The rugby

[Dorset Boy]

On the Lions front, Faz snr has made such a terrible decision bringing Fazlet into the Tour squad - he has no form, no fitness, no pace, can't tackle and now can barely kick, and he doesn't replace Daly in anyway.
Politically, Blair Murray should have been called up.
However there's a long line of current internationals who should have been way ahead of Fazlet for consideration, plus what does this selection say to Fin Smith and Marcus Smith? I think Finn russell is strong and mature enough to deal with it given how he has handled another has been in Jonny Sexton.

 

[Pross]

It’s a terrible decision and makes a mockery of the idea of picking players on form.

 

[geocycle]

It’s a terrible decision and makes a mockery of the idea of picking players on form.

Irrespective of it being OF why do the lions need another 10 or 12, those are looking settled now. Daly was an outside back. Theres a risk of disruption.

 

[Pblakeney]

On the Lions front, Faz snr has made such a terrible decision bringing Fazlet into the Tour squad - he has no form, no fitness, no pace, can't tackle and now can barely kick, and he doesn't replace Daly in anyway.
Politically, Blair Murray should have been called up.
However there's a long line of current internationals who should have been way ahead of Fazlet for consideration, plus what does this selection say to Fin Smith and Marcus Smith? I think Finn russell is strong and mature enough to deal with it given how he has handled another has been in Jonny Sexton.

Stinks of nepotism.

 

[Blazing Saddles]

As for on the field stuff, today’s performance is best described as inadequate. What a disjointed, scrappy match.
They won’t beat Australia if they make so many errors.

 

[Beebo]

Wasn’t a good game today
It should have been another 50 pointer.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

As for on the field stuff, today’s performance is best described as inadequate. What a disjointed, scrappy match.
They won’t beat Australia if they make so many errors.

The saving grace was that this felt like a fair few of the fringe players being given a game. Quite a few of the test 23 are settled would be my guess, and I suspect a lot of the starting 15 today won't be in it.

 

[Dorset Boy]

Stunning start to the second half by England in Argentina, at least 3 England players should be with the Lions - Spencer, Ford and Willis

 

[laurentian]

Stunning start to the second half by England in Argentina, at least 3 England players should be with the Lions - Spencer, Ford and Willis

I'm a bit late to the party but this was a magnificent England performance - George Ford continues to impress. I have to say, I though the referee was excellent in this game.

As far as the Lions goes, it wasn't great was it? But, as mentioned above, I think this is probably some way from the test team. Elliot Daly is a big loss - he is a criminally under-rated player.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

I'm a bit late to the party but this was a magnificent England performance - George Ford continues to impress. I have to say, I though the referee was excellent in this game.

As far as the Lions goes, it wasn't great was it? But, as mentioned above, I think this is probably some way from the test team. Elliot Daly is a big loss - he is a criminally under-rated player.

Strangely, Daly seems to be underrated by England fans mostly, 5 Lions caps and looking a likely Test 23 until his injury shows he is well respected by the home nations. Perhaps a victim of his own adaptability, a lot of England fans seem to view him as solid but unspectacular (wrongly of course).

I think Saturday's XV is likely 12 of the 15 for the first test. I think AF is 50/50 on an all Irish or all Scots centre pairing and is having a final look and I suspect Tom Curry is being given one last chance to stake a claim for the 23. Lot of people on SM/forums complaining that Morgan has not been picked but I would guess that is because Farrell already has him in the 23, if not the starting XV for the first test, hence the Curry selection.

 

[Dorset Boy]

Daly's weakness has always been defensively - he's been caught out for weak tackling in the 13 channel, on the wing and at 15 regularly.
However with ball in hand he is very, very good. That combination is why he isn't overly rated by many fans.

 

[T4tomo]

re OF / AF & ED
Losing ED loses that element of cover from the bench, ED can genuinely cover 10-15, it also loses on of the most experienced tourists.

Bringing in OF brings in cover for 10-13 &15 and a huge amount of experience, however he wont be in the test 23 baring more injuries, he's there to give some experience to the midweek squad, and get that oomph factor into training etc. whatever "people" think of him, he's still massively respected by fellow players.

Its still a bit of a worry for covering the bench for the Tests though

 

[Dorset Boy]

sorry, that's nonsense T4tomo.
Daly covers 13, 14 and 15. He's never played 10 or 12.
Farrell covers 10 and 12 only. He doesn't have the pace or defensive ability to cover 13 or 15. to my knowledge, Farrell has never played 13 or 15, certainly in the last 10 years.

 

[T4tomo]

Your apology is accepted, but you could work on your manners .

You don't have to play the position to cover it. re 12 & 13 can interchange and cover for an injury in other position leaving sub to fill in where most comfortable. Daly has covered at 10 for Sarries, albeit you wouldn't start him there.

Of all of OF's weaknesses I wouldn't pick out defensive ability. He's a monster tackler, albeit not always legally wrapped!!!

 

[Dorset Boy]

13 usually runs the defence and it is the hardest position to defend. you really do not want someone slow with poor technique and no experience of playing there except in a dire emergency.
I also don't think Daly has covered 10 at Sarries, as either Goode or Lozowski would cover before Daly, and they've generally played with a 10 on the bench.