Lions Squad??

[R1Geezer]

Any thoughts? I pretty much agree with the selection, A little surprised that Armitage didn't make it I thought he was England's best player in the 6 nations also I thought Haskell may have made it into the back row, still, looking forward to it, It's the Bok backs that we'll have a lot of trouble with.

[Pigletion]

Not a fan of Haskell. Thought Tom Croft might get a shout, he's good in the lineout, can play second row or back row and can run like a gazelle!

Shame about Delon, think we could do with a bit of flair. Squad looks solid, but not terribly exciting. Maybe Riki can inject some magic.

Glad Halfpenny got in, he's been brilliant this year. Hope Lee Byrne is fully recovered too..

Completely agree that the Boks backs may still just run round us!

[ScreaminTree]

Everyone's got their own opinions, and I'm personally disappointed that Croft, Armitage & Peel (and, to a lesser extent, Paterson & Flood) didn't make the cut. And that Monye (big & fast but hardly outstanding) did. However, I'm really glad Halfpenny's been included as he is truly on fire. It's a very good team & it's the LIONS, so let's collectively get behind them in their quest to stick it to the Saffas!

[Pigletion]

I know, I can't wait!! Should be gaining employment around that time, but secretly hoping I win the lottery and get a plane ticket to South Africa! Does mean I will actually have to buy a lottery ticket..

Agree about Monye. I like him, but again he's solid rather than exciting. Maybe Geechs thinks he'll be good to run over the SA wings.

[joggerjayne]

I didn't reply straight away, because I didn't want to say anything stupid.

Well, I think that Paul O'Connell is the right Captain, because:

1. His recent form is so good, that there is no issue about him being in the test side.

2. Teams always seem to be best led from the front. Although the glory boys in the Backs do most of the scoring, the forwards dictate the shape and pace of the game. For every "match winning" drop goal, there was a pack of Forwards winning the ball, and giving the Fly Half enough time and space to make the kick.

3. The "changing room door" argument ... this is soooo important. Even in a game like Netball, when the opposition stand and face your Captain, you want them to think "Oh my god, the other side's team leader is Superwoman". In rugby, your Captain should be someone like Martin Johnson, or the French guy ... it'll come to me in a minute ... played for Toullouse, oh god, oh yes ... Fabian Peloux, that's it. Or ... Paul O'Connell.

[Eljohnno]

joggerjayne, I can see why you didnt want to reply straight away : )

[joggerjayne]

eljohnno ... my answer wasn't that bad, was it ???

=0(

[ScreaminTree]

Joggerjayne, I feel compelled to defend you as you indeed didn't say anything "stupid" at all.
1. Paul O'Connell is indeed the right Captain IMHO
2. Enough credit is frequently not given to forwards, who engineer the situations and opportunities for backs to express themselves and capitalise on (speaks an ex-forward. To be fair, backs themselves generally acknowledge this fact).
3. You're right about the "changing room door" aspect. If a captain fills it when visiting the oppo's dressing room, it can impart a certain psychological effect. BOD is a superb player, but deficient in this aspect (through no fault of his own).
Nowt wrong with your views at all. If only more people asked questions first and shot later.