British & Irish Lions Rugby - South Africa 2009

[Philip S. Tibbetts]

Although still a month to go until the actual tour I thought now would be a good time to start the thread to discuss the selection (and maybe have a bit of the national teasing that made the Six Nations thread so fun!)

I must say that I didn't think Scotland would have a big representation in the Lions but certainly more than 2! I think the kicking options in the team are a little poor and Patterson would have been a good utility back and kicker to take. (Also Armitage should have gone rather than Monye)

Mike Blair rather than Ellis in my opinion (as the latter can get a bit too angry and I think Blair has a better playmaking head). Evans Bros may be sad not to go but I think they are a little new to the international scene maybe but they could really be contenders for the next Lions tour.

Other than that the team is a good strong one to fight SA and other than missing Tom Croft I think it's a good team and should be a serious challenge to SA

[JolyStNicholas]

I for one do appreciate you posting early. I enjoy the game and am still learning. Do keep us informed as the season progresses.

[thanmuwa]

Although still a month to go until the actual tour I thought now would be a good time to start the thread to discuss the selection (and maybe have a bit of the national teasing that made the Six Nations thread so fun!)

As if on cue....

I think that only bringing 14 Irish players and filling the rest of the spaces with the dead weight of the 13 Welsh, 8 English and 2 Scots players was a bad decision....
<Tongue removed from cheek>
To be honest I only really know the strength of our guys well, so I have no idea if the other players are any good....
And like a lot of other Irish people, I must confess an ambivalence to the Lions team.....
Glad Paul O' Connell was made captain though, he is a fantastic captain, made obvious by the thrashing Munster recently gave the Ospreys!

[###KILTEDKIWI###]

We are currently embroiled in the super 14 at the moment, and I have to say, the yarpies have certainly bulked up, so it should be an interesting tour.

Good news is that the Kiwi and Aussie teams have been battering hell out of them during the S14 and they have loads of injuries, so that helps you, bad news is that the remainder are all match hardened and fit...

And there is a token Kiwi in there (Flutey - only one to play against and for the Lions by the sounds of it.)

I really hope the Lions can make a great start to this tour and give them a drubbing (3 - 0 whitewash), that would be grand to see.

Will be some great rugby anyway.

[Philip S. Tibbetts]

Well it's finally upon us and I'm so excited! Couldn't see this Saturdays match as I was at a Stag Party but I'm glad to hear the Lions didn't walk over the opposition cause I think it's better to learn how to improve and to do so - rather than be complacent and possibly not realise how to get better. Afterall no-one said that this tour would be easy - especially with what happened in the Super XIV!

Co-incidentally it's the Lions and the rugby ethos that's, for me anyway, really reflected on the latest events in the team GB football saga and shown how shallow, money driven and politics impeeded soccer has become.

[IrishGodfather]

Hopefuy O'Driscoll can help lead the British/Irish Lions to victory!

I went nuts when my boys from Ireand won the Six Nations! My French professor who is from the south of France and who played Rugby at university in the Champagne region watched it with me, and of course I gave him heck because the French didn't go the distance!

But I love rugby, ever since I watched the Rugby World Cup in 2003. I'm a big fan of team Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and NEW ZEALAND! I just love to watch those teams, and how bout those South Africans winning it in Paris this past go round?

But yeah, looking forward to the next world cup in South Africa!

-Chris