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Chris Robshaw picks his British and Irish Lions XV

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

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.”

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Chris Robshaw talks to The Offload:

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Chris Robshaw talks to The Offload:

“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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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’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

 

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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