Osborne called up

[Banquo]

....I guess now Sabbath have stopped, time on his hands https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 35832vz7ro

[Stom]

Honestly... this Lions team seems so unbalanced. But I guess that's testament to how few decent backs have been picked by the home nations the past few years.

What I don't understand is...surely Jordan or another Scot is worth a slot?

Someone who can provide cover in multiple positions.

But, hey, maybe this 8 cap lad is a test match animal, just like the HC's son...

[Mikey Brown]

I thought being a utility back was Osborne’s whole thing?

Can’t say I’ve ever noticed him, beyond being a useful/versatile cog in the Leinster machine - which isn’t nothing.

Jordan had a great 6 nations. Could arguably have been a form selection originally, but with Farrell in the squad the need at 10/12 is much less and he’s still a relatively inexperienced fullback. I think Osborne covers 13/wing and fullback so I guess I understand it.

Still… f**k Leinster etc.

That’s a massive shame if Kinghorn is out.

[Spiffy]

Yes. Osborne is a proper utility back who can cover FB/12/13/wing. He is a big strong lad with good basic skills who can do most things well, as well as a cannon of a left boot. He played particularly well at FB against S.Africa last summer. A like-for-like player like that should have been called up to replace Daly in the first place instead of the very limted Faz. Osborne's major drawback is the lack of a couple of metres of real top end pace, just like the rest of his Lions mates. The dynamic little Blair Murray would have been good FB/wing cover.

[FKAS]

I'd have liked to have seen Jordan over Fazlet. Would have allowed for readymade cover before the latest injury for Kinghorn. Osborne is a handy utility back but maybe a bit solid all rounder more than someone who's going to push for test selection.