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British & Irish Lions 2025 General News and Chat

Guessing Fagerson is injured, as he's not played for Scotland this tour?

Maybe Jeremy's lad is the best next cab off the ranks and this is irrelevant, but I don't like the framing of "well he's just there to hold tackle bags" or whatever
Lions is meant to be the best of the best, not a learning experience
 
Don't Skip Leg Day said:
Or does it mean that one of our tight heads is carrying a knock?
Click to expand...

I'd imagine they don't want to risk one if their test tightheads in the last mid-week game.

Clarkson played 4/5 Six Nations games this year and had the edge over the Bulls scrum in the URC final as part of a brilliant playoff run. He's not a nobody, would have had back to back 20s Grand Slams if not for Covid cutting his second year short. The 'who' reaction from some quarters is a bit much and lazy. I imagine it was between him, AOF and Heyes. I wouldn't have cared who it was and I'd imagine his familiarity with the systems absolutely helped him but he's not at all undeserving of his callup.
 
TRF_Olyy said:
Guessing Fagerson is injured, as he's not played for Scotland this tour?

Maybe Jeremy's lad is the best next cab off the ranks and this is irrelevant, but I don't like the framing of "well he's just there to hold tackle bags" or whatever
Lions is meant to be the best of the best, not a learning experience
Click to expand...

Fagerson is injured, yeah.
 
big ginger 8 said:
I'd imagine they don't want to risk one if their test tightheads in the last mid-week game.

Clarkson played 4/5 Six Nations games this year and had the edge over the Bulls scrum in the URC final as part of a brilliant playoff run. He's not a nobody, would have had back to back 20s Grand Slams if not for Covid cutting his second year short. The 'who' reaction from some quarters is a bit much and lazy. I imagine it was between him, AOF and Heyes. I wouldn't have cared who it was and I'd imagine his familiarity with the systems absolutely helped him but he's not at all undeserving of his callup.
Click to expand...

He also got his arse handed to him against Wales in the 6N. Jokes aside he a good young prop and if it was between him and Asher I'd have said fair enough. I think you can say its a little underserving when there is a better player to be picked. Look at least Farrell isn't doing a Gatland picking an international not Wales 20s players. But Joe Hayes who just gave the Argentinian front row a beating is the next best prop (well after Zander obviously) and he should be going.

I felt the opposite about Osbourne which I know some didn't like. I liked that pick up I think he was the next best utility guy after Daly.
 
Not really a pick I care about at all. From Farrell's perspective I think it makes sense to bring in a guy he knows professionally who will join the squad and do the specific job he's needed for. Clarkson knows the apprentice role in Ireland and has done it before. His perspective is that he doesn't want to risk someone in trying to prove themselves and being a headbanger at training.

How likely is that? Probably not very. Is it in the "ethos" of the Lions? Probably not. But it's a professional, risk averse call to me.
 
At this point a head coach should just ask each national coach to elect an apprentice player to tour, run as opposition in training and play the last midweek game.

Very fair not to ask pros to play two matches in 5 days for any amount of minutes but, Osborne, George and Farrell aside, the latest call ups just seem a bit empty.

Some English guys probably losing out too because they have another game.
 
Leonormous Boozer said:
At this point a head coach should just ask each national coach to elect an apprentice player to tour, run as opposition in training and play the last midweek game.

Very fair not to ask pros to play two matches in 5 days for any amount of minutes but, Osborne, George and Farrell aside, the latest call ups just seem a bit empty.

Some English guys probably losing out too because they have another game.
Click to expand...

I like the Ryder cup approach. Change the HC every tour to mix things up a bit. People were so sick of Gatland after three tours.

Only condition I'd is that the appointee isn't taking up a HC role with a home nation straight after the tour. It'll get rid of so much noise about bias and favouritism.

Galthie or Rassie in NZ in 2029 could be fun.
 
Leonormous Boozer said:
At this point a head coach should just ask each national coach to elect an apprentice player to tour, run as opposition in training and play the last midweek game.
Click to expand...
Kinda ruins the facade that this is a legit tour and not just a money grubbing cash grabbing blazerfest, though
 

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