Off Topic Ospreys, Wales & BIL

Cowan-Dickie, Beard, Furlong, Price and Smith doing their Test chances the World of good so far.

 

Smith has impressed throughout. Can see him being on the bench next week - at least

I think Gats will start with Biggar at 10 - Smith has been outstanding but Gats doesn’t usually go for/trust ‘flair’ players. Ask Hooky

 

Warburton has gone for:

15 Williams
14 Watson
13 Daly
12 Aki
11 Adams
10 Biggar
9 Murray
8 Faletau
7 Curry
6 Beirne
5 AWJ
4 Itoje
3 Furlong
2 LCD
1 Mako

If he is to be involved, I’d definitely start AWJ - if he came off the bench and ‘broke down’ after 5 - 10 minutes, we’d end up with only 1 lock and a makeshift back rower playing in the second row.

Personally, I wouldn’t start Daly, I’d play Henshaw or Harris with Daly on the bench, given his versatility.

I’d also play Price as he is the form the scrum half.

 

The centre combination is a tricky one, personally I would go for Rogers and Henshaw with Daly on the bench. Daly's kicking game is really useful but not good enough for him to replace Liam at 15. Rogers looks to be the most in form centre and I think Gat will go for one hard running centre so either Henshaw or Aki. Price gets the back line moving so I too would start him.
The back row is another tricky area. I think it will be Faleteau and Curry and a close call between Beirne and Lawes.
I am not sure what will happen with AWJ, if he is fit enough I would play him. I agree it's too much of a gamble to have him on the bench.

 

Glam - do you mean Harris? (Not Rogers)

 

Sorry Taff yes Harris. I know a Chris Rogers and I don't think he would get in the Lions team

 

I thinks Warb's selection is not far off. I think Furlong is nailed at 3 but 1 and 2 could be different.

Daly on the bench for his versatility is a good shout but he's played 4(?) games at 13, so maybe Gats is preferring this. I too would have Price instead of Murray.

Biggar will surely start but could we see Smith on the bench and no Farrell at all?

Whatever the line up the Lions have to start with more dynamism than they have so far. The bench will be very strong, whoever is there and should give them the better finish to the game than SA, who I think will be the more tired as well. Really looking forward to the series!

 

JPR’s selection.

I think Watson will start ahead of LRZ.

I think Beirne will be blindside. I can’t choose between Watson and Curry. Both should play/deserve selection but I think Gats will want Beirne for his size.

 

Maybe JPR's a little one eyed? LRZ is not ready for this, Gats will definitely go with someone more physical, i.e. Watson. We may see LRZ if we're 2 - 0 up!

I agree on Beirne. I'm not sure it matters who starts or who comes off the bench as regards Watson and Curry. So hard to second guess Gats at this point.

 

Yes looks like JPR is a little bit biased to the Welsh boys. I expect Wyn Jones will be on the bench and look to make a 2nd half impact. Similar role for LRZ. Hamish Watson doesn't seem to have made the same impact as he has done in the 6 nations. So I don't think he will make the test team

 

I wonder if Mako will be off the bench rather than Wyn Jones. I think Wyn is the better / stronger scrummager?

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see Mako start but Wyn definitely brings more to the scrum in the 2nd half

 

We've consistently started slowly on the tour so it might be a good ploy to have a really strong bench to come on and take control of the game. The Boks bench won't be as good and with all their problems of Covid and lack of match sharpness I can see us pulling away as they fade a little.

I'm not sure LRZ will even make the bench as VDM is another physical presence but I would like to see him involved. I just hope Pivac's turned a corner as Wales really do have some great players.

 

If Gats decides on a 6-2 split on the bench, LRZ definitely won’t be included. Murray (or Price) plus Daly (if not in theXV), Farrell or Hogg given their versatility, plus each of them could take the goal kicking duties should Biggar be injured.

I’m not sure that he would make it even if the split was 5-3

 

Plenty of shocks in the Lions test team if the leaks are correct. No Liam, no Josh Adams and AWJ is in

 

Gatland mind games?

That said, Gatland has gone for bulk up front. He rates Lawes whilst in fairness, Conan has been better than Faletau so far.
The real surprise for me is Josh Adams …..
If the leaks are correct

 

Where is this leak supposedly from?

Not the team any of the pundits have picked but nothing would surprise me with Gats. He does get results though.

 

My son saw the same team as Glam posted on Twitter

 

The leaks are correct. Gat picking fire to meet fire

 

Wonder if the leak came from Dominic Cummings …..