Great pod. Really enjoyed this. Keep up the great work!

Couple of British couple of Irish and Southern hemisphere lions!

Have people completely forgotten about Mack Hansen just because he was out of the 6 Nations ?

@Demondoink1

25 күн бұрын

Or maybe there are just better wingers than him? You could say the exact same about Darcy Graham. Ireland are the best team, but it doesn’t mean that individually every player they have is the best of the home nations.

@barrydunne8096

24 күн бұрын

I think he'd get in there if it wasn't for Duhan the tripod.

That was really fun. Surprised the Irish team features so much in the starting 15 (am Ireland supporter). But hard to argue. Mostly other nations have not had prominent players, esp in the front row. Back row looks awesome with so many good options. I am most excited by Russell/Aki/Tuipulotu myself as a combo. Would be a nightmare to defend against. Let’s see what another 12 months delivers.

@Demondoink1

25 күн бұрын

Tuipulotu tends to play at 12. So you’d have to shift Aki to 13 or play Tuipulotu there. He’s such a good centre though. Scotland lack quality in certain areas (especially the forwards) but imo our depth in the centres is insane. Redpath and McDowall are really good too, but can hardly get a sniff due to the Tuipulotu/Jones partnership.

Irelands squad just changed to red Jerseys for 2025

Mack Hansen is low on the pick list here probably because he was injured and didn't feature in the 6N this year so out of people's minds.

@Demondoink1

25 күн бұрын

Exact same with Darcy Graham then. He was in insane form before his injury and was one of, if not Scotlands best player.

I think Courtney will be the number 6 and also as captain, Tommy Freeman will also go.

Cant wait to watch the IRISH and british lions tour. Should be a o'hellava time

11 Irish 2 English and 2 Scottish. Which Lions XV has had the most players from one nation? Has it ever been just 2 nations represented? Tried googling but got nowhere 😅

@Karma-qt4ji

Ай бұрын

Put another way... 8 Irish, 3 New Zealand, 2 English, 1 Scottish and 1 South African. That makes it 24 years since the last home grown team was selected. Kind of defeats the object

@somersetfan1

29 күн бұрын

You'd think 2001, when England were pretty dominant, but it was still only 8

@barrydunne8096

24 күн бұрын

I think 12 Welsh started the 3rd test in 2013, or maybe was 10. I should know as I was there but just remember being so disgusted that BOD was dropped.

I’m always so confused by the amount of people that just go for the Ireland front row. Ireland are an amazing team BUT, they aren’t actually a massively dominant scrummaging side. Joe Schmidt would look at the Ireland/Leinster front row as a potential area to gain an edge over the lions at scrum time

@johnmc3862

Ай бұрын

They are all in the Farrell system which is a big plus. Cant argue with Sheehan.

@timslade5808

Ай бұрын

Totally agree, we haven’t a dominant scrum against most of the top tier teams in years. Problem is Genge isn’t that much better than Porter and neither is Schoeman. Could be an argument for Fagerson over Furlong but Taidgh is better in the loose. No argument over hooker surely?

@amantedellopera1681

Ай бұрын

Ireland had the second heaviest pack at world cup and heaviest/biggest back row

@Frankabagnale33

Ай бұрын

They can be hit and miss, that’s true. Especially Porter.

@FR-je9bw

Ай бұрын

Correct. Surely we have a better scrummaging tighthead out there than Furlong who is living on past glories.

Decent side, but I always think that it's better to pick teams with balanced "units". The back row has worked out well but the locks are a bit off. I'd prefer a mobile lock (Itoje or Beirne) with one of the heavies to start. Beirne is the better player but I'd start with the better lineout man (Itoje ? )and have the other on the bench.

@paulb4298

Ай бұрын

Yeah I'm sure the team will be picked on balance and combinations. But I don't think to you can venture to far from that team

Jack Willis deserves a place and at 10 give me Crowley on the bench he can cover 15

Good fun, still got some time to go, Hansen will be back and go up the rankings, Captain? Finn? , surprised POM doesnt pop up somewhere, I think some close decisions will be decided on bringing some beef/enforcers. I think the Lions will do it.

9 Leinster players in the starting 15. That would be some kind of record, plus Beirne, who was also Leinster academy (messed up losing that one)

9 from one club in the starting 15? I guess Bath in in the 90's of Llanelli in the 70's were the only other clubs to get even close to that level of domination. Leinster have so many competitive advantages.

Tadhg Beirne is basically an all round brilliant rugby player

So much fun - love the format ! Would be a surprise if AF doesn't bring Hansen over FW

Choosing a flanker is always hard but you have to have Tommy reffell

@Simwil33

Ай бұрын

I can assure you that you don't

@eamonlyons8069

Ай бұрын

Squad yes but XXIII No.

4. Itoje 5. McCarthy 6. Beirne 7.Doris 8.Earl is the most balanced loose 5 for me. VdF well off his wpoty form at the moment

@richcastle6796

Ай бұрын

Martin over McCarthy for me but agree otherwise

@harryjudge8153

Ай бұрын

Earl at 7 doris 8 tbh

@barryryan14

Ай бұрын

Berine has played 6 twice in 5 years for club, country, and including the Lion's. He's played 100s of games at lock. He said he's a lock. Just because he can play there and there's a narrative about it doenst mean he should. He should be the 1st pick at lock for the Lion's.

@user-nn2xj9mh4w

Ай бұрын

That's the thing ..Next 6N none of those may be on top of game . .More Scottish and Welsh , who lost 20 players recently. And a few of their better players like Jac Morgan , Liam Williams.Lake etc to help , Ireland best win GS next season and England close 2nd . Or thar team is miles off . I suppose when you recruit heavily from southern hemisphere with no blood connection to country , maybe BL tours will be renamed Britain Ireland and Southern hemisphere baas baas

@countycricklewood

28 күн бұрын

Itoje????? 😅

Generally a very good squad - don't think there can be too many complaints. Guaranteed that this won't even he half right by the time of the first test though!

I suspect that in the end there will not be 11 Irish guys. Amazing that 10 of those are from Leinster. Has one club ever had more than five in a starting Lions XV.Partly to have a degree of balance, partly because I expect a few more England players and partly because some will be injured.

@corny165

28 күн бұрын

Some of the English lads will properly step into the limelight in the next 12 months too. I'm thinking Martin and Feyi-Waboso.

Genge not Lions standard

Cannot really argue with the votes. Ireland deserve a strong representation as they have been a settled team. However, we all know someone on this list is going to miss out due to injuries. Sad but true.

It will be interesting to see if Farell is brave enough to pick most of the Irish team. I think he'll try and limit himself to 9 or so

Wouldn't rule out Anthony Watson as a starting or bench Back 3 option in a year's time!

@ruaridhcameron3863

Ай бұрын

the best all round winger in B&I in the professional era.

@Demondoink1

25 күн бұрын

Maybe a bench option as he can cover a few positions but there are at least five better wingers than him and several better full backs. I’d imagine he would be third choice for England at full back (behind Furbank/Steward). Then you add in Keenan and Kinghorn in to the equation. So he’s probably fifth choice at best at fullback. On the wing then Lowe, Hansen, VDM, Graham and (by then) Feyi-Waboso are ahead of him. All of those guys are out and our wingers too- where as Watson is between a winger and a fullback.

Can't have lions test team with no Welsh ..

@boluadebowale7341

Ай бұрын

I mean there is zero you would acctually consider good enough, maybe as training depth, but not a single one of them either by their current playing standard are anywhere near the 23 if we want to win the series.

@HibeeMcbee

Ай бұрын

We had enough years with no Scots and nobody cared. The Welsh aren’t good enough.

@barryryan14

Ай бұрын

You can if other players are better. Wales are at a historic low so I get why there will likely be no Welsh in the starting 15.

@corny165

28 күн бұрын

No Warren Gatland now so...

@Demondoink1

25 күн бұрын

Why not? Scotland barely got a player in the squad for years cos we were crap, now it’s Wales turn. Not one of their players would get near the starting 15.

That was fun. A few changes I would make Dan will turn out to be a better choice at hooker in a years time but he does need that extra year Blindside flanker is interesting because it depends what you want. I always like having a tall blindside who can act as a genuine 3rd line out threat. IMO Itoje will play there with Martin going into second row but both Baird and Doris are great options and if Lawes is still playing at the necessary standard he would beat both out. Alternatively if you have a 7 or 8 who is also a line out threat then maybe going for a more dynamic blindside is a better combo - step forward Earl. Openside really depends on how Tom Curry comes back from injury. If he is back to his best he plays and because he is real line out pest that gives more options to change the back row. If not then Morgan was a standout in a poor Welsh team (pretty much the only Welsh player to get a sniff of being in Lions squad although there are some youngster for whom this is a tour too early) Personally I do not trust Russell at FH, if the pack is struggling he tries too hard. I suspect Farrell will get the nod but I really like the look of both Crowley and Finn Smith. Other than that I think the voters were very astute

@bernieob9577

Ай бұрын

Farrell Russell on the bench

@Demondoink1

25 күн бұрын

Finn is better than Farrell in literally every facet of the game- attack, defence, passing, kicking from hand and probably even dead ball kicking now (or at least it’s closest in this area). The only edge you can give to Farrell is that he’s won more trophies than Russell, but in terms of who is better than Russell wins in pretty much every area.

Elliot Daly getting 0.1% for a wing spot, yet Borthwick keeps picking him 😂

@Demondoink1

25 күн бұрын

He has the remaining 99.9% confidence in him 😅

Finn russell is such a legend. Hes world class wirh the attitude of a teenager 🤣

@creekyknee

14 күн бұрын

And the intelligence of a baby....

I agree with all of it tbh. A lot of lads are nailed on tbf

Dark horse for the number 10 jersey, Ross Byrne. Watch this space…!

@pr3nd0

Ай бұрын

I’d play Marcus Smith over Byrne

No surprises there.we al just done Farrell's job for him😅

Clearly just us English voting for this one! Mitchell ahead of White and Tomos Williams?!!!

@joeboonmusic4004

Ай бұрын

Hardly, considering how many Irish players there are... and I'd have Mitchell over Williams for sure, your'e right about White though.

The Irish and Irish lions

@nickrad6966

Ай бұрын

The Irish and southern hemisphere mercenary Lions

I would take that team to oz with a lot of confidence in a 3-0 white wash

@surge8601

19 күн бұрын

obviously haven't seen aus since the rwc, but I'd take the current Welsh side for a 3-0 white wash.

Looks spot on to me 😊

Can we change the name to the Irish and British Lions? 👀🤣

English bias very strong here (Im english)

@patrickchilds2987

Күн бұрын

Bias 😂😂 Earl and Itoje? Please explain

Not a Taff to be seen, and I don't think they could argue with that!

@surge8601

19 күн бұрын

Tomos Williams, Jac Morgan (if he gets his RWC form), Tommy Reffell. Maybe Wainwright. That's it, honestly.

Essientially the ireland team with a couple of cameos. Hard to argue with it.

Itoje is a penalty machine won't be in the running in a year. Fagerson on the bench likewise an absolute liability

@Demondoink1

25 күн бұрын

Same with Andrew Porter at prop then?

@patrickchilds2987

19 күн бұрын

Perhaps 3 years ago he was giving away penalty's. Certainly not this year or last year. Are you using game stats or guessing ? Ironically I remember some posters saying that before the last lions tour and he was one of the stars. Is your penalty count your main criteria for selection ? Andrew Porter had one of the highest penalty counts in the 6 Nations so are you excluding him from the Lions on that basis despite probably being the best loose head available?

Ben Earl on the bench? That would be a crime

definitely a majority English vote

Henshaw isn't a 13, he's much better at 12. Good to come off the bench. DvDM is dogshit, IFW is far more effective. That's the only change I'd make.

@Demondoink1

25 күн бұрын

Haha yeah I’m sure you can accurately judge a guy based off four appearances for his country and one try 😂😂 If you wanna go down that route, he has scored in 25% of his international matches, and VDM has scored in 66% of his (with a much bigger sample size).

I wouldn't even take Russell he is more trouble than he is worth. Scotland have there best team for years but always fail to deliver when it matters and l think Russell is part of the problem.

@creekyknee

14 күн бұрын

Agreed.

Whosoever picked a winner based on popularity of the masses? Yes the Americans did when they picked Trump for President of America, the most powerful man in the World! So lets ask the question - were they right? Did they pick the best person for the job or did they make a huge mess of it? What about combos? How about the Tuipulotu - Jones combo. Haven't they created enough unexpected breakthroughs and tries? Hopefully coaches look at Combos not individual biased popularity. Or is rugby, like soccer, becoming too commercial?

Doris is 8 not 6

@corny165

28 күн бұрын

I'd make room for him and Earl. They're both magnificent.

As long as it starts with Peter O Mahoney as Captain

Morgan looks to have hugely benefitted from missing the 6 Nations - doubt he could have done any better than Reffell did. Morgan is promising but neither he nor Tommy Turnover come close to the Test 23 and either lucky to even be on the tour for me especially with the likes of Tom Curry and Jack Wills back in the picture

Poor Wales 😏🤪🤣

Farell should be nowhere near that team,a yellow/red card machine.im irish fan but id have smith ahead of him,its not the springboks or all blacks we are playing

@davidwalker2402

Ай бұрын

Nah smith will never be the player Farrell is I think this was seen a couple of weeks ago when Farrell wiped the floor with him. Lions are tough and smith is weak in many departments Fiji just ran straight over him…

@patrickchilds2987

Ай бұрын

Whilst it is extremely unlikely that Farrell will tour bases on that he wouldn't have played any international rugby That would be the reason for not selecting him rather than this view of his as a card machine. Certainly I don't think Farrell would be 1st or possibly 2nd choise #10 but if he were to go I think he would be an asset as cover but mainly as a squad member. Listening to how the previous lions players spoke of him and his contribution in the last tour as part of yhe leadership group and also in how he helped prepare the test sides when he wasn't playing. Again I don't think he will tour but I would pleasantly surprised if he did

That was my team except for Martin at 6.

I think I'd go Doris, Earl and Conan in my back row. And probably Henshaw over Ringrose at 13. Other than that I'd agree with the team.

Should be Irish/Scottish led

Huw Jones is twice the player that Garry Ringrose is

@Demondoink1

25 күн бұрын

Yep. Just a case of picking whoever players for the better team. Same with Porter ahead of Schoeman.

@DaSkonk

24 күн бұрын

He is in his eye, give over!

15 Ben Earls for me.

@elliotharris3965

Ай бұрын

unstoppable

Itoje's a show pony.

@dashingeduardosuarez

28 күн бұрын

I was surprised by this too. Thought Baird was the better choice.

@patrickchilds2987

Күн бұрын

Love reading when some fans will use their emotional feeling to gauge the performance and imact of an elite rugby player like Itoje and proclaim his as a show pony thinking that over rules stats and pact What is controversial about selecting Itoje ? An experienced and back in playing form. His lineoit stats are excellent as is his work in the loose and defence. Like Bernie his disruption and jackling is excellent. Bernie is also an excellent player and I would be happy with either. Is one noticeably ahead of the other , without stats it is hard to compare. In the last game they met you could argue Itoje dominated. Ultimately it will be Andy Farrell and his team who will Ultimately select which players tours and thankfully they will judge what the players offer rather than who some fans prefer

Why bother . In 2012 for 2013 tour. Everybody had majority English . Woodward I think had all Eng /Ire with only 2 or 3 Welsh and zero Scots in 15. FF 2013 6 Nations and it.changed ..tommy Refell Wainwright and if playing as in world cup Jac Morgan ...the most destructive hooked from bench ould be Dewi Lake . .BUT as a follower of lion tours since 77 . I don't know where lions can get new fans from as . Ireland and England have many Southern hemisphere players . .with zero UK bloodline . I stopped leaving for tours when Ben Te'o toured. .started getting ridiculous. Vunipola , Faletau etc who were born in SH but schooled in UK.. .we're a diff thing all together...Te' o landed , posed in IRELAND shirt then played for England . Jesus possibility of starting more player with no Britain or Ireland qualification. Then next tour could change nations and play for S Africa etc against lions. .I think 1 player from each 4 home nations, without strong bloodline to BI or Ire should be maximum. And good bet those 4 would be in test 15 . So even then over a quarter of team will be SH players . Possibility of resembling SH baas baas , rather than lions going on tours. .real possibility of being outnumbered by foreign born than home

Lawrence at 13 Ringrose not even in the Irish side

@user-br9ne9gl5t

Ай бұрын

For now. Injuries and fitness issues. Would agree that Lawrence at 13 would be epic. That man is an absolute menace and I feel is so underrated.

@DaSkonk

24 күн бұрын

Only because he was injured. Otherwise, he usually starts and runs the defence. He's a Rolls-Royce of a player and should definitely be on that tour and in that team, if fit.

I know there is a lot of Irish in it already...but i would have McCarthy over Itoje...

Russel shouldnt be on the team. Supposedly one of the best 10s ever. He has won nothing. Too focused on himself

@Demondoink1

25 күн бұрын

Look at Baths improvement this season and then reconsider your position. He hasn’t won much cos he plays for Scotland. It’s like when Parisse was at Italy- a world class player in a poor team. Granted Scotland are a bit better than that Italian side, but they are still not on the same level as the likes of Ireland and France.

@creekyknee

14 күн бұрын

Too right, he is simply not clever or good enough.

ben earl for me is a number 8. Strong, agile, quick, powefull