summer rugby

Nah, Toby at number 8 for me at the moment.

I’d have agreed with you scamper, but Heaslip threw a curveball in that last game. Spoilt for choice I suppose.

Healy cleared.

😀

We’ll just have to see how the injury fares now.

St Johnny has had an op so wont be joining the party. Him Biggar and Flood all broken arent they? Who is next Hook?

Healy cleared.

But broken. Corbisiero in. Cant say I am disappointed about that he seems to be coming back to good form.

Healy will be a big loss if he’s gone. None of the other props come close to his scrumaging, carrying and defensive game. Gethin at his best still lacked the carrying game, and seems past his best, Vunipola carries and defends well but is a weaker scrumager. Corbisero is a good player but hasnt done much at international level really.

Healy out of tour, Ryan Grant called up now as cover for Gethin

Thought the most important development from the WS game was 1/2p’s kicking. Interesting that BOD and Twiggy played together, if it has to be one of the other I’d start with BOD and bring in Tuilagi as BOD tires (on 60 ?)

Mako’s a busy boy then, hope he doesnt break. At least the Lions have plenty of good looseheads to come in, tighthead would be an issue if Adam and Dank Hole got broken.

Dank Hole 😆

Gutted for Healy. At least he is young enough to have another shout in 4 years time. If it keeps going like this I might need to get the passport dug out 😀

On the subject of broken 10’s even Priestland is out injured again isn’t he? If there is any injury to Sexton or Farrel who is next in line? Burns?

If there is any injury to Sexton or Farrel who is next in line? Burns?

Hook, shirley. Although, Y Gat doesn’t like him for some reason, so probably not.

For some reason I though Hook recently picked up an injury but can’t find anything about it. Hook and Hogg then 😕

Big shame for Cian. Great player and a top bloke too.

Biggest positive so far for me has been Vunipola’s form. Scrummaged well and great in the loose. Hope he stays fit and takes his chance. He looks like a perfect replacement.
About time Ryan Grant got his call too. Good season for him.

Am I reading too much into it that Tuilagi seems to have been picked at 13 and we assume BOD has 13 wrapped up? Whilst Davies is getting a run at 12 seems they are all auditioning to partner BOD.

They’ll both have had a run at 12 and a run at 13 then. Personally, don’t think it is BOD+1 just yet, but if so then what do you read into Tuilagi getting his 12 audition as a partnership next to BOD?

Easily possible to pick a very strong test 15 with no English or Scots.

Just as easy with no Welsh either, can’t do it without Irish though 😉

Hogg/ Kearney (if fit)
Bowe
BOD
Tuilagi
Maitland (ok, he’s not North but he won’t let anyone down)
Sexton
Murray
Mako/ Grant
Youngs
Cole
Gray
POC
Croft
SOB
Heaslip

It’s not a “Gatland” 15 but there’s more tries in that team than the one posted earlier. More players who’ve beaten Oz too (probably).
Still think there’s loads of test spots up for grabs. Every player out there seems to be raising their game.

teamhurtmore – Member
I only caught the first 25 mins of the match yesterday so missed both bits re CH. But is he in danger of becoming another Hartley ie, good player but prize one ****t and liability at the same time?

No.
Speak for yourself.
He’s well liked by his team mates and opposition players.
It’s no shame for an Irish prop to be disliked by English fans and media.

The next best fly half after Sexton is still Madigan.
Very much not a gatland style player, so would be better for him to stay with Ireland than go and sit on the bench.

Sorry loum, but why do I have to speak for myself? It was a genuine question. I do not doubt he is an excellent prop but he does appear to give away unnecessary penalties and as the stamping episode showed make poor judgements (if that is not too much of a euphemism). Happy to cut the media some slack when someone stamps on another pro and they don’t like it.

But aside from that, sorry that his tour is over.

I’ll reserve the right to change my mind about healy. He does seem highly thought of, and I do like his car…..

Cripes. Not looking at all good for LW
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22811951

Just as easy with no Welsh either, can’t do it without Irish though

Hogg/ Kearney (if fit)
Bowe
BOD
Tuilagi
Maitland (ok, he’s not North but he won’t let anyone down)
Sexton
Murray
Mako/ Grant
Youngs
Cole
Gray
POC
Croft
SOB
Heaslip

Not a bad side either, all the Lions players on tour could do good jobs in the tests, with the possible exception of Stevens. The addition of North and Phillips would greatly improve that team though as would 1/2p either instead of Maitland or at full back. Not convinced by Kearney or Hogg as last line of defence, have seen both miss too many tackles.

Q and A with Adam Jones:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22812586

Q – who is the dullest?

A – One of the tee-total boys probably.

😀

Except for the shortage of quality backup to Sexton I think it is the strongest Lions squad we have had for a few tours. Assuming no injuries there are probably not many “nailed on” Test starters (Sexton, 1/2p, Warburton).

For me the only flaw in 1/2ps game at present is he is not showing much going forward, but i think the Lions can get away with a conservative FB when you have the likes of North, Bowe, Manu, BOD in the backline.

Good to see Bowe playing so well at the start of the last match. Thought we would have the two welsh wings but Bowe looked threatening. WG must be licking his lips at the form of the back. Whoever misses the “start” will still be an awesome impact sub in 2H.

Could this be a really memorable Lions side?

Warburton nailed on? If he is, he shouldn’t be.
1/2p, North, Adam, Sexton (due somewhat to Farrels poor form so far)
Manu will be in the test side, but possibly on the bench.

Wrecker i agree totally, i only think he is nailed on as he is Captain although tomorrow he has opportunity to prove that he should be there on form which i hope he does.

I think it will be North and Bowe on the wings. I personally dont rate Cuthbert most wingers would score the tries he does i am not sure i have seen him do anything other than just a straight run in….I am sure video evidence is available to prove me wrong 😀

Cuthbert scored a cracker v france last year. He is a very good finisher but hasnt been playing rugby long and isnt a natural player. He is often out of position in defence and drops a lot of ball. Bowe is a better option.

video evidence

Anyway this thread needs more Henson. All hail the return of the anointed one!!

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/gavin-henson-set-potential-move-4091496

Hope there aren’t too many pubs near-by……

Or ice buckets!!

Or tanning salons. 🙂

PSA the Welsh and English, live matches on BBC tomorrow.

Rugby Union

Saturday 8 June
Queensland Reds v British and Irish Lions: 10:30, BBC Sport website live text commentary
International fixture, Japan v Wales: 05:45, BBC Red Button
International fixture, Argentina v England: 19:30, BBC Two
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/17151954

Gethin’s out, apparently.
Wales are you 11-9 down to Japan after 60 mins.

Bad start to the day.

Switch on now to see Wales beaten by Japan 😯

Well that will be a stick to beat us with 😆 hope lessons will be learnt by the new caps.

Shame about Geth he is very fragile these days.

18-19 with ten minutes left.

Shit.

Believe Flashy believe 😆

See it all came tidy 😆

Bit close for comfort!
Good for Japan, though, and hope they can keep improving.