Ireland’s first success against the All Blacks in 111 years and England’s dramatic resurgence under Eddie Jones presents the British and Irish Lions with some welcome selection headaches ahead of next year’s tour of New Zealand.
The composition of the loose forward trio and who will play five-eighth in the Test matches shape as topics of fierce debate in the coming months.
» British and Irish Lions
» Lions vs All Blacks fixtures
» Lions squad
» British & Irish Lions TV guide
The manner of Ireland’s victory in Chicago might also result in a change of tactical approach.
A year ago, it appeared the best the Lions had to offer was a big pack and a kicking fly-half who seeks success through territorial dominance. The battle for territory will obviously be vital, however Ireland’s feats showed that a little ambition can go a long way.
The Irish beat New Zealand at their own game in the Windy City. Granted the All Blacks were hit hard by injures, but Ireland’s attack was swift, varied and accurate – finding an alarming number of holes close to the ruck. Defensively, Ireland hassled the All Blacks into mistakes with their rush tackling. They kicked smartly, avoiding hand and finding land, and attacked the set-piece with vigour. Wales had their moments in June as well.
Ireland won the breakdown contest in both Tests against New Zealand. Their loose-forward trio of Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and CJ Stander had a great balance. Heaslip is a powerful carrier and frequent choice in the lineouts. His fine form was acknowledged with his nomination for the IRB Player of the Year Award. Stander toils abrasively – the type of player who gets under your skin! O’Brien was the best player across both Tests and his carrying has improved out of sight; he was dynamic over the ball.
Could the back row be entirely Irish?
Sam Warburton is a vastly experienced campaigner and is universally respected as one of the best openside flankers in the game, but has time passed the Welsh captain by? James Haskell was a colossus in Australia and in tandem with O’Brien could form a potent combination.
Will the Lions field two openside flankers?
The tactic has been an occasional success for the Wallabies, however its use would exclude the likes of Taulupe Faletau and Billy Vunipola from the mix – or force Heaslip to move to the blindside limiting his effectiveness off the back of the scrum.
Who will steer the Lions around the paddock?
Expect Conor Murray, Greg Laidlaw and Ben Youngs to scrap for the halfback position, but the No.10 position has an early front-runner.
Johnny Sexton had a blinder in Chicago and Ireland were worse for his departure in Dublin. Sexton is silky, consistently asking questions of the opposition defence. He was a massive success for the Lions in 2013.
How can you leave Owen Farrell out?
Presently, Farrell is the best goal-kicker in the world and is playing the best football of his career. Able to cover second-five with equal competence, Farrell’s shortcoming is that he is not a particularly gifted attacking player.
If the Lions choose to play a more expansive running game, Jamie Roberts and Robbie Henshaw might be a better fit alongside Sexton.
Fascinating times. 2017 can’t come soon enough.
CUW
Guest
1 M vunipola 2 Rory Best (C) 3 Tadhg Furlong 4 AW Jones 5 Devin Toner 6 Ross Moriarty 7 Sean O’Brien 8 B vunipola 9 c murray 10 j sexton 11 Liam Williams 12 Robbie Henshaw 13 Huw Jones 14 George North 15 Rob Kearney 16 D HArtley 17 Jack McGrath 18 Dan Cole 19 Maro Itoje 20 Toby Faletau 21 Ben Youngs 22 Owen Farrell 23 Stuart Hogg
Dcnz
Guest
sonny bill will be back watch out world !
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Your point about 'pressure situations' is understandable since you could take the view winning is easy as is being part of a good team. But I think that's too simplistic with Itoje. Sure some players can be caught on the wave but there are some who are the wave - and if you've watched itoje he's the latter. But to be honest Mike, I hope as few English players as possible feature in a Lions tour. If you look back these are always a tour too far and too many players spend the next 12 months dealing with injuries and lost form. On Heaslip, he's possibly leading a talented group for that spot. Re my point above - pick him!
mike
Guest
I hope you're right Neil... I'm rooting for Itoje. I just see the benefits of picking the strongest set piece partnership available. Fingers crossed England get better competition in the 6 nations and we can see the likes of Itoje in greater pressure situations. You value world player of the year nominations? I'm hoping this means Heaslip starts in your book!
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Mike, with respect but I don't think you've been paying attention. Itoje has been pulling up trees. Snapshot: In the 2014 U20 6N he scored a try in every game and named player of the tournament. Captained 2014 U20 RWC winning side. Breakout player of the year in 2016 In his 2016 debut senior 6N comp he picked up MOM against Wales Had the perfect season last year for club and country, all wins including a European Cup medal Significant part of record breaking 3-0 Aussie tour One of 6 nominees for this years world player of the year At just 22 he's fearless and won't be phased at all by playing in NZ. He starts
Mike
Guest
Haha I left sexton and O'Brien on the bench to avoid Irish prejudice! I fear English fury over Itoje! He'll really have to pull trees outta the ground to start that first test. Toner and Jones own their packs...an all out assault on New Zealand's lineout in the first test. Unless England win the slam...even robshaw and Haskell will start!
Paul
Guest
Yep, nice team and I agree with most, though I think as other have stated there is no way Itoje doesn't start. He'll be No.6 I think Sexton and O'Brien also start
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
As always in selections there's always lots to debate. But there's one that just isn't. Itoje starts.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Halfpenny is no bolt on for me and I think his star has waned. Hogg, Kearney and even Brown offer as much in their own ways. I'd even consider Daley who I'd pick as one of the more likely successors to the England 15 shirt. Hold on, Gatland's picking the side. Yeah he's a bolt on. And Jamie Roberts. Good grief .....
Timbo
Guest
I still see that backrow as slightly unbalanced. If Jones picks Itoje at '6' in the six nations, as he might, I think Gatland will have to choose between Vunipola and Faletau to start and have O'Brien, probably at '7'. Not a bad bench. Itoje, Vunipola and O'Brien, with Faletau to come on last 25.
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
now that's a bench!
Conor Wilson
Roar Pro
Unfortunately I do agree with you. Don't think Gatland has moved off Warrenball yet. I'm hoping that WG realises you won't beat the AB's kicking penalties. And will need to score some tries. I truly hope as a proud Englishman.... and obviously only for the sake of the Lions Tour.... Clearly. Is that Wales get SMASHED in the 6 nations. Like. Smashed to absolute shreds and have the limitations of their attack exposed. That way. Gatland may near be forced into playing his wide to wide pattern and Diamond formation we saw that worked in glimpses in the 1st test against the AB's. With the players whom have the skillsets to actually enforce it. Farrell plays nowhere near flat enough or has the vision to implement this pattern truly successfully. Which is why Sexton/Ford will pull the 10. Or at least I hope. If Warren wants his team to score tries. Regarding Itoje. The man is a beast. Excellent carrier, can outjump lineout options by himself, excellent hands, great passing game and hes only 21. All down to Saracens, whom as a team who i truly hate, have developed the core of this England team sensationally well. He'll be John Eales revered style to us one day such is his potential. And why Lancaster couldn't see it in him earlier is insane.
Conor Wilson
Roar Pro
Itoje is fast. He's picked in the squad due to his mobility, and he is a brilliant player. Whilst with Vunipola you can't really leave the guy out. Power combined with a new bit of finesse under Jones is working very nicely.
Mike
Guest
1. McGrath 2. Hartley (c) 3. Nel 4. Jones 5. Toner 6. Stander 7. Warburton 8. Heaslip 9. Murrey 10. Farrell 11. Williams 12. Henshaw 13. Payne 14. Watson 15. Brown 16. Ford 17. Vunipula 18. Lee 19. Itoje 20. O'Brien 21. Webb 22. Sexton 23. Hogg
Mike
Guest
It all depends on the 6 nations. If any team wins the grand slam they will dominate. I'll make a bold prediction though...Irish centres Henshaw and Payne to start..those two are awesome together.
Tissot Time
Guest
In 1971 the Lions best props Ray McLoughlin and Sandy Carmichael got dusted up in the Canterbury provincial game and returned home. Next year injuries in the non test matches will determine the run on team. A tough schedule on the back of a long season.
taylorman
Roar Guru
True, but I think between now and the tour both he and the wonderful pressure that is the media will convince him that Warrenball isn't going to beat the ABs. The emergence of Ireland and England, the demise of Wales...is all telling Gatland there are probably better options...
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
Good point about Farrell not being suited to Warrenball.
Wardad
Guest
By the time the NZ Super teams have softened them up they could well be all pear-shaped .
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
Too slow and would get beaten to the ball by the likes of Cane, RD and Reid. Selections will be strongly influenced by game plan.