If you were picking a Lions team now

[Eggs]

What nonsense.

Have you seen POC in his last few games?? He is in phenomenal form.

BOD equally still has allot to offer, put him beside the right twelve and he can open up any team, several great line breaks on saturday

[lovesthehardground]

What I saw on Saturday was POC being thrown around like a clothes shop dummy. I agree he is all heart and soul but I don't think he is a starting "test" player any more. But would warrant being in the squad for his pressence.

As for BOD, sorry I think you're way off the mark here. He made one great pass against Wales and then went MIA in the other games. And his performances for Leinster since do not warrant a seat on the plane. Quite simply its time to move on

[Tevez]

LTHG

I was at the RDS on Saturday....to say that BO'D selection would cheapen the shirt is frankly laughable. He was top class (is permanent) and simply understands the game, right place at the right time - "one more year" the blue noses around me chanted...frankly it would be a privilege for us all if he was to have a last hurrah down under followed by a valedictory year with Leinster.

Would he run one in from the half way line as he did the last time he went to Oz with the Lions...possibly not...but he's as likely as anyone to burrow over from 5 yards. His tackling and back row nous remain as strong as ever.

If BO'D isn't selected tomorrow....now that really would put a question mark on the validity of a Lions' shirt....

[lovesthehardground]

LTHG

I was at the RDS on Saturday....to say that BO'D selection would cheapen the shirt is frankly laughable. He was top class (is permanent) and simply understands the game, right place at the right time - "one more year" the blue noses around me chanted...frankly it would be a privilege for us all if he was to have a last hurrah down under followed by a valedictory year with Leinster.
Would he run one in from the half way line as he did the last time he went to Oz with the Lions...possibly not...but he's as likely as anyone to burrow over from 5 yards. His tackling and back row nous remain as strong as ever.

If BO'D isn't selected tomorrow....now that really would put a question mark on the validity of a Lions' shirt....

This is exactly the emotional claptrap I am talking about. A Lions place should be to reward the top players of the time. Not a reward for former glories

[Tevez]

LTHG

"Past glories"....I give you Dr Jamie Roberts

Never been glorious....I give you Brad Barritt

Sentimental fool that I am....I just think BO'D is better than Jamie Roberts and BB now....and will be in a month's time



Anyway we'll see what happens tomorrow...either way I'm going to Hong Kong for the first match...can't wait...with or without BO'D!

[rocky]

LTHG, you are talking out of an alternative orifice and from an alternative universe if you think that either BOD or POC will not go to Australia, and on merit as well. I wish they were both Ulster players. Tevez is right and you are wrong. Simples. 11AM tomorrow will tell the tale.

[bazzaj]

Just had a rethink;
Back 3- Halfpenny, Hogg, Kearney, Bowe, Zebo, Cuthbert, North
Centres- BOD, Tuilagi, Twelvetrees, Davies, Roberts
Halfbacks- Sexton, Farrell, Youngs, Laidlaw, Phillips
BR- Warbuton(capt), Tipuric, Falateu, SOB, Lydiate, Heaslip,
2nd rows- POC, Wyn-Jones, Gray, Launchbury, Ryan
Props- Jenkins, Jones, Cole, Healy, Grant, James
Hookers- Best, Hibbard,Owens

Not my side by any stretch but have brought in Twelvetrees as he can play 10 accompanying the 2 specialists he said he will take.
Dont think Barrett is creative enough for Gatland.
Gray comes in second row as does Ryan because he can play 6 or 8.
Lydiate is a Gatland favourite I think he goes for him over Wood.

[ruckover]

Gatland has said he will only take two 10s - Sexton and Wilkinson, and then take Farrell as a 12?

[Samstew]

Just had a rethink;
Back 3- Halfpenny, Hogg, Kearney, Bowe, Zebo, Cuthbert, North

Sorry, off topic I know, but that line just reminded me of Trumpton

[Gael]

1. Cian Healy
Gethin Jenkins

2. Rory Best
Richard Hibbard

3. Adam Jones
Dan Cole

4.Geoff Parling
Alun Wyn Jones

5. Paul O'Connell (c)
Richie Gray

6. Sean O'Brien
Dan Lydiate

7. Justin Tipuric
Chris Henry

8. Toby Falateau
Jamie Heaslip

9. Mike Phillips
Danny Care

10. Jonathan Sexton
Jonathan Wilkinson

11. Alex Cuthbert
Craig Gilroy

12. Manusamoa Tuilagi
Brad Barrit

13. Brian O'Driscoll
Jonathan Fox Davies

14. George North
Tommy Bowe

15. Leigh Halfpenny
Robert Kearney

additionals
Simon Zebo, James Hook, a prop, a prop, Andrew Sheridan, Ryan Grant, Tom Youngs

[Deckard]

Here's my best guess:

21 forwards

LHP: Healy, Vunipola, Jenkins
Hooker: Best, Hibbard, Youngs
THP: Jones, Cole, Murray
2R: Jones, Gray, Parling, Evans, POC
BR: SOB, Wood, Faletau, Warburton, Tipuric, Heaslip, Beattie

16 backs

SH: Phillips, Youngs, Laidlaw
OH: Sexton, Farrell, Madigan
Centres: Roberts, BOD, Davies, Tuilagi
Wings: North, Bowe, Maitland, Cuthbert
FB: Halfpenny, Hogg

I think Best should make it despite some costly misfires recently. I'm actually not entirely convinced POC will go - maybe Launchbury..? Tbh I think Gatland will try to squeeze Lydiate in, despite him being poor since his return to fitness - likely at the expense of Beattie in my guessed selection.. I think Robshaw might just miss out, as well as Brown.. At scrum-half he may prefer Care to Laidlaw (don't see Murray making it tbh).

I have a funny feeling about Madigan! He has been brilliant all season, and might be exactly the kind of 10/12 wildcard that Gatty might bring - possible alternative being Hook (I honestly don't see Wilko make it..) Barritt my well get a centre berth, likely at the expense of Davies. I'm pretty sure he'll go for Cuthbert - not my cup of tea tbh, I'd bring any of Zebo, Trimble, Gilroy or Brown ahead of him, but there you have it. I think Kearney might be a near miss..

I'd guess that the following Irish guys will be on standby: Henderson, Ryan, Murray, D'Arcy, Zebo, Kearney.

[bazzaj]

All fair enough deckard but if you may need to rethink the 50/50 calls not going to a welsh player.
He has not much time to the first test so he will want to take players familiar with his methods.
All previous lions coaches have done the same so I can't knock him for doing it.
Evans,hook ,Biggar,Lydiate,James Owens Bevington,Charteris and Lloyd-Williams will all be in his thoughts despite there being seemingly better alternatives available.
I expect to see a few of those names raising eyebrows when the squad is announced.

[Rooster]

If 3 Ulster players were going who would you pick ?
I would go for Best and 2 out of Bowe, Trimble and Henderson with a real outside bet on Henry, but think on balance Best, Bowe, Henderson.

[Deckard]

If 3 Ulster players were going who would you pick ?
I would go for Best and 2 out of Bowe, Trimble and Henderson with a real outside bet on Henry, but think on balance Best, Bowe, Henderson.

Exactly that.. I personally would have Henry in the back row mix, and Trimble for me is a much better player than Cuthbert (and IMO has been better than both Zebo and Gilroy this year) but I don't see them making the first cut

I think Bowe and Best will definitely travel - and I wouldn't be shocked if Henderson got a shout, he's exactly the kind of wildcard option player who you might fancy.. Great lineout option, and he has done some unbelievable carrying, in pretty high-profile matches - he's basically what Tom Croft would be like if he was good!

[Russ]

Time to close this one down?