Just for fun and a laugh, let's see who gets the closest to naming the FULL LIONS SQUAD. assuming they'll take 37 (???) I think it'll be:

Forwards (20):

(1) Mako Vunipola, Jack MaGrath, Rob Evans
(2) Jamie George, Ken Owens, Frazier Brown
(3) Taigh Furling, Dan Coles, Kyle Sinkler
(4) AW Jones, Joe Launchbury,
(5) Maro Itoje, Jonny Grey, George Kruis
(6) CJ Stander, Ian Henderson
(7) Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric
(8) Billy Vunipola, Tobe Falatau

Backs (17):

(9) Rhys Webb, Conor Murray, Ben Youngs
(10) Johnny Sexton, George Ford, Finn Russell
(11) George North, Antony Watson
(12) Owen Farrell, Scott Williams
(13) Jonathon Joseph, Gary Ringrose
(14) Tommy Seymour, Simon Zebo
(15) Stuart Hogg, Liam Williams

Utility - Elliot Daly

Not the same side or squad I'd go for, but think it'll be pretty close. Got a sneaking feeling Ben Teo may go as he's played league out there. think they'll go with a ball playing 12 and Henshaw will be one of the big names missing out. Can't think of anyone to back Farrell up, Scott Williams by default more than anything....


Reckon I'm close?

Let's see your predictions.

There will be 10 welsh players and Roberts will go.

This is Gatland we're talking about, so I think he'll take Jonathan Davies over Scott Williams and that he will find space for Halfpenny. Otherwise you're probably about right.

okay... using your split

Forwards (20):

(1) Mako Vunipola, Jack MaGrath, Cian Healy
(2) Jamie George, Ken Owens, Rory Best
(3) Taigh Furling, Dan Coles, WP Nel
(4) AW Jones, Joe Launchbury,
(5) Maro Itoje, Jonny Grey, George Kruis
(6) CJ Stander, Justin Tipuric
(7) Sam Warburton, Sean o'Brien
(8) Billy Vunipola, Tobe Falatau

Backs (17):

(9) Rhys Webb, Conor Murray, Greg Laidlaw
(10) Johnny Sexton, George Ford, Finn Russell
(11) George North, Antony Watson
(12) Owen Farrell, Robbie Henshaw
(13) Jonathon Joseph, Gary Ringrose
(14) Tommy Seymour, Denny Solomona (thats my bolter!)
(15) Stuart Hogg, Liam Williams

Will WP Nel be fit before the tour?

Hard to argue with most of that. Don't think WP Nell will make it as hasn't played much and missed 6 nations.

Yeah bolters usually make it !!

Speaking of bolters, is Manu Tuilagi anything like fit? If he is, I think he may figure.

Think you could be on to something tbh

Ex player of the series and two time tourist and one of Gats favourites. Would be a good option for midweek captain too

How's Hibbard doing?.....

Halfpenny will be there.

Andy Goode x 37

Hibbard is "persona non grata"

Dylan Hartley after He smashes the English reserve this weekend

Halfpenny, Manu and Roberts if selected would be going on reputation and passed success, neither have form from this season to merit inclusion! Halfpenny especially has gone backwards. To take Dr Bob based upon what the did 4 years ago is asking for trouble, especially as his impact this season in the aviva is more the performance of a journeyman rather than the player he used to be, and to be fair he is in the autumn of his career. Manu is out of form and injured to often, if fit he would be an outsider for the England tour, but could well do with league time before being considered a test player again.

Agree on halfpenny and Roberts. I still think a fit and anywhere near his best Tuilagi is a game breaker and would trouble the AB. He's a right handful. Something none of our centres have but as you've said, I'm going on last reputations and I can't see him being fit or selected. Very injury prone. Know Gatland is a huge fan though.

Starting centres aside (Farrell and JJ), we are weak at 12 & 13.

I think 13 is fine, 12 is an issue.

I have it on " good authority " ( well I don't think my friend was legless ) that
Gatland is planning the first test XV to contain the following

Cole @ 3,AWJ & Otoje in 2nd row, half- backs ,Conor M & Farrell and 12
Jamie Roberts (unless Henshaw replaces him by outstanding form in warm - up games).

Biggar & Haskell will definitely tour.