Lions - Six Nations 2025 Auditions

[Smurfy]

Yeah, Darge carries that Scotland backrow. It's very balanced and fluid which let's them perform but with a ceiling. I wouldn't be crazy about Dempsey or Fagerson.

England are / have been kind of the opposite. Backrow talent for days but have not found much in the way of balance over the last year.

If seven backrows travel, I expect Doris, VdF, Conan, T Curry, Darge and then probably English and Welsh options battling to make the numbers up.

In the absence of an outstanding six I could see Beirne being used there, in which case case Chessum, Martin, Ryan and McCarthy would probably be fighting it out for a second row spot alongside Itoje. I also think Morgan has been outstanding and will travel, especially as it is inconceivable that the Lions will travel without a Welsh player, and there aren't a lot of other outstanding Welsh candidates putting their hands up.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

I think there is going to more backlash than previous years to the Scottish and Irish residency players making the squad. The tide has turned against them a bit more.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think there is going to more backlash than previous years to the Scottish and Irish residency players making the squad. The tide has turned against them a bit more.

Irish citizens James Lowe, Jamison Gibson Park and Bundee Aki?

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Theoretically, but the Top 14 overlaps with the tour quite a lot (final is the day of the second game) so if he's gonna be unavailable for 3, maybe 4, games (and all the training) then is it worth calling him up?

This is why I think Kinghorn may miss out too tbh. People seem to be applying it to Willis and not him for some reason

 

[General Melchett]

I think there is going to more backlash than previous years to the Scottish and Irish residency players making the squad. The tide has turned against them a bit more.

I'd be curious to know such a backlash looks like. If it's a series of vile xenophobic messages posted by a bunch of nobodies on X/Twitter then that'll count for sod all. Farrell's job is to deliver a winning test series and he can pick who he likes as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Irish citizens James Lowe, Jamison Gibson Park and Bundee Aki?

Only after they long made their debuts.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

I'd be curious to know such a backlash looks like. If it's a series of vile xenophobic messages posted by a bunch of nobodies on X/Twitter then that'll count for sod all. Farrell's job is to deliver a winning series and he can pick who he likes as far as I'm concerned.

Articles for example. The teelgprah have one today full of Scottish fans saying they have been turned off because of and hoping Graham beats van der Merwe's record because then it be held by someone properly Scottish.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Only after they long made their debuts.

And under old rules.

 

[General Melchett]

Articles for example. The teelgprah have one today full of Scottish fans saying they have been turned off because of and hoping Graham beats van der Merwe's record because then it be held by someone properly Scottish.

Articles written by journos with questionable motives still count for sod all in my book. What standing do they have in the game? Bugger all. Clearly someone has an agenda and are using the Torygraph to try and push it.

If people have an issue with eligibility rules they should be lobbying World Rugby and/or the home unions and they shouldn't be targeting individual players or coaches.

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

Articles for example. The teelgprah have one today full of Scottish fans saying they have been turned off because of and hoping Graham beats van der Merwe's record because then it be held by someone properly Scottish.

And how many people under the age of 45 read the mainstream media, never mind the Torygraph? An article aimed to appeal to a specific demographic…

 

[retired9]

Articles for example. The teelgprah have one today full of Scottish fans saying they have been turned off because of and hoping Graham beats van der Merwe's record because then it be held by someone properly Scottish.

That's actually hilarious and shows how much you can believe whats in the media - I have never met ANYONE who talked down VDM as a Scottish player, far rather he's on our team than the reverse! There is plenty to say he is not maybe the most all round complete winger but no one can deny the mans scoring ability, and it's been a massive asset for Scotland.

I reckon its sad wee journos thinking they can get into VDM's head, the guy came here after not getting a break in SA, picked up by Edinburgh and absolutely loves Scotland - I won't have anyone criticise the mans character or motives for pulling on a blue shirt.

 

[dirty harry]

That's actually hilarious and shows how much you can believe whats in the media - I have never met ANYONE who talked down VDM as a Scottish player, far rather he's on our team than the reverse! There is plenty to say he is not maybe the most all round complete winger but no one can deny the mans scoring ability, and it's been a massive asset for Scotland.

I reckon its sad wee journos thinking they can get into VDM's head, the guy came here after not getting a break in SA, picked up by Edinburgh and absolutely loves Scotland - I won't have anyone criticise the mans character or motives for pulling on a blue shirt.

Wait who has questioned that? Surely the questions are around him not being Scottish, which I would beleive he didn't class himself as.

The point about the lions and players who aren't British or Irish is a valid and interesting one. I always find those who are super critical, and those who are overly defencive both don't seem to have a balanced view of the situation.

Would Ven Der Merwe all himself Scottish, or British? I would very much doubt it, the same way Gibson Park I'm sure would deem himself Maori and Kiwi.

Either way I think there are a number of players nailed on to tour, Sheehan, Morgan, Doris, JGP, Tomos, Russell, Aki, VDM, Lowe etc...

 

[retired9]

Wait who has questioned that? Surely the questions are around him not being Scottish, which I would beleive he didn't class himself as.

The point about the lions and players who aren't British or Irish is a valid and interesting one. I always find those who are super critical, and those who are overly defencive both don't seem to have a balanced view of the situation.

Would Ven Der Merwe all himself Scottish, or British? I would very much doubt it, the same way Gibson Park I'm sure would deem himself Maori and Kiwi.

Either way I think there are a number of players nailed on to tour, Sheehan, Morgan, Doris, JGP, Tomos, Russell, Aki, VDM, Lowe etc...

This bit - "full of Scottish fans saying...."

My point is I'm saying I've never heard any Scotland fan suggest VDM is somehow "less" because he's not Scottish. The guy has adopted and been adopted by Scotland, he loves it here, we love him.

I fully agree about the Lions sentiment, however it isn't new although is probably more common now. TBH I'm not that concerned by it, it's not like Schoeman and VDM could be puling on a Boks shirt next year, nor JGP, Lowe etc going All Black.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I just think it's tired now. No one playing international rugby are doing so only living there for three years anymore.

5 years is an incredibly common period required to gain citizenship in a country. Everyone playing for Ireland this weekend is a citizen. I presume Scotland are similar. They're lads earning a good living and contributing to their adopted communities. The idea of them wanting to play a for a different team as kids is irrelevant in the modern world.

 

[mkersyshull]

After the games yesterday, I think the 10 shirt is really up for grabs
Russell didn't play great and unless there's another back that can goal kick, 0 from 3 is really bad
Prendergast just doesn't do it for me. Had some good moments but also some blunders.
M Smith I'm still not sure is a test match fly half
F Smith is quite inexperienced at test match level

I could be missing someone, but in previous years there's always been a stand out 10.

 

[Jimbo]

After the games yesterday, I think the 10 shirt is really up for grabs
Russell didn't play great and unless there's another back that can goal kick, 0 from 3 is really bad
Prendergast just doesn't do it for me. Had some good moments but also some blunders.
M Smith I'm still not sure is a test match fly half
F Smith is quite inexperienced at test match level

I could be missing someone, but in previous years there's always been a stand out 10.

How have you concluded M Smith isn't a test FH, whilst F Smith is but inexperienced, he only has two starting caps, in yesterdays game he looked over every bit as unable to get Englands back line firing in the same way Marcus has been criticised for the only difference being M is capable of actually single handedly breaking. That's not to say F Smith played overly badly and his tackle stats looked exceptional.

 

[General Melchett]

After the games yesterday, I think the 10 shirt is really up for grabs
Russell didn't play great and unless there's another back that can goal kick, 0 from 3 is really bad
Prendergast just doesn't do it for me. Had some good moments but also some blunders.
M Smith I'm still not sure is a test match fly half
F Smith is quite inexperienced at test match level

I could be missing someone, but in previous years there's always been a stand out 10.

Yeah I'm not sure. If Russell nails 2/3 conversions to seal a win the media would be hailing a Finn masterclass. Fine margins. He's usually reliable off the tee but just had an off day in that regard. Put him behind the Irish pack and we'd see Racing 92 Finn IMO. Scotland pumped Australia in November and Russell was instrumental thanks to the Scottish backrow winning at the breakdown.

He will tour and who starts at 10 will boil down to who performs in the matches leading up to the tests. Put one of the Smiths or Prendergast behind a struggling/injury hit Scotland pack and I'm not sure they're doing much better.

Can't see Duhan not touring after yesterday. His ability to bulldoze, tie up defenders and create space must have given Faz some Sunday morning wood.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Nicky Smith finally getting a start and showing what he can do

 

[Jimbo]

Yeah I'm not sure. If Russell nails 2/3 conversions to seal a win the media would be hailing a Finn masterclass. Fine margins. He's usually reliable off the tee but just had an off day in that regard. Put him behind the Irish pack and we'd see Racing 92 Finn IMO. Scotland pumped Australia in November and Russell was instrumental thanks to the Scottish backrow winning at the breakdown.

He will tour and who starts at 10 will boil down to who performs in the matches leading up to the tests. Put one of the Smiths or Prendergast behind a struggling/injury hit Scotland pack and I'm not sure they're doing much better.

Can't see Duhan not touring after yesterday. His ability to bulldoze, tie up defenders and create space must have given Faz some Sunday morning wood.

I've said it else where you would expect a international 10 to nail those for the most part, however none were end of the game clutch misses, I don't think it can definitively be said that landing one or all of them guarantees a Scottish victory.

 

[General Melchett]

I've said it else where you would expect a international 10 to nail those for the most part, however none were end of the game clutch misses, I don't think it can definitively be said that landing one or all of them guarantees a Scottish victory.

Fair enough. It's worth remembering that Russell played 70+ mins of the third test in South Africa four years ago and nailed every penalty/conversion in what was a high pressure environment. He'd be the only 10 with Lions experience at test level. He changed the game when he came on for the injured Biggar and ended up putting in a MOTM performance. A series win was on the cards if not for Liam Williams butchering a certain try and not passing to Adams.

6N performances will determine who tours (and he will tour due to his experience/credit in the bank) but the performances down under will go a long way in determining who starts the tests.