Likely Lions: Scrum Halves

My thinking exactly SARS. tho i was a bit harsh on Blair in my first post, i still believe he is not even close to being a Lions Quality SH.

On that note, I would be thinking strategy to counter the OZ 9 Genia. We will need to be super organised in defense around the fringe. You know that guy has a step and a flair for sniping. SO a decent defensive SH would seem to be in order. Philips. no question.

What is with youngs? burst on to the stage, and since the horror show in dublin last year has been little or nowhere. Confidence thing?

What is it with Youngs?

A good question indeed! He clearly has the potential, he's quick and decisive at his best but can equally appear to be a spolit brat - truculent, unreliable and needlessly aggressive.

In Australia in 2010 we saw him at his best, all to often since then it has been at his worst - though whether being dropped for the Six Nations (or most of it) will give him the kick up the backside I don't know.

Great scrum halves often have a controlled arrogance that helps them drive the scrum and irritate the opposition, if that works well the scrum is empowered and the backs enabled, if you push it too far you just get carded and look like a git. Youngs needs to reassess and refocus himself, if he can do this, he can become great, if he can't he'll go the way of Cipriani and Henson

Hell i thought it was just a confidence issue. Being hyped up a lot then fell to earth. but man, your assessment is pretty damning. He has it all tho, but missing the top 4 inches at Eddie O'Sullivan would say.

Youngs is indeed the most talented SH in the NH I feel. Lets hope he regains his form because I dont want to see Phillips in the team.

Everyone is way too harsh on Mike Philips, he is a cracking scrum half when on form and recently he has been great. He has scored some crucial tries for Wales in big games and has helped the team home. Certainly a Lions starter unless someone really ups there game or breaks onto the scene. Also, Youngs is overrated. That is all.

Perhaps you're right. He was pretty good for the lions in SA

If you want a slow pass and greed that butchers attacks, Phillips is your man!

Aristo, i think you too harsh. I see your point about the pass tho. It works with wales because they play at pace and make up for it. I think it would work for the lions also, because we can certainly produce a searingly quick back line. His passing speed would not be an issue.
On the plus side his bulk and defensive qualities would severely limit Genia and thats a factor that can't be ignored. So ye, i dont think MP is the greatest SH or even close, but he's the best we have right now, and he not half bad at what he does.

What about dragging Shane out of retirement to play there

No mention of Conor Murray?
He's coming on in leaps and bounds, was a revelation at the World Cup and continued to show well before injury ended his 6Nations.
Sure he can be prone to the odd mistake but aren't they all?
Phillips will surely start, as will a lot of Welsh boys, but Murray would be my choice.
If Youngs can manage to, lets say curb his enthusiasm, I'd bring him along as 3rd choice, if not then Dickins or Redden, probably not Blair. What ever happened to Dwayne Peel?
Tomas O'Leary shouldn't even be let watch it on telly.