Very harsh on rory best
Rosco: I'm hoping to see a back row of Warburton, Faletau and O'Brien.
I don't see why Warburton playing 7 should stop O'Brien from having a starting place at 6. I think he could be devastating there.
There's going to be a lot of tight calls for test spots.
I thought it was a rather obvious squad selection personally. The only real shocks for me were the inclusions of Stevens and Maitland + the likes of Best and Robshaw missing out.
Best: Well it was looking like a scrap for the third place between him and Hartley and tbh it was a coin flip in my opinion. Youngs and Hibberd have both had great six nations + they've both scored high in the lions index during the HC games.
I don't know where I stand on a lot of positions at the moment.
I wouldn't swap Healy for any prop in the world, I could be talked into any of the options for 2&3 to be honest.
Richie Gray & AN Other in the second row. O'Connell's experience might give him an edge, AW Jones feels like the right partner for Gray though.... I know nothing about Parling?
I'd be if the opinion you need 3 good lineout jumpers minimum, you're second rows and at least one of the back row. For that reason I'd be inclined to go with Croft at 6, Warburton at 7 and O'Brien at 8.
Phillips and Sexton are an easy choice.
The rest of the backline is hard to call. It's a toss up at fullback, for me Kearney is your prototype fullback - Halfpenny has been excellent all year though. The wings, North is the only regular 11 but I think form will be the decider on the wings, they're all capable. In the centre if on form I like the balance Roberts and BOD provide. Tuilagi is really impressive but I still think he's a bit raw
I think very few people thought that it was a coin flip especially since Best easily had the better of them against Northampton (leading to Hartley losing his cool and landing a cheap shot). Best has looked like one of the top hookers in world rugby over the past couple of years, Hartley hasn't. I'm afraid Ireland's wayward lineout has been to blame, which, as pointed out by Keith Woods, was much more about a poor collective lineout effort, than Best's throwing. I'm gutted for Best, who really, really wanted this, and IMHO deserved it. Especially shitful is that that horrible cunt Hartley has got the nod.
all are better ball carriers and much more of a physical presence around the park.
I think you might have your Ulster tinted glasses on mate. When compared to the likes of Hibberd, Hartley and Youngs, i would argue that Best falls short in that area of his game.
If as you argue that he is in great form (agreed), is one of the best hookers in the world (strongly disagree) and has all of the attributes that you say................................Then why have Gatland and co decided that he's not amongst the top 3 hookers in Britain and Ireland?
From what i've seen and read, nobody seems to concerned about the omission of Best (which is telling in itself). The main talking points seem to revolve around the call to only take 2 10's and the England captain not being selected.