Oh! That's a different story if he's that deeply embedded. The 6N should be asking RFU to explain his role with England in detail in that case.
Worth a listen.
Screams MAIN CHARACTER SYNDROME
https://sportstories247.podbean.com/e/christophe-ridley-professional-rugby-union-referee-and-performance-leadership-coach/
My gratification comes from a ‘quiet arrogance’
Those three things are written down and I have them with me in my changing room to remind me why I am here.
I am consciously and constantly surrounding myself with experts. I am looking to gain and transfer skills from all walks of life
I am aware that it is never ending and I need to be constantly aware that I have something to learn
People say - you are an average of the people you associate yourself with.
Show me your friends and I will show you your future
Planned with Pure authenticity
Boyle back training with Leinster
The French defense was really poor I thought. The Italian tries were excellent, lovely attacking shapes, but I can't imagine Edwards will be happy with how easily italy cut through them repeatedly. I think we could get a lot of change out of them. Might call for a change in gameplan though, kicking possession away to their back 3 doesn't seem like the best shout. Barre looked brilliant, but he's young and untested, definitely one to target if he plays.
He would've started for England in the period between Wilko and Farrell. He'd never start for Wales. France had better OHs, just batshit coaches. Michalak and Trinh Duc were both better imo, certainly in the context of French style. He wouldn't start for any of the SH teams. SA had Steyn, who was basically a ROG who could tackle. Aus had Larkham, Giteau, Cooper etc. He's not starting over them. Every OH NZ had as a starter for the last 20 yrs would be ahead of him, bar Donald. Likewise Argentina.
Does that mean he won't be on the bence for French game
No, he started against the Ospreys two weeks ago.
Would imagine that even though he's back training with Leinster he's not available for selection for Leinster this weekend.
“But I think, and this is a big statement, Sam Prendergast will start in that first Test of the Lions series against the Wallabies. Dan Bigger on Planet Rugby .
Interesting
If we win the championship, and Leinster win a trophy this year, he'd have to be in pole position
Is that Jamie Heaslip's LinkedIn?
I'd say any Irish starter is in pole position, just like Welsh starters always got the benefit of the doubt when Gatland was in charge. Unless Andy decides to go with and Outhalf even closer to home.
A little off topic but I'm heading into the open training session on Thursday with a 3 year old and just wondering where the best place to park close to the West stand? Cheers!
Mack Hansen to get a central contact. Great news. Thought he was very good on the weekend. Hopefully getting back to his form of 2023
Would you not be better off trying to P&R using the DART
I do wonder if that will actually be the case. Farrell will have a while to build up a bit of familiarity and coherence amongst the players - I wonder if he might surprise people with his selections. I don't think he is nearly as focussed/dependent on the crutch of familiarity that Gatland was.
For Farrell’s entire Ireland tenure, he’s been dependant on the “crutch of familiarity” with Leinster players. The Lions will be the same. In fact even more so, since he’ll have even less time with the players than he does with Ireland. I’d be amazed if there isn’t at least 15 Irish in the test 23.
He surely can't pick his own son? I don't watch the T14 but the reports are that Owen's form has not been great.
I'd say only the following Irish are truly in pole position;
Porter - very likely starter
Sheehan - nailed on
Beirne - very likely
Doris - nailed on
JGP - nailed on
Lowe - very likely
After that, guys like Aki, Keenan, Conan, VDF, Ringrose are definitely in with a big chance but have really strong competition.
Yeah - just feels completely at odds with the whole point of the Lions. Why bother if you're not going to create surprising new partnerships, fresh tactics based on the complementary talents of players coming together for the first time? Seems pointless.
Think this is pretty much on the money.
I think Farrell is much more likely to do this than his predecessor, mainly because he's a better coach who allows others to express themselves, whereas gatland really only had one style of play.
The starting test teams , while majority Irish (being the best team) will have more than sufficient Scots, Welsh and English.
Yeah, that's why Farrell has been such a poor coach with awful results and playing style. Because he keeps picking inferior players from Leinster, as opposed to more talented players from unfamiliar other provinces? Did I get that right?
There isn't a hope Owen F gets picked, if he does its laughable tbh.
Sam p keeps racking up games b4 May he'll prob go but I don't see him starting.
If it was a tour v SA or NZ I think there would be alot more commentary about weather SP should go or not.
M Smith for me, he was v good in the opening game in Dublin, if Borthwick played to his strengths he'd be better again.
Bull.
He'll take whatever Irish players will help him to win, no matter where they play Club rugby.
And that will include Tadhg Beirne and Bundee Aki and most likely Mack Hansen.
Doesn't look likely he'll play again at 10 this 6N though. That can't help his case.
Yes I'd agree with that, 10 options for lions are not exactly flush though.
It'll be interesting.
Doris ,Sheehan, Porter, Lowe & JGP are all starters for me.
There's alot of rugby to be played yet & a few injuries to come yet on law of averages
Lowe v Van Der Merwe is a big call, assuming IFW is ruled out. Freeman has to be favourite on the other wing with Graham out of the picture for now.
Curry and Doris I'd say will be in the back row. Morgan might complete that to give some balance and Wales a bit of representation.
Could be interesting that Prendergast and M Smith will go head-to-head again before the squad is announced.
And potentially the winner could meet Fin Smith in the semi-finals.
I think Lowe is a cert, VdM is weak densively
Disappointed for Graham, has improved all round a lot in the last 2 seasons
Doris Curry Morgan in back row
I wouldn't say Lowe is defensively strong either though, he is prone to defensive brain farts especially when under pressure.
Id still have him over VDM.
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