The Rugby Thread

[Irishnev]

Zebo coming back to Munster

[ame="https://twitter.com/simonzebo/status/1382310534696042497"]https://twitter.com/simonzebo/status/1382310534696042497[/ame]

[Buzzo]

That's good news for the Pro14.

I was literally just listening to him and White Chocolate (his nickname for Finn) on a Podcast last night. I think he has become slightly marginalised at Racing, and he clearly misses international Rugby.

[Buzzo]

State of Neil Jenkins

Looks like he has been hit by a bag of spanners since his Rugby career.

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/rterugby/status/1387355365059170304"]https://twitter.com/rterugby/status/1387355365059170304[/ame]

[Buzzo]

He seemed guaranteed to tour.

Will be interesting to see who comes in, my bolter for a muscular centre now that North isn't going is Chris Harris who has phenomenal defence and had a brilliant 6NS, very much a Gatland type of player. I think the big dilemma here is that North could cover wing and centre. So that changes the dynamic of the entire squad as there isn't really anyone (who isn't already going to be selected) that can do the same.

Loads of fascinating discussions to be had ahead of the selection next week.

[Buzzo]

Leinster getting smashed

Impressive game from La Rochelle.

[Irishnev]

Leinster getting smashed

Impressive game from La Rochelle.

Just saw the score and will watch the highlights - fancied LR as was in France and no Sexton. Delighted for ROG but disappointed an Irish side didn’t win it - my Munster buddies despise Leinster but it doesn’t bother me as much

[Buzzo]

It’s just good to see different teams in the final.

It was a close game until the final 1/4. Pretty even first half, But Larochelle kept gaining more and more control.

LR won the battle at the breakdown , which you don’t often see v Leinster.

Hopefully it’s a good final and not the same as the 2 all French 1/4’s which were terrible.

[Irishnev]

Lions squad later.....

[Buzzo]

Almost every predicted squad seems to be heavily weighted without Scots. And every excuse under the sun to load the squad with English players, including those not selected for 6Ns (I agree with Simmonds). So I’m intrigued.

I think we will get, at least, Watson one of Fagerson or Sutherland, Russell, Van der Merwe and Hogg. But I think a fair representation should give us 7 players.

There will be some really good players who don’t make it.

[Irishnev]

Almost every predicted squad seems to be heavily weighted without Scots. And every excuse under the sun to load the squad with English players, including those not selected for 6Ns (I agree with Simmonds). So I’m intrigued.

I think we will get, at least, Watson one of Fagerson or Sutherland, Russell, Van der Merwe and Hogg. But I think a fair representation should give us 7 players.

There will be some really good players who don’t make it.

I see AWJ will be captain and Sam Simmonds will get picked

[Buzzo]

I think Billy Vinipola will be a big name casualty. Mako also possibly.

The England pack was dominated by the other home nations so hard to make a case for many except Itoje, Curry and maybe Cowan-Dickie.

[Buzzo]

8 Scots

[ame]https://twitter.com/lionsofficial/status/1390270318103736320[/ame]

[Buzzo]

Is that 8 Scots, 8 Irish, 11 English, 10 Welsh?

No Sexton, tough on him, but, maybe not on his long term health.

[Buzzo]

Chris Harris - who had an outstanding 6N's tournament - the big winner after Norths injury.

Bundee Aki was in nobodys Lions squad, I guess Tuilagi is nowhere near fitness wise.