Lions v AUNZ

[jngf]

6 Pollock. 7 Morgan 8 Earl - think that’s our first test back row. All deserve it.

Is this someone posting under your name?

Never thought you go for a lightweight backrow comprised entirely of what you would call 7’s/ opensides.

No, to quote Keynes, when the facts change, I change my mind

[Banquo]

6 Pollock. 7 Morgan 8 Earl - think that’s our first test back row. All deserve it.

Is this someone posting under your name?

Never thought you go for a lightweight backrow comprised entirely of what you would call 7’s/ opensides.

No, to quote Keynes, when the facts change, I change my mind

Would you pick em against SA?

[Banquo]

Has there ever been a Lions match when all the tries were scored by Scottish players? Weird, but very much appreciated in this corner of Scotland!

Kelleher just wrecked it!!

[Donny osmond]

Has there ever been a Lions match when all the tries were scored by Scottish players? Weird, but very much appreciated in this corner of Scotland!

Kelleher just wrecked it!!

bloody Irish

[jngf]

Is this someone posting under your name?

Never thought you go for a lightweight backrow comprised entirely of what you would call 7’s/ opensides.

No, to quote Keynes, when the facts change, I change my mind

Would you pick em against SA?

You know I wouldn’t!

[jngf]

I’m thinking 6 is a great fit for Pollock in that it allows him to do his X factor stuff - obviously have to build the 7 and 8 roles round it but he’s backed up hype with a Lions test class performance today.

[Banquo]

6 Pollock. 7 Morgan 8 Earl - think that’s our first test back row. All deserve it.

Is this someone posting under your name?

Never thought you go for a lightweight backrow comprised entirely of what you would call 7’s/ opensides.

No, to quote Keynes, when the facts change, I change my mind

Is that a ‘roundabout’ way of saying you were wrong

[jngf]

Is this someone posting under your name?

Never thought you go for a lightweight backrow comprised entirely of what you would call 7’s/ opensides.

No, to quote Keynes, when the facts change, I change my mind

Is that a ‘roundabout’ way of saying you were wrong

I’m just as willing to say I was wrong about anything as the late Baroness Thatcher

[Banquo]

No, to quote Keynes, when the facts change, I change my mind

Is that a ‘roundabout’ way of saying you were wrong

I’m just as willing to say I was wrong about anything as the late Baroness Thatcher

It was a Keynes based joke

[Banquo]

Cummings strong again. But oppo weak in reality, big back row not much else.

Faz went well tbf

[Big D]

Cummings strong again. But oppo weak in reality, big back row not much else.

Faz went well tbf

I thought White was very good.

Farrell has given Bierne every chance to play himself into form and he's been poor. Ryan too. Depending on what he does with Chessum, Cummings should be close to a bench spot for me.

[Mr Mwenda]

Pretty hard to say much there, AUNZ pretty poor really.

I prefer the Scottish centre combo, Jones was particularly impressive i thought.

I also thought Farrell was good, only one KDAB i thought. Seemed to overshadow MSmith, who people kept missing out.

Otherwise, most people were pretty good.

[Banquo]

Ringrose apparently concussed, if so, Scotland midfield surely.

[Oakboy]

6 Pollock. 7 Morgan 8 Earl - think that’s our first test back row. All deserve it.
I wasn’t biggest fan of Earl at 8 but there’s something about this trio being greater than the some of their individual parts.
Chessum, Conan, Curry and VdF haven’t quite done that.

I agree with all that.

Chessum might get a start in the 2nd row.

[Galfon]

This match was always going to be a banana skin in terms of knocks/injuries, and with regards to judging performances it's a bit apples v. pears given the wide range of opposition to date
However I agree with the sentiments here that based on showings so far, Chessum, Earl, Morgan, and Jones have put their hands right up there for a 1st Test start with Cummings and Pollock worthy of involvement in the 23.
White as expected has shown well giving Faz. useful options. at 9.

[BaldiePete]

With Ringrose injured, the Scottish centres should start with Aki on the bench. Tuipolotu is best at inside centre but he started as a 13. If he’s injured it’s straight replacement with Aki coming on. If Jones is injured, Tuipolotu moves out and Aki slots in at 12. I think Jones has played once for Scotland at 12 and it was a disaster in a 34-7 loss in Cardiff back in 2018 so we don’t want him to have to move to 12.

Given the full back injuries, Keenan to start with Marcus Smith on the bench covering 10 and 15.

There’s a good case to be made for White on the bench. He’s familiar with Russell and if Fin Smith isn’t on the bench Mitchell’s team connection with Fin Smith won’t apply. I freely acknowledge Scottish bias though.

[Big D]

If Ringrose and Kinghorn are out I'd go with:
Genge
Sheehan
Furlong
Itoje
McCarthy
Chessum - line out is going to be important imo.
Morgan
Earl
JGP
Russell
Lowe
Huwipulotu
Freeman
Keenan

Kelleher,
Porter, Stuart (although Schoeman and Bealham are much of a muchness with them)
Cummings
Pollock
White (but it will be Mitchell)
MSmith
Aki

Ringrose and Kinghorn being out causes a bit of a pickle for the last two spots.. Given Finn won't be leaving the pitch bar injury I think MSmith covering 15 and Aki with Jones able to cover wing is maybe what they'll need to do.

[morepork]

Comprehensive buggering. Looking tight.

[Banquo]

If Ringrose and Kinghorn are out I'd go with:
Genge
Sheehan
Furlong
Itoje
McCarthy
Chessum - line out is going to be important imo.
Morgan
Earl
JGP
Russell
Lowe
Huwipulotu
Freeman
Keenan

Kelleher,
Porter, Stuart (although Schoeman and Bealham are much of a muchness with them)
Cummings
Pollock
White (but it will be Mitchell)
MSmith
Aki

Ringrose and Kinghorn being out causes a bit of a pickle for the last two spots.. Given Finn won't be leaving the pitch bar injury I think MSmith covering 15 and Aki with Jones able to cover wing is maybe what they'll need to do.

You’d trust Marcus if Finn went off injured??

[Cameo]

If Ringrose and Kinghorn are out I'd go with:
Genge
Sheehan
Furlong
Itoje
McCarthy
Chessum - line out is going to be important imo.
Morgan
Earl
JGP
Russell
Lowe
Huwipulotu
Freeman
Keenan

Kelleher,
Porter, Stuart (although Schoeman and Bealham are much of a muchness with them)
Cummings
Pollock
White (but it will be Mitchell)
MSmith
Aki

Ringrose and Kinghorn being out causes a bit of a pickle for the last two spots.. Given Finn won't be leaving the pitch bar injury I think MSmith covering 15 and Aki with Jones able to cover wing is maybe what they'll need to do.

You’d trust Marcus if Finn went off injured??

Against Australia, yeah probably. Or, at least, overall I think it is worth having slightly less good cover at 10 in order to have more options elsewhere. It wasn't long ago Marcus Smith was England's starting 10. If we want to have the next best 10 option on the bench, that is Fin Smith, but seems a bit of a wasted bench spot. The alternative that provides cover is Farrell but I think him coming on early at 10 would damage their chances more than Marcus Smith coming on early, and with a 6-2 split it leaves you light in outside back cover.

Kind of a problem of their own making though. Would be better if they had a) called up proper outside back cover for Daly b) given Marcus Smith (or even Farrell) more time at 10.

Even with a 5-3 split it is tricky to fit in Fin Smith and have enough cover unless you are happy with Russell as back up 12. I suppose you could go: Mitchell (who I would still have ahead of White), Fin Smith and Aki on the basis that Tuipulotu can move to 13, and Jones to wing or full back, but feels like a lot of disruption for a back three injury.

I suspect they will go 5-3 with Mitchell, Farrell and Hansen covering the backs.

Otherwise onboard with most of that team, though I might start Conan and have Earl on the bench. I think Earl is good, but can be a bit dumb when he tires. There's an argument that you don't need a lock on the bench and can just move Chessum there.

[Banquo]

If Ringrose and Kinghorn are out I'd go with:
Genge
Sheehan
Furlong
Itoje
McCarthy
Chessum - line out is going to be important imo.
Morgan
Earl
JGP
Russell
Lowe
Huwipulotu
Freeman
Keenan

Kelleher,
Porter, Stuart (although Schoeman and Bealham are much of a muchness with them)
Cummings
Pollock
White (but it will be Mitchell)
MSmith
Aki

Ringrose and Kinghorn being out causes a bit of a pickle for the last two spots.. Given Finn won't be leaving the pitch bar injury I think MSmith covering 15 and Aki with Jones able to cover wing is maybe what they'll need to do.

You’d trust Marcus if Finn went off injured??

Against Australia, yeah probably. Or, at least, overall I think it is worth having slightly less good cover at 10 in order to have more options elsewhere. It wasn't long ago Marcus Smith was England's starting 10. If we want to have the next best 10 option on the bench, that is Fin Smith, but seems a bit of a wasted bench spot. The alternative that provides cover is Farrell but I think him coming on early at 10 would damage their chances more than Marcus Smith coming on early, and with a 6-2 split it leaves you light in outside back cover.

Kind of a problem of their own making though. Would be better if they had a) called up proper outside back cover for Daly b) given Marcus Smith (or even Farrell) more time at 10.

Even with a 5-3 split it is tricky to fit in Fin Smith and have enough cover unless you are happy with Russell as back up 12. I suppose you could go: Mitchell (who I would still have ahead of White), Fin Smith and Aki on the basis that Tuipulotu can move to 13, and Jones to wing or full back, but feels like a lot of disruption for a back three injury.

I suspect they will go 5-3 with Mitchell, Farrell and Hansen covering the backs.

Otherwise onboard with most of that team, though I might start Conan and have Earl on the bench. I think Earl is good, but can be a bit dumb when he tires. There's an argument that you don't need a lock on the bench and can just move Chessum there.

Hmm. Nothing looks great back bench wise.kinghorn being fit would be handy!!

Faz on the test bench would boil my piss. He’s not played intl rugby for 2 years and been pants at Racing. Plus not sure he can kick properly atm

[Mr Mwenda]

I'd think Earl stands a chance of a bench spot to cover centre in a 6:2 split.

[Big D]

If Ringrose and Kinghorn are out I'd go with:
Genge
Sheehan
Furlong
Itoje
McCarthy
Chessum - line out is going to be important imo.
Morgan
Earl
JGP
Russell
Lowe
Huwipulotu
Freeman
Keenan

Kelleher,
Porter, Stuart (although Schoeman and Bealham are much of a muchness with them)
Cummings
Pollock
White (but it will be Mitchell)
MSmith
Aki

Ringrose and Kinghorn being out causes a bit of a pickle for the last two spots.. Given Finn won't be leaving the pitch bar injury I think MSmith covering 15 and Aki with Jones able to cover wing is maybe what they'll need to do.

You’d trust Marcus if Finn went off injured??

If Finn gets injured i don't think.the Lions win the series.uù

But they have little flexibility given the injuries. They could bench Fin but then they'd be relying on Freeman to cover 15 and he's not had a run there on tour.

The players who have the most flexibility are injured or needed to wear the 13 jersey.

[Big D]

If Ringrose and Kinghorn are out I'd go with:
Genge
Sheehan
Furlong
Itoje
McCarthy
Chessum - line out is going to be important imo.
Morgan
Earl
JGP
Russell
Lowe
Huwipulotu
Freeman
Keenan

Kelleher,
Porter, Stuart (although Schoeman and Bealham are much of a muchness with them)
Cummings
Pollock
White (but it will be Mitchell)
MSmith
Aki

Ringrose and Kinghorn being out causes a bit of a pickle for the last two spots.. Given Finn won't be leaving the pitch bar injury I think MSmith covering 15 and Aki with Jones able to cover wing is maybe what they'll need to do.

You’d trust Marcus if Finn went off injured??

They have little flexibility given the injuries. They could bench Fin but then they'd be relying on Freeman to cover 15 and he's not had a run there on tour.

The players who have the most flexibility are injured or needed to wear the 13 jersey.

[Oakboy]

Faz on the test bench would boil my piss. He’s not played intl rugby for 2 years and been pants at Racing. Plus not sure he can kick properly atm

He's never been a test standard 12. There are two genuine 12s in the party both better players in the position than Farrell. If an IC is on the bench in a 5:3 it should be whichever of the original guys does not start. If a 6:2 is chosen, Farrell makes even less sense being short of pace.

If Farrell senior wants to spoil Russell's game (arguably the Lions' biggest asset) it would be to force him to put up with junior outside him as a roadblock for any minutes at all.

Despite that logic and your piss boiling at superheated pressure, would it surprise anyone if Farrell IS picked?