Lions - Six Nations 2025 Auditions

[Welsh Exile]

Darge was unlucky to go off injured so early against Wales but agree Ritchie has been excellent in the last two including the game at Twickenham.

Matt Fagerson was also very good after he replaced Darge. It's always the tight 5 replacements that cause the Scottish pack to struggle in the last 20-30 mins.

Yeah I agree. Hopefully should see a good few Scots in there, especially in the backs. (certainly more than Welsh on merit - though we've basically had no coaching for the last 2 years)

You could make a case for the entire back line and you haven't even got Tuipulotu and with Kinghorn continuing to impress alongside you're Jones' and Graham's it's just a great bunch of individuals as well as them playing well as a unit which is obviously appealing to a lions coach that doesn't have much time to work with.

For me, personally as far as starting 15 goes, Russell starts at 10 all day and I can't see a backline without van der Merwe in if he's available to you either.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ritchie would kill locker room cohesion,
Even with arseholes like Farrell, Russell, Zebo you always hear how great they are off the pitch - never heard a single good word said about Ritchie in any context

 

[AlRums]

Ritchie would kill locker room cohesion,
Even with arseholes like Farrell, Russell, Zebo you always hear how great they are off the pitch - never heard a single good word said about Ritchie in any context

Can't say I've heard anything bad about him either.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I can't say I've heard anything about him.

 

[BPM]

Same. I can't stand him on the pitch but that's a compliment of sorts. Never heard anything about him off the pitch.

 

[McTallshort]

Is he as bad as Lowe?

 

[munstermuffin]

Is he as bad as Lowe?

Have to say I have never been a big fan of Lowe as a person. Speaking to Munster lads that are in Irish camp about him though he seems to be a decent guy. I remember having the talk with an international and I said "I don't know he comes across as a smug pri$k that always seems to be jsut riling lads up" and response was "if he was on our team though wouldn't you love him".
And to be fair he has poor pace for a winger but is a hard man to put down and makes his metres.

 

[McTallshort]

Have to say I have never been a big fan of Lowe as a person. Speaking to Munster lads that are in Irish camp about him though he seems to be a decent guy. I remember having the talk with an international and I said "I don't know he comes across as a smug pri$k that always seems to be jsut riling lads up" and response was "if he was on our team though wouldn't you love him".
And to be fair he has poor pace for a winger but is a hard man to put down and makes his metres.

I agree...still a twat

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Nepo Baby.

Plz no I already dislike the Lions

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

With regard Lowe, one thing I will say is that France clearly missed Dupont less than Ireland missed Lowe so really that means Lowe is the best player in the world.

 

[TW27BA]

After last Saturday, I think Ben Curry should be in the frame for a back row spot as well.

 

[AlRums]

Personally I think Scotland have the players 6-15 are good enough for a lions spot with maybe half for a test side.

 

[munstermuffin]

Personally I think Scotland have the players 6-15 are good enough for a lions spot with maybe half for a test side.

What are you smoking? They will genuinely do well to get 8 on tour. Their 2 centres, Russell, maybe 2/3 forwards and Kinghorn although I thing being based in France may count against him.

 

[Saintjay]

With regard Lowe, one thing I will say is that France clearly missed Dupont less than Ireland missed Lowe so really that means Lowe is the best player in the world.

The kiwi's don't even think he was the best winger in New Zeland.

 

[odw26]

What are you smoking? They will genuinely do well to get 8 on tour. Their 2 centres, Russell, maybe 2/3 forwards and Kinghorn although I thing being based in France may count against him.

From the forwards, Zander Fagerson is the only forward I think guaranteed a spot. Darge and Ritchie are in with a shout, but wouldn't be surprised or too disappointed if both miss out as we have a lot of talent in the back row. Matt Fagerson I don't think will go as other players capable of playing 6/8 are arguably playing better at the moment.
Can see Ben White touring as he's been very good recently and am surprised his name hasn't been mentioned much. Assuming Farrell takes 3 9s, I think he could sneak in as the third option due to his form and his pre-existing relationship with Russell.
Russell, Tuipulotu, and Jones should already be on the plane, and I'd be very surprised if neither of van der Merwe and Graham make it. Lowe and Hansen are probably ahead of the two of them, but no one from Wales' back three should be touring, and no England wingers are ahead of van der Merwe and Graham. Freeman would be the only possibility. With Kinghorn, it'll come down to whether Farrell is happy with someone missing the first few games of the tour, but on merit, he's there. Tom Jordan's a good utility back, but it'll come down to the make-up of the rest of the backline, and whether we need someone to be able to cover 10, 12, and 15.
So yeah, I'd say 6 touring is the floor, 10 the ceiling if someone in the coaching staff is pushing for their inclusion.

 

[BPM]

I can't see how Kinghorn doesn't go. On form he 100% deserves to and while his availability at the start of the tour might be disruptive, I don't think it will keep him out.

In any case, who else is there?

With respect, the Welsh fullbacks simply aren't good enough to be serious contenders.

If Furbank had been fit and in form, he would have been in contention but as it is, I'm not sure he has enough time to press his claims. Steward slipping down the pecking order with England will have all but ruled him out. Marcus Smith is not a 15.

IMO that probably creates a shootout between Osborne and Jordan going as a utility options. Jordan is probably more deserving, but Osborne has the benefit of being very familiar with the rest of the likely back three.

I agree on Ben White.

Re. the wingers, it depends what Farrell wants. Lowe and Hansen are as good as on the plane, DvDM as well. Graham vs. Freeman is an interesting debate given they're very different players. It's a big if, but if IFW has a miraculous recovery, he might leapfrog both of them.

 

[General Melchett]

I'll be amazed if Kinghorn doesn't tour. I know he plays in France and would arrive late but it's not like there is an abundance of 15's to choose from. He also covers the wing and 10 if needed plus already has that understanding with the other Scottish backs and so would hit the ground running.

On the Scottish backrows can see Darge and Ritchie being involved in 50/50 calls for the last place or two. I imagine they'll be on standby worst case. What slightly favours Ritchie is that he's also a lineout option.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Keenan and Kinghorn will be the 15s with Marcus Smith as a cover option. Keenan and Kinghorn don't fit into the same 23 and regularly play 80 so don't really need a third specialist.

 

[odw26]

I can't see how Kinghorn doesn't go. On form he 100% deserves to and while his availability at the start of the tour might be disruptive, I don't think it will keep him out.

I'm sure you're right because, as you've said, he deserves to on current form.

Re. the wingers, it depends what Farrell wants. Lowe and Hansen are as good as on the plane, DvDM as well. Graham vs. Freeman is an interesting debate given they're very different players. It's a big if, but if IFW has a miraculous recovery, he might leapfrog both of them.

I guess it depends on what we expect from the Aussies- if we think they're going to bomb our wingers, then Freeman is better aerially, but Graham is better at breaking the defensive line and finding holes. Even if IFW does recover, I don't think he should tour, not least because I wouldn't want to risk a player coming back from surgery, but because there are other wingers who have put their hands up this 6 Nations and deserve to be there. Definite future Lions test starter, though.

On the Scottish backrows can see Darge and Ritchie being involved in 50/50 calls for the last place or two. I imagine they'll be on standby worst case. What slightly favours Ritchie is that he's also a lineout option.

I feel as though any backrow 50/50s come down to Scottish V Welsh players, and I'd imagine the Welsh would get the nod largely down to lack of genuine Welsh contenders in other positions.

 

[retired9]

Looking at the backs, JGP and White have to go, not convinced about England's 9s they just don't excite me. Maybe Williams in third?

Russell is the starting 10 and anyone saying otherwise is completely daft, I do lean towards Finn Smith being the preferred second choice of the current starting FH's. Prendergast is a year or two away from being able to really show what he can do at international level for me, he's an undoubted talent but really needs to hit the gym a bit and sort out his tackling.

Jones, Tui, Aki (if not too old?), maybe Ringer and Lawrence (if fit) have to all be in with a centres shout, I like Ben Thomas as well but not sure he is at the level yet needed for this tour.

Graham, Lowe, Freeman, VDM all have to be up there for the wings. I love VDM and it would be tough to leave him out, although I also would kind of understand if he was - his game has improved a lot though just wish he could really stick some proper tackles in - he's a massive man and should be nailing guys.

Kinghorn and Keenan definitely the 15s, probably in that order at the moment although both very strong.

Then comes the Marcus and TJ question, if there is room for both I would take them. I do think there is a lot of credit in the bank for Tom Jordan, he can cover 10, 12, 15 very competently and is a bigger man than Marcus. It's a hard one as you can't deny Marcus' talent, finding the right place to put him is the challenge - maybe he is too good to leave home?