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Chris Robshaw picks his British and Irish Lions XV
Chris Robshaw has picked his starting XV for the first Test of the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.
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Capped 66 times by England – the former England captain never quite made the Lions cut – but he’s some strong views as to who could do a job for Warren Gatland this summer, provided of course, that the tour still goes ahead. The blindside has gone for a selection that includes seven Englishmen, five Welsh, two Irish and just one Scot.
“I’m going to go with my old mate Joe Marler at loosehead,” Robshaw said on the RugbyPass Offload alongside Christina Mahon and Jamie Roberts. “I know he didn’t play in the Six Nations, but going up against South Africa, there’s no better. He’s big. He’s physical.”
“Hooker, I’m going to go Jamie George. He didn’t have his best Six Nations but I think now that he’s going to be pretty sharp. He probably going to play a lot more in the Champ than he thought.
“I’m going Furlong at tighthead. It’s a battle between him and Sinckler and the way Ireland played in that last game will nudge it forward for him.
“Maro Itoje at 4. World class player, has big moments in games.”
“One I’m not sure with, I’m going to go Alun Wyn Jones at 5. I’m going to make him captain as well. The way he led Wales in the Six Nations, the games he’s played, the leader he is.”
“Faletau at six. Big carrier, good the lineout. I’m going Tom Curry at seven. He is England’s best player at the moment and potentially the first name on England’s team sheet.”
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Former England captain Chris Robshaw explains what a lot of fans and media don't get about Eddie Jones ?https://t.co/EU3rjRtuI4
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 10, 2021
Robshaw, who said that guesses that Eddie Jones thinks Sam Simmonds is too small, has picked the Exeter Chief at No.8.
“[No.8] This is where I’m going to bring in Sam Simmonds. On a hard pitch down in South Africa, now we know they’re going there. That’ll suit him.
“Nine I was a little bit unsure but I’m going to go with the Welsh lad [Kieran] Hardy. The game against England he was pretty good.
“Finn Russell at 10. The player he is and the stuff he can do is pretty special.
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“I’m going to go Rees-Zammit on the wing. Dangerous, quick, scores tries.”
Now playing for the San Diego Legion, the 34-year-old has selected Owen Farrell at 12, describing the Saracen as the best player he has ever played with.
“Owen Farrell at 12. A controlled presence. Been there before, done it. Probably the best player I’ve ever played with.
“Robbie Henshaw at 13, with Anthony Watson at 14. Incredible player. A big presence as well. He’s bigger than people think he is. His footwork’s incredible.”
“Then Liam Williams at 15. I’ve always liked Liam Williams. He’s aggressive, he’s tough, he’s abrasive the way he plays, but most importantly he’s composed under a high ball.”
Chris Robshaw picks his Lions XV and some of his choices might suprise you! #BritishAndIrishLions@ChristinaMahonx @ChrisRobshaw @Jamiehuwroberts pic.twitter.com/GuOiEv34DY
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 9, 2021
CHRIS ROBSHAW’S LIONS XV
1. Joe Marler
2. Jamie George
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Maro Itoje
5. Alun Wyn Jones
6. Taulupe Faletau
7. Tom Curry
8. Sam Simmonds
9. Kieran Hardy
10. Finn Russell
11. Louis Rees-Zammit
12. Owen Farrell
13. Robbie Henshaw
14. Anthony Watson
15. Liam Williams
'I was going through the motions at my club, put a huge amount of strain on my wife, my friends, my family, my teammates probably and it was definitely a massively tough period for me'https://t.co/y5JIFxoxeP
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 8, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments