RugbyRebels

British and Irish Lions: Keenan, Hansen, Jones, Tuipulotu, Kinghorn, Smith, Mitchell; Schoeman, Cowan-Dickie, Bealham, Beirne, Ryan, Pollock, Van der Flier, Earl

Replacements: Sheehan, Genge, Furlong, McCarthy, Cummings. Morgan, White, M Smith

That’s certainly a team to fling it around a bit. Weird bench. Cummings going to get a go at 6 or have Beirne shift across maybe. Feels a bit unnecessary.

Guys like Jones starting back to back games feels a bit much, but how do you get around that with this schedule.

Is this the start of Scottish and Irish centre paired back up?

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Thu Jul 03, 2025 11:14 am

Is this the start of Scottish and Irish centre paired back up?

sort of makes sense given its looked a bit clunky before.

Ironical that Pollock (now at 6) is viewed as more versatile than Earl.

Is it?

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Jul 03, 2025 12:40 pm Ironical that Pollock (now at 6) is viewed as more versatile than Earl.

Well - he probably is. But I would be worried about a Lions back row of three lightweight shorties.

Spiffy wrote: ↑Thu Jul 03, 2025 3:53 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Jul 03, 2025 12:40 pm Ironical that Pollock (now at 6) is viewed as more versatile than Earl.

Well - he probably is. But I would be worried about a Lions back row of three lightweight shorties.

the lineout has been struggling anyway, let alone the lack of physical impact. Really interesting as we seem to be going for a very fluid game plan, so you need players who can support that; but if your set piece is going to struggle, and you aren't getting front foot ball, gets challenging. Personally, I'm worried about pace in the backs and some guys look pretty unfit and/or shagged out.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Jul 03, 2025 12:40 pm Ironical that Pollock (now at 6) is viewed as more versatile than Earl.

Is it not just the case that Earl is that bit more powerful than Pollock hence viewed (by Farrell Snr) as the 8 out of the trio? The irony being that I actually suspect Morgan is a more powerful carrier ball in hand of than any of back row selected for this match, certainly in terms of tighter carrying ( this is comparing his carrying for Wales on the occasion or two when he was played at 8 with that of Earl’s for England ).

Traditionally I think most of the intended test team play together on the Saturday before the first test. Do we think that's the plan this time? I think there are a lot of tight calls so you can interpret these teams any way you like. Take the midfield, you could view this as Tuipulotu and Jones playing together for the first time on tour with a view to playing with Russell next weekend. You could say Russell, Aki and Ringrose are all resting, with a view to teaming up, or you could say it is all up in the air and this is Fin Smith's big chance.

In a pure freshness sense, it would maybe make sense for a putative test team to play together on Wednesday rather than Saturday, to give them ten days prep before a big three weeks.

A lot of words to say nothing!

Cameo wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 1:14 am Traditionally I think most of the intended test team play together on the Saturday before the first test. Do we think that's the plan this time? I think there are a lot of tight calls so you can interpret these teams any way you like. Take the midfield, you could view this as Tuipulotu and Jones playing together for the first time on tour with a view to playing with Russell next weekend. You could say Russell, Aki and Ringrose are all resting, with a view to teaming up, or you could say it is all up in the air and this is Fin Smith's big chance.

In a pure freshness sense, it would maybe make sense for a putative test team to play together on Wednesday rather than Saturday, to give them ten days prep before a big three weeks.

A lot of words to say nothing!

It's difficult to read, but my guess now would be Russell and the Irish midfield are pencilled in for the 1st test. OwenF landing has thrown more confusion in there tho, no idea at all where he's supposed to be playing.

Pollock tight calf. Assume there’s another Farrell waiting for the call up

Pollock out, Beirne to 6, Cummings to 4. DVDM onto bench, listed as 20 but presumably this means a 5:3 split rather than 6:2. Weirdly, as a Scot I’m worried that there are five Scots starting and two on the bench. Being completely paranoid, I’m worried that they are being set up to take the blame if the Lions lose.

Cameo wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 1:14 am Traditionally I think most of the intended test team play together on the Saturday before the first test. Do we think that's the plan this time? I think there are a lot of tight calls so you can interpret these teams any way you like. Take the midfield, you could view this as Tuipulotu and Jones playing together for the first time on tour with a view to playing with Russell next weekend. You could say Russell, Aki and Ringrose are all resting, with a view to teaming up, or you could say it is all up in the air and this is Fin Smith's big chance.

In a pure freshness sense, it would maybe make sense for a putative test team to play together on Wednesday rather than Saturday, to give them ten days prep before a big three weeks.

A lot of words to say nothing!

Yep. I think he’s doing a good job of leaving his options open, but looks like he’s aiming for the near-test team for Waratahs on Wednesday. Plenty of rest for those guys and the final warmup game allowing everyone else to fight for their spot.

I think Aki/Ringrose ahead by default at the moment, with both national combos now getting a runout in the next two games, and knowing Huwipulotu can drop in with Russell more easily than the other way around.

I’ve previously been really put off by the immediate separation in test/midweek teams and think Farrell has done a great job mixing it up.

Beirne in for Pollock at 6 today. Nobody has really demanded that shirt yet (we all assumed Curry would) and I think Farrell will want a Chessum/Beirne at 6 option at least in the 23, if not starting.

VDM in the backrow I’d like to see.

How strong was the temptation to add fazbag.

Tui shows finn how to pass at the line. These should be the starting centres. But won't be.

nice d, Fin Smith on the gainline good to see...nice try.

Sh@t restart again. Scrum strong, Earl needs to look for support

Smith has looked great at the line but his kicking has been pretty bad all tour. Lots of kicks to nobody. Strange.

R3dders wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 11:16 am How strong was the temptation to add fazbag.

Tui shows finn how to pass at the line. These should be the starting centres. But won't be.

low I'd hope. Fin S loo.king good. Agree on centres

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 11:22 am Smith has looked great at the line but his kicking has been shite all tour. Strange.

yeah, kicks at odd times...eg Beirne as lone chaser.

Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 11:23 am

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 11:22 am Smith has looked great at the line but his kicking has been shite all tour. Strange.

yeah, kicks at odd times...eg Beirne as lone chaser.

If only the Lions had a fly-half available that has never done a bad kick…

think need to truck up more and better. half backs need to sort that

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 11:28 am

Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 11:23 am

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 11:22 am Smith has looked great at the line but his kicking has been shite all tour. Strange.

yeah, kicks at odd times...eg Beirne as lone chaser.

If only the Lions had a fly-half available that has never done a bad kick…

lol.

Fin, go out and kick badly so I can pick my boy

Is there anything finn can do to get criticised ball in hand? He's not been able to unlock this defence in 2t mins and offered zero running threat. Not really sure he's having a good game at all.

ben earl being dim

Earl is really not used to utilising backs is he.