Off Topic Ospreys, Wales & BIL

Liam Williams on the bench though, not Henderson

 

Ah Cummings, the lover of all leaks.

 

Putting Party Politics to the side, it must be falling for Boris to see that the guy merely used him …. Definitely not a friend

 

I am afraid that's politics Taff, people use people to get their ideas implemented and for them to climb the greasy pole. It's a mucky business.

 

Fully agree - virtually every Prime Minister’s career has ended with a degree of heartache.

 

So the leaked side was spot on! I'm a little disappointed but Gats knows what he wants and usually gets results. Still, it feels like we're missing some "magic" somehow. Looks like a Gats functional side to do a job.

 

https://www.premiershiprugby.com/ne...agement-action-plan-for-the-professional-game

So the Swansea based company’s gumshield is being used in the English Premiership

 

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport...jqaZ93WoSOKIlzacM8PTpJ026iq6uOVtfg0VnA6OXfJJg

 

It hints at selection by committee - something I would definitely not have imagined where Gats is concerned. If Adams is not going to figure in the tests then why bother going at all and miss the birth of his kid?

 

I agree - I do wonder if giving Townsend a ‘final’ say on some selections was necessary in order to get him to agree to join the Coaching Team?

 

Pumped ready for the first test tomorrow boys. Score predictions? I’ll start SA 19 - 33 BIL

 

Neil Francis should have been punched much harder by Copsey (I was there!)

Former Ireland forward Neil Francis was on Friday night sacked as a columnist and commentator by one of the country’s leading newspapers after describing British & Irish Lions star Marcus Smith as having “an ****-*** tan”.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57946171

 

As long as - defensively - Hogg and Duhan step up to the plate, then I think the Lions can win, subject of course to ‘fair play’ from the local TMO. Chances are, he will be as neutral as an Irish TMO officiating in Leinster …..

Anyway, I’m going 21-25 to the BIL

 

Look at this for a punch tho Taff

 

Loosehead prop, Wyn Jones has been ruled out of this evening’s first Test against South Africa with a minor shoulder injury picked up in training on Thursday and will replaced in the starting XV by Rory Sutherland (Worcester Warriors, Scotland).

Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) comes into the matchday 23 to take a place on the bench.

“It’s really bad luck for Wyn and we all feel for him missing out on tonight’s game,” said Warren Gatland, Head Coach for The British & Irish Lions.

“However, we’re confident he’ll be back in training next week and have no plans to bring in anyone else at this stage.”

 

I think it's going to be tight, especially as the team selected appears to have been picked purely from a physicality aspect. We shall soon find out!

 

The selection and tactics are backfiring so far as SA are winning the physical battle. Silly pens aren't helping.

I just hope the bench makes a difference second half.

 

Personally, I think my concerns about Hogg and VDM are being validated - unfortunately….

I’d put Liam on at full back, move Daly to the left wing, and put Farrell in the centre.

I’d also put Mako on in the front row.