British Lions

[William Treseder]

Re: British Lions

Not Farrell. Slightly surprised he’s going curry and not van der flier at 7, especially as curry not a real 7 - imho, but more of a 6 and a half! Honestly didnt think jak ever had a proper chance, however well he went in warm ups. Think the call up of the prodigal told you all you need to know about Farrell snr and his view on reputation v form. Call me small minded but ‘come on Australia’!

I don’t want to argue with you, as we’re on the same side, but when Owen Farrell came on last Saturday, he was a class above. His ability and experience, makes him a cert for the 1st test squad, imo.
The fact that we have almost zero representation, seems to be clouding our views and our excitement for this tour.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: British Lions

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cx2lj3zngj5o

I don't watch enough rugby these days to be able to debate that selection with any confidence, but I would say that it's those at the WRU who became so complacent during Gatland's best days with us who are to blame for the embarrassment it causes, not Andy Farrell.

[Trigger]

Re: British Lions

Not Farrell. Slightly surprised he’s going curry and not van der flier at 7, especially as curry not a real 7 - imho, but more of a 6 and a half! Honestly didnt think jak ever had a proper chance, however well he went in warm ups. Think the call up of the prodigal told you all you need to know about Farrell snr and his view on reputation v form. Call me small minded but ‘come on Australia’!

Yes small minded

Farrell would have picked enough Welshman for you to get behind if everything about Welsh rugby at the moment wasn't so pathetic and useless.

Over the three tests I'm sure we will see Morgan at some point but even then it's an absolute embarrassment for the WRU who seem to have such thick skin that they themselves are probably blaming Farrell too.

[Lord Worcester]

Re: British Lions

I don’t want to argue with you, as we’re on the same side, but when Owen Farrell came on last Saturday, he was a class above. His ability and experience, makes him a cert for the 1st test squad, imo.
The fact that we have almost zero representation, seems to be clouding our views and our excitement for this tour.

Some interesting responses. And I respect everyone’s’ opinions - whatever they are. But despite a decent 30 mins off the bench in a warm up game, no one will ever convince me that the selection of his son as a call up to the lions squad was and is justified. I live in Worcestershire, friendly with a number of die hard English rugby fans, and genuinely, not many agree with it.

On the jac Morgan selection, I probably am biased, but I simply believe he is a better 7 than curry, and certainly a more in form 7. But I accept that is just opinion.

[Lord Worcester]

Re: British Lions

Yes small minded

Farrell would have picked enough Welshman for you to get behind if everything about Welsh rugby at the moment wasn't so pathetic and useless.

Over the three tests I'm sure we will see Morgan at some point but even then it's an absolute embarrassment for the WRU who seem to have such thick skin that they themselves are probably blaming Farrell too.

I recognise there was never going to be ‘enough’ welshmen in the squad - indeed I was pleasantly surprised when tomos Williams was selected. Always expected jac Morgan to be in the squad. And having watched the games thus far, and closely watched, as best you can, Jac’s performances, I don’t believe he was ever really in contention for the test side. I hope you are right and we see him before the series is done - but personally I doubt it.

[William Treseder]

Re: British Lions

Surely it’s time to scrap the Lions, and have a 1 off game every 2 yrs, the northern hemisphere v the southern hemisphere.
That would be something to savour.

[Trigger]

Re: British Lions

Surely it’s time to scrap the Lions, and have a 1 off game every 2 yrs, the northern hemisphere v the southern hemisphere.
That would be something to savour.

Nah it's a great tradition I think and something the players on both sides take a lot of pride in. Some things just don't need to be meddled with.

What makes you think it's time to scrap it?

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Re: British Lions

Nah it's a great tradition I think and something the players on both sides take a lot of pride in. Some things just don't need to be meddled with.

What makes you think it's time to scrap it?

I think it should be scrapped too.

For a number of reasons including player burn out, I see it as a glorified Baa Baas team and a bit pointless in this day and age.

[LA Bluebird]

Re: British Lions

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-un...s/cx2lj3zngj5o

I don't watch enough rugby these days to be able to debate that selection with any confidence, but I would say that it's those at the WRU who became so complacent during Gatland's best days with us who are to blame for the embarrassment it causes, not Andy Farrell.

Funny enough I was thinking something very similar today at work when I read that article Bob. I think if anything having the best coach in the world and a unusual golden generation of players made the WRU who aren't a particularly competent organization at the best of times truly complacent and blind to what has been obvious fundamental issues with Welsh rugby going back to the dawn of the professional era.

Had we had a more average coach and one or two fewer world class players, we'd probably have been battling the Scots for fourth in the Six Nations most of those years and we may have experienced the same decent turnaround they currently are. The only question at this point is if it's terminal at this point or can be saved. We have by far the worst regional setup, the least investment in the game and fewer kids coming through than any of the major rugby playing nations at this point, and I'm not sure where the money or interest is coming from to turn it around.

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

Re: British Lions

Nah it's a great tradition I think and something the players on both sides take a lot of pride in. Some things just don't need to be meddled with.

What makes you think it's time to scrap it?

Well, I agree with you. It's the pinnacle for any rugby player to represent the Lions. No need for change just for the sake of it.

[Eric Cartman]

Re: British Lions

I think this squad would be heading towards 0-3 against SA or NZ but this aussie team are a few notches below. The lions backline just lacks any sort of spark outside of the centre partnership and Lowe, that back row is completely immobile, earl and chessum as cover is just plain odd when you look at the resources.

Live by the sword, die by the sword for Farrell.

[William Treseder]

Re: British Lions

Nah it's a great tradition I think and something the players on both sides take a lot of pride in. Some things just don't need to be meddled with.

What makes you think it's time to scrap it?

I feel it’s time to move on a bit now. The Tri nations became the Rugby Championship once Argentina joined. The 4 nations became the 5 nations when France joined and then the 6 nations when Italy joined.
When ever the Lions tour, the games against the provincial sides are imo a complete waste of time.
Creating a one off game every 2 or 4 yrs between the best of the NH and SH on a home and away rota would make for a much better event to watch, and would give the chance for exceptional players from France, Italy etc and Fiji Tonga Samoa etc the chance to shine on a bigger stage.
Whilst we are at it, I’d create another 6 nations division to try and improve other NH rugby union playing nations, and introduce relegation and Promotion. In that system, Wales would have been relegated last season and replaced by someone like Georgia.
Wales would then have to top the 2nd division next season to get back in with the big boys.

[William Treseder]

Re: British Lions

France taking it to the All Blacks in the 3rd and final test match in Hamilton. Although already 2-0 down in the series, they’ve been very impressive in this first half of the final game. Still a big ask to win it though.

[JamesWales]

Re: British Lions

Well they lost, so NZ 3-0 France.

Hard not to admire the All Blacks but they are definitely one of my least favourite sporting teams.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: British Lions

Very early impressions of the first test, this may be a truly outstanding Lions team, but they’ll never get recognised as such because they’ll always have “but you were only playing Australia” thrown at them.