Thread: The Lions Are Coming

Fuck me, build a bridge over the River Clyde and get over it.

I thought it was a very competitive game across the field with the Lions improving every outing.

When this tour started I thought the AB'S would obliterate the Lions but having watched the 4 last games I have changed my opinion.

Steady improvement, a competitive scum and great defense.

The premiership like winning euphoria shown at the end of the game by the Highlanders kind of confirms the Lions are not pushovers.

All they need to do now is kick in general play better and don't make stupid decisions. That attempt at goal from 55 metres was absurd.

BIL side named to face the NZ Maori this weekend:

1. Mako Vunipola - Saracens, England
2. Jamie George - Saracens, England
3. Tadhg Furlong - Leinster, Ireland
4. Maro Itoje - Saracens, England
5. George Kruis - Saracens, England
6. Peter O'Mahony (capt) - Munster, Ireland
7. Sean O'Brien - Leinster, Ireland
8. Taulupe Faletau - Bath Rugby, Wales
9. Conor Murray - Munster, Ireland,
10. Johnny Sexton - Leinster, Ireland,
11. George North - Northampton Saints, England
12. Ben Te'o - Worcester Warriors, England
13. Jonathan Davies - Scarlets, Wales
14. Anthony Watson - Bath Rugby, England
15. Leigh Halfpenny - Toulon, Wales

Replacements

16. Ken Owens - Scarlets, Wales
17. Jack McGrath - Leinster, Ireland
18. Kyle Sinckler - Harlequins, England
19. Iain Henderson - Ulster, Ireland
20. Sam Warburton - Cardiff Blues, Wales
21. Greig Laidlaw - Gloucester Rugby, Scotland
22. Owen Farrell - Saracens, England
23. Elliot Daly - Wasps, England

Barring injury, that will probably be the same side named to take on the All Blacks.

Will Gatland get overconfident after watching the Samoa game?

I see Gatland has now realised that you can't beat the kiwis without some players from the 5th ranked nation in the world and will be calling a few up next week. But having 12 from the 7th ranked nation in the world makes some sense. Anyway here's hoping Russel has a blinder against the Aussies in the morning.

I like Finn Russell, but he is bound to stand out when surrounded by such mediocrity that was left behind by the Lions.

As an aside, just reading Martin Johnson's biography detailing his 'Young AB's' experience playing second level rural North Island rugby. Truly astonishing insight for non kiwi rugby lovers.

Good start against the Aussies.

Gatland calls up 4 more Welsh, you just can't make it up.

^ according to Rugby Heaven Gatland has up to six players joining - the four from Wales are with the Lions squad today, two more from Scotland, to replace Stuart Hogg. Can't be any limit on squad size.

Warren Gatland has called four Welsh players into the Lions squad ahead of their three-test series against the All Blacks, with two Scots mooted as also riding to the rescue.

As predicted by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen last week, the Lions have called for reinforcements with Wales' Cory Hill, Kristian Dacey, Gareth Davies and Tomas Francis joining the side.

Talented first five-eighth Finn Russell and South African-born prop Allan Dell are the two Scottish players set to join the squad after Farrell's quad injury.

What a win for Scotland yet again making a mockery of Garlands Lions selections.

Originally Posted by buriramboy

What a win for Scotland yet again making a mockery of Garlands Lions selections.

Yeah, but beating Australia is precisely nothing like playing and beating the All Blacks in NZ.

^ Wallabies have a chance next week, they play Italy (Italians lost 19-22 to Fiji today)
I enjoyed the Oz-Scot game, close all the way and a big cheer at the final whistle, well done Scotland

Lions are dull to watch and no flair should really have picked some Jocks. 4th ranked team in the world and there won't be a single player from them in the team for first test match. At least Russel has now been called up to the squad but as his performance showed today against Australia he should have been there from the start being the in form NH 10.

If there's ever a Rugby Whinge World Cup the Jocks will win it. Them or the Aussies.

And "flair"? I'm not sure that the first word that is evoked when the word flair is bandied about in Rugby is Scottish rugby. They've only recently even learned to score tries!

Did you watch the performance today or last week against Italy? Everyone knows Scotland were shit for 10-15 years but have been playing good rugby now for last 2-3 years and to be where they are today is quite an achievement considering they only have 2 professional teams in Glasgow and Edinburgh. This current Scotland team plays with flair and invention and is good to watch and is winning matches hence their now no.4 ranking. Gatlands omissions from the squad is to the detriment of the Lions but then again his dour style of rugby warrenball probably isn't suited to the current brand of exciting Scottish players who like to actually the play the game.

Watched the Lions versus the Maoris and has to rank as the worst game of anything I have ever watched.

I am not claiming to be an expert but what the fuk was that shite?

Even the Lions supporters left the bar at halftime disgusted.

Scottish rugby remains Dire.
Recent advances may well be a flash in the pan.
As I said Previously, Finn Russell has some promise but he is a long way from 1st choice fly half.
See the Lions become turgid once the Jock scrum half came on? It's the only game they know. NZ conditions should have suited them today. Fortunately the game was over by the time Laidlaw came on.

Originally Posted by chassamui

Scottish rugby remains Dire.
Recent advances may well be a flash in the pan.
As I said Previously, Finn Russell has some promise but he is a long way from 1st choice fly half.
See the Lions become turgid once the Jock scrum half came on? It's the only game they know. NZ conditions should have suited them today. Fortunately the game was over by the time Laidlaw came on.

No argument from me that Laidlaw should not be anywhere near the Lions shirt, IMO he is only the 3rd best 9 in Scotland. Scottish rugby dire? Ranked 4 in the world beat Ireland, Wales and Italy in the 6N, just beat Australia. Russel has been brilliant for a couple of seasons now, guess you haven't seen much of his performances for Glasgow and Scotland. Made Dan Carter look crap in the Euro cup. Was a masterclass against the Aussies today, go watch the game.

Well Dan Carter is 35 years old but come back and talk about how much better Russell is when he has 1,600 points in Internationals.

Until then, nah.

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

Well Dan Carter is 35 years old but come back and talk about how much better Russell is when he has 1,600 points in Internationals.

Until then, nah.

Can't remember where I said Russel was better than Carter at his peak, oh that's right I didn't as that would be a stupid thing to say. However he did totally outplay him in 2 games last season.

You're the one the made the Carter comparison. A 35 year old Carter. If Russell (it's two l's by the way) hasn't outplayed him he must be crap.

So it was your comparison and it was a bit dumb and meaningless.

2 people playing the same position facing each other in a match and you say comparing them is dumb and meaningless. Strange that as I thought that was the perfect way to compare people.

I can explain it to you not understand it for you, bboy.

If you're trying to sell the merits of Russell (it's still two l's) as a player then why not compare him to a current international player(s), not an ex-international that's 35 years old. Meaningless. And dumb.