The Rugby Thread

[Buzzo]

…in terms of same old same old.

[Irishnev]

…in terms of same old same old.

Doris needs a shoulder Op, Lions tour in doubt…. let’s see

[Sus]

Lions tours are so epic, I can't wait for this one. Though I'm a bit sad I'll be watching from Europe instead of at home in Oz

It's a carnival for the whole time, as there are so many games, and every player and fan down under will want to be part of it

That, combined with 40,000 permanently drunk fans following their team around the country, makes it such a brilliant occasion

[Irishnev]

Itoje to be named captain according to Irish media- good pick IMO

[Buzzo]

Quite happy with that squad. Seems a decent split based on current teams and performances.

Wonder if Pendergast played himself out of contention?

[Irishnev]

Forwards: Tadhg Beirne, Ollie Chessum, Jack Conan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Scott Cummings, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Zander Fagerson, Tadhg Furlong, Ellis Genge, Maro Itoje, Rónan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, Jac Morgan, Henry Pollock, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Pierre Schoeman, Dan Sheehan, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier

Backs: Bundee Aki, Elliot Daly, Tommy Freeman, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Hugo Keenan, Blair Kinghorn, James Lowe, Alex Mitchell, Garry Ringrose, Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Tomos Williams

[Irishnev]

Quite happy with that squad. Seems a decent split based on current teams and performances.

Wonder if Pendergast played himself out of contention?

Tbh - Prendergast shouldn’t have gone even if Leinster won, his all round game isn’t there yet. His defense is a huge concern and has been since he turned pro, if he isn’t brave in defense then he’ll never make it. As expected, Irish media are pulling apart the Leinster defeat (as they’ve done the past few years now ) and he’s getting pillared. In modern rugby you can’t carry a 10 as was done in the past.

I’m disappointed for Doris - he’s a good player and looked set to start at 8, it opens the door for Morgan, Conan and Pollack now in the back row alignment. I’ve just seen the squad but will study it later

[Buzzo]

It’s good that Farrell saw through a lot of the noise promoting some players, there’s a solid English representation and a sensible one. But he has ignored some of the noise a lot of the media narrative is so centred around the English Prem that it becomes hard to listen to. That said the players from England are in top form (maybe with the exception of Marcus Smith - who is class normally) and deserve to tour.

Yeah - real shame for Doris, was defo captain in waiting. The strength in the back row is insane. Jamie Ritchie has been in amazing form was barely mentioned. Also think it must have been close with Graham and Hansen, Darcy’s stats were nuts in the 6Ns. Am sure he was highest turnovers which for a tiny winger is impressive - and Hansen has been injured for ages - though he is also a top lad and will be a good tourist.

Pollock deserves it - his performance v Leinster given the noise around him was impressive. He looks to have everything.

Some of the clips of Pendergast defending from Saturday should be professionally embarrassing. Playing touch v Pollock and one of the lamest tap tackles ever recorded. Think as a modern 10 you need to be prepared to get your head in the spokes at times. You won’t get an arm chair ride in Test matches.

[Sus]

This squad has far too much, on paper, for a super inconsistent Wallabies team, which will be based largely around the Brumbies and Reds, I imagine.

Lions will be too strong at the set pieces, especially the scrum, which will give them the platform and territory for controlled, unfussy performances.

3-0 to the Lions in my view. But let's see, I guess.

[Irishnev]

This squad has far too much, on paper, for a super inconsistent Wallabies team, which will be based largely around the Brumbies and Reds, I imagine.

Lions will be too strong at the set pieces, especially the scrum, which will give them the platform and territory for controlled, unfussy performances.

3-0 to the Lions in my view. But let's see, I guess.

The Lions tours in recent years have typically coincided with the country they were touring arguably being the best test side in the world at that time. I was thinking that Australia were miles off it but they are certainly improving and have some really great players coming through.

What goes against the Lions is that it’s a scratch side who play a lot of games in a short time and they need to gel. Combinations matter and in some cases it should work out - perhaps an Irish front row, a Scottish centre and back 3 but half back will be new, 2nd row and back row the same. Injuries also play a huge part in it

I fully expect the Lions to win the series but it won’t be a cake walk

[Sus]

Yep the scratch nature of the side is the key challenge

If you could have 9, 10 and 12 who have played together that’s hugely valuable and would solve 70% of the scratch issues in my view

Not sure that’s possible this time though

[Buzzo]

JGP, Finn Russell, Tuipolotu for me (and numerous non Scots pundits just to underline non Scot’s bias )

JGP can play with anyone, but that 10 and 12 combo is awesome. Tuipolotu can step in as first receiver but can also truck it up - that gives the 10 space. I think Ake is great also, but Tuipolotu has the lot.

We also scored numerous tries with this combo against the Aussies last autumn.

My 23 would be:

Porter
Sheehan
Fagerson
Itoje
Beirne
Curry
Van der flier
Pollock (why not)
JGP
Russell
Lowe
Tuipolotu
Jones
Freeman
Kinghorn

Bench: Genge, Cowan Dickie, Schoeman, McCarthy, Conan, Mitchell, M Smith, Ake

9 Irish, 6 Scots, 8 English

[Irishnev]

JGP, Finn Russell, Tuipolotu for me (and numerous non Scots pundits just to underline non Scot’s bias )

JGP can play with anyone, but that 10 and 12 combo is awesome. Tuipolotu can step in as first receiver but can also trick it up - that gives the 10 space. I think Ake is great also, but Tuipolotu has the lot.

We also scored numerous tries with this combo against the Aussies last autumn.

My 23 would be:

Porter
Sheehan
Fagerson
Itoje
Beirne
Curry
Van der flier
Pollock (why not)
JGP
Russell
Lowe
Tuipolotu
Jones
Freeman
Kinghorn

Bench: Genge, Cowan Dickie, Schoeman, McCarthy, Conan, Mitchell, M Smith, Ake

9 Irish, 6 Scots, 8 English

I think Conan will start at 8 and Furlong will be in the squad as well, the rest of the side is pretty close to what I think.

[Buzzo]

I think Conan will start at 8 and Furlong will be in the squad as well, the rest of the side is pretty close to what I think.

Yeah, Conan is the only genuine 8 so you could have him in for Pollock. Furlong hasn’t played too much - but would obvs be hard to argue against.

I like that Farrell has picked a squad that offers some interesting possibilities. I don’t think he will just play from his Ireland playbook (that will form the foundation).

[Buzzo]

Dunno if you watched the Munster game Nev, but that was next level ****housery from Hendrikse in the shoot out.

Very poor.