[Shengus Khan]

Despite not being much of a rugby fan I have to admit that the Lions tour is one of my personal highlights in the sporting calendar. Ian McGeechan will be announcing his squad tomorrow which will be predominantly made up of players from Ireland, Wales and England with the odd half decent Scottish player (a very rare thing indeed) thrown in for good measure.

What Scottish guys do the P & B members think will be in with a shout? I'm presuming that Mike Blair and Euan Murray will be included and perhaps Ross Ford as well but do any other Scots deserve to be in with a shout?

[The Arch]

Shengus Khan, on Apr 20 2009, 11:43, said:

Despite not being much of a rugby fan I have to admit that the Lions tour is one of my personal highlights in the sporting calendar. Ian McGeechan will be announcing his squad tomorrow which will be predominantly made up of players from Ireland, Wales and England with the odd half decent Scottish player (a very rare thing indeed) thrown in for good measure.

What Scottish guys do the P & B members think will be in with a shout? I'm presuming that Mike Blair and Euan Murray will be included and perhaps Ross Ford as well but do any other Scots deserve to be in with a shout?

I love the Lions tour.

Blair seemed to be a stick on starter before the 6 nations, but that doesn't seem to be the case now.

There was a big article in The Observer asking 4 experts, who the starting 15 would be. Euan Murray was in 3 out of the 4 teams, as was Ross Ford.

Think a few English players might have snuck in the first 15 after their performances in the last couple of 6 nations games.

[jay_7]

If there are any Scots in this years Lions tour, it's not through merit, it's for political correctness and making sure we don't feel left out. There are far better options for every single position from England, Ireland and Wales than what Scotland have to offer. Sadly we have no players who are at the top of their game.

[Shengus Khan]

I would like recommend the simply fantastic "Living With Lions" dvd to everybody. It's a fly on the wall documentary about the last Lions tour to South Africa in '97 and it must be up there as one of the best sporting programmes ever.

I shall be watching it over the next few weeks to get myself in the mood.

[The Arch]

Shengus Khan, on Apr 20 2009, 12:59, said:

I would like recommend the simply fantastic "Living With Lions" dvd to everybody. It's a fly on the wall documentary about the last Lions tour to South Africa in '97 and it must be up there as one of the best sporting programmes ever.

I shall be watching it over the next few weeks to get myself in the mood.

Is this the documentary where Jim Telfer comes across as a headcase, and there's a scene where the whole coaching staff believe Will Greenwood is about to die, after a collision in one of the matches?

[raith_94]

jay_7, on Apr 20 2009, 12:45, said:

If there are any Scots in this years Lions tour, it's not through merit, it's for political correctness and making sure we don't feel left out. There are far better options for every single position from England, Ireland and Wales than what Scotland have to offer. Sadly we have no players who are at the top of their game.

Garbage; Euan Murray is the best prop in the Northern Hemisphere, certainly in terms of scrummaging and his ball-carrying is also excellent. While there are better 2nd rows, none, McConnell included are as 'hard' as Nathan Hines and he will relish the physicality in SA. He's on the plane.

Ross Ford is in a tight battle as is Mike Blair; personally think Chris Cusiter may actually squeak in ahead of Blair with Mike Phillips and unforunately Harry Ellis/Danny Care. Ford has it tough as Mathew Rees(WAL), Jerry Flannery(IRL) and Lee Mears(ENG) are as well suited to the Sa conditions as Ford and can actually throw the ball too.

So Murray and Hines are packing their bags. Ford, Blair and Cusiter have a good chance and I wouldn't be that surprised if Simon Danielli goes too. He's playing very well. They will probably take 5 or so players who are outside bets/younger players - Thom Evans may get one of these spots.

So considering Alastair Strokosh and Rory Lamont would also be going if fit, and the fact that the world's best goal kicker will be left at home, we're really no that bad.

Can't wait for the tour or even the announcement of the squad - a good excuse to argue with all Irish and English mates.



PS - The DVD is great, as is the 2001 edition from Australia where a yong Ronan O'Gara gets completely opened up in a midweek match by some uber-macho Bruce enforcer.

[TheScarf]

Shengus Khan, on Apr 20 2009, 12:59, said:

I would like recommend the simply fantastic "Living With Lions" dvd to everybody. It's a fly on the wall documentary about the last Lions tour to South Africa in '97 and it must be up there as one of the best sporting programmes ever.

I shall be watching it over the next few weeks to get myself in the mood.

They are showing it on Sky at the moment in 3 parts, I have watched the first 2, Doddie Weir and Ian McGeechan come across as very likeable in it.

[Shengus Khan]

The Arch, on Apr 20 2009, 13:02, said:

Is this the documentary where Jim Telfer comes across as a headcase, and there's a scene where the whole coaching staff believe Will Greenwood is about to die, after a collision in one of the matches?

That's the very one. There's also Doddie Weir deliberately getting his knee ligaments buggered, Rob Howley's shoulder popping out and a rather tasty close up of Martin Johnson getting a nasty gash below his eye stitched up without anaesthetic.

Brilliant stuff.

[Arthurlie1981]

Shengus Khan, on Apr 20 2009, 14:42, said:

That's the very one. There's also Doddie Weir deliberately getting his knee ligaments buggered, Rob Howley's shoulder popping out and a rather tasty close up of Martin Johnson getting a nasty gash below his eye stitched up without anaesthetic.

Brilliant stuff.

It is a quality DVD. Remember watching it on Sky and thinking how much fun they must of had, Keith Wood as the judge in the kangaroo court and the way the rest were dressed for it.

A must for all rugby fans.

For Jay: no Scots were selected intially for the tour to New Zeland, and it was 75% english for political reason and it was a flop. Everyone on that has been in tour says that it is the mixing that makes it a great trip

I believe that 4/5 Scots will go. Euan, Wagga, Ross Ford & Mikey Blair are stick on's and maybe one from Thom, Stroks or Barclay might get the nod.

Can't wait for the tour to start.

[Andy_AUFC]

Murray absolutely destroyed Tendai "The Beast" Mtawarira in the scrum when Scotland played SA in the autumn tests so if McGeechan has any sense then Murray will be definitely be going/starting.

Hines will probably geing going mainly due to his brutality and experience. Either Chris Cusiter or Mike Blair out of the scrum halves and maybe Thom Evans might find himself a place and that rounds up the Scotland contingent for the lions.

[Fuctifano]

Would think Murray is a stick on to be in the Test XV, Hines, Ford, and Blair probables to tour, and Thom Evans a dark horse for the squad.

I'm going to have a shy at the squad, see how many I get right- this is who I think will go, not who I want to go...

Props

Gethin Jenkins
Andrew Sherdian
Euan Murray
Marcus Horan
Adam Jones

Hookers

Lee Mears
Jerry Flannery
Ross Ford

Locks

Paul O Connell
Donnacha O Callaghan
Nathan Hines
Alun Wyn Jones

Back Rows

Martyn Williams
David Wallace
Stephen Ferris
Tom Croft
Jamie Heaslip
Ryan Jones

Scrum Halves
Mike Phillips
Mike Blair
Danny Care

Fly- Halves

Ronan O'Gara
Stephen Jones
Danny Cipriani

Wingers

Shane Williams
Tommy Bowe
Ugo Monye
Leigh Halfpenny

Centres

Brian O Driscoll
Jamie Roberts
Riki Flutey
Tom Shanklin

Full Backs

Lee Byrne
Rob Kearney
Delon Armitage

[The Arch]

Only 2 Scots in Euan Murray and Nathan Hines, as far as I can see.

[Fuctifano]

Fuctifano, on Apr 20 2009, 19:12, said:

Would think Murray is a stick on to be in the Test XV, Hines, Ford, and Blair probables to tour, and Thom Evans a dark horse for the squad.

I'm going to have a shy at the squad, see how many I get right- this is who I think will go, not who I want to go...

Props

Marcus Horan

Hookers


Ross Ford

Back Rows

Tom Croft

Ryan Jones

Scrum Halves

Mike Blair
Danny Care

Fly- Halves


Danny Cipriani


Full Backs


Delon Armitage

Very surprised Armitage isn't in there and that Ellis picked ahead of Care. Don't think any of the guys listed above that didn't go would be first picks for the Test team.

[Fuctifano]

Been a couple of developments since the announcement of the squad:

For the Lions, O'Leary is out with a broken ankle which could let Blair in but more likely I'd think to be Peel.

Quinlan has been cited for eye-gouging on Saturday and if found guilty his ban will be in the months rather than weeks category and will miss the tour.

For SA:

Conrad Jantjes (broken leg) and Butch James (cruciate ligament), both of whom you would think would be certain starters will miss the entire tour, and Jean De Villiers and Frans "drop goal" Steyn are scheduled to be back just in time for the first test.

[airdrieman]

disappointed there's only two scots going i thought there would have been more even though we did have a poor six nations
i heard cusitar might be coming in the squad ahead of blair i hope one of them do get in because the number of scots in the team is embarrassing

[jay_7]

airdrieman, on May 9 2009, 12:25, said:

disappointed there's only two scots going i thought there would have been more even though we did have a poor six nations
i heard cusitar might be coming in the squad ahead of blair i hope one of them do get in because the number of scots in the team is embarrassing

Looks like Blair's getting the nod ahead of Cusiter. BBC Linkage

[raith_94]

Fuctifano, on May 5 2009, 23:06, said:

Been a couple of developments since the announcement of the squad:

Tom Shanklin is now likely to miss the tour too, so there's another spot in the centres.

Max Evans is injured though so the slim chances of it being a Scot are now zip.

Probably Gordon D'Arcy, who is playing very well.

As long as its not Mike Tindall.

Tom Croft to get Quinlan's spot if he is banned - SKY are bordering on a campaign with thei recent praise of him.

[The Poker King]

Really looking forward to the Lions Tour this summer.

For everyone that has mentioned the Living With Lions show, it's being shown on ESPN classic (Sky ch 442) just now.

[jay_7]

Northampton have stopped Murray joining the Lions squad. I'd be absolutely raging with the club if that was me. Clickage

[raith_94]

raith_94, on May 12 2009, 11:28, said:

Tom Shanklin is now likely to miss the tour too, so there's another spot in the centres.

Tom Croft to get Quinlan's spot if he is banned - SKY are bordering on a campaign with their recent praise of him.

Shanklin is, ridiculously, not being replaced. D'Arcy and perhaps James Hook (as they have taken two fly halfs incapcable of chasing a game) must be gutted.

Quinlan is appealing his eye gouge ban - what a fanny.

[raith_94]

Tom Croft, as expected called up to replace Quinlan.

Announcement tomorrow (friday) on replacement for Jerry Flannery(hooker) (surely Ross Ford!) and possible replacement for Leigh Halfpenny (goalkicking winger) (probably Delon Armitage, fingers and toes crossed for Chris Paterson)

First tour match a week on saturday - can't wait; and an excellent excuse not to watch either pointless cup final.

[Radford]

They've called up Hook in place of Halfpenny. Bit of a strange one, not just because they specialise in different positions but because of McGeechan's reasoning. He says they wanted to increase the goalkicking options. Surely then Paterson is the obvious choice, naturally plays the same position as Halfpenny but is also versatile like Hook.

[The Arch]

Good to see Ross Ford called up. 4 Scotsmen on tour is about right I'd say.

[Arthurlie1981]

Team announced for First Game vs Royal XV


15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales),
14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland),
13. Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland),
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales),
11. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales);
10. Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland),
9. Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland);
1. Andrew Sheridan (Sales Sharks/England),
2. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales),
3. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales),
4. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England),
5. Paul O'Connell (Munster/Ireland - captain),
6. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England),
7. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales),
8. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales).

Replacements: Lee Mears (Bath/England), Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Stephen Ferris (Ulster/Ireland), Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales), Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales), Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England).

Pretty strong team considering that any players that took part in the European finals are not playing in this game.

[Fuctifano]

First game should be as comfortable as it'll get an the tour, only a couple of super 14 players in the opposition team.