[Closed] British and Irish Lions

Phillips has two types of service, when its going to backs and something is on it goes pretty quickly, when its going to forwards its slow as he's trying to draw defenders onto him plus make sure the donkey catches it. He did it for wales all season and its pre-planned, goes blind slow slow slow a few times then zips it open to the out half. He' by far the best 9 on tour and he hasnt ****ed anyone yet!!

and he hasnt ****ed anyone yet!!

Yet...he came pretty close last night though - but on the other hand the scrum half is supposed to be a thorn in the side of the opposition. If I ever played against danny care then I am sure I would try and get him the wrong side of the ruck!

TandemJeremy - Member
What did Vickery actually do? was it justified?

A Shark was moving back onside very slowly so Vickery took him out (off the ball obviously) and for good measure fell into the side of the ruck. Very deserved yellow.

I thought O'Gara looked to be playing a different game from the rest of the team at times.

Mears has had some good write ups in the papers, so a few people were impressed(?)

Just say no to Vickery

Mears had a bit of a mixed game i thought. BBC sport raved about his performance but from what I saw - other than the try - he was ok. The missed hook in the scrum was shocking and they mainly threw to the front of the line out or the middle jumper comming forward so not exactly challenging throwing. I think Ford needs to be given a chance - he was pinged for a couple of marginal squint throws on sat but he is an extra no.6 in the loose unlike the diminutive meers.

If Phillips was doing the slow service on purpose he should get a roasting for it. He needs to get the ball away from the rucks before he gets ****tted - like he did twice last night. Standing with your hands on the ball at the back of a ruck is a schoolboy error.

I'm still standing by what I said about O'Connell - he's my 4th choice lock behing AWJ, Hines and Shaw. He's just not bossing anyone on the park, he's tackling like a girl and going down far too easily in the tackle.

Hugo - You are right about Phillips. Perfectly summarised.

Would not disagree about POC either. He will not be dropped though.

If Phillips was doing the slow service on purpose he should get a roasting for it. He needs to get the ball away from the rucks before he gets ****tted - like he did twice last night. Standing with your hands on the ball at the back of a ruck is a schoolboy error.

But that's all linked - the forwards weren't clearing out properly and the ref was allowing the Sharks to come in from all directions, so I'd be amazed if ANY no9 could have got quick ball for the first 50 mins or so.

Take the occasion when the Lions were going forward early in the game. There was a Sharks player lying spreadeagled on the Lions' side with his hands on the ball (penalty not awarded), Philips stepped over the Sharks player, went to grab the ball and another Shark threw himself over the top of the ruck to clobber Philips. There were about three penalty offences by the Sharks within 3m of their line, but the penalty went against the Lions because the ball was pulled back into the ruck to make it safe.

This happened time and again, and I would be concerned about the standard of ref'ing or forwards play if I was Geech rather than the standard of scrum half play.

As far as Mears missing a hook, I can't remember the last time I saw a hooker actually hook - the ball is normally fed straight into the second row almost. So you CAN probably blame Philips for not putting the ball in skewiff.

But that's all linked - the forwards weren't clearing out properly and the ref was allowing the Sharks to come in from all directions, so I'd be amazed if ANY no9 could have got quick ball for the first 50 mins or so.

Thats true and Phillips is THE scrum half you want if forwards are coming through the breakdown. That said he can be a bit slow, but its a choice you take when picking him. Lions dont have anyfast nippy scrumhalves like Peel so they obviously plan to play that way.

I still think O'Connel is doing OK and is better than Shaw, Hines could do with a run. Despite the drawbacks I'd go O'Connel and AW Jones at the moment.

IdleJohn - ta

I know but he shouldn't put his hands on the ball until he's ready to pass. I agree that with the sharks players diving over the rucks off their feet there wasn't a lot he could have done in the 1st half but he was slow passing even quick ball. I'm not saying Blair would be any better (unless he magically recovers some form on saturday) but is he really the best no 9 we have?

"hugo rune - Member
I know but he shouldn't put his hands on the ball until he's ready to pass."

True enough.

" but is he really the best no 9 we have? "

Unfortunately yes.

Am I the only one who thinks Phillips is good? Granted he should have learned when the ref permitted the sharks forward coming over the top early the first time and not been caught again but his overall contribution was good. Mears and Jenkins had very good games and I think those positions are nailed. The back row looked sharp, still unconvinced by POC (I'm not a massive fan). Why was o gara kicking everything away? did himself no favours there. FG is just not strong or clever enough yet, scored a try by running 3 steps with the ball-not even on the bench for the tests I hope.As an aside, I wanted to see one of those scots brothers (the fast one played on the wing) go over, he looks a very good prospect and it's always good to get them "blooded" early.

Phillips is good and it is becoming apparent that he did learn something from Marshall when they were at the ospreys together. He bossed the game the other night and set the tempo of when to go up the middle and when to go wide, I dont think O'Gara is used to having a scrum half make his decisions for him so that might have been why he started to do some odd things. This could also be contributing to Hooks lack of ability to run a game from 10.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8096632.stm

Team for tomoz's game. Interesting to see how Flutey goes - I wonder if he could get a place on the bench

Why no start for Murray Ford and Blair? 'snot fair

Grumble

Maybe Geech doesnt like the Scot's!! I see what you mean though as this is really the last chance IMO as Tuesday's team will be made up by those not in the test team I would have thought personally

I am definitely in the 'not a fan' camp of Phillips.

Personally I would love to see some really fast service out to a player like Hook. With the back line we have the opportunities are mouth watering. Curreently though he is our best choice at 9 and I am sure he will be test 9.

Bankhander - you really think Mears has his position nailed? He missed his man several times in the lineout but luckily most times the ball was secured. He also missed a strike in the scrum. I would love to see Ford in there and our boys giving their front row a total working over.

Think Mears is in the hot seat but one big game from Ford (who frankly has not had that this year) may change that.

Aye - but Ford is not being given the chance? Or has Geech already decided Ford is the best and giving the rest opportunities to play into form?

Dunno but it looks to me like Ford and Murray are out.

Taz - Member

Bankhander - you really think Mears has his position nailed? He missed his man several times in the lineout but luckily most times the ball was secured. He also missed a strike in the scrum. I would love to see Ford in there and our boys giving their front row a total working over.

From Mears tour diary in The Independent:

We were picking different areas to attack and seeing what ball is best to play with. I threw to four different jumpers in our first four line-outs, we worked on our driving play and all the aspects we'll need in our armoury when it comes to the Springboks.

So maybe that's the reason he missed his jumpers - they are still working on the calls etc.

I don't know why I keep defending Mears because I'd still like to see what Ford looks like against a better team. Rees isn't even the best hooker in Wales so I've pretty much discounted him from the test already.

Rees isn't even the best hooker in Wales so I've pretty much discounted him from the test already.

There isnt a good hooker in Wales, the dwarf from Cardiff being the only decent lineout chucker

Personally I would love to see some really fast service out to a player like Hook. With the back line we have the opportunities are mouth watering.

When you have a proper threat from your 9's running though it draws the defenders rather than them focussing on the 10 so a big ugly hard running 9 like phillips can lead to exciting back play.

Don't you think Tuesdays team might still have some players from the test team? Saturdays team looks like being the midweek side from now on - apart form Jones and Williams. They aren't seriously going to rest the team that played on wednesday till next sat. I think the tuesday team still have a good chance of making the test team if they take their chances and I think a good number of the test team will either start or be on the bench.

Chances are that Ryan Jones will be in Tuesday's team, and again chances are that he'll figure in the tests at some point.

Hugo - I agree saturdays team does not look like the core of the test team - but Geech has said that the test team won't play the last warm up game 😕 Keeping everyone guessing? Trying to confuse the Saffers? Confused me for sure

In out in out shake it all about Ryan Jones gone home, due to having been knocked out against USA last week, was it only me who watched the game?

I don't really think Ford has a chance starting for the tests, Bias aside Mears has played very well his line out throwing is better than Fords and so is his open and break down game. Striking in scrums? only 2nd rows do that now! I think/hope Murray will start though so not all bad for the Scots!
I'm conflicted for the 2nd row, AWJ has played well (I didn't realise he was so young!), Hines is a lump but Shaw played very well on weds!
Vickery and Powell are liabilities neither should be on the tour.
I think Flutey is going to be used from the bench as is Kearney.
Tomorrows team seems to be giving a start to some of those who haven't played much and resting some of those who have. But f*** me that's a powerful pack! Feeling sorry for A Jones right now.

why you feeling sorry for adam jones?

S*** sorry I mean Ryan!
I honestly don't think I'll ever get the hang of referencing Welsh players correctly.

For those struggling to rate BOD, despite being the best player in this year's 6 Nations and being instrumental in leading Leinster to the Heineken Cup...

On Wednesday he had the most carries, passed the most of the 3/4's and made the most metres of any of the side. He made an unreal 131 metres in carries, next best in the team was Byrne with 87, Roberts with 59. And he made the most assists. He also made the most tackles in the backline with none missed. Made the most offloads and forced the most turnovers...

O'Connell has whipped AWJ consistently over the last couple of years. In fact Scrum V did a feature on POC and AWJ entitled "Master and Apprentice". He does a lot of hard work and has made the right decisions as captain. Hines is in good nick but doesn't quite deserve to start the Tests, Shaw is just past it.

IdleJon thinks Monye lacks pace - his PB for the hundred is 10.6 seconds 😆

but wingers don't score tries from 100m,surely it's his speed over 20,30.40m and whether he can get the ball down when being tackled

I think its safe to say Ugo ain't slow. His whole game is built around his ability as a big powerful finisher. The weaker aspect of his game is kicking/kick returning.

Shandy - don't disagree but it's down to form and POC is not on top form at the mo. Hines deserves another crack of the whip and Shaw looked anything but past it wednesday! Stiff competition indeed and POC should not feel that he's guaranteed a start. BOD has been brilliant, I noticed he's lost a little pace but deserves a start.
Monye is fast. Fast is fast and he's a bloody strong lad!
Now 1/2p has gone home, I don't see any other options. SW has fallen out of form at just the wrong time which is a real shame for him. I wish he was on fire, but hey ho. FG is too weak and he has trouble retaining the ball once tackled.
Just my opinion though!

anagallis_arvensis - Member

In out in out shake it all about Ryan Jones gone home, due to having been knocked out against USA last week, was it only me who watched the game?

I watched the game and rhino was lights out for 5 seconds at least and I dont think he knew where he was for a few minutes. I couldnt believe he was picked I thought lights out meant no contact for at least 2 weeks and no play for 4 weeks. The bad old days of a cold sponge and keep on playing are thankfully gone I can remember (or rather cant remember) playing on after being knocked out and I wasnt right for a couple of weeks afterwards.

thought lights out meant no contact for at least 2 weeks and no play for 4 weeks.

They by pass that these days by doing a brain scan and check for problems, obviously there was one. This is why Powell never has a problem its just fresh air.

I'd still pick Williams on the wing, even though not on fire I think he's the best option, did nowt wrong with no ball, playing on the wrong wing last time out. BOD is benefitting from having Roberts drawing defenders towards him. Its a shame we will never get to see Henson and BOD play together.

Powell never has a problem its just fresh air.

Dont you mean solid bone

I think Shane is worth a punt for the 1st test hes been off colour for a long time but the possibility that it will all come good is worth the risk plus he seems to be doing fine in defence bar the odd fumble. I think he is one of a very small group of players who worry the Boks Monye and Fitzgerald wont be causing any loss of sleep.

Right, so we're dropping the squad captain for supposedly being out of form in two matches, but we're sticking with Shane Williams, who has been rubbish all season?

Fitzgerald or is a bit underrated outside Ireland, he is very talented, solid in defence and is a good finisher. His kicking game is a lot better than Monye's. I'd still go for Monye as he is a better out and out winger in attack. Fitz and Hook will likely be the bench, two versatile players.

Still not convinced picking a player who hasn't been at the top of his game for so long, so no SW for me. One of the greats, yes but as I've been reminded this is about form, of which he has none at present.
Shandy - you're right, I've seen nothin from FG to impress me. He's been weak in defence and I want wingers to run and tackle, not kick the ball away. He should not make the bench as I'd still rate SW above him (as he's still playing better even out of form).

Oh and Powells head contains a perfect vacuum, the first recorded case of absolute zero.
Trying to be as delicate and sensitive as I can, he's got to be a valley boy, right? Nothing wrong with valley boys mind especially when the roid rage is in effect! Taff wars on utube is one of my favorite things (that was my w****ng arm ,you c**t!).

LOL@backhander

Powell is from Breacon I think.

but we're sticking with Shane Williams, who has been rubbish all season?

Shane is not playing badly IMO just being marked very closely and not hitting those heights. Wales didnt give him many opportunities this season and the Ospreys are coached by a blind man I'm sure. Anyway if the Lions need someone to finish a try off with a one on one I'd want shane, I accept this is a controversial choice though.

http://www.justin.tv/sportzone001/popout

http://www.justin.tv/kostaz007/popout

all black 3 france 17

France win!

Allez Le Bleu

Dont you just love to see the All Blacks trying to explain why they lost. They can never admit they were beaten by the better team.

Excellent. Ever since the football behaviour we encountered in 2005 I have enjoyed seeing the ABs getting beaten.

Losing at the "House of Pain" 😆 I wonder if the All Blacks are getting nervous about the world cup.

Well it was a Kiwi side missing a lot of names. France really seem to be there bogey team. Kiwis are in general wonderful people but have no sense of perspective when it comes to rugby.

I think Nugget just got his place in the test team 😀

Despite what they were saying I think the scrum improved greatly when Murry came on and Vickery went off. Ford wasnt good again so Mears it is and Sheridan was quiet. williams did his thing but do they want that in the tests. Monye kicked his way out of the test team with his first 2 touches IMO, offered little but the left wing berth loks a weakness at the moment. God help us if BOD gets crocked as Earls is hopeless, Flutey did the basics but no more. Give him his dues Worsley did his job at 6 and Powell did his stuff well. Steven Jones was OK. For me Murry, Bowe, Jones look like test players the rest dirt trackers.

I think we can make a fair stab at the test team now

1- Jenkins
2 - Mears
3 - Murray / vickery
4 - Poc
5 - O'callohan / Hines
Back row - williams / croft / dunno but not Worzle ( I can never sort out who plays where 😳 Heaslip? Wallace???
9 Philips
10 Jones / Rog
wingers - Bowe ???? Moyne ( unless kearney can play there)
Bod and Roberts in the centre
15 -Byrne

I suggest Vickery and Murray to have a game of tiddlywinks to decide who gets the starting place, Hines and Doc to play snap

for me tighthead is between Jones and Murry with Vickery on the bench as he covers both sides. AW Jones will be unlucky not to get a spot as he's been the standout lock. Croft, wallace Heaslip or maybe have Williams for Wallace. Jones is better than ROG, Bowe on one wing and I'd have Shane still, if not I think Fitzgerald.

One things for sure,the boks r going to run up a cricket score next weekend.Its been a while since ive seen such an average team.Ponderous forwards, backs that simply lack skill,wooden first fives.The only team with less appeal is the All Blacks.

I think TJ has it close

AA - Agree on the prop question. Vickery on the bench due to cover. Murray to get the nod over Jones though. Murray's scrummaging is scary! S.H. refs may not allow that to be used to full potential so that may influence selection?

Lock too tight to call. POC only in as he is captain Shaw/Hines/O'Callahan all playing better

Jones ahead of ROG with Hook on the bench as a game changer?

Kearney will be very unlucky not to play. He has been immense. However Byrne is truly world class and is (just) ahead. Maybe he will be on the other wing as Bowe must be a certainty.

Back Row will be about balance. Heaslip is surely the no.8. Then I think Croft / Wallace. However will be a travesty if Williams is not playing. Unlilkey to be him and Croft together though. Nice issue for Geech to figure out

will be a travesty if Williams is not playing. Unlilkey to be him and Croft together though.

Bring out Worzell, I just know its going to happen, they'll do it just to annoy me!!

Shandy - Member

IdleJon thinks Monye lacks pace - his PB for the hundred is 10.6 seconds

I thought I said that he hasn't shown any pace on [i]this[/i] tour - can't be bothered to check back though. Anyway 100m records are almot completely irrelevant in rugby as has been pointed out.

TandemJeremy - Member
I think we can make a fair stab at the test team now

1- Jenkins
2 - Mears
3 - Murray / vickery
4 - Poc
5 - O'callohan / Hines
Back row - williams / croft / dunno but not Worzle ( I can never sort out who plays where Heaslip? Wallace???
9 Philips
10 Jones / Rog
wingers - Bowe ???? Moyne ( unless kearney can play there)
Bod and Roberts in the centre
15 -Byrne

You've named 2/3rds of the squad, so you might be right TJ. 🙂

1 - Sheridan [i]updated-Jenkins[/i]
2 - Mears
3 - Murray
4 - POC
5 - AWJ
6 - Croft
7 - M Williams If fit
8 - Ferris
9 - Philips
10 - Jones
11 - Moyne
12 - Roberts
13 - Bod
14 - Bowe

I had to laugh at the Wales on Sunday headline (Hook saves Lions again).
Fair enough he scored a place kick but he only played 14 minutes of rugby!

AA, I can't beleive you've not mentioned Williams, I thought he had a very good game indeed. I still don't think Monye has any real competition as he's still playing better than SW.

Yeah williams was good, but I've never see him repeat that sort of display against the very best teams, he needs a really rucking tackling workaholic at 6 which Croft isnt.

I'd pick Shane Williams over Monye as at his best he is sooooo good and even when not playing to his best he's better than Monye who I dont think will worry the Boks at all and they'll target him with kicks. Shane can kick return well. Monye's kicking was poor no accuracy on up and unders which were either too long or too short and the first opportunity he got (with his second touch) to take on his opposite number on the outside he chipped the ball straight into the defenders arms. Fitzgerald and Monye have scored tries but none were that great and all of them an out of form Shane could have scored. Big matches need big game players.

It's like banging your head against a wall. HE'S NOT ON FORM!!
He has done eff all on this tour to be selected for the tests - he doesn't deserve a test spot and it would be a travesty if he got one.
Croft isn't the player you have described [i]but I know who is[/i]
Worsle....eeek <runs away>

Not worzle :bang head:

he is simply too slow around the park

TandemJeremy - Member
I think we can make a fair stab at the test team now

3 - Murray / vickery

Are you quite, quite mad? Murray is epic, Vickery is an old man past his prime.

That / has no place there, nor does Vickery. Murray's cameo yesterday was simply awesome in the technical ability shown. Two penalties came very quickly as a result of his brilliance alone!

Worsley is rubbish. God help us if he makes the team. The only consolation will be that somewhere James Haskell will be sitting down and taking a long hard look at himself.

Shane Williams has been rubbish all season and doesn't have the all-round game to justify selection. JP Pietersen will be all over him in the air if he is selected.

O'Connell deserves a place on merit. All this "just because he is captain" talk is garbage stirred up by that imbecile Stephen Jones in the Sunday Times and swallowed by casual observers across the country. In any case, this is the bet motivated Lions squad since the last South African tour so perhaps he is doing a good job.

IdleJon what you said was that Monye is slow, which is obvious nonsense. All I did was point out that he is not. Trying to make out that Monye is some kind of Nigel Walker/Tom Varndell character is daft, he is an out and out finisher. Thanks to whoever pointed out that you need to ground the ball over the line to score a try, never forget the basics.

So we have 2 back row players who are rubbish. That's just brilliant that is. I hope to f*** no one gets injured as I'd rather watch a plague of locusts descend on the earth than Powells' attempt at rugby.
I do love rugby nicknames though, "nugget" is a good one and "melonhead" for worsley is a cracker too.

CFH - I tend to agree with you. trying to be more than fair

If I was actually picking the team there wouldn't be an Englishman in it. - not from bias but because I don't think any are good enough - Croft perhaps????

I'd rather watch a plague of locusts descend on the earth than Powells' attempt at rugby.

Now if I can admit that worsley played quite well on sunday I'm sure you can do the same for Powell, it doesnt hurt..... much.

I'd still pick Shane williams at 11 as Monye will be turned with kicks and then boot the ball aimlesly away as he did sunday. He also sold himself rushing up in defence and missing his man too often. What has Monye done at international level to suggest he can step it up? Seems to offer no threat to me, shame 1/2p got injured, to be honest I think I'd rather fitzgerald at least he looks like a footballer.

whens tuesday team announced?

I really do not think Williams (Shane) should play. He is not playing well. It is hard to argue otherwise. He may still play as he definitely has the ability to turn a game. Personally Kearney would be on the wing for me.

Shandy - POC is world class. Certainly would not question that. I personally think he has not played well (I have not read the Times BTW). I reckon he is aware that his place is relatively safe and as such I expect a big step up from him in the tests

Kearney would be zero threat to the Boks (quality fullback though), Monye has done nowt special in his whole international career that I've seen, same for Fitzgerald, at least Williams will worry the opposition and draw defenders giving others space. Wiliams, one interception apart hasnt done much wrong and has beat the odd defender but not been put into space. It will depend on how they want to play the game. If they want to kick the leather off the ball then Kearney is the man but he is injured at the moment and surely they would have tried him on the wing by now.

I'm torn between Williams and Wallace at 7, Williams looked a great link man from what I saw of Saturday's game (only had JustinTV for the last couple of games). I know Croft and Williams leaves us light but at least Croft and Heaslip are in form, and Williams looks to be heading that way. Don't forget we have two big centres who can ruck and the front five are solid so we should be able to keep the ball.

Fitz/Monye/Williams is a tough call, McGeechan said he will pick on form and I think thats the right philosophy. He has given Shane too many chances and Fitz hasn't had any game time at wing, although he is a very solid footballer and can finish as he showed in the HEC.

I think there is a bit too much panic going on about the Boks. They are a great side but are very beatable with a decent game plan. There is belief in the squad and there are still plenty of world class players in the Lions side. There are a few nay-sayers who think they are going to get tanked. All they are doing is talking themselves out of enjoying one of the biggest and best spectacles of the sporting calender.

Williams named on the wing for tomorrow night.

B&I Lions: 15 Keith Earls (Munster & Ireland), 14 Shane Williams (Ospreys & Wales), 13 Riki Flutey (Wasps & England), 12 Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster & Ireland), 11 Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster & Ireland), 10 James Hook (Ospreys & Wales), 9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh & Scotland), 8 Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues & Wales), 7 Joe Worsley (Wasps & England), 6 Nathan Hines (Perpignan & Scotland), 5 Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster & Ireland, capt), 4 Simon Shaw (Wasps & England), 3 Euan Murray (Northampton & Scotland), 2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh & Scotland), 1 Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks & England).

Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees (Scarlets & Wales), 17 Adam Jones (Ospreys & Wales), 18 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers & England), 19 David Wallace (Munster & Ireland), 20 Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers & England), 21 Ronan O'Gara (Munster & Ireland), 22 Ugo Monye (Harlequins & England).

So saturday test team likely:

Byrne
Bowe
Bod
Roberts
Monye
Jones
Phillips
Heaslip
Williams
Croft
O'Con
AWJ
Vickery
Mears
Jenkins

seems about right, only player I'd object to strongly is Vickery.

Bench will be interesting if Hook has a good game could he make the bench. Shane seems to have no chance, second games he's been played out of position at 14 with Fitz given chance at 11.

Shandy - Member

IdleJon what you said was that Monye is slow, which is obvious nonsense. All I did was point out that he is not. Trying to make out that Monye is some kind of Nigel Walker/Tom Varndell character is daft, he is an out and out finisher.

My quote was:

IdleJon - Member
"Who's lacking pace, Bowe or Monye?"

Monye from what we've seen [b]so far[/b].

I've just added the bold bit, so you can see where the emphasis was.

I'm surprised at the mention of Nigel Walker because he was the definition of an out and out finisher - he rarely did more than run straight at the try line. Not a player I ever rated, but similar to what you'd claim about Monye, devastatingly quick over 100m. I've always preferred wings who go looking for work.

They are a great side but are very beatable with a decent game plan.

I agree with that though - they are eminently beatable if you get the tactics right. (Easy to say when I'm sat here, not on the field being beaten up!)

I have a feeling that the back row for saturday may be Wallace at 6, Williams at 7, Heaslip at 8 with Croft on the bench, assuming that AWJ starts.

 

[test team] seems about right, only player I'd object to strongly is Vickery.

As for the bench? I'd say Hook has to be there for veratility alone, Blair, because Ellis is dire (though both are lucky even to make the squad), one of AWJ/Hines, Powell probably will get in, Wallace maybe? then who? Ford?? AN Other??

"I'm surprised at the mention of Nigel Walker because he was the definition of an out and out finisher - he rarely did more than run straight at the try line."

Search him out on youtube, he didnt just run straight!

He also established the art of tackling with your face, something Wayne Proctor was able to perfect a few years later!!

Except for Vickery, that is my team. WTF is he doing in there? Did Murray sh!t in Geechs' pillow case?
I'm not sure that he'll be picked, maybe he has a slight injury and won't be fit for tomorrow? If he does start, then I'll feel for Murray as I think he deserves it. Ford? no chance matey - Mears has done more than enough. FG should not be proud of his performance so far, Monyes made some mistakes fair enough but still looks dangerous. FG has looked weak all over the park and completely out of his depth. Hook should make the bench as should Wallace, Flutey, Jones(the proppy one), Kearney, god knows who for S/H (either, they're both sh**) and some others. probably.

If Vickery is ahead of Murray then Geech needs a serious look at himself??
Only logic for that would be expecting to have the scrum negated through dodgy refereeing!

Interesting that Hines is playing 6 tomorrow. Reckon that looks like a bench spot for him to cover the back 5.

Still not convinced about Croft and Williams in the same back row. Both deserve a place though so a tough call.

Really hope thay have Hook on the bench and bring him on

Whatever happened to Peel?
I thought he was one of the best S/Hs around for a fair while but Phillips seems to be in favour. Phillips is good but I'd prefer an on form Peel. Has he pissed someone off, out of form, injured?
Also is the story about Popham true? (the team sheet/mobile phone thing?)

Been away for the weekend so couldnt keep up with everything but looks like the team choice for tomorrow tells us who is most likely to start on saturday. I know geech says he hasnt decided but I think unless anyone who is playing tomoz has a blinding game i dont think they will be starting on Saturday

Phillips is good but I'd prefer an on form Peel. Has he pissed someone off, out of form, injured?

Pissed Gatland off by moving out of Wales to Sale, he also declared himself unfit for Wales tour to SA last summer. Then he got to Sale and sufferred from a tombola selection policy and his form and confidenace dropped. Played for Wales against Canada the other week.