I'm a Scot, and I'd select Hugo Keenan over Kinghorn at 15.

Dyer over Van der Merwe, have you been on the sauce???

I'd have to disagree on the game day 23. I'd have van der Flier over Reffell any day. Wings have to be van de Merwe and Lowe, and you didn't have Keenan in the whole squad. He'd surely be the starting 15. Dyer I wouldn't even have in the 37. He's ok but he's no Lion. I'd have Henry Arundell in over him any day.

Henshaw has been so good during this 6 Nations, strong, dependable and has played full 80 minutes with heart. He’s has got to be given credit where credit is due.

Fantastic analysis, except Keenan has to be in at 15. Possibly the best in the world in that position. Offers so much in both defence and attack. Kinghorn is good, but not at Keenan's level. Edit: sorry, my green-tinted glasses didn't see this at first. But seriously, how on earth can you not have DVDM on the wing? Dyer in front of him? No way on earth.

Keenan without a doubt.

In the 23, VDM would start over dyer, Keenan and Ringrose starts and Martin over Baird

Can I just mention big Hendo? Didn't get a mention because Ireland have so much strength in the second row, but he is one helluva guy, both on and off the pitch. The perfect Lion, even if it was to captain the midweek team and to coach, support and step into the boots of others if necessary.

Can't see Dyer even making the trip - yes he's fast but suspect in defence and lacks a physical presence

@joeboonmusic4004

2 ай бұрын

Agreed, I think he shines in that Welsh team because it's hard not to when your team is playing so poorly...

Be interesting to attempt a Continental Lions team from Italy, France, Georgia etc. Just for the craic like...

JGP's speed at the ruck is a huge part of what makes Ireland tick and given the extra time he'll give him, I actually can't wait to see him playing alongside Russell! The pair of them could wreak havoc.

Dyer is not a Lion. O’Mahony and Lawes won’t go. Keenan at 15 as all the other commenters have mentioned. Farrell would bring Jamie George as a senior head in the camp as well as Crowley, would be a huge knock to Crowley’s confidence if he didn’t - and Farrell will have to go back to coaching him after the tour!

@moco_coco_999

2 ай бұрын

Understand what you're saying, but putting those considerations aside is part of taking the job, and Crowley has no business in a Lions shirt.

@user-lc2nq2vu1m

2 ай бұрын

O'Mahony may struggle to hold onto his Ireland place as Baird looks prenominal . Not getting in the Irish team may dent his lions chance in a very competitive position

@johngarveyire

2 ай бұрын

Need enforcers, would love see POM and Lawes go - proper hard men. Kennan , 100%, best in world. Jamie's been there, senior head, good Lions team man, knows the lads. Crowley should go.

@johnmc3862

2 ай бұрын

I don’t know about Crowleys confidence, would he think he’s a lion?

@daithipol

2 ай бұрын

​@johngarveyire POM is not an enforcer he is small and light and never threw a dig in his life. He barely makes more than 2 meters carrying in a game. Devin Toner fell over once in a game and ended up with more carry meters than POM. Slagging off Cane is not enforcement

1 - Andrew Porter 2 - Dan Sheehan 3 - Tadhg Furlong 4 - Tadhg Beirne 5 - Maro Itoje 6 - Jac Morgan 7 - Josh van der Flier 8 - Caelan Doris 9 - Jamison Gibson-Park 10 - Finn Russell 11 - James Lowe 12 - Sione Tuipulotu / Ollie Lawrence 13 - Garry Ringrose 14 - Duhan van der Merwe 15 - Hugo Keenan 16 - Rónan Kelleher 17 - Pierre Schoeman 18 - Finlay Bealham 19 - Joe McCarthy / George Martin 20 - Ben Earl 21 - Tomos Williams / Alex Mitchell 22 - Jack Crowley / Marcus Smith 23 - Huw Jones Very rough put together in 5 mins and players could easily switch with each other so more than happy to have suggestions. Also I haven't looked at ages of these players in 18 months so that might mean some don't go or age badly before the tour

@georgemansfield1996

2 ай бұрын

Earl starts

@georgemansfield1996

2 ай бұрын

At 6. Morgan’s very good but earls been world class

@johngarveyire

2 ай бұрын

Yeah - that sounds good - need POM or Lawes or Big Joe to go as no bullshit enforcers...

@jonathoncollins6861

2 ай бұрын

@@georgemansfield1996 100% happy switching Earl and Morgan 🙂

@jonathoncollins6861

2 ай бұрын

@@johngarveyire I only ruled Lawes and POM out with age. They'll be 35/36 at the youngest by then I think

Absolutely no chance the test 15 is anyone other than Keenan.

Jack Willis maybe ?

Really good squad. I can't argue against it. For the match day 23, Keenan has to start at 15. He's the only world class fullback available for the Lions. I can't get on board with Dyer as a starting Lion. Having to pick between van der Flier and Reffell is a tough choice but the pack plus bench forwards you picked is immense. I think I'd favour Tuipuloto at 12 but, as with the 7 shirt, you can't go wrong.

Christie will have a big impact next 6N hell be in with a shout

If the lions was this summer, I’d say you nailed it with the majority of your selections from this six nations. I don’t think Văn de Merwe is not a Farrell type player, he is awesome in open space but not hungry enough. Farrell likes his wingers to be frequent first receivers. I also think Marcus Smith, while exciting is not rounded enough yet, for top level international selection, he forces it too much when it’s not on. Hugo Keenan is Farrells guaranteed first named on the team sheet, he is the hardest working back in international rugby and that goes a very long way in Farrells priorities for a player.

I agree Gibson-Park would get the test place, but I think Ben White is in that 3 for the squad.

Jac Morgan will be a lion no doubt

I think Van der Merwe and Keenan are nailed on Starters in my mind but a good squad and a bit of fun.

Really enjoy your round ups! Great job!

@rugbyanalyst

2 ай бұрын

Much appreciated 👍

Christie for C-South and probably Curry or Willis over either of them. Reffell and Jac Morgan should be in the discussion. Standing out in a struggling Welsh team, means shows how talented the two are. Although, I can understand if Peter O'Mahony's experience gets him the place. Lawes over Baird on the bench every day of the week. Turner for Dan. I think Farrell's form at club level and whether he plays in the next 6 nations will decide a great deal. But ultimately, I agree with your choices and would be a bit miffed if Crowley was selected. I can see Ringrose AND Henshaw (who can play multiple places) being selected. Along with Aki & Tuipolotu. As a Welsh fan, I think Dyer is a great shout but wouldn't hate Hansen or Freeman being selected. Agreed with full back choices, which is quite a strong position for the Lions. Captain definitely needs to be Beirne or Doris in my opinion.

Good selection apart from Kinghorn

Spot on with props

First post 6N video that I've seen - well played Sir ! I'd have Hansen over Dyer (if fit) but otherwise yeah, top selections !

Got my ticket for the Sydney test yesterday. 650 Aussie dollars. About €400. Quite expensive considering two more tests to buy for and the travel of six weeks and hotels etc.

@rugbyanalyst

2 ай бұрын

I'm sure you'll have a great time. Very jealous 😉

I don't see the Dyer thing at all. He wouldn't get in my squad. Otherwise I agree with a lot of your calls. However, one glaring error... Surely Daly gets a spot? The Lions need someone who will fall off every tackle and play to a completely different system to everyone else, oh, and they will need someone to count the socks after a game.

Mack Hansen will go, not so Courtney Lawes.

Hi.. I agree with almost all. But if Faz has the ultimate say Kenan will be thee first guy on the team sheet... all-round blows Kinghorn out of the water

I can’t see George getting picked over Owen.

Freeman can play wing, fullback and centre. Would surely be a very useful tourist?

The prediction was solid

Honest and no mincing words. This guy in that guy not in.

Christie worthy of a place -

O’Mahony unlikely to be in Ireland team next year

@johngarveyire

2 ай бұрын

One more tour from the War God, please! - need the enforcer in SA

@daithipol

2 ай бұрын

​@@johngarveyirewill ye stop.

arundell, jack willis and jack morgan - surely all must at least be considered?

I did this exercise too and I have the following: Props: Genge, Porter, Schoeman, Furlong, Fagerson, Bealham Hookers: Sheehan, Turner, Kelleher Second Row: Itoje, Beirne, McCarthy, Chessum, Lawes or Ryan Back Row: Martin or Baird (assuming he takes the starting bid if O’Mahony retires over Conan), VDF, Earl, Doris, Morgan, Reffell, Wainwright Scrum Half: Mitchell, Gibson-Park, White Fly Half: Russell, M. Smith? (I don’t feel great about anyone outside of Finn unless Prendergast surpasses Crawley and Marcus finally comes through and starts every game until this time next year) Center: Aki, Ringrose, Tuipulotu, Jones, Henshaw or Lawrence Wing: VDM, Lowe, Graham, Steyn (I can be talked into Dyer or FW getting picked, but it really shows how shite Wales are at 10, 12, and 13 for Dyer not be THAT certain of a try scorer and FW just needs more test caps) Fullback: Kinghorn, Keenan

With my Scottish hat on Scott Cummings is our best 2nd row and based on yesterday Andy Christie is our first back row both would be options. Ben White is steady if not spectacular and could sneak in. Complete bolter Stafford MacDowall. He has a excellent all round game but would be hard to get in if you only go with 4 centres. Others Ford would be a no, Lawes no, Dyer no, Kinghorn no, Itoje captain no it will be Doris, Other than that not bad.

Lawes hasn't played lock since 2019, and is retired at international level.

@johngarveyire

2 ай бұрын

Lawes is a proper enforcer, like POM, Etzebeth ,maybe big Joe, Itoje is a big man, spolier, but won't flatten or equal Etzebeth and the like in SA

Not starting Keenan? Big call

@rugbyanalyst

2 ай бұрын

Only based on this six nations, Keenan odds on to start given another year

@joemoody7440

2 ай бұрын

He missed one game, and was Irelands best player over the hole tournament id reckon, he's first name on the team sheet..

@Keeks749

2 ай бұрын

@@rugbyanalyst fair fair fair

@bernieob9577

2 ай бұрын

He is the best in the 🌎

England win 3 games for the first time in 5 years and suddenly all their players are in the lions squad. Delusional😅

Keenan all day long one of first on any team sheet and I can’t see him leaving Henshaw behind.

Keenan best 15 in the world and VDF is so much a better player than Reffel who has had one decent game in the 6 nations.

Andy Christie has been immense!

After watching the sarries harlequin game believe Owen Farrel is without doubt the best 10 who the lions could pick

Arundell?

@shonunezekiel

2 ай бұрын

not enough international experience - he has amazing potential of course.

Courtney Lawes will have been out of international rugby for two years when this tour occurs so I cannot see how he can be considered.

give it a year and i think Christie will be there considering how few matches he has under his belt he looks like class coming on.

8:59 Jack Crowley goes. he has a running game, a range of hand and kicking passes, trick plays brings the ball to the line. He can also play other positions. No keenan in 23 man squad? He should be in the starting 15 never mind the 23.

Next years six nations is going to be huge and i think very very different. You felt lots of teams in transition this year, so the players that put their hand up next year i think will be different to right now.

I'm not sure about Dyer starting. I'd start Lawes and I would think DVM will start unless it's the wrong wing for him?

Why would he select a player who has retired from international rugby ? (Lawes)

Courtney Lawes - was not expecting that.

Farrell absolutely brings Hansen on the wing, he would be a great tourist and popular with the whole squad. Keenan starting 15 all day, he didn’t have a poor six nations, he just got injured

Love how Reffell is listed as a winger in your squad lol

I think the following: Blamire over Dan Morgan over Darge Crowley over Ford Farrell over Smith Steward over Kinghorn Starting team: 6 Morgan(C) over Doris 7 vd Flier over Reffell 8 Doris over Earl 13 Ringrose over Tuipolotu 14 Hansen over Dyer 15 Keenan over Kinghorn 16 Kelleher over Dan 20 Reffel over vd Flier 22 Farrell over Ford 23 Lowe over Ringrose Some interesting choices that we will see.

Locks spot on except he will pick James ryan over Baird

Keenan 15, VdM 14, at the moment. Things might change by injury or performance.

He didn’t even mention J Willis, Morgan, Simmonds, Mercer

@skiptracerbob

2 ай бұрын

or Arundell

Keenan is the best full back in the NH. He's starting every Lion test.

I don't think Smith will go Russell, Ford and Crowley

No way dan Cole

How is Jack Morgan not an option at least there? He stood out in the world cup

My Lions Test XV is? Porter Sheehan Furlong Itoje Bernie Doris at 6 Raffell Earl Gibson-Park Russell Van der Mewre Aki Ollie Lawrence Lowe Kinghorn Bench 5/3 Genge Dan Z Fagerson Baird Van der Fiier Ringrose Mitchell Ford

Very much in agreement, except firstly I would try to include DVdM a three try specialist, but more cruciually, for no. 15. Keenan is an incredible playmaker, popping up all over the field and gives Ireland a great attacking versatility. His absence against Scotland was very discernable. Ireland lacked a cutting edge, which Sexton used to give. Due respect to Kinghorn, he is a fine player, but not to include Keenan would be a grave error.

Without being facetious, I think for the starting-team (with everyone fit) it's likely to be the entire Irish back-line plus Russell. VDM is not Farrell's sort of winger, not least because he isn't a very good defender, he's basically one-dimensional i.e. he does one thing (extremely) but he's not an ace distributor like Hansen nor an ace punter like Lowe. So I think the Irish back 3 are pretty much nailed on (obviously he goes with Keenan.) There is a slight argument at centre - maybe Jones come in - but Farrell may just opt to play all those who knows his systems best. From there you also have to consider if Farrell is going to for a '6-2' approach in the Test matches, as he has looked to do with Ireland. If he does go 6-2 then Hansen is even more nailed on as a starter because he can play out-half. I think 6-2 also makes Smith a possible selection as one of the full-backs (versatility.) The pack will be less Irish-dominated - and if it is 6-2 then there is scope for having a genuine 'Bomb Squad' approach e.g. with Earl starting at 8 and Doris coming on after 60 minutes or so.

A tough call but like the squad so far

Owen Farrell, if available, is going ahead of Marcus Smith.

If Jac Morgan is fit, Jac Morgan goes. He was sorely missed by Wales in the Six Nations.

Spot on with no 10s...Crowley not ready for lions just yet

You said Baird and you meant Beirne @12:57. Freudian slip?

Not a bad shout. Obviously, there will always be those who will scream no, what about, but for those who can step back and look at the Lions impartially, that is a pretty good selection.

Noice! I reckon a bit shit just to bring Courtney in! O Mahoney ,,…. Nah! Darge ? Christie? Instead! Fast Aussie tracks! .? Lawrence for Tuipolotu , Jenkins for Lawes, ! Can hear it already! 3 kiwis, a Saffa,and an. Aussie,,,,,??? Walk into a …..bar!with 2 Scots, Finn and Blair! Oops ,,! Sorry! It was the lions backline ! That you picked! Luv ya work, mate! Cheers! ( if you had VDM over Dyer!)

2 Welshman 2 many in that team!

I'd pick Jack Crowley over Marcus Smith. They're similar, but Crowley is big and tough and offers a physical presence Smith lacks, especially as a "last line of defence" (# 15), as/if/ when required.

Good Rich, but maybe consider Willis,Hansen and Morgan ?

wtf has rio dyer done to get in , unreal

Ireland squad plus Earl & Russel. Done😅

Manny - plays half a season at Exeter. Plays a good but not exceptional game vs Ireland making 74m with 13 carries beating 4 defenders. However, all while conceding 1 penalty, 3 knock on and 3 missed tackles. That's good stats but isn't amazing. Now he's lion material? Sorry, but the hype is f**king ridiculous. We haven't seen enough of him to make a call on how class he is. It was the same when everyone was riding the Arundell train. I'm not suggesting that he's bad, not in the slightest but this hype for new wingers is getting dumb.

@ianburton9030

2 ай бұрын

Good to see I'm not the only one seeing this.

I live in Australia. I watch super rugby every week. What are the "hard pitches of Australia"? They always look perfect to me.

@hyksos74

2 ай бұрын

Compare them to the squidgy UK winter pitches.

@djseanoduill

2 ай бұрын

Think he means fast pitches cause the ground is generally harder from the sun therefore faster! Rugby is played mostly in the winter in Europe so pitches may be a bit heavier.

@Snags-sy8is

2 ай бұрын

In comparison to the pitches in the British Isles they are likely hard alright but nothing a watering wouldnt likely sort out.

I like your test team I am waiting for your England squad for Japan and New Zealand?

are there any lions tours coming up? would love to see lions vs all blacks some time soon. I would also love a lions vs abs boks combo team.

Hansen goes, if fit. Incredible player.

I don't really see dyer in the mix, but some good picks here

@joeboonmusic4004

2 ай бұрын

Agreed, I think he looks good because of how terrible Wales are playing.

Hopefully not too many English players as they always return wrecked and have a subdued season. Maybe Faz will do us a favour and lean towards all the brilliant players that aren't being selected for various reasons: Lawes, Farrell, Arundel, Willis, Mercer, VRR, Cipriani, the Armitage brothers, etc...

Gotta take the Mack attack even if just for the banter and sledging.

@johngarveyire

2 ай бұрын

Hell - yeah, he's hard as nails, is magic - has to go

As an Australian Realist! We Surrender

Van der Merwe, Lawrence, Keenan over your 13, 14, 15 picks. Jac Morgan certainly Wales best player for me, will be close. Huw Jones should be close too, is there a better centre in this hemisphere on hard tracks? Need an electric sub for impact - Feyi-waboso the man for me, edging ahead of Arundell who cannot match his go-forward in contact, or his dominance in defence.

Mack Hansen is an x-factor player. He is going.

Underhill will be in the squad

If you don’t pick Doris at 8 you just don’t get it. If that’s your position everything else means nothing.

If Owen Farrell has a strong end to the season and plays great rugby in France, he will go and potentially start. VDM is a nailed on starter. He rips teams apart, with him and Lowe together. Unstoppable! Rio Dyer is almost welsh sympathy. He is not good enough for the lions. Sadly Wales may be very poorly represented at the lions unless there fortunes change in the next year. If things stay as they are I see Farrell choosing an Ireland core then players from mainly England and Scotland. 2029 Is the tour for this Welsh group.

@TrezenEN

2 ай бұрын

I agree. The only Welsh players that will definitely be in the matchday 23 are Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffel, and potentially Wainwright and Daffyd.

@thomasgilbert8321

2 ай бұрын

Standing out in an extremely struggling Welsh side shows a great deal. It's possible to have excellent players in a otherwise underperforming team.

I don’t know how you leave out jac morgan😅

Apart form all the team selection banter, which is great - Captain? - Itoje - great bloke, a Lion, but not captain. If we can get POM, Lawes to go then they co-captain, Jamie can be, but might not start the games. TB then.

Nash way off lions..Hansen will deffo travel if fit

I'm english and I'd rather Doris captain than Itoje. With than many Paddies in the squad it makes sense to have one as skipper. I'd also have mc van de Merve at 15

That's a list of props drawn up by a back if ever I saw one. 🤣

Kinghorn 😮 clearly haven’t watched Scotland

Henshaw is a far better player and achieved way more in his career than Tuipuloto and Jones but understand your trying to be balanced. I would take Tom Curry ahead of O Mahony and Opoku Fordjour ahead of Bealham. JGP and Russell would be so good together