Lions Tour

Wyn Jones looks grand

razorblunt

Van der Merwe is a defensive liability.
SA won't care about his attacking threat but they'll fancy a go down that side.

Squidgy Black

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Wyn Jones looks grand

Yeah they showed him in the stands with the rest of the players earlier in the second half and he was holding his arm a little awkwardly but certainly didn't look like he was in a lot of pain or anything.

Hopefully was just a stinger

fitz

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Wyn Jones looks grand

Yeah, you'd hope it's not the end of the tour for him, but I wouldn't be surprised.

Blackheath

AWJ looks positive and in good form at the end any sign of Tipuric at the end

Clegg

Thought all the Irish contingent played well. But Conan, Henshaw and Aki all played especially well. Hopefully Conan's injury isn't too serious. One or two more performances of that quality and he'll be threatening Faletau's starting spot.

RugbyLover123

It was a Twitter vote and it was up at like 50 minutes into the game.

Only 3 options. Biggar, Beirne & VDM.

phily2002

Clegg wrote: »

Thought all the Irish contingent played well. But Conan, Henshaw and Aki all played especially well. Hopefully Conan's injury isn't too serious. One or two more performances of that quality and he'll be threatening Faletau's starting spot.

Yeah Conan was class, Faletau didn't look great, he seems to have lost a bit of aggression in defense, his tackling was soft and even in the 6 nations he was run over a few times.
Simmonds also has a big chance to get a look in.

Clegg

Virgin are also reporting a dislocated shoulder for AWJ.

prawnsambo

Clegg wrote: »

Virgin are also reporting a dislocated shoulder for AWJ.

Yeah, he's pretty much done according to Gatland. Will be scanned, but they'll be looking for a replacement.

Cookiemunster

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Wyn Jones looks grand

Why, what happened to Wyn Jones? Alun Wyn didn't look to bad though.

yerrahbah

Absolutely gutted for AWJ.

bilston

Gutting for Alun Wyn and a blow to the Lions.

TRC10

So so gutted for AWJ.

Fully deserved the chance to lead the Lions on tour.

He was on track to play in 12 consecutive tests, which would have been out of this world in the pro era.

Huge loss.

TRC10

Jonny Gray couldn't have timed that try better

Buer

TRC10 wrote: »

Jonny Gray couldn't have timed that try better

Whilst JG and Ryan are the clear frontrunners, could see Gatland rethinking things and selecting another back row player rather than a replacement lock. They're very well stocked in the second row even with AWJ gone. They have two opensides with injury issues now and no dedicated blindside.

There are only 5 matches before the first test. Itoje and Hill haven't joined up and need game time. They'll need to cement a new partnership at lock quickly.

I wouldn't bet against guys like Stander or Navidi being in with a very good shot of a call up to replace AWJ as overall cover. I'm not sure Gatland sees anyone else as a realistic test option ahead of guys already there.

If he follows the same selection approach in terms of player style and goes with a lock, Jake Ball is a left field option. Gatland selected him regularly and he's 120kg+. Very much in the Johnny Hill mould.

TRC10

Buer wrote: »

Whilst JG and Ryan are the clear frontrunners, could see Gatland rethinking things and selecting another back row player rather than a replacement lock. They're very well stocked in the second row even with AWJ gone. They have two opensides with injury issues now and no dedicated blindside.

There are only 5 matches before the first test. Itoje and Hill haven't joined up and need game time. They'll need to cement a new partnership at lock quickly.

I wouldn't bet against guys like Stander or Navidi being in with a very good shot of a call up to replace AWJ as overall cover. I'm not sure Gatland sees anyone else as a realistic test option ahead of guys already there.

If he follows the same selection approach in terms of player style and goes with a lock, Jake Ball is a left field option. Gatland selected him regularly and he's 120kg+. Very much in the Johnny Hill mould.

It had crossed my mind. But I'm not sure about that.

Beirne is going to be used purely at 6. And although he came on at lock today due to injury, I can see Lawes being the other 6 and it being a straight shootout between him and Beirne. Can't see Curry being played at 6, I think it's clear what type of 6 Gatland wants and Curry doesn't fit the bill.

There's lots of cover at 7 and 8 with three players in each position.

That leaves just Itoje, Hill and Henderson as the locks. And you need at least 4 so you can rotate between weekend and midweek

It would be a shift in mindset from Gatland if he now decided he was going to use Beirne or Lawes as a lock and select a smaller 6. And I don't see that happening. He knows the game he wants to play to beat SA and I don't think one injury will make him change his mindset.

roverjoyce

I wonder does George Kruis come into consideration
Lion from 4 years ago and can run a line out for the mid week team

Blackheath

Cowan Dickie is out of the Lions tour. Baxter has confirmed that he will miss out

Burkie1203

https://twitter.com/SDM_Robertson/status/1408889043685937152?s=19

Former Former Former

Adam Beard??

Ah here.

LuckyGent88

Adam beard over James Ryan or Gray!! What the actual ****!!!

On another note; Murray is now the tour captain

Cosmo Kramer

Conor Murray is the new captain.

eigrod

Delighted for Conor Murray. What a great honour. Good luck Conor.

P.Walnuts

Murray new captain

Burkie1203

Burkie1203 wrote: »

https://twitter.com/SDM_Robertson/status/1408889043685937152?s=19

That's astonishing if true. Absurd.

If Cowan Dickie is out I suspect Kelleher is in for a call up but given the first two replacements who knows.

LuckyGent88

Navidi for Tipuric is completely understandable but Adam beard for Jones!!! Really. That’s mind boggling.

thomond2006

OUTRAGE

Cosmo Kramer

Former Former Former wrote: »

Adam Beard??

Ah here.

Welsh quota had to be maintained!:)

Maybe Gatland couldn't listen to any more of McBryde and Townsend batting for Ryan and Gray and decided to take neither of them.

yerrahbah

Wow, how far down the list is James Ryan?

I guess he just doesn't have what Gatland is looking for in a lock