The Rugby Thread

[Chazza]

Great stuff from Youngs really pushing on Phillips to start Saturday.

[Chazza]

35-0 FT

Very professional performance.

Farrell, Lydiate, Faletau all superb and flashes of Manu getting back to form.

[RichC]

Yup all the above played very well and although I've never been the biggest Youngs fan he's done really well again today. Got to be pushing for that starting spot as Phillips was pretty poor on Saturday

[RichC]

Corbisiero and Roberts likely to miss Saturdays game

[Chazza]

Just the way to warm up for Saturday with a early morning takeaway.

Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor are in the clear after an investigation into pictures that emerged of them in a fast-food outlet at 3:50am on Wednesday.

The Australia backs were photographed with fans some hours after their Melbourne Rebels were beaten 35-0 by the Lions, their last warm-up clash for the second Test on Saturday, a game that also takes place in the Victorian city.

Beale missed two penalties in the closing stages of the Wallabies' 23-21 defeat by the Lions in Brisbane and also had a high-profile stay in rehab recently over alcohol-related issues.

But an Australian Rugby Union spokesman said no players were under curfew after Tuesday's game and that Beale and O'Connor had not broken any team protocols, and had not been drinking, after taking 10 witness statements.

"There has been a full and thorough investigation of the information," the ARU spokesman said.

"The two players were out last night, but they were not drinking - 10 witnesses we have spoken to corroborated that.

"The players went to the Rebels v Lions game with their team-mates and after the game they went back to a function at a club, with other Rebels guys. Lions players were there as well. After leaving, they stopped off to pick up some food on the way home and had pictures taken with some fans.

"Both players are adamant that they didn't drink and we have checked that out thoroughly. James O'Connor was driving. They have not broken any team protocols.

"These players have done nothing wrong. Within the team protocols, they are expected to behave responsibly and show common sense but there are no curfews in place."

[RichC]

Who stays out to 03:50 without being on the beers!

[Chazza]

Exactly. They were at the game yesterday as well.

[RichC]

Yeah they were weren't they.

Bit of filthy fast food after a skin full is more than likely

Guessing internally they'll get a roasting but banning them for the next 2 tests wouldn't be good for them.

[RichC]

Five changes been made for the second test.

Not surprised to see Ben Youngs in for Phillips or Bowe in for Cuthbert but I am very surprised to see Tom Croft being dropped to the bench.

Changes in Bold

Lions team: Leigh Halfpenny, Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll, Jonathan Davies, George North, Jonathan Sexton, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Tom Youngs, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (c), Jamie Heaslip.

[Chazza]

And no Tuilagi on the bench.

[RichC]

hmmm didn't spot that, he had a great game on Tuesday and would certainly be a great impact sub

[Chazza]

I would have had him in but I guess Farrell will be asked to do that job if required.

Richard Hibbard, Ryan Grant, Dan Cole, Tom Croft, Sean O'Brien, Conor Murray, Owen Farrell, Alex Cuthbert.

[RichC]

He doesn't have anywhere near the physical presence as him though

[Chazza]

Agreed.

As I said I would have had him on the bench but I suppose you have to go forward heavy.

See Phillips has been ditched off the bench as well.

[RichC]

Yeah, that is a real surprise from starter to not even making the bench, he didn't have the greatest of games but I'd have had him in the match day squad tbh.