I think Ryan was quoted in his press conference saying that Henderson will be calling the lineout so it's pretty set to be both of them starting 2nd row.
he'd be backup 10 and pushing Sexton.
I'd absolutely be starting Casey in this game. I think he's definitley good enough and he's well suited to playing a high tempo game
I'd keep the midfield as settled as possible given we'll be changing both halfbacks and a settled, experienced centre pairing will take pressure of Joey.
I'd be inclined to let Porter bench as he played 76 minutes last week, but there's also the argument that he needs as many minutes at LH as possible. Either way I'm not fussed.
It could be beneficial to look at other options in the back 3. Zebo and Baloucoune on the wings would sure be exciting.
Perhaps Conan could be given a rest as he did start all 3 Lions tests and it would give us a chance to see Beirne in the backrow or Coombes?
For Me, I'd guess he'll start all the subs from last week and rest the starters as much as he can, while also giving minutes to as many of the Squad as he can.
Hopefully he has confidence in the full squad, and not just the first 23
He also was the Connacht outhalf when they won the Pro 14. I reckon he would be our backup outhalf as well.
5 years ago maybe. The opposition he faces in the premiership isnt a massive step down from what he will face at test level. Impossible to say where he's at until he's tested at CC level at least.
The opposition he faces in the premiership isnt a massive step down from what he will face at test level.
Hang on. In the summer, weren't you saying the premiership was crap when Sam Simmonds got picked for the Lions?
Outside of three or four good sides, the standard of the Aviva Premiership isn't that high. Even Exeter aren't the force of a few seasons ago.
Never said it was crap, Simply said what someone does in the premiership is a massive step down from test level, Gatland showed that by not selecting Simmonds in any test match.
A lot of the team in the Premiership are not in a million miles of test level. Saracens spent the last season in the second league and are currently second in the table behind a Leicester team which couldn't string together two results last year. The likes of Worcester, Bath, Wasps, London Irish, Newcastle, Glouceser etc are all poor teams. None of which would expect to get anywhere in Europe
Most of them are a million miles off test level, this is shown in the Champions Cup when they get smashed by Pro14 and Top14 sides regularly. Maybe Leicester being so good is an indictment of how bad the other sides are? We'll see in the CC where Leicester really stand.
He's realised that the audience he gets from this stance is more appealing to him than the audience he got prior to his "telling it like it is" stance.
He likes the notoriety.
Edit: sorry, posted before warning
I'm confused you've just posted this.
'The opposition he faces in the premiership isnt a massive step down from what he will face at test level'
Which is it?
what someone does in the premiership is a massive step down from test level
So which is it?
Gatland showed that by not selecting Simmonds in any test match.
Simmonds played in the 3rd test bro
I'm jumping. Hes amazing. USA USA!
Can you point to me where I said the premiership is, as you said, crap? Its not a bad standard at all, just well short of international standard just like most club level games. The only standard that I would consider close to test standard is the Champions Cup.
Its a good standard, just not a good enough standard for test rugby. Pretty self explanatory isnt it? You can be good but just not good enough you know.
Hold on a sec.... The only standard you would consider close to test standard is Champions Cup. Simmonds got European player of the year. Yet you claimed his Lions inclusion was a "mockery".
Logic, UAEguy style.
Simmonds based on his CC form was good enough to get selected for England. Being selected for the Lions series is another story completely. Also another factor you missed is the Lions series was the season after he got CC player of the year, and if anything the way he was exposed against Leinster would show why he wasnt getting selected for England in the first place.
Pretty self explanatory isnt it?
No because what you actually wrote in one post totally contradicted your next post.
Anyway Iifes to short for this crap.
I'm out.
Ummmm...no....no I didnt. Im sure you understand that impressing for England isnt as big as impressing in the CC...surely even you can understand that.
You've actually reached the point where you're arguing with yourself, having exhausted all other options.
'Even you'
Obnoxious aren't you.
Personal abuse now.
Why are people still engaging?
You're arguing with yourself Molloy.
Murray Kinsellas possible/probable/purple monkey dishwasher team.
If right I thought there might be more changes. Be great to see Rob B get a start though.
See, if you took a moment to consider the possibility that you might be wrong, you’d see pretty clearly that, yes, you did totally contradict yourself:
Surely even you can understand that?
(So, now, will you hold your hands up and admit your error or double-down?)
He is probably trying to decide if he has the testicular fortitude to admit he has fucked up or whether he has has the balls to keep digging.
No changes to the pack would be a bit of a surprise. Would prefer to see a 2-3 more changes in there, tbh, but looking forward to seeing how Joey goes, and also Baloucoune.
