Owen...

[dirty harry]

Not played Int rugby for over 2 years

Not played any rugby for 10 weeks?

Not taken contact and not done any return protocols because he hasn't had a club.

Hasn't had a decent game in lord knows how long...

This feels a bit icky doesn't it, lions are going to have to rehab him into shape, and granted it may well be as a midweek general, but you never know with the lions!

 

[Jimbo]

Not played Int rugby for over 2 years

Not played any rugby for 10 weeks?

Not taken contact and not done any return protocols because he hasn't had a club.

Hasn't had a decent game in lord knows how long...

This feels a bit icky doesn't it, lions are going to have to rehab him into shape, and granted it may well be as a midweek general, but you never know with the lions!

It’s the last thing I expected I have to say, however if there is a player who could come out the right side of the last couple of years it probably is Faz, I suspect a big part of it is the lack of experience made worse by Daily’s loss, that’s not to say i agree and whilst experience the lions consists of amongst the best in their positions and are experienced in varying degrees internationally, it’s kind of hart to know how important it May or may not be for a lions tour.

 

[dirty harry]

It's the last thing I expected I have to say, however if there is a player who could come out the right side of the last couple of years it probably is Faz, I suspect a big part of it is the lack of experience made worse by Daily's loss, that's not to say i agree and whilst experience the lions consists of amongst the best in their positions and are experienced in varying degrees internationally, it's kind of hart to know how important it May or may not be for a lions tour.

Thats a good point, Faz has always been seen as the ultimate professional, well that's however viewed him. Maybe the idea is he's better to have around camp than other options

 

[IT157]

Not played Int rugby for over 2 years

Not played any rugby for 10 weeks?

Not taken contact and not done any return protocols because he hasn't had a club.

Hasn't had a decent game in lord knows how long...

This feels a bit icky doesn't it, lions are going to have to rehab him into shape, and granted it may well be as a midweek general, but you never know with the lions!

And still better than any Welsh player. With the exception of maybe Adam Beard.

 

[Welsh Exile]

And still better than any Welsh player. With the exception of maybe Adam Beard.

I think you could’ve made a case for Blair Murray.

 

[dirty harry]

I think you could've made a case for Blair Murray.

No chance! He's not even the best back 3 player in Wales, or even at the scarlets.

I'd have gone Jordan all day!

 

[Welsh Exile]

No chance! He's not even the best back 3 player in Wales, or even at the scarlets.

I'd have gone Jordan all day!

Only great rugby minds like me and Sam Warburton could see the potential. But then I operate on a higher plane than most.

 

[dirty harry]

Only great rugby minds like me and Sam Warburton could see the potential. But then I operate on a higher plane than most.

Can't argue with the man so smart he stepped down from Vardiffs boards minutes before disaster, what an intuition hahaha but on a serious note, I watch him regularly get in and out of the pool, and he gets in backwards down the ladder.

I've lost all respect for him!

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Thats a good point, Faz has always been seen as the ultimate professional, well that's however viewed him. Maybe the idea is he's better to have around camp than other options

Why didn't they just add him to the coaching staff then? If they are going to select him as a player then he needs to be playing well on the pitch.

 

[dirty harry]

Why didn't they just add him to the coaching staff then? If they are going to select him as a player then he needs to be playing well on the pitch.

Because words and more importantly bollockings are better suited to players, and not coaching staff.

It's human nature, standing on the sidelines screaming hit that bag harder isn't as important as the man holding the bag in your fave screaming it.

 

[Saintjay]

Because words and more importantly bollockings are better suited to players, and not coaching staff.

It's human nature, standing on the sidelines screaming hit that bag harder isn't as important as the man holding the bag in your fave screaming it.

Not all players. I remember an article by Eddie Jones about how every player responded differently. If he had screamed a Billy V the lad would have been in tears. More of an arm around them, quite word kind of guy.

 

[dirty harry]

Not all players. I remember an article by Eddie Jones about how every player responded differently. If he had screamed a Billy V the lad would have been in tears. More of an arm around them, quite word kind of guy.

And did Farell make Billy V cry? Im not saying he's there as just the screamer, but he's had a career of establishing and demanding standards from his team mates

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Because words and more importantly bollockings are better suited to players, and not coaching staff.

It's human nature, standing on the sidelines screaming hit that bag harder isn't as important as the man holding the bag in your fave screaming it.

I have never heard such nonsense. So you have to give him a place in the on-field 23 just so when he shouts at people in training it has more impact? Rubbish. If they are going to be selecting him in the matchday 23 then the important criteria should be how good his passing is, whether he still has the pace to make a break and cover a break, whether his tackle technique is within the current laws of the game. And I would say that all those factors are in question.

 

[dirty harry]

I have never heard such nonsense. So you have to give him a place in the on-field 23 just so when he shouts at people in training it has more impact? Rubbish. If they are going to be selecting him in the matchday 23 then the important criteria should be how good his passing is, whether he still has the pace to make a break and cover a break, whether his tackle technique is within the current laws of the game. And I would say that all those factors are in question.

Lol. I could play 10 for the mid week side and the Lions would win. Farrells playing ability is not as important as his presence around the squad IMO.

If he's a good pro, which I can't believe he's not, hell be in decent shape, struggling through injury this season at Racing doesn't make him a bad player.

Why not have him maintain standards, he's a great attitude, trainer and influence to have by literally everything I've read about him

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Lol. I could play 10 for the mid week side and the Lions would win. Farrells playing ability is not as important as his presence around the squad IMO.

If he's a good pro, which I can't believe he's not, hell be in decent shape, struggling through injury this season at Racing doesn't make him a bad player.

Why not have him maintain standards, he's a great attitude, trainer and influence to have by literally everything I've read about him

If a player's performance on the pitch is not important and we are just looking for a cheerleader to inspire people why dont we select Willie John McBride in the playing squad? I think people have lost their senses.

 

[Ddanno]

Is Earl not cheering enough at the knock ons and dodgy scrum pens

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Is Earl not cheering enough at the knock ons and dodgy scrum pens

We should get Earl and Owen Farrell cheerleading outfits

 

[Yulia]

Owen Cheerleader best description
Don't like this guy, even as a non-Eng neutral

 

[dirty harry]

If a player's performance on the pitch is not important and we are just looking for a cheerleader to inspire people why dont we select Willie John McBride in the playing squad? I think people have lost their senses.

Not remotely what was said, who said it wasn't important?

Your having an argument with a hyperbole version you've created.

 

[General Melchett]

Every reason/excuse for his call up can be batted away with ease.

1. Covers 10/12? So does TJ who has form/fitness on his side and also covers 15. There are probably 10+ players who would make a better like for like Daly replacement - even if they just covered the back three and not 13.
2. Has leadership skills, intensity and raises standards. So did Sexton and he is already there. If coaches haven't been able to do that so far then the wrong coaches were selected.

No matter what anyone says, he is there because his Dad wants him there and that's it. Maybe it's a last chance to work together and Owen's last chance to be part of a Lions tour. It's done now and I suspect the fall out would be much greater if this tour was in SA or NZ where the decision would be more costly. If the Lions win this series it'll be quickly forgotten.

If the Lions win the first two tests I fully expect him to be in the test 23 for the third test if not starting. He may even be involved in the second test at the expense of the Smiths.