AUNZ Invitational XV v British & Irish Lions

[General Melchett]

 

[General Melchett]

Kick-off 11am UK & Ireland

Think a certain recently called up 'utility back' will feature in this one.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

That back line
Honestly that back row is fun, no breakdown expert but a whole lot of carriers

Barbarians rugby?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Not a fan of that shirt, it looks like something from an unlicensed sports game - feel they could've gone a bit crazier with it

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

Not a fan of that shirt, it looks like something from an unlicensed sports game - feel they could've gone a bit crazier with it

Mate you're not a fan of anything it seems

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Mate you're not a fan of anything it seems

....what?

 

[Hmmmmmm]

Not a fan of that shirt, it looks like something from an unlicensed sports game - feel they could've gone a bit crazier with it

Replica of the shirt from the 80’s ANZAC side

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

....what?

All you comments are pretty negative, critical or bitter. Just enjoy the sport man.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ok sorry it's the best shirt I've EVER seen

Magnificent stuff

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

Ok sorry it's the best shirt I've EVER seen

Magnificent stuff

Good lad

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Not a fan of that shirt, it looks like something from an unlicensed sports game - feel they could've gone a bit crazier with it

Don’t care about the design, but it’s got a v neck and a collar so looks like a rugby shirt. Irrational, maybe, but I hate the whole t-shirt look.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Starting XV: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Ben White; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Will Stuart, 4 James Ryan, 5 Tadhg Beirne (c), 6 Henry Pollock, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Ben Earl.

Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Owen Farrell.

 

[McTallshort]

Starting XV: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Ben White; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Will Stuart, 4 James Ryan, 5 Tadhg Beirne (c), 6 Henry Pollock, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Ben Earl.

Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Owen Farrell.

And that's the test reject team

 

[General Melchett]

Very unfair on Cummings who was the real MOTM in his last game. Should have been given a chance to back that performance up and put himself in contention for a test place instead of Ryan who was poor.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hoping the door is still open for some players to stake a claim for the test side from there

Smith and Farrell on the bench together isn't exactly well balanced, but I guess who else is there with Kinghorn down and no replacement for Daly

 

[ncurd]

And that's the test reject team

I think van der Merwe and Beirne might make the test team.

Beirne especially whom I think has been split from Itoje because its already decided and he want to split his leadership currently.

 

[Grizwald]

In some positions I agree.

VdM isn't going to be anywhere near the test team.

Keenan depends on Kinghorns fitness and/or he shows some form in those game.

Hansen not in the test 23 on from but Farrell loves him.

Not sure on the centres but its looking like Ireland pair with Tuipulotu on the bench covering 12/13. Ringrose has been good.

Finn Smith hasn't been great and at this stage probably out of the test 23 due to lack of versatility. Russell plays the full 80 in the tests and probably M Smith at cover or Farrell Jr

White won't feature in the first test 23 unless of injury. Mitchell has been hit and miss but has the minutes.

Schoeman hasn't been bad but is third choice.

LCD not sure who the back up is to Sheehan.

Stuart hasn't really shone maybe Furlong has done enough to start, Bealam has still probably been the best 3.

I don't really know how the second and back row is going to shake out for the first test.

He's took too many 7's not to start 2 open sides, which then it's who partners Itoje.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

I think van der Merwe and Beirne might make the test team.

Beirne especially whom I think has been split from Itoje because its already decided and he want to split his leadership currently.

8 of them have to. There are only 15 unused players from the squad. Probably won’t just be the 8 on the bench.

 

[Grizwald]

I think van der Merwe and Beirne might make the test team.

Beirne especially whom I think has been split from Itoje because its already decided and he want to split his leadership currently.

Don't think VdM is anywhere near the test team now tbh. Berine maybe, he's one of my favourite players but it would be on rep rather than form.

I think Chessum has looked better at lock and 6.

Think for test 1 it will be a 5:3 bench.