As long as we don't let Williams take any of the kicks. 😉
The Lions
- Thread starter Rosco
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[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=32866.msg877619#msg877619 date=1243513460]
I particularly like the look of the back five in the scrum. O'Connell and Shaw are both guys who'll positively enjoy the physical challenge, at the line-out particularly, while Worsley is the Lions' equivalent of Mascherano, a beast in defence who will allow those Welsh back row lightweights to come the Flash Harry going forward. 😉
[/quote]
I like the look of that team, it's got a good mix to it. They've given everyone who was in action last weekend a bit of rest, which means they're using players who were in the training camp from the off so they should have the calls and patterns of play nailed. That'll help reduce unneccessary errors and it's important we get the tour off to the right start.
In the pack there's three or four tough nuts who can step up if things get physical (O'Connell, Shaw, Worlsey and Sheridan) and they've got a good mix of solid performers and guys with a bit to prove in the backline.
Earls, Williams, Roberts and Blair need to make a case for inclusion in the Test 15 so it's good to see them get the opportunity to lay a marker down early on. Hopefully they'll do well and force some of the more senior players to step up a level too.
I particularly like the look of the back five in the scrum. O'Connell and Shaw are both guys who'll positively enjoy the physical challenge, at the line-out particularly, while Worsley is the Lions' equivalent of Mascherano, a beast in defence who will allow those Welsh back row lightweights to come the Flash Harry going forward. 😉
[/quote]
I like the look of that team, it's got a good mix to it. They've given everyone who was in action last weekend a bit of rest, which means they're using players who were in the training camp from the off so they should have the calls and patterns of play nailed. That'll help reduce unneccessary errors and it's important we get the tour off to the right start.
In the pack there's three or four tough nuts who can step up if things get physical (O'Connell, Shaw, Worlsey and Sheridan) and they've got a good mix of solid performers and guys with a bit to prove in the backline.
Earls, Williams, Roberts and Blair need to make a case for inclusion in the Test 15 so it's good to see them get the opportunity to lay a marker down early on. Hopefully they'll do well and force some of the more senior players to step up a level too.
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg877846#msg877846 date=1243534436]
Rafa - you never told me that Andy Powell, who you say was picked on form , has been riding the pine for the second half of the season at his club behind some Kiwi journeyman.
[/quote]
Did i not? I can't believe that i failed to mention that Rosco (IM said that the squad was picked on form and his word is good enough for me)
See what happened when he came on in the semi final though? He's on for 10 Min's and Cardiff score 2 tries.
To be fair Rush would have got into a HC team of the season.
Now that I've seen the Ospreys new signing, i think Powell is my 2nd favourite number eight playing over here.
Rafa - you never told me that Andy Powell, who you say was picked on form , has been riding the pine for the second half of the season at his club behind some Kiwi journeyman.
[/quote]
Did i not? I can't believe that i failed to mention that Rosco (IM said that the squad was picked on form and his word is good enough for me)
See what happened when he came on in the semi final though? He's on for 10 Min's and Cardiff score 2 tries.
To be fair Rush would have got into a HC team of the season.
Now that I've seen the Ospreys new signing, i think Powell is my 2nd favourite number eight playing over here.
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg877864#msg877864 date=1243536868]
Jerry Collins ?
He's more of a 6 isn't he ?
Beast of a player.
[/quote]
Well the Ospreys have Hollah, Thomas, and a very promising youngster in Smith, so with Tia Tia taking on the coaching role, i suspect that he'll share 8 with Jones.
They've also appointed Scott Johnson as coach, which is a great addition too IMO
Jerry Collins ?
He's more of a 6 isn't he ?
Beast of a player.
[/quote]
Well the Ospreys have Hollah, Thomas, and a very promising youngster in Smith, so with Tia Tia taking on the coaching role, i suspect that he'll share 8 with Jones.
They've also appointed Scott Johnson as coach, which is a great addition too IMO
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=32866.msg877857#msg877857 date=1243535170]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg877846#msg877846 date=1243534436]
Rafa - you never told me that Andy Powell, who you say was picked on form , has been riding the pine for the second half of the season at his club behind some Kiwi journeyman.
[/quote]
Did i not? I can't believe that i failed to mention that Rosco (IM said that the squad was picked on form and his word is good enough for me)
See what happened when he came on in the semi final though? He's on for 10 Min's and Cardiff score 2 tries.
To be fair Rush would have got into a HC team of the season.
Now that I've seen the Ospreys new signing, i think Powell is my 2nd favourite number eight playing over here.
[/quote]
Yes, the way he took the pass from the kick off at 19-26, was tackled almost immediately, and threw the ball out instead of placing it (soething which hew does far too much), resulting in Cardiff almost losing the ball in their own 22 was pivotal in the win.
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg877846#msg877846 date=1243534436]
Rafa - you never told me that Andy Powell, who you say was picked on form , has been riding the pine for the second half of the season at his club behind some Kiwi journeyman.
[/quote]
Did i not? I can't believe that i failed to mention that Rosco (IM said that the squad was picked on form and his word is good enough for me)
See what happened when he came on in the semi final though? He's on for 10 Min's and Cardiff score 2 tries.
To be fair Rush would have got into a HC team of the season.
Now that I've seen the Ospreys new signing, i think Powell is my 2nd favourite number eight playing over here.
[/quote]
Yes, the way he took the pass from the kick off at 19-26, was tackled almost immediately, and threw the ball out instead of placing it (soething which hew does far too much), resulting in Cardiff almost losing the ball in their own 22 was pivotal in the win.
[quote author=bryndaloo link=topic=32866.msg877892#msg877892 date=1243538369]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=32866.msg877857#msg877857 date=1243535170]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg877846#msg877846 date=1243534436]
Rafa - you never told me that Andy Powell, who you say was picked on form , has been riding the pine for the second half of the season at his club behind some Kiwi journeyman.
[/quote]
Did i not? I can't believe that i failed to mention that Rosco (IM said that the squad was picked on form and his word is good enough for me)
See what happened when he came on in the semi final though? He's on for 10 Min's and Cardiff score 2 tries.
To be fair Rush would have got into a HC team of the season.
Now that I've seen the Ospreys new signing, i think Powell is my 2nd favourite number eight playing over here.
[/quote]
Yes, the way he took the pass from the kick off at 19-26, was tackled almost immediately, and threw the ball out instead of placing it (soething which hew does far too much), resulting in Cardiff almost losing the ball in their own 22 was pivotal in the win.
[/quote]
Long time no post Bryn! Good to see you back again.
Disappointed that Ryan Jones didn't make the tour?
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=32866.msg877857#msg877857 date=1243535170]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=32866.msg877846#msg877846 date=1243534436]
Rafa - you never told me that Andy Powell, who you say was picked on form , has been riding the pine for the second half of the season at his club behind some Kiwi journeyman.
[/quote]
Did i not? I can't believe that i failed to mention that Rosco (IM said that the squad was picked on form and his word is good enough for me)
See what happened when he came on in the semi final though? He's on for 10 Min's and Cardiff score 2 tries.
To be fair Rush would have got into a HC team of the season.
Now that I've seen the Ospreys new signing, i think Powell is my 2nd favourite number eight playing over here.
[/quote]
Yes, the way he took the pass from the kick off at 19-26, was tackled almost immediately, and threw the ball out instead of placing it (soething which hew does far too much), resulting in Cardiff almost losing the ball in their own 22 was pivotal in the win.
[/quote]
Long time no post Bryn! Good to see you back again.
Disappointed that Ryan Jones didn't make the tour?
The insect's fate is not recorded.
Tweaked his calf, I think it said on SSN.
The man has strange tastes. 😉
The man has strange tastes. 😉
Do we know who's in for Powell yet?
Heaslip and Wallace are both called up. Wallace at 8 , Heaslip on the bench.
I've always thought of Wallace as a small No.8 rather than an out and out 7, it'll be interesting to see how he goes today.
I was reading the paper this morning and the word in the camp is that they've been really impressed by Earls thus far. I might have a sneaky bet on him starting some tests. I just can't see O'Driscoll lasting all tour long. Apparently his opposite number is the best player in the Royal XV (Van Rensburg) and he's considered a future Springbok so it should be an interesting matchup
I've always thought of Wallace as a small No.8 rather than an out and out 7, it'll be interesting to see how he goes today.
I was reading the paper this morning and the word in the camp is that they've been really impressed by Earls thus far. I might have a sneaky bet on him starting some tests. I just can't see O'Driscoll lasting all tour long. Apparently his opposite number is the best player in the Royal XV (Van Rensburg) and he's considered a future Springbok so it should be an interesting matchup
Good performance from O'Gara. Shane Williams looked out of sorts though.
I wouldn't have picked Blair even as a replacement and his service is one of the reasons why.
I wouldn't have picked Blair even as a replacement and his service is one of the reasons why.
Apart from on the very odd occasion (not inc O'Connell) the entire pack looked useless to me today.
A couple of decent pieces of good play from both Wallace and Williams aside, the back row was non effective.
The second row i guess did okay, but O'Connell pretty much held that together on his own i thought.
The front row had them on toast early on in the scrum, but then proceeded to give ball away against the head AND was woeful around the park.
The backs I'm willing to afford some slack to, seeing as Blair didn't help them at all for entire time he was on the pitch. Apart from Earls (who looked very nervous and who can blame him), i didn't think they did that bad.
I liked the look of Flutey when he came on.
A couple of decent pieces of good play from both Wallace and Williams aside, the back row was non effective.
The second row i guess did okay, but O'Connell pretty much held that together on his own i thought.
The front row had them on toast early on in the scrum, but then proceeded to give ball away against the head AND was woeful around the park.
The backs I'm willing to afford some slack to, seeing as Blair didn't help them at all for entire time he was on the pitch. Apart from Earls (who looked very nervous and who can blame him), i didn't think they did that bad.
I liked the look of Flutey when he came on.
Speaking of at altitude JJ - Lewsey retired yesterday and is off to climb Everest.
Earls may be out of contention for the second game of the tour, which he probably wouldn't have played in anyway.
Ferris and Powell are expected to be available.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/200...ured-out-lions-second-tour-match-golden-lions
Earls may be out of contention for the second game of the tour, which he probably wouldn't have played in anyway.
Ferris and Powell are expected to be available.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/200...ured-out-lions-second-tour-match-golden-lions
Strong team named:
British & Irish Lions: 15 Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland), 14 Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland), 13 Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland), 12 Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales), 11 Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England), 10 Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales), 9 Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales), 8 Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland), 7 David Wallace (Munster/Ireland), 6 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England), 5 Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales), 4 Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland), 3 Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England), 2 Lee Mears (Bath/England), 1 Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales).
Replacements: 16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland), 17 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints/Scotland), 18 Stephen Ferris (Ulster/Ireland), 19 Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales), 20 Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England), 21 James Hook (Ospreys/Wales), 22 Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales).
British & Irish Lions: 15 Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland), 14 Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland), 13 Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland), 12 Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales), 11 Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England), 10 Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales), 9 Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales), 8 Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland), 7 David Wallace (Munster/Ireland), 6 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England), 5 Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales), 4 Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland), 3 Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England), 2 Lee Mears (Bath/England), 1 Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales).
Replacements: 16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland), 17 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints/Scotland), 18 Stephen Ferris (Ulster/Ireland), 19 Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales), 20 Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England), 21 James Hook (Ospreys/Wales), 22 Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales).
Lions turn to O'Driscoll
Ireland skipper to lead the tourists against the Golden Lions
Last updated: 1st June 2009
Grand Slam-winning skipper Brian O'Driscoll has been handed the British and Irish Lions captaincy for Wednesday's clash in Johannesburg.
O'Driscoll, who led Ireland to a clean sweep in the Six Nations this season, replaces the rested Paul O'Connell as captain for the second match of the tour against Golden Lions.
Only three of the players involved in the narrow win over the Royal XV are retained in the squad, with 11 players in total poised to make their Lions debuts.
Tour manager Gerald Davies said: "The starting XV to play the Golden Lions contains five players making their British & Irish Lions debuts while a further six debutants are on the bench.
"Everyone is also delighted that Brian O'Driscoll the Irish Grand Slam skipper will lead the team against the Golden Lions."
The Lions will be out for an improved performance following a stuttering display on Saturday, however coach Ian McGeechan is also looking at giving his squad valuable match time.
McGeechan said: "The starting XV is very different to the one that played against the Royal XV on Saturday.
Solid
There are only three players backing up from that match but six of the replacements have been promoted to Wednesday's starting XV for the Golden Lions match. This is in line with our intention that all players will play a full match in the first three matches on tour.
"The team has a very solid core with Brian O'Driscoll, Stephen Jones, David Wallace, Phil Vickery and Gethin Jenkins who are all very experienced internationals and previous Lions tourists.
"David Wallace now has the opportunity to play at openside flanker following his selection at No.8 against the Royal XV. Stephen Jones who was a replacement in the last match, but did not get a run, links up with his Welsh team-mate and scrumhalf Mike Phillips giving the team an experienced halfback combination.
"The team has trained well. We have worked on several key areas following the first match which has given us a base from which to keep developing our game."
Ireland skipper to lead the tourists against the Golden Lions
Last updated: 1st June 2009
Grand Slam-winning skipper Brian O'Driscoll has been handed the British and Irish Lions captaincy for Wednesday's clash in Johannesburg.
O'Driscoll, who led Ireland to a clean sweep in the Six Nations this season, replaces the rested Paul O'Connell as captain for the second match of the tour against Golden Lions.
Only three of the players involved in the narrow win over the Royal XV are retained in the squad, with 11 players in total poised to make their Lions debuts.
Tour manager Gerald Davies said: "The starting XV to play the Golden Lions contains five players making their British & Irish Lions debuts while a further six debutants are on the bench.
"Everyone is also delighted that Brian O'Driscoll the Irish Grand Slam skipper will lead the team against the Golden Lions."
The Lions will be out for an improved performance following a stuttering display on Saturday, however coach Ian McGeechan is also looking at giving his squad valuable match time.
McGeechan said: "The starting XV is very different to the one that played against the Royal XV on Saturday.
Solid
There are only three players backing up from that match but six of the replacements have been promoted to Wednesday's starting XV for the Golden Lions match. This is in line with our intention that all players will play a full match in the first three matches on tour.
"The team has a very solid core with Brian O'Driscoll, Stephen Jones, David Wallace, Phil Vickery and Gethin Jenkins who are all very experienced internationals and previous Lions tourists.
"David Wallace now has the opportunity to play at openside flanker following his selection at No.8 against the Royal XV. Stephen Jones who was a replacement in the last match, but did not get a run, links up with his Welsh team-mate and scrumhalf Mike Phillips giving the team an experienced halfback combination.
"The team has trained well. We have worked on several key areas following the first match which has given us a base from which to keep developing our game."
Interesting team.
I'm not particularly worried about the front row on this tour, I don't think we can put out a bad one given the props that are available.
Second row - gotta give them a run out. I can't see Hines getting near the test team.
Back row - It's fair to give Wallace a run out at 7, I'm not convinced by Croft though. I need to see a bit more of him.
The backline contains at least four of the Test backline IMO possibly more. Kearney really needs a good game, it's been a while since he's had one.
I'm not particularly worried about the front row on this tour, I don't think we can put out a bad one given the props that are available.
Second row - gotta give them a run out. I can't see Hines getting near the test team.
Back row - It's fair to give Wallace a run out at 7, I'm not convinced by Croft though. I need to see a bit more of him.
The backline contains at least four of the Test backline IMO possibly more. Kearney really needs a good game, it's been a while since he's had one.
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