Fazlet

[Which Tyler]

Made this it's own thread, cause I suspect there may be a few people wanting to comment on this topic.

Mod

This is why they pay you the big bucks.

Unfortunately (for Puja), of the bucking bronco variety

[morepork]

That is insane. Ridiculously so.

[jngf]

I feel the Cadbury ad is more relevant

Mind, I still do hold the opinion that he's been played in the wrong position all his career and that, just like his father's union career, people were determined to make a 10/12 out of what is clearly a flanker. He could've been an all-time great at 7, imo, so maybe the artificial "intelligence" is just tapping into an alternate reality where things went better?

Itoje should have been England's captain years ago and seemed settled in the role over the last year following Farrell's departure. Daddy is suggesting that junior's role in camp and changing room will be welcomed by all the players. Based on what, I wonder?

Let's face it, Itoje and all the other players can hardly look up and say, "His selection is implied criticism of our captain and communication may now be confusing."

What's the betting that Farrell captains the side against the Brumbies?

Puja

Which Farrell - Jock or JR?

[switchskier]

If there was a kick to win a test in the dying seconds of a game who would you rather take it, Finn Russell or Farrell?

He is a proven pressure player whatever people say of him, I'm for giving him a chance and I really dislike him.

Russell all day long on anything inside 40 meters.

[Banquo]

If there was a kick to win a test in the dying seconds of a game who would you rather take it, Finn Russell or Farrell?

He is a proven pressure player whatever people say of him, I'm for giving him a chance and I really dislike him.

Russell all day long on anything inside 40 meters.

unless from the touchline in the last minute of a 6N game

I'm not sure either of them are the best at this

[Which Tyler]

If there was a kick to win a test in the dying seconds of a game who would you rather take it, Finn Russell or Farrell?

He is a proven pressure player whatever people say of him, I'm for giving him a chance and I really dislike him.

Russell all day long on anything inside 40 meters.

unless from the touchline in the last minute of a 6N game

I'm not sure either of them are the best at this

Depends - has said kicker missed his 3 previous attempts, and need to put that behind him to nail this?

[Banquo]

Russell all day long on anything inside 40 meters.

unless from the touchline in the last minute of a 6N game

I'm not sure either of them are the best at this

Depends - has said kicker missed his 3 previous attempts, and need to put that behind him to nail this?

you will have to explain. Or not.
My point is neither are infallible kickers despite Faz`s reputation.

[Which Tyler]

Sorry, quite an old reference to Farrell's lauded ability to put prior misses behind him when lining up a shot at goal.
Often used to defend him when his kicking percentage dropped below that of someone else, who wouldn't have missed those earlier kicks.

[Spiffy]

Sorry, quite an old reference to Farrell's lauded ability to put prior misses behind him when lining up a shot at goal.
Often used to defend him when his kicking percentage dropped below that of someone else, who wouldn't have missed those earlier kicks.

I can just see this scenario : Faz makes it to the bench for the final test, gets late game time, kicks an easy last minute, front of the posts penalty to win the series and is hailed a conquering hero and all-time greatest Lion. If it happens I will laugh my tits off.

[FKAS]

[Banquo]

Sorry, quite an old reference to Farrell's lauded ability to put prior misses behind him when lining up a shot at goal.
Often used to defend him when his kicking percentage dropped below that of someone else, who wouldn't have missed those earlier kicks.

[Danno]

Sorry, quite an old reference to Farrell's lauded ability to put prior misses behind him when lining up a shot at goal.
Often used to defend him when his kicking percentage dropped below that of someone else, who wouldn't have missed those earlier kicks.

I can just see this scenario : Faz makes it to the bench for the final test, gets late game time, kicks an easy last minute, front of the posts penalty to win the series and is hailed a conquering hero and all-time greatest Lion. If it happens I will laugh my tits off.

Fuck please no, he has enough unwarranted plaudits.

[SixAndAHalf]

Echoing a lot of the above I think this really is a disgraceful decision and if the tour goes adversely invites a lot of scrutiny.

Irregardless of the fact that he hasn’t played internationally for two years following spells of seriously iffy form, he has featured in 6 games since January (one 80), can’t play the Brumbies and has an injury which restricts him from being able to kick.

I started writing a list of alternatives but it became vast. Never mind the likes of Jordan or Ford, what has Farrell Jr done to be ahead of someone like Seb Atkinson who has played very well at club level all year?

This may seem melodramatic but having to watch Farrell regularly underwhelm for England diminished my enjoyment watching particularly in his final years and this will have a similar impact on this tour.

[Mikey Brown]

He can’t play the Brumbies game? You mean he’s still injured now?!

[pompey-zebra]

He can’t play the Brumbies game? You mean he’s still injured now?!

Don't worry, he'll be fit for the tests.

[Galfon]

Don't worry, he'll be fit for the tests.

at least he can't be accused of doing a 'John Terry' then..
the real deal..

[Danno]

He can’t play the Brumbies game? You mean he’s still injured now?!

Jet lag protocols

[Puja]

You know what I hate? "He's the only person there with experience of winning a Lions series, so he's got vital experience and knowledge."

Quite apart from the fact that I'd rate the drawn series against the 2017 All Blacks as being a far greater accomplishment than beating the 2013 Australians, or that beating the 2025!Edition of the Wallabies is not something that's an unknown experience to most of these players, if it's so bloody vital that we have somekne with **experience of winning a Lions tour**, why not select Faletau (who actually started a test in 2013, instead of getting a scant few minute off the bench when the third game was long-since won) from the very beginning? Or give Cole or Youngs a last hurrah? Or Tuilagi, Tipuric, Halfpenny, Murray, Gray?

Puja

[Galfon]

..why not select Faletau (who actually started a test in 2013, instead of getting a scant few minute off the bench when the third game was long-since won) from the very beginning? Or give Cole or Youngs a last hurrah? Or Tuilagi, Tipuric, Halfpenny, Murray, Gray?
Puja

or even Lions great jd2 - a centre who played in the final test rout in Oz -13 and was 'man'-of-the-series' in NZ in -17..(.so close to putting Nowell away on the last play too for what would have been the poss. greatest ever triumph..) ; just turned 37, and climbing mountains apparently, just think what he'd bring to the room.

[Oakboy]

It is so weird that punditry, coaches and fellow players will rue the day when dear Owen retires; whereas most fans will either cheer or heave a sigh of relief.

[Banquo]

It is so weird that punditry, coaches and fellow players will rue the day when dear Owen retires; whereas most fans will either cheer or heave a sigh of relief.

Almost everyone I know and respect in the pro game are huge fans. Almost every coach I’ve met, ditto, and most casual fans. I get it, but..

[Oakboy]

It is so weird that punditry, coaches and fellow players will rue the day when dear Owen retires; whereas most fans will either cheer or heave a sigh of relief.

Almost everyone I know and respect in the pro game are huge fans. Almost every coach I’ve met, ditto, and most casual fans. I get it, but..

I think his mentality/attitude/team ethic etc. must be exceptional and beyond anything that we can assess as spectators. Rating the extent to which he has been good/bad for English rugby would be some debate.

[Which Tyler]

Coaches love Farrell - because he doesn't deviate from the gameplan, which means that if it goes wrong, it can't be Farrell's fault, and if the gameplan is inappropriate to what's happening on the pitch, it's not Farrell's fault.
He motivates, and he leads, and he never EVER makes a decision that the coach hasn't told him to make in that situation. Compared to that, the capacity to execute a skill under pressure is irrelevant. Deviation from the game plan is a droppable offence for many coaches, and a severe bollocking if it comes off.
Players love him because of his never-say-die attitude, driving standards, motivating others, and improving their chances of winning stuff. I can also easily believe that he's very personable and likable off-pitch

[Banquo]

Coaches love Farrell - because he doesn't deviate from the gameplan, which means that if it goes wrong, it can't be Farrell's fault, and if the gameplan is inappropriate to what's happening on the pitch, it's not Farrell's fault.
He motivates, and he leads, and he never EVER makes a decision that the coach hasn't told him to make in that situation. Compared to that, the capacity to execute a skill under pressure is irrelevant. Deviation from the game plan is a droppable offence for many coaches, and a severe bollocking if it comes off.
Players love him because of his never-say-die attitude, driving standards, motivating others, and improving their chances of winning stuff. I can also easily believe that he's very personable and likable off-pitch

Yes, that’s why I get it. The last sentence, not so much having experienced it, albeit a few years ago.

[Which Tyler]

The last sentence, not so much having experienced it, albeit a few years ago.

Henry Arundell agrees with you. I have no experience to comment from, I've heard good and bad, but mostly good from his colleagues