WE ARE NOW five days away from the official announcement of the British and Irish Lions squad that will travel to Australia this summer to take on the Wallabies.
Head coach Warren Gatland will name at 35-man squad in London next Tuesday morning and supporters of the four home nations will hope for the inclusion of as many countrymen as possible. After the squad is named, we’re all in this together.
We have previously asked for your selection shouts for front row, locks and back row. Today, we turn our attention to scrum-halves. Whoever Gatland selects will be up against a man the Kiwi calls ‘the best nine in the world’, Will Genia.
In 2009, Ian McGeechan selected three scrum-halves for the 2009 tour to South Africa – Mike Phillips, Harry Ellis and Mike Blair [a replacement for the injured Tomás O'Leary].
The unbackable favourite to travel again this time, and start the First Test in Brisbane, is Wales’ Mike Phillips. Plying his Top 14 trade with Bayonne, Phillips excelled for his country in the Six Nations and the extended French league will not affect his selection chances. Bayonne are currently 10th and have no hope of making the end of season shake-up.
With Eoin Reddan still recovering from a horrific leg injury picked up against France, Ireland’s sole selection hope comes from Munster’s Conor Murray. The Limerick man’s box-kicking has improved markedly this season and while still guilty of occasional ponderousness in distribution, he has added an extra attacking element in games. He is taking off on snipes and taking part in backline moves, leading to six tries for Munster and Ireland in the past 12 months.
Scotland’s best bet is Greig Laidlaw. The Edinburgh player has a great chance of travelling as he is a reliable kicker, booting 149 points from the tee in 18 international games. He held his nerve in Australia last summer to kick all three penalties in a 9-6 win over the Wallabies.
English supporters, as is their prerogative, want both Ben Youngs and Danny Care to travel Down Under. Youngs [23] has made 33 caps for England and was on course for a spot on the plane until he struggled behind a pack that caved in against the Welsh at the Millennium Stadium.
Danny Care has been backed strongly by his boss at Harlequins, Conor O’Shea, and is one of the six nominees for the Aviva Premiership Player of the Year. He has 41 English caps but has only started 19 games.
What do you think? Who should Warren Gatland select as his scrum-halves?
Murray very over rated and wouldn’t be a starter for me.too many box kicks per game
He box kicks by tactics! plus box kicks very well a lot and he’s very physical
Murrary kicks far too much and will need to change that if joe gets the job. Also the way the games will be played in Aus won’t suit his style so I don’t think he’ll start any tests. He will go because he’s good enough but not as first choice.
Chris- he box kicks a lot by tactics that’s why plus most if the time his kicks are very good! He will go but Philips is a certainty to start
Phillips,Murray,care
Philips, Care, Laidlaw. Each offers something different. Philips and Murray travelling will only offer you the same things as they are very similar.
If Philips and Murray offer the same thing, then isn’t that ideal if Philiips gets injured?
You can always call out replacements, in which case, I’d put Murray on standby. I’m not doubting Murray’s quality, but in a tour like the Lions, you need options and variations.
If Philips gets injured in a test match you’d need Murray to come off the bench to offer you the ‘same thing’!
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You want someone different to change things if something isn’t working. No point bringing on Murray when what Phillips doing isn’t working. Tactics over injuries.
If injuries happen than trust the qualities of the replacements.
Not if Philips is playing super and then gets injured. Similar style may be required then. Swings and roundabouts
Phillips, Care and Youngs are easily the 3 best options. I dunno how so many people are disregarding Care
Murray’s A game is better than Phillip’s B game which is all too frequent. I might have Phillips against NZ but against the Aussies I go with Murray.
Patrick Stewart
Philips, Murray certainties I think! He will also bring b youngs or d care
I reckon philips,murray and Care
1st choice has to be Phillips as he’s the best scrum half by miles out of the Lions Nations, then Laidlaw as he’d a great championship and either Murray or Youngs. Care wont get a look in.
Philips, Murray and care. Laidlaw broke his leg last week so he is out. Don’t thinks youngs will make it unless an injury occurs.
Duncan Weir broke his leg for Glasgow last week. Laidlaw is ok.
Fair point Patrick cheers.
Tbh, a ridiculous thread.
Firstly, our views don’t count. Secondly, the number of contributors here that understand the basics of rugby, let alone the intricacies of the individual positions, is so small as to render any debate worthless.
Phillips, Youngs, Murray/Laidlaw
Phillips,laidlaw and care
I don’t see the point in bringing both Murray and Phillips, they both play very similar to each other.
Laidlaw has to travel given he can play 10 as well, with only 2 outhalves travelling.
Last spot is between Youngs and Care, with Youngs edging it.
My lions test team 15 halfpenny 14 cuthbert 13BOD 12 davies 11 zebo 10 farrell 1 healy 2 hibbard 3 jones 4 parling 5 POC 6 Sean o brien 7 robshaw 8 faletuau 9 phillips