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British and Irish Lions

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8060361.stm

Fuck me. The injury list just keeps on a comin', and we haven't even had the HEC final yet:(. Gutted for 1/2p - hope to hell he recovers in time. Reckon they'll bring in Paterson to replace him, as I have a suspicion that he was picked more as a goalkicking backup than a wing. What with Wellies who gets seasick over 30 yards and Onan 'consistency' O'Boyzone, we'll certainly need one on the bench at least. Remember Jughead in South Africa last time? Couldn't play 15 for shit, but was a far, far better kicking option than Gregor Townsend.

Croft no surprise.

Flannery a BIG worry. Hooker is the weakest position in the squad, IMO, and Flannery is the only player in that position who even approaches international, let alone world, class. The possibility of Matthew "Iraqi Scud" Rees wonkily throwing towards Matfield and Botha is not only worrying, but seemingly very possible.
 
"Onan 'consistency' O'Boyzone"?

Agree about the hooker slot,a touch bare. Much as I rate Mears as a perfect player for Bath (quick, involved, good hands) I think he'll really struggle to compete against Smit et al.

*Bath cap off*
I note with interest that Thompson is back in the England squad. Now he is a very, very good player, occasional butter fingers in the line out aside. I'll watch the England games with interest.
 
mattie said:
Onan
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The seed spiller

'consistency'
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Of chicken broth

O'Boyzone"?
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Boyzone%20-%20Ballads.jpg


images
 
Hook being lined up to join the squad according to the Western Mail:

JAMES HOOK is set for a sensational Lions call up after the devastating injury blow which ruled Wales team-mate Leigh Halfpenny out of the start of the tour to South Africa.

Lions chiefs were last night running the rule over potential replacements for the Blues flier, with Hook, England’s Delon Armitage and the retiring Josh Lewsey top of the pecking order.

They were said to be nudging towards Hook, whose specialist goal kicking and creative flair, coupled with his ability to play at No10 or in the centre, was putting him ahead of the others.

Sources close to the Lions hierarchy said Hook was originally pencilled in for the tour, but the Ospreys’ abject Heineken Cup performance in Munster virtually wiped out his selection chances.

But we understand the Lions are ready to turn to Hook again, who would have to be pulled out of Wales’ two-Test tour to North America.
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As mentioned, he'd provide cover in four positions, esp at OH, and the kicking option that the Lions so desperately need. He doesn't come in as a replacement for 1/2P, who will join the tour late, recovery pending.
 
starfish said:
Should be a toss up between Ford & Best for this, unless, there is that fat English bloke in Brive.
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I'd think they'd go for Best, and even though I mentioned Thompson in a previous post - a very, very good player - I'd have thought even Hartley would be in front of him as an English option, and he's quite a way down the list.
 
mattie said:
I'd think they'd go for Best, and even though I mentioned Thompson in a previous post - a very, very good player - I'd have thought even Hartley would be in front of him as an English option, and he's quite a way down the list.
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English. Just like My Cat, Riki Flutey and Leslie Vainafallova.

The number of gouged Bokke eyes he leaves in his wake as he rampages around the pitch would be notable, however.

Very unpleasant fucking player if you ask me. I'd hate to see him representing the Lions.
 
bendeus said:
English. Just like My Cat, Riki Flutey and Leslie Vainafallova.

The number of gouged Bokke eyes he leaves in his wake as he rampages around the pitch would be notable, however.

Very unpleasant fucking player if you ask me. I'd hate to see him representing the Lions.
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Yes, English, in the same way Tom Shanklin is Welsh.

He certainly is a nasty bastard. I wasn't advocating him as a Lion, just pointing out that we stand more chance of seeing him in a red jersey this summer than we do Steve Thompson. Mainly because there's a place for nasty bastards. I just wish he'd channel nastiness into big hits as opposed to cheap shots.
 
Another Scottish great white hype. Notable for his utter lack of contribution this six nations, just like his compatriot, Blair. Dirt trackers one and all.
 
bendeus said:
Another Scottish great white hype. Notable for his utter lack of contribution this six nations, just like his compatriot, Blair. Dirt trackers one and all.
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The Welsh hookers aren't great, but are worthy of a plce in the midweek team. Its just a gesture to increase the woeful Scottish contingent!
 
1927 said:
The Welsh hookers aren't great, but are worthy of a plce in the midweek team. Its just a gesture to increase the woeful Scottish contingent!
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I wouldn't have Bennett or the Hibbardotomus in for Ford, TBH; they can't throw for shite. Gareth Williams, however..........

A pocket battleship. If he was a bit bigger he'd be fucking awesome.
 
Interesing that he's being brought in as 'a replacement for Halfpenny', even though 1/2p is a wing and he's an outside half/centre/fullback. Why is he not replacing Shanklin? My Hensonometer continues to twitch.
 
bendeus said:
Interesing that he's being brought in as 'a replacement for Halfpenny', even though 1/2p is a wing and he's an outside half/centre/fullback. Why is he not replacing Shanklin? My Hensonometer continues to twitch.
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You know that every tour throws up a surprise. Take the last one, Ryan Jones wasn't on the initial plane, goes out as a replacement, not even the first back rower to go over iirc, and was arguably the man of the tour once he got there!

Maybe the same will happen this time, Gav gets the call and turns in a couple of blinders, we can only hope, beacuse looking at the squad now it does look seriously weak in the backs. Options are dissappearing with every injury and we need Gav there!!
 
British & Irish Lions vs Royal XV

15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)
13. Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)
10. Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland)
9. Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland)

8. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
7. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
6. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
5. Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland) captain
4. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
3. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
2. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
1. Andrew Sheridan (Sales Sharks/England)

Replacements

16. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
17. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
18. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
19. Stephen Ferris (Ulster/Ireland)
20. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)
21. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
22. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)

So of the nailed on test starters you have Bowe, Byrne, POC and Martyn. Likely halfback combination on the bench.

Players I think will be having the rule run over them: Jamie Roberts, Adam Jones, Onan, Flutey and Ickle Shane. If they shine they're in, IMO.

Strong starting XXII, mind. I may even start putting aside my anti-Lions prejudices and get a teensy bit excited. Only a teensy bit, though;)
 
Out of interest, could that side beat any of the six nations teams? I'd say they'd do Italy and Scotland (though you'd have to clone Blair) for starters.
 
bendeus said:
Out of interest, could that side beat any of the six nations teams? I'd say they'd do Italy and Scotland (though you'd have to clone Blair) for starters.
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Theyd probably beat Wales as Wales would only have 12 men on the pitch & bench.
 
Looking forward to tomorrow big time. As the Guardian rugby guy said today, Lions tours are like fantasy football for rugby. And I agree with him. The ying and yang going on tomorrow could end up in rugby poetry.

Jamie Roberts and Keith Earls? Worsley and Williams? Jones and Sheridan? Thats what this is all about to me and I love it.
 
Tomorrows game should be a walk over. Brutal but a walkover. Expecting about 76-0.
Been wrong before.
 
Wrap Lee Byrne in cotton wool now and dont let him out of his hotel room until the test matches. The man is a god!
 
What a shocking game-even shane williams was poor. Without Byrne that could well have been the upset of the tour.
 
Some of the players on that pitch were absolutely fucking woeful. Step forward Earls, Sheridan, Matthew Rees, Mike Fucking Blair, Joe Worsley and, for sixty minutes, Onan.

Thought that POC led effectively and did his job. Jamie Roberts was fucking excellent, Byrne was godlike and Bowe looked tidy.

Meh to all the others, Martyn Williams, Shane and Wallace included.

If that's the shape of the rest of the tour we're going to get torn a new one.
 
bendeus said:
Some of the players on that pitch were absolutely fucking woeful. Step forward Earls, Sheridan, Matthew Rees, Mike Fucking Blair, Joe Worsley and, for sixty minutes, Onan.

Thought that POC led effectively and did his job. Jamie Roberts was fucking excellent, Byrne was godlike and Bowe looked tidy.

Meh to all the others, Martyn Williams, Shane and Wallace included.

If that's the shape of the rest of the tour we're going to get torn a new one.
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I think one of the reasons was their decision to leave it so late before moving up to altitude. Some of them were blowing out their arses after 25 mins, POC included. It was very poor performance but already certain anmes will have been written in for the tests and it will take very good games by others to move into contention. Byrne looks nailed on and can't see anyone dislodging him. The centre partnership is worrying, they were short going out there, BOD is injured and Earls is already inked in for the midweek team for the rest of the tour! Roberts did himself a lot of favors, but the door is open for Hooky or Wellies to get a game in the centre I would think, the absence of Gav is looking like an even bigger loss than originally thought. AWJ showed thru in the limited game time he had, wasn't impressed with Shaw, albeit if ya hooker is crap what hope have you got.
 
No, if we play like that against a super 14 side we'll get hammered, let alone the SA test side.

Only good point was that Byrne had a good game, I wouldn't even say he had a blinder, but compared to the rest he was outstanding.

Not much else to take away from it really, other than it was a victory...


The Ba Bas V England game was a good 'un tho. Altho England were pretty dire, really glad players like Banahan, Turner-Hall (tho he was shite today), Robshaw et al played.

so mainly :( and some :rolleyes:
 
Thought Byrne, Williams (7), Paul and Roberts were very good.

Poor Earls. He's better than that and he'll need careful management to make sure he bounces back rather than going the other way.
 
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