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E17yid

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Jan 21, 2013
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Gatland did do very well in largely picking players on merit rather than nationality. Weirdly Sir Clive picked on both merit and nationality and that failed miserably. Basically it's a very tricky job.

Based on the 6Ns just gone you probably wouldn't pick many Irish players to be honest, but there has to be a longer term view than that.

Anyway...most of us won't have heard of most of the squad when the Lions are next picked. Dombrandt will definitely be captain though.

Alun Wyn in for his 4th tour. Long live the king.
 

talkshowhost86

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Oct 2, 2004
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Oh, would definitely take Watson to. Though, tbf, the back row for the lions would be ridiculously competitive

Yeah he was the one I thought of other than Hogg. From what I saw of Scotland he was badly let down by most of the pack around him.
 

teok

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Aug 11, 2011
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Part of the reason I think the lions is a bit silly is because it's massively political. You aren't really representing a real place. So the selections aren't really for the "greater good" it's just a money spinning exercise.
 

talkshowhost86

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Oct 2, 2004
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Part of the reason I think the lions is a bit silly is because it's massively political. You aren't really representing a real place. So the selections aren't really for the "greater good" it's just a money spinning exercise.

The last one was probably a tour too far in terms of the commercialism of it all.

Too many matches, too many players who didn't deserve to be there (most notably the later call-ups) and not enough focus on the three big games.
 

E17yid

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Jan 21, 2013
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Part of the reason I think the lions is a bit silly is because it's massively political. You aren't really representing a real place. So the selections aren't really for the "greater good" it's just a money spinning exercise.

The UK isn’t a real place? I guess the lions includes the whole of Ireland so I see what you’re saying but still. It’s real mate, you live there.
 

E17yid

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Jan 21, 2013
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The last one was probably a tour too far in terms of the commercialism of it all.

Too many matches, too many players who didn't deserve to be there (most notably the later call-ups) and not enough focus on the three big games.

I said at the time that Gareth Davies definitely deserved the call up. The others were definitely more out of convenience than anything else.
 

E17yid

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Jan 21, 2013
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Yeah he was the one I thought of other than Hogg. From what I saw of Scotland he was badly let down by most of the pack around him.

They have some really good individuals. I was very impressed with Mcinally. Just going on form this year I’d have him starting over Owens and George. As a unit they can be a bit shit, though. Don’t have the depth either.
 

teok

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Aug 11, 2011
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The UK isn’t a real place? I guess the lions includes the whole of Ireland so I see what you’re saying but still. It’s real mate, you live there.

The "UK and Ireland" isn't a recognised thing. The whole thing is bizarre.
 

E17yid

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Jan 21, 2013
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The "UK and Ireland" isn't a recognised thing. The whole thing is bizarre.

Yeah I know what you mean and I suppose the Irish in the British and Irish lions was included not so long ago. Before that it was always the British Lions.

I love it, though. Dream team shit. Best in the world.

It’s obviously a money making machine but then what isn’t? It’d be a shame if it was ever disbanded, imo.
 

teok

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Aug 11, 2011
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Apparently the french are voting on having a foreign coach. I'm guessing it's probably gatland they are thinking of.
 

SugarRay

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Jul 6, 2011
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I enjoy watching the Lions but I’m not particularly patriotic towards them to be honest. It only survives in today’s game because it’s worth a few quid, have no doubt about that. They bang on about tradition etc, but it’s all about the dough. If it was all based on tradition and history then England v Scotland would be the biggest, most financially rewarding, mystical fixture in the game!
 

'O Zio

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Dec 27, 2014
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Part of the reason I think the lions is a bit silly is because it's massively political. You aren't really representing a real place. So the selections aren't really for the "greater good" it's just a money spinning exercise.

I get what youre saying but if you're going to go down that road then you could say the same thing about Ireland's national team. Technically there is no "island of Ireland" country but they still have a national team, so I dont really see how that's different from a British and Irish lions. Neither are countries in their own right but they make a team out of it in both cases.
 

teok

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Aug 11, 2011
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Amateur French rugby clubs to vote over foreign coach for national team - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47755077

With the right coach they could be a formidable side....but surely Gatland wouldn't consider it ?????

Like 3 posts up.

But yes gatland would turn them into monsters if he could cross the language barrier. England should be throwing everything at getting him.
 
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E17yid

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Jan 21, 2013
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If NZ dont appoint him as head coach after the WC I’ll be surprised. Schmidt is still in with a good shout but you’d have thought Gatland will be number one choice. Mind you it wouldn’t surprise me if they make an internal appointment in Ian Foster.
 
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