The Rugby Thread

[Irishnev]

Rassie putting the Spotlight on Farrells tackling. It’s an issue. He can’t tackle legally.

https://twitter.com/rassierugby/stat...02381486174214

We’ve known it for years Buzzo - he’s the Scholes of rugby

[fidget]

450 people went to Wembley this morning on coaches from my local to watch Super (spreader event) Saints. Maskless and feckless all.

[Buzzo]

We’ve known it for years Buzzo - he’s the Scholes of rugby

finally getting some attention!!!!

[RichC]

Good to see AWJ come back today and played well.

[Irishnev]

Right lads - I have a task for us rugby fans..........I want you to pick your test side (head over heart) + the side you actually think Gatland will pick and a position by position breakdown conversation as to why

[Irishnev]

My Team - Williams, Adams, Henshaw, Aki, Van Der M, Biggar, Price, Toby, Watson, Beirne, AWJ, Itoje, Furlong, Cowan D, Jones

Gatland's Team - Williams, Adams, Henshaw, Aki, Van Der M, Biggar, Murray, Toby, Watson, Beirne, AWJ, Itoje, Furlong, George, Jones

Full Back - Hogg and Williams is a toss up + Watson has been great also. I think Williams' size will get him in ahead of Hogg

Wings - Can't leave out Adams given his form + DVDM is so strong and a great finisher that he gets in for me. Again Watson v unlucky

Centres - No boias in this but I think Henshaw is the best centre right now and I think he starts at 13 which is unlucky for Harris who has played well. I think Aki gets in on size and go forward - Farrell misses out and Daley gets on the bench due to his versatility

Out half - Gotta be Biggar right.......pity not to have Russell on the bench as a game changer..........maybe Smith gets that chance...

Scrum Half - I'd pick Proce, he's been the best but Murray based on size and experience might get in. Lose the first test and I think he'll be chopped

No 8 - Really hard one. The workmanlike Conan, the explosive Simmonds or the all rounder Toby. I think Toby based on experience

Flankers - Watson & Beirne all day - Curry has been decent but not at this level

2nd Row - AWB will start, he is the captain and leader. I think Itoje hasn't been great but he has pedigree.........Henderson had a chance but hasn't really shown it. The other two have done well but not enough to start

Hooker - Really hard again - I think CD has been brilliant and he turns over so much ball but I think he will go with George as he has been better than Owens

Front Row - Furlong a banker but the other spot is open............I think probably Wyn Jones gets in

[Irishnev]

Oh and Buzzo the 20 years of hurt has to be over next weekend

[RichC]

Smith I thought did brilliantly today, got to be Biggar starting there though.

FB Liam Williams
Wings - Adams and I think Watson for me. Like Rees-Zammit for something different but the big lump that plays for Scotland offers some bulk and good ball carrying as well. Good to have some different options and styles of play to
Call on.
Fly half - Biggar all day long
SH - I’ll be surprised if it’s not Murray starting
Centres - think it’ll be Henshaw and Farrell if I’m honest. Harris can feel a bit aggrieved but Henshaw at 13 and Farrell at 12
Back row - Curry, Falateau and Beirne - best combination for me
Second row - AWJ and Itoje. AWJ if not fit enough to start then Henderson in his spot
Front row - Furlong, George and Jones

[Irishnev]

Smith I thought did brilliantly today, got to be Biggar starting there though.

FB Liam Williams
Wings - Adams and I think Watson for me. Like Rees-Zammit for something different but the big lump that plays for Scotland offers some bulk and good ball carrying as well. Good to have some different options and styles of play to
Call on.
Fly half - Biggar all day long
SH - I’ll be surprised if it’s not Murray starting
Centres - think it’ll be Henshaw and Farrell if I’m honest. Harris can feel a bit aggrieved but Henshaw at 13 and Farrell at 12
Back row - Curry, Falateau and Beirne - best combination for me
Second row - AWJ and Itoje. AWJ if not fit enough to start then Henderson in his spot
Front row - Furlong, George and Jones

Still so many options - Watson vs Curry such a hard call

[Buzzo]

I missed tonight’s game, however based on what I’ve read and previous games:

my team
15. Hogg
14. Williams
13. Harris
12. Henshaw
11. Watson
10. Biggar
9. Price
1. Sutherland
2. George
3. Furlong
4. AWJ
5. Itoje
6. Beirne
7. Watson
8. Faletau

Hard to say with Galtand. He does appear to appreciate he cannot expect to run over the top of SA. Price is key for me, fastest ball from all the 9s this tour. But Murray will start for him I think. My gut says if Gatland trusts the old guard the Lions will lose. Farrell is miles off it. If Russell played as badly as Farrell did last week we’d never hear the end of it.

I genuinely think Proce is very close even for Garland. He has to be. However, I think he will go.

15. Williams
14. Watson
13. Henshaw
12. Farrell
11. Adams
10. Biggar
9. Murray
1. Sutherland
2. Cowan Dickie
3. Furlong
4. AWJ
5. Itoje
6. Beirne
7. Watson
8. Faletau

Starting on the bench first test might not be the worst with regards to the remainder of the tour. If Garland plays Farrell and Murray he is gambling on them showing form that they haven’t for quite some time.

[Buzzo]

Oh and Buzzo the 20 years of hurt has to be over next weekend

At least Watson. Good though Curry is, and he had a lot of hype behind him as well, Watson is the better player.

I think Sutherland as well, mainly because he has played with Furlong in most of the games.

Price is my bolter.

I think Hogg will start a test maybe not the first one.

[Buzzo]

Wales online has 8 Welsh starters

[RichC]

AWJ
Biggar
Jones
falateau
Williams
Adams

That’s 6 you’d say have very good chances to start with a few more potentials to get a look in. Not sure it’s as far fetched as it seems

[Buzzo]

Wales online produce some of the most ridiculously one eyed journalism ever. They literally never ever admit any weaknesses of any Welsh players. Every thing they write is so ridiculously slanted it is laughable and I only checked as I saw they had put a team together and wondered him many Welsh they would have in it.

FWIW I think they could well have a good 5-6 players in (I put 5 in my Gatland prediction). They won’t have 8. Even with their ex coach as the Lions coach. And they won’t have 8 mainly because some of the guys WOL put forward don’t deserve their place.

I’d say Biggar and AWJ are certainties and the rest you have mentioned are in the mix but not clear favourites. It would mean a Welsh guy getting chosen in a massive number of 50-50 calls. The back three is interesting. Williams hasn’t done much on tour and Adams has. But Williams has the experience.

I’d like to see Williams-Hogg-Watson in the back 3. The attacking prowess there is incredible.

[Rigadon]

Wales online has 8 Welsh starters

Jamie Roberts in the centre?