Lions

[Big D]

Ronan Kelleher is training with the Lions. Seems out hookers are at least 2nd choice back up at best.

I rate kellerher but turner has been competing with 3 other class hookers and kellerher has been beaten to selection by Herring.

Looking at what the strengths of a lions forward you would suspect that Turners aggression would have seen him through, then again kellerhers throwing is slightly better

If they're literally just looking for someone to chuck the ball in and facilitate whole pack training while LCD and George are away, then it makes sense that they'd pick a strong lineout thrower rather than necessarily the next cab off the rank.

Puja

I don't think the move wouldto bring him in would be that short a term view based just on throwing. Any decent club level hooker can throw arrows in a training session. Touchwood this doesn't happen, but it LCD or George got injured I can't imagine they wouldn't be telling Kelleher to leave camp and let AN Other hooker join up. Especially with COVID protocols etc. It wouldn't even be that big a shock to see Kelleher benching next Saturday v Japan as LCD could make the final and George has to get up to speed pretty quickly.

[septic 9]

Ronan Kelleher is training with the Lions. Seems out hookers are at least 2nd choice back up at best.

I rate kellerher but turner has been competing with 3 other class hookers and kellerher has been beaten to selection by Herring.

Looking at what the strengths of a lions forward you would suspect that Turners aggression would have seen him through, then again kellerhers throwing is slightly better

Kelleher's throwing has been his weakness. Quite a few thought he might have made the squad of it had been better, and it's it as good as Turner's.

He is there holding tackle bags this time, but TBF he is going to be a top player, and a cert next fine

[Big D]

Williams
Adams
Henshaw
Aki
Duhan
Biggar
Murray

Sutherland
Owens
Fagerson
Henderson
Jones
Beirne
Watson
Conan

George
Jones
Furlong
Lawes
Faletau
Price
Farrell
Watson

[switchskier]

Looks like those involved in playoff matches and who joined the squad late aren't selected, with the exception of the sarries boys who had a nice easy outing against Ealing.

That's a big backline with not a lot of creativity. Hope Gatland isn't thinking that he can bludgeon SA into submission and this is the first hit out. I look forward to seeing that backrow though, looks nicely balanced to me

[Mikey Brown]

I had no idea that actually the real team you posted. I assumed you were just a bit bored.

[Big D]

Watson out due to concussion. Tipuric in.

[Mikey Brown]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57595699

And now Fagerson.

[Big D]

All things considered this has been a decent opening half hour.

[switchskier]

I'm never been so bored with three tries to none in the first half

[Big D]

Those two injuries are potentially big for the tour.

[septic 9]

I'm never been so bored with three tries to none in the first half

not alone.

Been a mis match against a half pace Lions aka Baa baas

[switchskier]

Sitting in the pub. Mate notes that's 7-0 since Farrell came on

[Mikey Brown]

Is this attrition rate going to continue? There won't be any original selections left by the tests.

Assuming COVID allows we get to the tests at all.

[Big D]

Most players were OK. Biggar looked good, Murray and Faletau did not. Faletau was miles off the pace.

[no sleep]

Not quite Billy Vunipola levels, but yeah, Beirne should have moved to 7.

Thought Price looked good when he came on - put the offsides down to enthusiasm.

And you've got to love Duhan van der Pickango.

[whatisthejava]

Both AWaj and tipuric out.

Navidi and Beard called up.

This is Garlands legacy and he ain’t fucking around with anyone in the forwards he doesn’t 100% trust.

If another second row goes down I’d put money on Cory Getting called up.

Navidi is the weirder pick, a good call up but isn’t like for like (neither is beard). I wonder if he sees him fitting into 7 as a Warburton 7.

[Big D]

Both AWaj and tipuric out.

Navidi and Beard called up.

This is Garlands legacy and he ain’t fucking around with anyone in the forwards he doesn’t 100% trust.

If another second row goes down I’d put money on Cory Getting called up.

Navidi is the weirder pick, a good call up but isn’t like for like (neither is beard). I wonder if he sees him fitting into 7 as a Warburton 7.

I don't think Navidi is that weird a call up at all really. Can cover all back row positions, and given how bad Faletau was today could easily see time at 8 during the tour. No 7 left at home is a like for like Tipuric replacement. It may also mean Bierne will see more time in the second row.

Beard seems an odd choice but he was decent enough in the 6N.

[Big D]

Hogg captain for Saturday, with Harris, Price, Finn, Watson and Fagerson (bench) all involved.

[switchskier]

The midweek backups that are unlikely to play the tests I reckon, with the exception of the Saracens players who need games. At least they get a cap before the tour is cancelled

Lions team to face Emirates Lions: Hogg; Rees-Zammit, Harris, Farrell, Adams; Russell, Price; W Jones, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Lawes, H Watson, Faletau.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Vunipola, Fagerson, Henderson, Simmonds, Davies, Aki, Daly

[Tobylerone]

At least they get a cap before the tour is cancelled

"Aye, it`s being so cheerful that keeps me going.."

[switchskier]

At least they get a cap before the tour is cancelled

"Aye, it`s being so cheerful that keeps me going.."

It's the hope that kills you

[Big D]

All can be happy with their days work. Finn was Finn but thought Hogg, Harris, Watson and Price looked good.

[Cameo]

Hogg and Watson in particular were great. Hogg was very solid under the high ball and one great cover tackle.

[whatisthejava]

Thought they all looked good, it’s very difficult to see a test side as no one has looked out their depth.

[francoisfou]

I don't know if a man of the match was announced, but for me, Hamish Watson was the outstanding player.
Gatland will surely have already inked in his name for the Test side.