British & Irish Lions 2025 General News and Chat

[McTallshort]

Fair play to VDM playing 2 test matches in 1 day

 

[TopTen2003]

Delighted for Jamie George- his experience is the obvious call in this scenario. Should slot into the environment seamlessly - just the character and calm they need.

Pretty mobile #2, might not be as physically imposing as LCD but gets about the park well which IMO is always key on an Aussie tour.

Feel like he can have an impact

 

[Reiser99]

So warm ups done. I don't think the last game would have had a huge impact on selections mainly as AUNZ team were so poor. Van der Merwe for example had three walk ins, he didn't need to do anything. Some players might have helped their cause though depending on how the first test goes. Definitely if Mitchell plays poorly off the bench then White could be on the bench the week after.

This is who I think Farrell will pick, not necessarily who I would.

1. Genge
2. Sheehan
3. Furlong
4. Itoje
5. McCarthy
6. Chessum
7. Van der Flier
8. Conan
9. JGP
10. Russell
11. Lowe
12. Tuipolotu
13. Jones
14. Freeman
15. Keenan

16. Kelleher
17. Porter
18. Bealham
19. Beirne (I think he gets in purely as he covers lock and 6 and Cummings and Ryan haven't done enough to definitely make the 23. Might be a bit harsh on Cummings)
20. Pollock
21. Mitchell
22. F.Smith
23. Aki (I reckon Jones will cover the backline instead of having M.Smith on bench.)

 

[TopTen2003]

So warm ups done. I don't think the last game would have had a huge impact on selections mainly as AUNZ team were so poor. Van der Merwe for example had three walk ins, he didn't need to do anything. Some players might have helped their cause though depending on how the first test goes. Definitely if Mitchell plays poorly off the bench then White could be on the bench the week after.

This is who I think Farrell will pick, not necessarily who I would.

1. Genge
2. Sheehan
3. Furlong
4. Itoje
5. McCarthy
6. Chessum
7. Van der Flier
8. Conan
9. JGP
10. Russell
11. Lowe
12. Tuipolotu
13. Jones
14. Freeman
15. Keenan

16. Kelleher
17. Porter
18. Bealham
19. Beirne (I think he gets in purely as he covers lock and 6 and Cummings and Ryan haven't done enough to definitely make the 23. Might be a bit harsh on Cummings)
20. Pollock
21. Mitchell
22. F.Smith
23. Aki (I reckon Jones will cover the backline instead of having M.Smith on bench.)

Think that looks pretty close to what gets picked. Personally think Jac Morgan has looked good in Aus and would be unlucky not to get a spot in the 23 but back row is unreal with competition.

I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Ben Earl edge out Pollock, lots of versatility he brings, with Farrell just keeping Pollock up his sleeve for the 2nd test and letting him loose after holding him back for the initial outing.

 

[SamYeager270]

Surely 22 will be wunderkind OF.

 

[AlRums]

I wonder if this is a pointer to a test centre?

 

[Ddanno]

Or a Scot is running the socials

 

[retired9]

So warm ups done. I don't think the last game would have had a huge impact on selections mainly as AUNZ team were so poor. Van der Merwe for example had three walk ins, he didn't need to do anything. Some players might have helped their cause though depending on how the first test goes. Definitely if Mitchell plays poorly off the bench then White could be on the bench the week after.

This is who I think Farrell will pick, not necessarily who I would.

1. Genge
2. Sheehan
3. Furlong
4. Itoje
5. McCarthy
6. Chessum
7. Van der Flier
8. Conan
9. JGP
10. Russell
11. Lowe
12. Tuipolotu
13. Jones
14. Freeman
15. Keenan

16. Kelleher
17. Porter
18. Bealham
19. Beirne (I think he gets in purely as he covers lock and 6 and Cummings and Ryan haven't done enough to definitely make the 23. Might be a bit harsh on Cummings)
20. Pollock
21. Mitchell
22. F.Smith
23. Aki (I reckon Jones will cover the backline instead of having M.Smith on bench.)

Think your very close there, the squad seems pretty strong to put out 2 very decent 15s in all honesty so it’s made the predictions quite tricky

 

[Rugbyfan564]

I think the socials might be run from home and not in Australia.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Telegraph think it’s almost certain Farrell will be on the bench next week - possibly alongside M Smith,

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I wonder if this is a pointer to a test centre?

Ringer is concussed. You'll be fine til test 2

 

[General Melchett]

Not sure I find it bizarre at all, FR is clearly first choice 10, not much to chose from the Irish and Scottish centre pairings, we already know the 3 Scott's work very well together so it makes more sense to give the unfamiliar combinations minutes, we have also seen a little mix and match in the centre pairing which obviously didn't work too well, all in all seems quite sensible all things considered especially with injury potential and initially a question mark over both potential first choice 13s fitness.

Nobody is saying different combinations shouldn't be tried. It absolutely makes sense to do so. I just felt that six minutes is nothing on the basis that Tuipolotu and Jones were/are meant to be genuine contenders to start the first test and that Sione missed the whole 6N and so hasn't played with Russell and Jones for some time. Sione has started three games with Fin Smith and I personally would be a bit more comfortable if they'd planned even 20-40 minutes out of the 500 played so far to renew that familiarity within a new system rather than relying on what they did with Scotland last year in a different system under a different head coach.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

 

[Jimbo]

Nobody is saying different combinations shouldn't be tried. It absolutely makes sense to do so. I just felt that six minutes is nothing on the basis that Tuipolotu and Jones were/are meant to be genuine contenders to start the first test and that Sione missed the whole 6N and so hasn't played with Russell and Jones for some time. Sione has started three games with Fin Smith and I personally would be a bit more comfortable if they'd planned even 20-40 minutes out of the 500 played so far to renew that familiarity rather than relying on what they did with Scotland last year.

I don’t think many people would consider the Scottish pairing as anything but serious contenders, it’s all a big juggling act, sounds like a lot of minutes but getting some minutes under everyones belt in every combination is a tall order and to some extent you have to lean into existing partnerships and prioritise new ones. It’s not as easy to just ‘give minutes’ with the bench so limited, ultimately I think he’s done a pretty good job, you could take the opinion that they haven’t been given a fair crack or you could see it as having faith in a tried and tested pairing he has already observed working, they are professionals and amongst the most highly rated available.

 

[munstermuffin]

Thomas Clarkson on way out. Some season from going from probably not expecting to be involved in any big match with Leinster to being a Lion.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

 

[big ginger 8]

Started the URC playoffs ahead of Slimani, has been playing brilliantly this year. Well deserved for him. Presume it's numbers for training and works with the Ireland tour over. Much of a muchness with other depth players.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Started the URC playoffs ahead of Slimani, has been playing brilliantly this year. Well deserved for him. Presume it's numbers for training and works with the Ireland tour over. Much of a muchness with other depth players.

Or does it mean that one of our tight heads is carrying a knock?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Maybe I'm biased but honestly surprised Heyes wasn't picked considering he was impressive v Argentina

 

[Which Tyler]

Maybe I'm biased but honestly surprised Heyes wasn't picked considering he was impressive v Argentina

Same. But bias may a part in that, after all, we've actually head of Heyes