First nations & Pasifika XV v British & Irish Lions

[ncurd]

I feel like the team for the 2nd test should intentionally just lose to make the whole series more exciting and also force Farrell to pick his strongest side again instead of allowing him to pick second string players like Morgan for a dead rubber final match.

Do you actually think Farrell will make unforced changes?

I can't see him changing the 23 at all.

 

[General Melchett]

Any head coach with aspirations of improving in test 2 should be keeping an open mind about changing the back three and the forward replacements IMO. Performance and territory fell off a cliff when the likes of Sheehan, Genge and McCarthy went off.

 

[TommiG88]

Do you actually think Farrell will make unforced changes?

I can't see him changing the 23 at all.

I could really see Kelleher being dropped and replaced with George. The line out went to pieces when he came on, and I wouldn’t surprise me if that was the only change.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Do you actually think Farrell will make unforced changes?

I can't see him changing the 23 at all.

I could see the 23 shirt change - either Ringrose or Kinghorn into it

TBH I'd take Kinghorn in the 22 shirt, I'd trust him more at 10 than Smith at 15

 

[ncurd]

I could see the 23 shirt change - either Ringrose or Kinghorn into it

TBH I'd take Kinghorn in the 22 shirt, I'd trust him more at 10 than Smith at 15

Ah probably my usual thing and forgetting barring someone coming back from injury.

I could really see Kelleher being dropped and replaced with George. The line out went to pieces when he came on, and I wouldn't surprise me if that was the only change.

A change I'd make but George is starting this game I can't see a Hooker starting then playing a game 4 days later.

 

[General Melchett]

Ah probably my usual thing and forgetting barring someone coming back from injury.


A change I'd make but George is starting this game I can't see a Hooker starting then playing a game 4 days later.

You'd hope that the substitutions are pre planned but with a bit of flexibility. For example if George and Kinghorn have a storming first half I'd get them off at HT or by 50 with one eye on Saturday.

 

[retired9]

Think this match could be Mitchells last chance to impress, not sure that he is seen as a starting option and Ben White had a stormer last time out.

I think there are a fair few in this team may make it into the third test and a few into the second, the wings were poor in T1 and then bench pretty ineffectual. Have a good game tomorrow and you could be in the 23 come Saturday IMO.

 

[Dean Cooperfield-West]

Must be tough for Jac Morgan. Imagine being a current national captain and arguably the best performing 7 on tour (if not the second best) and not only do you not get test action, you get overlooked to captain a midweek team because the coach’s son, who hasn’t captained an international team in years, is doing it instead

 

[Dean Cooperfield-West]

Think this match could be Mitchells last chance to impress, not sure that he is seen as a starting option and Ben White had a stormer last time out.

I think there are a fair few in this team may make it into the third test and a few into the second, the wings were poor in T1 and then bench pretty ineffectual. Have a good game tomorrow and you could be in the 23 come Saturday IMO.

Obviously Farrell has to say the door is still open to keep morale up. In reality there might be a bench spot or two and 20 mins of rugby at most. Everything else has been decided

Mitchell has no hope

 

[Grizwald]

Like the look of this team but its going to be very AUSNZ esque in terms of outcome you feel.

Surprised to see Kinghorn start but suppose the cupboard is bare and needs to prove fitness as he could come into the 23 next Saturday.

The Aus back 3 outplayed their Lions counterparts at the weekend so suppose there's a chance of changes there.

I'd also strongly consider bringing George in on the bench for the second test. It's hard to judge as the whole team collectively switched off and this weekend barring injury Sheehan stays on as long as possible but Kelleher's darts have been poor all tour. Would rather have a string set peice back up ok the bench.

Feels like Farrell is just trolling putting Owen in as captain

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Number of wins as captain: 44
Number of wins as captain: 0

I mean I know who I'd pick from these two anonymous players....

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Ringer on for Kinghorn at 40 - 50 mins with an idea of getting both minutes before a start on Saturday is all I can really see in this selection with a view to potential changes on Saturday.

Could arguably include either of the flankers if they're off early. Farrell's 7s have been asked to play a very attritional game so there would be a bit of sense in replacing Curry next week for him to come back in in the third test but that's very speculative.

 

[Scotty]

I don't see any issue with Faz playing or Captaining, he's very experienced and was always getting some gametime. It would only be controversial if he were straight into a test match as captain or straight in to a test match at all.

 

[Protalus rampart]

It would never happen but I’d love Darcy to play a blinder and get into the test team. There were about 3/4 situations on Saturday where Lowe had the ball and didn’t score from positions Darcy would’ve walked in from.

Everyone always talks about how Lowe’s big left boot guarantees him a place in Farrell’s line up but it was only used to kick it out the dead ball area on the weekend.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I thought jones and Lowe were the weakest links from last weekend. Swap them both out and maybe switch up the bench.

I don’t know if anyone else noticed but when curry went off, they showed him removing his strapping on his wrist and it looked very painful and very bruised. Wonder if he he’ll get a rest this week.

 

[Saintjay]

Morgan's record as Wales captain isn't great. They've finally won a game without him.

He's like a pound shop Richie McCaw.

 

[ncurd]

He's like a pound shop Richie McCaw.

That's high praise! Probably too much.

Morgan is fine I find this entire conversation stupid. Its not like were talking prime Neil Back not being selected.

 

[TommiG88]

The Welsh are single handedly trying to ruin this tour with moaning.

You wouldn’t see the English, Irish or the Scottish behaving like this.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

That's high praise! Probably too much.

Morgan is fine I find this entire conversation stupid. Its not like were talking prime Neil Back not being selected.

The relative lack of discourse of a recent WPOTY not making it really highlights this.

VdF v Curry is a horses for courses call. Jac Morgan is a risk in comparison, just hasn't played in a competitive side at the same level.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

The Welsh are single handedly trying to ruin this tour with moaning.

You wouldn't see the English, Irish or the Scottish behaving like this.

I resent this massively.