Western Force v British & Irish Lions

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Good side, to my eyes - more players in there that I recognise than I expected considering the boot off from the Lions
Number of familiar names from the prem too

Richard Nicholas Champion de Crespigny is an insane name, sounds like a character from the Three Musketeers, he shouldn't be on a rugby pitch he should have long curly hair, a wispy moustache, and be sword fighting across Europe

He could be having a duel with Chandler Cunningham-South

 

[Welsh Exile]

Pollock too. Wales aren't good enough to have someone to hate unfortunately.

Gats is dead and gone, with Tomás O'Leary in the grave.

I like that Pollock kid to be fair. You know, once you get passed the standard English private school boy thing.

 

[Which Tyler]

12. TBC
13. TBC I think playing the Scottish or Irish unit makes sense.

If playing both 12s against Argentina was an audition for the test shirt; then Tuipulotu won it comfortably.
To me there's nothing in it for the 13 shirt, and I suspect that keeping a familiar pairing is more beneficial than mixing it up. But I can see a lot to like about pairing ST with Ringrose

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Ahead of Ryan, can't see him not having 2 purist rows in a 23 so that means Itoje + McCarthy, Cummings or Ryan. I reckon McCarthy is a nose ahead of Cummungs in Farrell's eye.

Ermmm you forgot Chessum

 

[Grizwald]

Force side looks decent with 6 Wallabies apparently and some familiar names from the prem, they're the weakest of the clubs sides in Aus by ranking in RP. I heard an interesting statistic that they score more trys from mauls than any top tier club side globally. In the regular season Carlo Tizzano was their leading try scorer at flanker and doesn't appear to feature.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Ermmm you forgot Chessum

Would put him more in the lock / 6 hybrid bracket with Beirne.

 

[Grizwald]

I'd have never had Ryan at under 17st but these are taken from the Lions page which makes Chessum the heaviest and joint tallest.

• Joe McCarthy
  • Height: 1.98 m
  • Weight: 112 kg → 17 st 8 lb
• James Ryan
  • Height: 2.00 m
  • Weight: 107 kg → 16 st 12 lb
• Ollie Chessum
  • Height: 2.00 m
  • Weight: 118 kg → 18 st 8 lb
• Maro Itoje
  • Height: 1.98 m
  • Weight: 110 kg → 17 st 4 lb
• Tadhg Beirne
  • Height: 1.98 m
  • Weight: 113 kg → 17 st 9 lb

• Tom Curry
  • Height: 1.85 m
  • Weight: 109 kg → 17 st 5 lb
• Jack Conan
  • Height: 1.93 m
  • Weight: 108 kg → 17 st 0 lb
• Josh van der Flier
  • Height: 1.83 m
  • Weight: 104 kg → 16 st 5 lb
• Henry Pollock
  • Height: 1.88 m
  • Weight: 100 kg → 15 st 10 lb
• Ben Earl
  • Height: 1.83 m
  • Weight: 107 kg → 16 st 12 lb
• Jac Morgan
  • Height: 1.80 m
  • Weight: 99 kg → 15 st 7 lb

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I

Would put him more in the lock / 6 hybrid bracket with Beirne.

I feel he’s more of a lock than Bernie

 

[big ginger 8]

I


I feel he's more of a lock than Bernie

Beirne should be 100% a lock at this stage imo. He's still a class player but not as dynamic as he once was and I think you lose a bit with him at 6 for the team overall.

I'd be dubious enough about those weights list above as usual. For my money McCarthy is pretty likely in the 23 at this stage, on the bench. Farrell is a very big fan and I don't think any of the others can replicate it to the same level. Ireland regularly use him for starter plays off set piece.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Beirne should be 100% a lock at this stage imo. He's still a class player but not as dynamic as he once was and I think you lose a bit with him at 6 for the team overall.

I'd be dubious enough about those weights list above as usual. For my money McCarthy is pretty likely in the 23 at this stage, on the bench. Farrell is a very big fan and I don't think any of the others can replicate it to the same level. Ireland regularly use him for starter plays off set piece.

I think the issue with Bernie is do him and Itoje fit together in the lock? I guess Chessum at 6 prob helps the line out more

My preference is
4. Maro
5. Bernie
6. Chessum
7. Curry
8. Conan

Bench: McCarthy

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think the issue with Bernie is do him and Itoje fit together in the lock? I guess Chessum at 6 prob helps the line out more

My preference is
4. Maro
5. Bernie
6. Chessum
7. Curry
8. Conan

Bench: McCarthy

Something like that works (with a far more handsome 7 obviously).

Think risking Beirne and Chessum for any substantial amount of time isn't worth the risk.

 

[AlRums]

Something like that works (with a far more handsome 7 obviously).

Think risking Beirne and Chessum for any substantial amount of time isn't worth the risk.

Rory Darge isn't on tour

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I’d go Itoje and Chessum at lock and Beirne at 6 if he’s making the yards. But if Farrell wants a loose game (I’m not sure he does), then you have to go with two open sides and Conan at 8.

To be while people say Chessum is a hybrid, I think he’s a world class lock who can cover 6. He’s not a world class 6 though.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Why is it that there are so many openside flankers these days but not so many genuine blindsides and number 8s?

 

[Saintjay]

Why is it that there are so many openside flankers these days but not so many genuine blindsides and number 8s?

Hybrids, no numbers on the back maaaaate.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Did many others notice the England international lurking on the Force bench?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Did many others notice the England international lurking on the Force bench?

Sale and Leicester, the ultimate journeyman.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Sale and Leicester, the ultimate journeyman.

The ULTIMATE

(I have a condition where I can't read the last word in online forum posts)

 

[TommiG88]

The ULTIMATE

(I have a condition where I can't read the last word in online forum posts)

I really hope Sale get relegated, not.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Not only do I have to go up to the in laws today I have to go to Worcester. What a double whammy.