The Rugby Thread

[Buzzo]

Gatland is apparently going to call up 5 (Welsh?) players to bolster the Lions squad.

[Cormack74]

I think that's based on the fact that they're just up the road at the moment.

(At least that's what was being reported at lunch time).

[Buzzo]

I think that's based on the fact that they're just up the road at the moment.

(At least that's what was being reported at lunch time).

I hope Finn Russell gets called up. He's got something a bit different from the other fly halfs.

[Cormack74]

His name was also mentioned in the piece I heard

Let's see if they got it right

[Irishnev]

Some breaking news from the off for you...

Welsh quartet Kristian Dacey, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill and Gareth Davies have been called up to the Lions squad.

Scotland prop Allan Dell and fly-half Finn Russell are also set to be added to the squad following their game in Australia today.

[RichC]

Scottish beat the Aussies

[Irishnev]

Davies and North look way off form

[Irishnev]

Credit where it is due - Davies been v good second half, pack superb and Lions well in top

[Buzzo]

Scottish beat the Aussies

Too early for me, but by all accounts a classic with a stunning try to round it off.

Back to back wins v the Aussies away for us now.

Up to forth in the World. It makes a mockery of our representation in this Lions squad.

[Buzzo]

Good win for the Lions today, confidence should be building ahead of the first test, the team looks to be sorting itself out. A lot riding on that first test.

[Irishnev]

Great for Scotland - winning vs the SH sides is tough and even tougher away. V powerful pack performance today and outside of Farrell and his fitness the team nearly picks itself now.

[Irishnev]

Now I have 5 mins to sit and write (busy day at home!) - my team:

LH, AW, JD, BT, GN, IF, CM, TF, SOB, POM, MI, GK, TF, JG, MV

Sexton if Farrell is fit and a few genuine concerns over North who looks out of form and lacking confidence. Henderson did v well when he came on today. Sam W only gets on the bench for me.

I hope it is wet and a power game because the AB will batter them in a wide open game. Setting up nicely now.

[Cormack74]

Only just had the chance to watch / digest yesterday's games.

Fantastic result for Scotland - I can't say I saw that coming despite the fact that they are on an upward trajectory. Any southern hemisphere team away is tricky and that's an awesome result.

The BIL I was pretty confident about because the saturday sides have been strong and clearly have more closely represented WG's views on test selection.

England - another good win from our 2nd / 3rd team. I really hope these guys push those ahead of them to even greater things or overtake them, whichever way improves our best team. Lots of good performances plus some slightly disappointing defending at times particularly from Marlon Yarde.

Mark Wilson looks to me like he'll be England's first choice open side by the time we get to the Autumn tests (although he's lucky that there isn't nearly as much competition for that spot currently as there is for most positions) but after all the hype I was less impressed with Sam Underhill. Early days I suppose.

[Cormack74]

Some big clues here about the test side for next week. Presuming that those playing v the Chiefs probably won't be in the mix, Rory Best's selection is interesting and Henshaw's. Suggests to me that Joseph will be at 13 which is one of the few positions I didn't feel was nailed on:

Liam Williams; Jack Nowell, Jared Payne, Robbie Henshaw, Elliot Daly; Dan Biggar, Greig Laidlaw; Joe Marler, Rory Best (capt), Dan Cole, Iain Henderson, Courtney Lawes, James Haskell, CJ Stander, Justin Tipuric.

[Buzzo]

If the Lions don't win the battle with the forwards they are going to get crushed.

Who is the ref, he's going to be importanat.