1st test - Australia v British & Irish Lions

[General Melchett]

Few saying Morgan going the full 80 last game means he won't start the tests.

It's going to be Curry and Wales will hate us that little bit more.

That's rough if true. Also think Cummings has been (or rather is likely to be) very unlucky. Sketchy in his first game against the Force with jetlag a factor, the real MOTM against the Waratahs and made a good impact against AUNZ even if he didn't get many minutes. Can also play 6 and so hopefully will still get a chance to feature in one of the last two tests if he misses out on Saturday.

I think it's a good call bringing in the four now (plus George) because the intensity in the tests will be a step up and I wouldn't be surprised to see more injuries after this weekend.

 

[Rugby100]

Our Cymru Warrior - JAC MORGAN - Must start !!!!!

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

Does anyone know when the teams are being announced? Thanks!

 

[General Melchett]

Does anyone know when the teams are being announced? Thanks!

48 hours before kick-off at the latest and so we'll likely hear Thursday morning. Don't be surprised if there are leaks, rumours and smokescreens between now and then.

Not a fan of leaks as some may know.

 

[BrokenWing]

Not a fan of leaks as some may know.

They’re up there with crevices.

 

[General Melchett]

They're up there with crevices.

Both positively disgusting.

 

[AlRums]

Both positively disgusting.

Depends on the crevice

 

[Which Tyler]

Not a fan of leaks as some may know.

The worst of the allia.
Only a Welshman could love them

 

[Welsh Exile]

I actually don't think he'll pick the side you say, I think Farrell being the Lions historian he is, will want all 4 nations represented in his first test match

South Africa, NZ, England and Ireland?

 

[retired9]

Personally I’d like Morgan to feature, the guy is class and despite previous tours with next to no Scots it feels wrong not having all represented.

Ben white must be pushing Mitchell close for a shirt, we have had great quality at 9 this year and losing Williams was a real blow.

Tui and Jones have to be the midfield, jones can also adequately cover FB if stuck so for all he hasn’t been played there, that might explain the Faz centre option where Huw goes to 15 and Tui to 13 in the event of an injury.

 

[Grizwald]

You can't really read too much into the warm up games due to them not being full strength and the amount of travelling the Lions squad has had to do. The game against the invitational side was really disappointing all round. I think Ben Earl came out of it with a lot of credit, while AUSNZ were turd he did a pile of carrying into some big bodied international back rowers.

Conan has be steady enough, I think if Farrell does go with Chessum or Beirne at 6 for the first test it kind of makes a mockery of his own selections taking that many 7's and no real 6's so I won't be surprised to see a back row of two 7's and Conan at 8.

This will be the longest spell the Lions will have had in one place since landing in Aus so hoping the extra time training and S&C pays dividends come Saturday.

I think the Walabies lacking a 10 and some depth off the bench will be too much for them.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Personally I'd like Morgan to feature,

No!

Imagine the accusations of favouritism and impact on squad unity if a country had 100% of their players in the test team.

Justice for Ireland, England and Scotland.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Hansen looking very likely to be ruled out. He probably wasn’t going to start anyway but I’d love that to somehow open the door for Graham to add a bit of the stardust that we haven’t seen so far.

 

[Welsh Exile]

All this talk about getting all the nations involved is for the birds. You pick the best players or the players you think give you the best chance of winning. That’s it.

Morgan should start coz he’s the best back row not because he’s Welsh.

 

[retired9]

All this talk about getting all the nations involved is for the birds. You pick the best players or the players you think give you the best chance of winning. That's it.

Morgan should start coz he's the best back row not because he's Welsh.

I don't disagree, fortunately Morgan is very good and IMO needs to be in the 23.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I would make an awesome Lions coach. People from beyond these isles would rally and unite behind me.

 

[General Melchett]

Selection may also be based on the fact that Ben O'Keep away from the breakdown has the whistle.

 

[General Melchett]

I would make an awesome Lions coach. People from beyond these isles would rally and unite behind me.

Adam Beard, AWJ and @dirty harry as your assistants?

 

[Welsh Exile]

Adam Beard, AWJ and @dirty harry as your assistants?

Harry would be my media liaison.

AWJ would be captain, obviously.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I would make an awesome Lions coach. People from beyond these isles would rally and unite behind me.

With all due respect I would be better, I wouldn't pick a single Leinster player and tell them they're of a different standard, win a champions cup or else there's no Lions for you.

If anyone else with different loyalties to me took this approach there'd be uproar.

As only a former Leinster player now, Johnny Sexton would of course be captain, with Faz as vice-co-deputy-northern-captain.