B&I Lions v Western Force

[Mr Mwenda]

Had the Aussie commentary on the Swedish channel. Was pretty decent as they were all on the "sell the occasion" setting so just embracing positives for both teams. Lots of switching between people but easy enough to ignore which is my preference with any commentary.

[Cameo]

My current test team at this point.

1. Genge
2. Sheehan
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. McCarthy
6. TBC (Morgan/Curry)
7. Van Der Flier
8. Conan

09. Williams (if fit)
10. Russell
11. Freeman
12. Tuipulotu
13. TBC (Jones/Ringrose)
14. Lowe
15. Kinghorn

Beyond the TBCs, Stuart, Williams and Lowe are only pencilled in, not inked.

I would guess that wouldn't be too far ofd, but think Lowe is probably the more firmly in winger. Think VDM and Freeman have a big fight coming. Porter also did well yesterday so may have a shout, and we are yet to see Keenan.

Someone mentioned Tuipulotu looking unfit. Definitely looked like he was blowing the last 15 mins. Still managed to burst into life when the ball came near, but wonder if it is just taking a while to get match fitness back. He wasn't the only one though so wouldn't be shocked if there was another reason that we don't know about.

[Mikey Brown]

Russell has pretty much only played in teams requiring him to be wildly ambitious in attack to make up for a lack of forward dominance.

Not sure that's been true since 2018, or if it was true even then

Racing certainly had some big names in the forward pack but were generally pretty erratic. I think we saw some similar reactions to Finn playing there as with Bath now - but not to the same degree - of people being shocked he can actually control a game with his kicking or sit back and direct those around him.

Obviously he’s grown as a player in that time too, but the threat of flinging it wide and creating chaos with the risky plays is still a key part of his game.

[Galfon]

From Beeb article:

"Our former Aussie at No 14, Mack Hansen," the announcer declared on Saturday in front of a record Force crowd of more than 46,000.

''Another Aussie at No 12, Sione Tuipulotu. At No 11, the Kiwi now Irishman James Lowe, and at prop, the former SA schoolboy now Scotsman, Pierre Schoeman."

Mind-boggling rather than -gaming, tbf

[Banquo]

My current test team at this point.

1. Genge
2. Sheehan
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. McCarthy
6. TBC (Morgan/Curry)
7. Van Der Flier
8. Conan

09. Williams (if fit)
10. Russell
11. Freeman
12. Tuipulotu
13. TBC (Jones/Ringrose)
14. Lowe
15. Kinghorn

Beyond the TBCs, Stuart, Williams and Lowe are only pencilled in, not inked.

I would guess that wouldn't be too far ofd, but think Lowe is probably the more firmly in winger. Think VDM and Freeman have a big fight coming. Porter also did well yesterday so may have a shout, and we are yet to see Keenan.

Someone mentioned Tuipulotu looking unfit. Definitely looked like he was blowing the last 15 mins. Still managed to burst into life when the ball came near, but wonder if it is just taking a while to get match fitness back. He wasn't the only one though so wouldn't be shocked if there was another reason that we don't know about.

Freeman mostly plays on the right and Lowe always on the left so I'd think that'd be the other way round, and Lowe is scrapping with VDM and Freeman with Hansen.

[Cameo]

From Beeb article:

"Our former Aussie at No 14, Mack Hansen," the announcer declared on Saturday in front of a record Force crowd of more than 46,000.

''Another Aussie at No 12, Sione Tuipulotu. At No 11, the Kiwi now Irishman James Lowe, and at prop, the former SA schoolboy now Scotsman, Pierre Schoeman."

Mind-boggling rather than -gaming, tbf

I see the Guardian is getting all wound up by this too. Relax, it's a gentle windup, and not exactly innaccurate.

[Big D]

My current test team at this point.

1. Genge
2. Sheehan
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. McCarthy
6. TBC (Morgan/Curry)
7. Van Der Flier
8. Conan

09. Williams (if fit)
10. Russell
11. Freeman
12. Tuipulotu
13. TBC (Jones/Ringrose)
14. Lowe
15. Kinghorn

Beyond the TBCs, Stuart, Williams and Lowe are only pencilled in, not inked.

I would guess that wouldn't be too far ofd, but think Lowe is probably the more firmly in winger. Think VDM and Freeman have a big fight coming. Porter also did well yesterday so may have a shout, and we are yet to see Keenan.

Someone mentioned Tuipulotu looking unfit. Definitely looked like he was blowing the last 15 mins. Still managed to burst into life when the ball came near, but wonder if it is just taking a while to get match fitness back. He wasn't the only one though so wouldn't be shocked if there was another reason that we don't know about.

Freeman mostly plays on the right and Lowe always on the left so I'd think that'd be the other way round, and Lowe is scrapping with VDM and Freeman with Hansen.

Wouldn't rule out Kinghorn as a test starter on the.wing is Keenan and him show form.

[BaldiePete]

I would guess that wouldn't be too far ofd, but think Lowe is probably the more firmly in winger. Think VDM and Freeman have a big fight coming. Porter also did well yesterday so may have a shout, and we are yet to see Keenan.

Someone mentioned Tuipulotu looking unfit. Definitely looked like he was blowing the last 15 mins. Still managed to burst into life when the ball came near, but wonder if it is just taking a while to get match fitness back. He wasn't the only one though so wouldn't be shocked if there was another reason that we don't know about.

Freeman mostly plays on the right and Lowe always on the left so I'd think that'd be the other way round, and Lowe is scrapping with VDM and Freeman with Hansen.

Wouldn't rule out Kinghorn as a test starter on the.wing is Keenan and him show form.

Kinghorn plays most of his games for Toulouse on the left wing unless Ramos isn’t playing (or is at 10) in which case he moves to full back. At the start of his international career most of his caps were on the wing.

[Banquo]

Freeman mostly plays on the right and Lowe always on the left so I'd think that'd be the other way round, and Lowe is scrapping with VDM and Freeman with Hansen.

Wouldn't rule out Kinghorn as a test starter on the.wing is Keenan and him show form.

Kinghorn plays most of his games for Toulouse on the left wing unless Ramos isn’t playing (or is at 10) in which case he moves to full back. At the start of his international career most of his caps were on the wing.

Is he quicker than Lowe/VDM ?

[Mikey Brown]

Quicker than Lowe. Not as fast as VDM but a hell of a lot more agile.

Maybe provides a useful middle ground option between the two.

[BaldiePete]

Wouldn't rule out Kinghorn as a test starter on the.wing is Keenan and him show form.

Kinghorn plays most of his games for Toulouse on the left wing unless Ramos isn’t playing (or is at 10) in which case he moves to full back. At the start of his international career most of his caps were on the wing.

Is he quicker than Lowe/VDM ?

He can shift pretty quickly.

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxe-wcBumsqF ... cfZEbn0_Yn

[Banquo]

Kinghorn plays most of his games for Toulouse on the left wing unless Ramos isn’t playing (or is at 10) in which case he moves to full back. At the start of his international career most of his caps were on the wing.

Is he quicker than Lowe/VDM ?

He can shift pretty quickly.

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxe-wcBumsqF ... cfZEbn0_Yn

good option, imo the possible weakness in the lions is pace in the backline.

[Big D]

Wouldn't rule out Kinghorn as a test starter on the.wing is Keenan and him show form.

Kinghorn plays most of his games for Toulouse on the left wing unless Ramos isn’t playing (or is at 10) in which case he moves to full back. At the start of his international career most of his caps were on the wing.

Is he quicker than Lowe/VDM ?

He is quick. One of those players that looks like he is gliding but is actually flying along.

[Big D]

Is he quicker than Lowe/VDM ?

He can shift pretty quickly.

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxe-wcBumsqF ... cfZEbn0_Yn

good option, imo the possible weakness in the lions is pace in the backline.

That's one of the reasons i prefer Jones over Ringrose at centre, although recognise Ringrose has a lot of positives too.