Bad news for Scotland if this is the case
Prendergast, Crowley, Fin Smith and Marcus Smith are better options than Russell for Lions 10
He's so poor in the crunch.
Lions starter? Shouldn't even be on the plane.
Russell once again proving himself to be a total messer and the most overrated player in world rugby.
As much as I'm annoyed England won, I hate Russell so I will take it. Awful, all round
And the penalty not making touch in the corner and the aimless wide wide passing going backwards .....solid tackler though
I don't get why anyone thinks Russell should be in the Lions, never delivered when it matters.
Russell missed the conversion in the 78th minute to put Scotland ahead. He shanked a penalty in the 80th minute and left at least 15 metres off his kick. Then he threw a howler of a pass to force Scotland backwards in their final possession.
I'm done pretending that he's a a world class 10. There are at least two better players in his position in the home nations.
Finn Russell didnt do his "nailed on for the lions" yeah any use today.
No selectable 10 has put themselves forward for that jersey. Prendergast might travel, but won't play a test game unless there's severe injuries, and even at that I wouldn't be surprised to see him usurped if there was. His defensive laps are too obvious at this level (though he's not the turnstile some posters present). His positioning and contact skills arent up to scratch yet.
I'd challenge anyone to tell me any game against a tier 1 nation (apart from England) where Russell played well?
He lives off a reputation of a couple of good performances against England and being avoid club level player. He has never been close to being a world class 10 in my mind.
That was a disgraceful decision. Itoje was leaning on a Scottish player, clearly not supporting his weight.
Thought Kinghorn was brutal again too. Two matches in a row where he has shat the bed.
I thought Finn Smith was good actually, now there is a tackler! But also he is very cool under pressure and brave in contact. Could be him and Prendergast and Crowley.
Not only that, but how can you be over the ball before the ruck forms and this be allowed to lift the ball, when you literally have to reach over the guy who is already over the ball and has formed the ruck. It was a terrible decision based on something only in the refs mind.
I honestly think Crowley is the best 10 for the Lions. But he's not playing so hard to pick him.
Thought Van De Merve could have made more of putting that ball down closer in given the time left. His momentum would have carried him if he’d tried. Even had an option to pass to a player in a better position.
Rucks in general are just impossible, it's like tackling in GAA(even more bizarre, one can pull and drag but only a bit?!?!), very much referees interpretation. For example if two players are in contact on their feet over the ball, noone can touch the ball and also if you come off your feet which happens all the time, you have to roll away but somehow we end up with both hands in and players on their knees staying in the ruck area, all the time. Also the gate, where exactly is it? Is it moving? Like if you clear players past the ruck how far before you are past it and players can run around you v them coming in from the side? It's completely just subjective judgements.
I was screaming the same at the TV.
I'll draw ire, but I think SP has shown more stones to turn things around under pressure this tournament than I've ever seen from Russell. Russell just starts whining and forcing things and blaming everyone but himself. Giving out about the maul being awarded at the end, when England were only able to make those tackles because his winger had to deal with his awful pass. Have said it before, his attitude makes him a liability. Wouldn't want him in any squad I support, tbh.
Russell took the kick from 4 or 5m over to the touchline then he should have too
He definitely looked wider out than the line from where the ball was grounded. Not much, but still.
Watching it on +1 and he was. Van de M knew too he should have done better
M Smith Farrel and Crowley would be my pick for the lions.
Russel played himself off the plane today.
Prendergast can't defend or attack, but he has a nice spiral kick.
Sure thing kiddo.
Pendergast is still young and needs to add a few pounds, I don't want to pick on the young fella but for Wales try in the second half when Morgan went over with two other Welsh players coming in behind him, JVF was left on his own to try to stop the try. I noticed Prendergast had himself on the wrong side of the goal post as the play developed, and he stayed there ,leaving Van Der Flier isolated. I just said to myself at the time "ah you bottled it there lad".
As said, don't like criticising a young player but this is top level sport not a game down the local pitch.
It's going to be the hardest position to fill competently in the Lions squad to be honest. No obvious standout.
agree that Crowley could sneak in as ten, though F Smith will have more opportunities to prove his case. Russell is too flaky and SP isn’t there yet to gel with a new team in a few weeks.
don't take it so personally.
it's a discussion forum
You don't think f smith has been impressive?
I feel like he is the main reason England are actually starting to win a few games.
F SMith has been good.
Faz likes players that play in multitude of positions.
I haven't watched the english league much, but I've seen Crowley and M Smith play internationally at 15 & 10, and Farrell play at 10 & 12.
He's too slow and stiff too. No deception in his running style so it's easy to read and his little stutter pass is becoming predictable and he's bring targeted.
