we are lightweight, Jones & O’Gara are the current pick but they both have weakness’s, I think Jones for the test side & ROG for the midweek. The scrum half slot is between Phillips & Blair, I like Blair but I think Philips muscle & Jones at 10 will give him the nod

In the forwards, Sheridan & either Gethin Jenkins or the Scottish boy Murray the Test Props although Hayes will be in the squad after his best 6N to date & Horans performance on Saturday might sneak him in as a 5th prop ahead of Jones.
Lee Mears & Jerry Flannery for Hooker
O’Connell as Captain and leader is a shoe in with O’Callaghan in the squad, not sure about the test side with his temperament but given the demolition job on the Welsh line out I think the 2 Irish boys should get starting slots, I would expect Gough & Alun-Wyn Jones to go as well.

67&8 are potentially the most important positions

Stephen Ferris or Tom Croft at 6 based on the 6N it would be Ferris
David Wallace Joe Worsley, Martyn Williams, it’s Worsley for me, he gives an extra option in the line out which will be hugely important
Jamie Heaslip is the No 8 for me although Ryan Jones will obviously be in contention & I think will get the nod due to Gatland’s involvement

So My Side
Lee Byrne
Paul Sackey
Brian O’Driscoll
Riki Flutey
Shane Williams
Stephen Jones
Mike Phillips

Sheridan
Flannery
Jenkins
O’Connell
O’Callaghan
Ferris
Worsley
Heaslip

I don't expect that to be the side though, I think there will be more Welsh in it and possibly Mears at Hooker

Of all the Irish candidates I think Kearney has gone backwards as he did not have a great 6 Nations.

Kearney started thesix nations well, he had a very good game against France. I think is was between him and Lee Byrne for the starting full back berth in the Lions team, probably 60/40 in Byrne's favour. I think your right though Pete, he has been solid but nothing more since then. I'd probably have Geordan Murphy in ahead of him.

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Originally Posted by pete

Of all the Irish candidates I think Kearney has gone backwards as he did not have a great 6 Nations.

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More tactics than individual performance would be my opinion.

I think Kearney is a good player & certainly his boot helps in current rules but he did not seem to be very involved in games & his kicked was poor although kicking standard overall in the tournament not good. Don't see what the pundits see Armitage as seems poor defensively not kicking very poor.

Kearney will probably be in squad as utility cover for wing and fullback. Keith Earls will not travel not good enough yet. Dont see O’Callaghan being picked either better players also with greater discipline

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Originally Posted by Youths4Ever

Keith Earls will not travel not good enough yet.

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I beg to differ... I reckon he's now a shoe in.

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Originally Posted by joeSoap

I beg to differ... I reckon he's now a shoe in.

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He has done very little to warrant a "shoe-in" tag, really only performed at club level. He played a couple of times in the Autumn International but Kidney didnt see fit to use him in the Grand Slam winning team, I'd bow to his judgement.

Much will depend on how the Lions back line is set out, i.e. if they will play with one full back and two wings or two full backs and one wing. I'd like to see him included as he is a talent but i cant see how he is a "shoe-in". Although I'm not a munster fan so I dont have those tinted glasses.

I don't know about Earls - McGeechan may not pick anyone unless they have adequate international experience. Personally i'd pick him, he is defintly good enough for the midweek side.

O'Callaghan discipline is a bit of myth - i can only remember him conceeding 1 pen in the six nations - which was a joke decision against Wales. Alan Wyn Jones was taken to the cleaners against Munster so i think like the last tour O'Callaghan can play his way onto the test team.

Kearney has had an average few weeks. He was shocking defensively against Munster for Earls' try, but i reckon on his day he is the complete footballer. Byrne has been very consistant on the big stage so i reckon he'l get the nod at full back. Murphy might travel as 3rd string but i doubt it. Defensively too frail for me.

And i don't know how anyone would pick Joe Worsley ahead of David Wallace or Martyn Williams. Worsley prob won't even travel. I'll be very disapointed if Wallace and Heaslip are both not in the team. Had a superb six nations both men.

Opinions will always be divided on the make up of the team - but i hope the Lions go out there this year to play a bit of rugby, it has become all so serious in recent years, they should go out to enjoy themselves a little bit. At the end of the day does it really matter if they win or lose. Stuipid question really, but id rather them lose high scoring entertaining games rather than the way the last 2 series have gone.

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Originally Posted by centre mid

He has done very little to warrant a "shoe-in" tag, really only performed at club level. He played a couple of times in the Autumn International but Kidney didnt see fit to use him in the Grand Slam winning team, I'd bow to his judgement.

Much will depend on how the Lions back line is set out, i.e. if they will play with one full back and two wings or two full backs and one wing. I'd like to see him included as he is a talent but i cant see how he is a "shoe-in". Although I'm not a munster fan so I dont have those tinted glasses.

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The 'club level' you talk about is crap. Most Heineken Cup games are played by all capped teams and are played at international pace. Kidney went on record to say he was very much in his plans but for injury in the first two games, and also Paddy Wallace provided the necessary cover at out-half.

I believe his style of play is very suited to a McGeechan side, and his current form is very impressive. I'd say he is a shoe-in...

Now, where did I put my rose tinted glasses??:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by joeSoap

The 'club level' you talk about is crap.

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How is it crap - its a statement of fact, not opinion. I think he is an excellent prospect, but I dont agree that he is a shoe-in.

being selfish about it the less of our players that go the better. how many times have we lost important players through injury sustained on a lions tour? also with such a long season id say our grand slam players would be better off with a break to freshen them up for next season

if he brings Cipriani and the rest of the Wasps squad then there could be trouble before they even get on the plane. The boks would eat him alive.

From an Irish perspective I'd hope to see POC, Ferris, Wallace, Heaslip, Bowe and BOD all starting in the first test. Flannery also has an excellent shot. I think they'll start with Jones and Phillips at 9/10 but I have my doubts about the partnership. Is Peel worth bringing along? I cannot see too many English players making the first 15 bar maybe Vickery and Flutey.

I'd bring Earls along. Something different and versatile.

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Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

I'd bring Earls along. Something different and versatile.

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I agree. On form he should be picked as he just gets better in the centre position. The only reason he would not get picked for the squad is lack of International experience.

Undecided if Lions tour would be good or bad for Earls long term development.

ST yesterday was suggesting O'Connell will be captain. I think the only way O'Driscoll won't be captain is if his position in team is not guaranteed.

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Originally Posted by centre mid

He has done very little to warrant a "shoe-in" tag, really only performed at club level. He played a couple of times in the Autumn International but Kidney didnt see fit to use him in the Grand Slam winning team, I'd bow to his judgement.

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To be fair, where else is he going to perform, other than at club level? He scored the opening try against Canada at Thomond (cleaning out a few bookies in Ballincurra in the process) and scored two tries in the quarter final of the Heineken Cup, in front of the Lions selectors.
He'll probably miss out on the Lions, but I wouldn't be too surprised if he is in the squad for South Africa

Paul O'Connell has been named as captain of the Lions.

The squad as a whole is named tomorrow at 1.30pm.