Test XV so far.......

3 I would put on ice so far are Halfpenny , Bowe , Sexton .  Just hope they dont get injured before 1st test .

Bowe & Sexton still need gametime to improve their sharpness after lay-offs, cant really afford to not play them now. 1/2penny maybe as the kicker elect.

what is this "on ice" nonsense. you do waffle some cr@p kelly.
are you seriously suggesting they only play the test matches?

No northanlite , but Bowe played on Wendesday , well , and I dont see the point in anyone vital to the test team being exposed to injury . The sharpness poepole refer to leaves me cold .  Bowe obviously in good nick ,unless you have not been watching on Wednesday and today .

We also have both ( and only ) fly halves on the field at present .  Is that not inviting trouble cover wise , nobody else has demonstrated any ability or desire to play out half .

Any view which does not meet with your approval gets designated as "cr*p" .  Is this forum your own preserve ?

it's just boring bullsh!t about gloves, the game being too rough (bless) and wanting to wrap players in cotton wool that meets with my disapproval kelly.
despite the fact you watch it (very critically) i don't really think you like rugby do you kelly?

If you care to visit the Irish forum northanlite , you will find my sports spectating / interest posted there recently .  Rugby is in my top 5 as far as I can remember , but there is big competioin from hurling , cricket , golf , gaelic football .  I do like certain rugby , not the type we see in mid winter , with up to 15 grown men scrabbling around looking for a ball.  Todays match has been excellent , despite a stretcher case ( maybe you do not pay any attention to injuries ).

Short sleeve jersies in mid winter , failure to address the available aids in a catching / passing game , just leave me scratching my head , which unlike a lot of others involved traditionally is not stuck in the sand . Games move on , but in 50 years plus of watching rugby I saw very few stretcher cases , now they are common place .  Those are facts , you may ignore them if you want , but they do represent a legitimate view point , and certainly dont fit the adjective you use .

So stop trying to bully people off the forum by using emotive langauge .

And thats 2 stretcher cases now by the way , although keyboard activity has distracted me on previous post , plus I am betting on the ICC trophy match ( on another screen   ) , not on the rugby though , relatively speaking it is in the hapenny place compared with other sports , not your fault northanlite , just the way of the world .

injury rate is very high in the modern game, dont think thats a controversial view at all

So stop trying to bully people off the forum by using emotive langauge

explain please?

Updated thinking post reds match where quite a few failed to perform when it mattered allbeit some players looked bttr last 1/4tr where there fitness showed thro - dinny full me thou'

1 - Vunipola & not by default, has played well

2 - Hibbard (Youngs failed to shine & best's throwing still woeful)

3 - A.Jones (With Cole in the 22)

4 - Gray took his chance today

5 - POC ( still needs a big 80mins but ahead of other locks more by default so far)

6 - SOB

7 - Tiparic

8 - ? - Could warburton play as an 8 or even Lydiate ? Heaslip/falatau not for me

9 - ? Phillips/Murray/Youngs - a three way tie for me

10 - Sexton

11 - North

12 - Roberts - ok Manu went off banged up early but both he & Davies werent too impressive today

13 - BOD - As above

14 - Bowe - More by default as Cuthbert blotted his book, BUT if Bowe is injured then time to send for Zebo who can also cover for kearney with his hammy problem

15 - Halfpenny - need a kicker!

In the 22 - Cole & Hogg so far

Hate too say it,but I think Bod will be much better off the bench as an impact player.
Manu smashes them for 60 mins Bod slips in and glides past.Easy.

do you think they would draft in zebo ahead of visser?
maybe would actually as visser much more in north/cuthbert mode and zebo brings something a bit different i suppose

Referring to legitimate views as "cr*p " certainly fits that category , northanlite .

Not sure what your family values are , northanlite , but when my children were all actively involved in sport , the health ( theirs ) aspect always was a huge consideration to me as a parent . I did not want any of my children to finish up physically compromised as a result of their sporting activities , thankfully none have despite having competed in fairly physical sports , 3 of them having represented their country at various levels . One of my wifes childhood friends is a quadraplegic arising from a rugby injury .

One of mine was top 20  for 5 years in a widely played sport , almost as physical as rugby .  He did play a few games of rugby at UNI , and was offered a starting place immediately by one of our then top club teams .  But he declined , preferred to stay with what he did best , and the potential for injury was a big factor in his decision . Not the only family I know who encountered that scenario. All the best ball players in Ireland dont necessarily play rugby as first choice , albeit we do punch above our weight ( like Wales and notably NZ ) when you do the population / performance ratios .

Thats part of my psyche .

Zebo imo can cover bttr wing/FB & if Hogg is pressed into 10 service (farrell limping a little at the end?) & kearney's hammy proves him to be a no-go then would get Zebo over soonest, mind would wait & see who performs well this w/end as well

i just don't see hogg being serious cover at 10 at this stage in his career. asking a lot of the lad. he had a bloody hard game at full back today, can't have been much fun at times but he did ok

kelly you are clearly a sensitive soul and if you felt "bullied" (and you accused me of emotive language!!!) then sorry.
i shall not comment in future.

Thanks for the copout , northanlite .  Perhaps in future you will not take such a blinkered view .

can't win either way

What is this Kelly guy on? Wouldn't mind some myself. Maybe the less aggressive variety thanks.

Northanlite , "the Lions Tour" entry on the Irish forum is worth having a look at , if you can discount some of the well known idiots posting ( for a start they dont actually read the posts , they make up stories associated with their perception of the poster --invariably a skewed / blinkered view ) . Generally the Irish forum is less abusive and better informed than a lot of the other forums on here .

Leave Kelly alone, northanlite, u big Scotch bullying jessy!

The man is 85 years of age and you should make allowances for that.  The way I see it is that that age you are more than entitled to compose lengthy non-succint posts on everything under the sun.  So what if his rugby posts are largely out of date, inaccurate and lack perception?  Cut the man some slack.

Come and have a go at me if you want some.  And bring giger**** with you!

oh and only consult 'the lions tour...' thread on the Irish forum if you are interested in an insight into divisions within Irish society and their attitudes towards various sports.  And a barney between a few traditional combatants.

Furelli, you seem to have the blinkers on regarding Heaslip.  Reminiscent of when for years you told us Sexton couldn't kick under pressure ;-)

Heaslip has bee immense of late and is one of the form players on Tour.  Just you wait, he will have a big contribution.

On other matters SOB simply has to start in the Test side. At 6, ideally.

He combines the workrate and defensive abilities of Lydiate with the game breaking attributes of Croft. 

The lineout importance of Croft is a bit over-egged imo as other backrow options can do an adequate job in this aspect of the game.

4 posts in a row , Ozy , thats tantamount to talking to yourself .

By the way Ozy and I do not always see the same game or form similar opinions , but generally he is OK . Although he is viewed specifically as a "West Brit" on the Irish forum .

Gone quiet now on my observations earlier re playing Tommy Bowe twice in the week . Of course it was probably a "cr*p" observation ref northanlite .

And proudly so, Kelly.

Though funnily enough, I am currently in foreign climes driving a car with a English numberplate and a prominent 'GB' sticker.  And I don't feel entirely comfortable with people assuming that I am British.  Much as I like them.  Perhaps shall mock up a 'WB' sticker or even 'AI' for Anglo Irish.

Given the current situation with regard to injuries and potential withdrawals, I would call-up Simon Zebo and Dan Biggar to cover the full-back, wing and fly-half positions.

As well as both Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip have played thus far on the tour, I cannot see Warren Gatland selecting both to start the first Test match. They are both great going forward but don't offer as much in defence (which Gatland obviously values greatly) as Lydiate, Warburton and Faletau.

Anglo Irish a nasty word in my vocabulary .  A friend of mine went into their office the day before the bubble burst and they "persuaded" him to invest another 50k in their rancid operation .

so he broke his hand and that proves some sort of point does it?
if he never plays again he should stay injury free.

It seems pretty obvious to point it out , northanlite , but I have never known a player to break a hand sitting in the subs bench , maybe you know better . Admit my point was valid , and proved ( unfortunately ) by events which were not entirely unpredictable .  It was the twice in one week I highlighted , even someone blinkered like you must see the logic in that .

I don't think I see the logic...a broken hand is just unlucky, not caused by fatigue or the strain of overplaying.

For me it was quite important to try and get a few Test starters into the Saturday team, ie today.  I suspect quite a few of those playing today will be part of Tuesday's game with the Test team taking shape next Saturday.

Every time you step onto a pitch , Ozy , you risk injury . Who knows what causes injuries - stress , trying too hard , fatigue , but increasingly these days , exposure to tackles / collisions with big guys . I enjoy the physical nature of field games , our Irish native games consistently throw up some great physical clashes , participated myself , but man to man almost exclusively , rugby encourages mauls and rucks where the individual player has little control over his body parts . That may not be the sole cause of injuries , but it sure dont help , so physically rugby is "more dangerous" than most other sports .

Dont expect the afficionados on here to sanction any similar view to mine , but the evidence is there , and it is mounting sadly .

So who exactly do you suggest playing prior to the Tests?  Run the no-hopers into the ground as the Test team has already been picked?  That's not practical, bad for morale and doesn't work.

And anyway Tommy Bowe was short of rugby and needed games.

my gast is well and truly flabbered kelly. it is pretty shameless stuff.
if any evidence is mounting up then it is your anti rugby agenda, which is fine but at least be man enough to admit it.

Not anti rugby , just a realist . If you lads believe everything about rugby is fine and dandy , you are living in an unrealistic world . Rugby is still evolving post the advent of professionalism , which brings with it the money men and the "need" for profit so that you can stay ahead of the game.

Pre professionalism people played for sport , nowadays that has changed and its being paid for playing that drives the game .  With that come different criteria , winning is more important than it was , if you dont win you slip down the ladder quickly .  In the old days most players had jobs , careers and were financially independent of the game they loved .  Nowadays the premium players get well paid for their efforts  , but there is a difference in approach to the game , and its akin to professional boxing versus amateur boxing .

The number of players getting injured in my experience has increased dramatically since players bulked up and trained full time . Training in itself imposes pressure on the player  , most players nowadays at premium level struggle when they pass 30 if not earlier regarding staying fit  , twas not the case in days of yore . In the days when we studied mechanics , mass and velocity were critical factors when it comes to collisons , nothing has changed and if the average weight and velocity have increased , so has the impact .  Pretty obvious even to those of you unfamiliar with basic laws of physics / mechanics .

In this part of the world at least the rubgy season lasts from September to May , add in a tour and you reach 10 months out of 12 .  That is too much for a contact sport played at pace between fit and well conditioned athletes . And its unfair on the players physically , bodies need recovery time between matches , and nowadays they dont get it . And presumably if you dont play , they dont pay ( effectively ) and the "prize fighting" syndrome becomes relevant .

The players are caught between not wanting to miss out and their employers who want their stars out on the field  , and the employers aint going to miss out long term , they never do .  So pressure mounts .

Its all pretty basic logic , cant see how any educated person cant see the wood from the trees . I like rugby , but I see the flaws in the current set up , only suggestion I have is less games for the players , longer recuperation periods between matches , and any suitable legislative measures to ease the physical burden on players bodies . No other prestige  world sport I know places such physical demands on top players . If there are any , anyone is free to comment .

anyone think james hook should be called up as he can cover anywhere 10-15 at a push can kick good season in france? hogg pretty poor dan biggar average versus japan should really have been standing out against that opposition

NO, too many false dawns for Hook & is outta his depth at international level anywhere from 10-15 let alone at lions level.

Hogg/Zebo call was about right then before the hijack started....

Agree about Hook, though the scope of his positional cover must make him an attractive proposition, he does seem to have faded somewhat. Watched him play for Perpignon around 10 times last season and his performance ranged between terrible to average at best

Call Shane Williams out of retirement!

Back to the topic-my XV updated after Saturday's game

two changes forced by injury but happy with the remainder of my team-POC's partner in the engine room still TBC

Lady Margaret     06 Jun 13 10:21 
1. Jenkins (Vunipola as impact sub circa 50 mins) VUNIPOLA-could be a monster in the loose on these surfaces and should be able to hold his own at the set-piece
2. HIbbard
3. A Jones
4. POC
5. Up for Grabs at this stage
6. SOB (Croft on as 2nd half sub)
7. Warburton
8. Heaslip
9. Phillips
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Roberts
13. BOD
14. Bowe          NOT SURE YET-neither Cuthbert or Maitland looks the complete package
15. Halfpenny

I cant see Hook getting called up as i dont think WG rates him that highly.

Agree with some of Lady Margaret's team, but think both 2nd row places still open. Parling had a good game on Sat. Back row should be Tiruric and Croft with one of SOB or Faletau at 8, but hard to imagine Warbuton not starting at 7. I prefer Youngs' passing to Phillips and would start with him. Rest looks about right - possibility of Tuilagi or Hogg playing 14 in likely absence of Bowe.

Hard to know what to make of today.

Tipuric went well again.  Not a great outing for Heaslip.  SOB huge workrate but never found space.

IS Hibbard all that?  I think if Youngs has a real good game he might be the surprise in the test team.

For financial reasons I hope Tipuric is picked in front of Warburton. I had 50 score on POC to be as I thought selected as tour captain and prudently laid 200/100 ish when he shortened up. Like some here who backed Warburton I didn't realise I was betting him to captain the Lions in the 1st test.
Guilty,of not reading the small print  I certainly would have felt aggrieved if POC  named tour captain an I had not been paid I am looking at the possibility of collecting twice

Pardon the atrocious grammar and,punctuation above.

Looks like Gatland has pretty much nailed his colours to the mast for the game against NSW. Pack and half-backs the current selections, less clear in the backs with BOD, Tuilagi and North all nursing injuries. I understand but don't agree with Phillips and to a lesser extent Tom Youngs, but cannot fathom why Heaslip should play. And Tipuric would be desperately unlucky not to start - clearly ahead of Warburton.

agreed. pack and half-backs looks pretty much a potential first test line-up

maybe the centres too-will he go with his Welsh pairing?

one thing that strikes me is why do we play the Brumbies four days before the First Test with what will be the second string

better shurely to have played them this week then stop off at Newcastle on the way back to Brisbane to play the part-timers the week of the First Test?

With hindsight, apart from the Queensland game, it's tough to read too much into the form of the players when you're walking all over the opposition, and it will be a different matter against the full Aussie team, where Gatland will want his proven big game performers on the field for him (perhaps irrespective of the form of players in the last few meaningless gamse).

Rightly or wrongly.

Well enjoy the test series fellahs! Might be around come the final test but we'll see for what it's worth this is what i'd go with

1. Vinnepola
2. Hibbard
3. Jones
4. Wyn-Jones
5. POC
6. SOB
7. Tiparic
8. Falatau
9. Youngs
10. Sexton
11. North (or Zebo if Hammy is still a ?)
12. davies
13. BOD
14. Hogg
15. 1/2penny

Subs
Cole/Youngs/Stevens/Gray/Warburton/Zebo/Roberts/Phillips

.

15) L. Halfpenny
14) A. Cuthbert
13) B. O'Driscoll
12) J. Davies
11) G. North
10) J. Sexton
9) M. Phillips
8) T. Faletau
7) S. O'Brien
6) D. Lydiate
5) P. O'Connell
4) AW. Jones
3) A. Jones
2) R. Hibbard
1) M. Vunipola

15) L. Halfpenny
14) A. Cuthbert
13) B. O'Driscoll
12) J. Davies
11) G. North
10) J. Sexton
9) M. Phillips
8) T. Faletau
7) S. O'Brien
6) T. Croft
5) P. O'Connell
4) AW. Jones
3) A. Jones
2) R. Hibbard   1)A Corbisiero

15) L. Halfpenny
14) S. Hogg
13) B. O'Driscoll
12) J. Davies
11) G. North
10) J. Sexton
9) M. Phillips
8) T. Faletau
7) S. Warburton
6) T. Croft
5) P. O'Connell
4) AW. Jones
3) A. Jones
2) T. Youngs
1) M. Vunipola

15) L. Halfpenny
14) A. Cuthbert
13) B. O'Driscoll
12) J. Davies
11) G. North
10) J. Sexton
9) M. Phillips
8) T. Faletau
7) S. Warburton
6) T. Croft
5) P. O'Connell
4) AW. Jones
3) A. Jones
2) T. Youngs
1) M. Vunipola

1. Vunipola
2. Hibbard
3. Jones
4. Jones
5. O'Connell
6. Croft
7. Warburton
8. Faletau
9. Phillips
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Davies
13. O'Driscoll
14. Cuthbert
15. Halfpenny

16. Youngs
17. Corbisiero
18. Cole
19. Gray
20. O'Brian
21. Youngs
22. Farrell
23. Hogg

1. vunipola
2. hibbard
3. jones
4. a w jones
5. o'connell
6. lydiate
7. warburton
8. o'brien
9. phillips
10. sexton
11. zebo
12. davies
13. o'driscoll
14. cuthbert
15. halfpenny

Assuming Roberts is fit, this is the one I would pick,  rater than the one I think will be picked;

15) L. Halfpenny
14) Tuiliagi/J  Davies
13) B. O'Driscoll
12) Roberts
11) G. North
10) J. Sexton
9) M. Phillips
8) SOB
7) Tipuric
6) T. Croft
5) P. O'Connell (c)
4) AW. Jones
3) A. Jones
2) T. Youngs
1) M. Vunipola

An embarrassment of riches on the flanks with Tipuric, Warburton, Lydiate, Croft & O'Brien all capable of slotting in.

Brad Barritt & Christian Wade called up.

15)halfpenny
14)cuthbert
13)bod
12)roberts
11)north
10)sexton
9)phillips
8)heaslip
7)warburton (c)
6)croft
5)po connell
4)a wyn jones
3)a jones
2)t youngs
1)vunipola

j davies to replace any unfit centre

Warburton will definitely start at 7 after yesterday's game. Tipuric was outmuscled at the breakdown.

Roberts is out injured so J Davies replaces him but apart from that think peter64 is just about spot on

15)halfpenny
14)cuthbert
13)bod
12)davies
11)north
10)sexton
9)phillips
8)falatau
7)warburton (c)
6)croft
5)o'connell
4)wyn jones
3)jones
2)hibbard
1)vunipola

i'm i alone in thinking hibbard in overrated? he often seems to start well before tailing off. i would rather see youngs start with hibbard on the bench as 20mins seems about his limit.

Think that's likely, and there's not a lot between them.

There are a few close calls e.g. Falatau v Heaslip.

I'm the other way northanlite. I haven't seen anything from T Youngs since he appeared on the scene to convince me he's a Test hooker. One break v Italy, and plenty of missed line-outs isn't good enough for me.

If Hartley hadn't been so stupid in the Aviva Final, I'm in no doubt that he'd be starting on Saturday. None of the 3 hookers on tour have looked anything other than average at best, and very poor at worst.

Well it would appear I get too see the first two tests & now miss the final one!! At 2/0 by then thats sound!

Looks like i'd be reversing my back-row after the Brumbies game & drop a few who didn't take their chance come already know there not in the test XV for Saturday

1. Vinnepola
2. Hibbard
3. Jones
4. Wyn-Jones
5. POC
6. Croft
7. Warburton
8. Falatau
9. Phillips
10. Sexton
11. North
12. davies
13. BOD
14. Zebo
15. 1/2penny

Subs
Cole/Youngs/Corbesero/Parland/Tiparic/Youngs/Farrell/Hogg or Cuthbert/Kearney most likely now as farrell to be included on bench i reckon.

I think Youngs has had a good tour and strolls into the Test side.

Looking to boss the Aussie set-piece & reckon it'll be a big front row, Hibbard looked bttr when he came on vs Brumbies & reckon Gats will go with him but expect Youngs to feature along the way. long way to go yet & it'll be a near full squad effort over the 3 matches id hazard

As regards bossing the Aussie scrum, does Vuinopola have it in him?  Throw in a SH ref who won't let a scrumming contest develop....

Saturdays sides

Lions    15-Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), 14-Alex Cuthbert (Wales), 13-Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland), 12-Jonathan Davies (Wales), 11-George North (Wales),       10-Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), 9-Mike Phillips (Wales), 8-Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), 7-Sam Warburton (Wales, captain), 6-Tom Croft (England), 5-Paul O'Connell (Ireland), 4-Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), 3-Adam Jones (Wales), 2-Tom Youngs (England), 1-Alex Corbisiero (England).

Replacements - 16-Richard Hibbard (Wales), 17-Mako Vunipola (England), 18-Dan Cole (England), 19-Geoff Parling (England), 20-Dan Lydiate (Wales), 21-Ben Youngs (England), 22-Owen Farrell (England), 23-Sean Maitland (Scotland).


Australia : B Barnes (NSW Waratahs); I Folau (NSW Waratahs), A Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs), C Lealiifano (Brumbies), D Ioane (Queensland Reds); J O'Connor (Melbourne Rebels), W Genia (Queensland Reds); B Robinson (NSW Waratahs), S Moore (Brumbies), B Alexander (Brumbies), K Douglas (NSW Waratahs), J Horwill (Queensland Reds, capt), B Mowen (Brumbies), M Hooper (NSW Waratahs), W Palu (NSW Waratahs).

Replacements: S Fainga'a (Queensland Reds), J Slipper (Queensland Reds), S Kepu (NSW Waratahs), R Simmons (Queensland Reds), L Gill (Queensland Reds), N Phipps (Melbourne Rebels), P McCabe (Brumbies), K Beale (Melbourne Rebels).

Corbisiero is probably a good shout, they just don't trust old Vuinopola at scrumtime, do they?

I would take issue with Maitland on the bench..a token Scot, perhaps.  I realise he covers wing and FB but hardly in form is he, or up to the task?

Lydiate is a fine player, but SOB would have provided cover for 6, 7 or 8.

Did Gatland fall asleep when Maitland was playing?

Went for Corbisiero's scrummaging versus Vunipola's synamism, meaning they can bring him on 2nd half as more of an impact player. Surprised Faletau plays no part at all.

ok with the toss-up picks on Corbs/Youngs/Heaslip & the reasoning behind them BUT Cuthbert is very lucky to get ahead off Hogg/Zebo & not convinced of the impact from the back row off the bench with Lydiate, it's more a conservative approach for an injury than an impact kind of player like any of the other three SOB/Tiparic/Falatau & then Maitland.........? Any of Hogg/Zebo/kearney could cover the back three better.

Lions by 5-6pts in a grind with heavy reliance on 1/2 penny's penalty kicking

Hogg did ok first couple of outings but looked a bit exposed against the Brumbies, so maybe that counted against him (admittedly playing on backfoot for most of game, and at fly-half).

Think 'size matters' regards Cuthbert, and he is usually  a good finisher and in the right place at the right time (but maybe not in defence).

Am ok on the size & power issue but think that only gets a player so far & not sure at all on Cuthbert, positioning, running lines, & defence especially are all suspect. think Hogg has maybe been a victim of his own success & been overplayed (brumbies being a game too far) to save others fitness for the test which is understandable re North/halfpenny. think with hindsight they would have called up cover for Kearney & manu earlier. Zebo is maybe the unluckiest as he's played very well & not even made the bench ahead of Maitland.

All-in-all thou' am happy & fully behind the team once the anthems starts as is the Lions way!

Yes, think Zebo showed more in one game than Maitland did.

including a scot on the bench for first test a decent idea (particularly with selection close run)so there is representation from all home unions  and for all travelling fans . agree Hogg Zebo unlucky    as are faletau S0B Tipuric     

overall I like the side a lot  , the Oz "dazzling" backline with players in less familiar positions will be dire or brilliant     defensively Barnes for me suspect at FB hopefully Falou will have to work overtime to support him and this may blunt his freakish athletism with ball in hand  same concerns defensively for lealiifano   

cant wait    !!!!

Looks a good starting XV and some excellent forwards on the bench.  We could be seriously struggling though when the backline subs have to be used - they just don't look great at all.

4/6 Lions is still just not for me so I am just backing the draw at 30 which looks v high and for once watching as a fan and will take any win.

British&Irish Lions ‏@lionsofficial 41s
Paul O'Connell ruled out of Test series with undisplaced fracture of lower right arm

Big loss for Lions obviously.  I wonder if Gats will reshuffle tomorrow now as Parling is the obvious call up.

Evans replaces Parling in team v Rebels indicating Parling will be selected v Australia in 2nd Test

Also Lydiate takes,over captaincy which would indicate to me he will not be on the bench v  Australia  Croft replaces Evans on the bench. The plot thickens

Are we looking at

8 Heaslip

7 Tupuric

6 Warburton

O'Connell is a big big loss, but Parling is an adequate replacement.
I thought our back row wasn't great apart from Heaslip, Warburton surprisingly was very poor.
Our wingers are world class at finishing and poor at defending , chalk and cheese, but what a player North is with ball in hand - world class!

I don't think Phillips will play as babdly again but Youngs probably deserves a shot at it. Lydiate/Heaslip/Warburton , with O'Brien on the bench if Warburton under performs again.

Maybe...

No real second row subs available, no point including AWJ on bench, so I guess Croft was the only candidate.

Re Lydiate taking over the Captaincy, no obvious candidates in the team.  I thought he was a quiet shy lad, hardly Captain material, but if not him, who?

I think Roberts and Bowe return to the Test Team on Sat.  Backrow..who knows.  Big game for Grant if Corbisiero is injured.

Tis true Ozy, Lydiate is quiet and shy, but did captain the Dragons the season before last. Always seemed to way heavy on him mind, never performed as he could in the role

Lots of ifs and buts as ever going into the next Test.  As with last week I just can't have the Lions this big into odds on.  Each way I look at things I keep coming back to another tight contest, so effectively a scratch game for me.

Gutted Geoff Parling won't be leading Lions out this week but means he is a starter for Saturday... how many times do you hear footballers when in their own country missing a game because their wife has given birth?

Well some played well vs the Rebels whilst others are dirttrackers thro' & thro' although played well. For the 2nd Test..... i'd go

1. Vinnepola
2. Youngs
3. Jones
4. Wyn-Jones
5. Parland
6. Croft
7. Warburton
8. Falatau
9. Youngs
10. Sexton
11. North
12. davies
13. BOD
14. Cuthbert (jus keeps out Zebo)
15. 1/2penny

Subs
Cole/Hibbard/Grant/Gray/Heaslip/Murray/Farrell/Hogg or Zebo

I'm hoping that Phillips will be dropped straight from the test squad but somehow doubt it.

Grant dinny do too much today against inferior oppostion & with a diffo style of reffing reckon Vinni will be selected. Youngs & jones as was. Wyn-Jones & no.5 elect parland start. Gray & falatau were immense today with a lot of dog & deserve slots. SOB came off as if they're saving him but sorry he's in the Keith earls school of team ethics ME ME ME! cant be having him playing over Croft/falatau. Warburton gets the nod (again) due to the armband as Tipuric's game has gone now that he knows he's not getting a fair shout & Heaslip is jus not on the same pg enough at this level. Youngs AND Murray are better than Phillips but we live in hope. Sexton starts with farrell worthy on the bench, think the young farrell has come on shedloads since the openign game vs baba's. Davies & BOD again as Roberts is Inj & the Samoan did nowt. North & 1/2 penny again & then reckon Cuthbert will start after his TRY allbeit Zebo isn't far behind.

Team for Saturday

1 Grant
2 Youngs
3 Jones
4 Wyn Jones
5 Parling
6 Croft
7 Warburton
8 Heaslip

9 Youngs
10 Sexton
11 North
12 Davies
13 BOD
14 Bowe
15 Halfpenny

Subs Grant Hibberd Stevens Gray O'Brien Farrell Murray Cuthbert

I'd love to see Faletau getting a start as he's been one of the ost consistently strong performers on the tour, and it would be very bad luck not to get a run out in the test side as a result.

Hopefully, Lions win the second game, then if not featuring on Saturday, he can be given a well deserved run out in the final test.

* most

By and large good changes from Gatland. The main relief being Phillips out. But no Tuilagi in the 23 - surely a mistake. Would have preferred him at 12 and Hogg on the bench. We need some game changing options outside the front row - Croft really the only one

No Phillips grabs the headlines but for me the biggest problem is no Corbisiero.  Our front row disintegrated last week when the subs came on and unfortunately it is becoming clear this tour that Vunipola does all his best work away from the job he is paid to do.

Can somebody explain to me how the Lions go off so short for the second week in a row?  I just can't see where they have a major advantage outside of ½p's kicking.

Aussies defo the value here.

As others have said, Jones needs to stay on for at least 70 mins otherwise the scrum could fall to pieces-never thought I'd be saying that when a Lions eight packs down against the Aussies

Exeter and Wales prop Craig Mitchell has been remanded in custody in Brisbane after an incident in a bar following the British & Irish Lions first Test win over Australia, Press Association Sport understands.


Mitchell, 27, admitted aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm at Brisbane Magistrates' Court after hitting Cian Barry at the Normanby Hotel.

Magistrate Anne Thacker revoked Mitchell's bail after he expressed reservations about his ability to pay compensation at short notice.

He is due in court to be sentenced on Friday.

Mitchell has won 15 caps for Wales, and had travelled to Australia after taking part in their two-Test series with Japan earlier this month.

He joined Exeter from the Ospreys on an ititial two-year contract in 2011, and signed a one-year extension to his deal with the Aviva Premiership club last season.

Exeter and the Welsh Rugby Union declined to comment on the matter when contacted by Press Association Sport.

I blame going to play in England ..

Vis

Can somebody explain to me how the Lions go off so short for the second week in a row?  I just can't see where they have a major advantage outside of ½p's kicking.

there's so much hype and patriotism ...... a dangerous combination.

after last week I expected the Lions to go out to 1.8 ( more if they hadn't been less than 1.6 last week )