1st test - Australia v British & Irish Lions

[General Melchett]

Aki starting with Faz on the bench and no Tuipolotu in the 23 is worse than no Morgan IMO.

Aki and Jones v the Reds was the worst performance from a centre pairing in the warm ups. Just makes no sense to break up a tried and tested combination to accommodate Aki.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Aki starting with Faz on the bench and no Tuipolotu in the 23 is worse than no Morgan IMO.

Aki and Jones v the Reds was the worst performance from a centre pairing in the warm ups. Just makes no sense to break up a tried and tested combination to accommodate Aki.

Yeah that's the poor part of that team. Far better backrow though which would be more influential. The IT's pack with the Telegraph's backs is the team for me.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Aki/Jones midfield would be wild

Only reason you could justify starting Aki is to not split up an all Irish midfield, but Ringrose is out

 

[General Melchett]

Aki/Jones midfield would be wild

Only reason you could justify starting Aki is to not split up an all Irish midfield, but Ringrose is out

Maybe Farrell is worried Huwpolotu have a stormer and he can't get Akrose back in for test 2.

Anyway, its all speculation until tomorrow morning.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

The Telegraph is pretty convinced it's Jones and Tuipulotu starting with Aki on the bench.

 

[Groundhog]

Irish Times are generally pretty spot on with their selection info, but I think the above team is opinion based rather than actual inside info like they normally have for Irish selections. I would be surprised if Farrell went out of his way to break up the Scottish Centres with Ringer out.

 

[General Melchett]

The Telegraph is pretty convinced it's Jones and Tuipulotu starting with Aki on the bench.

I wouldn't trust a Torygraph journo if he was glazed in honey.

 

[big ginger 8]

Maybe Farrell is worried Huwpolotu have a stormer and he can't get Akrose back in for test 2.

Ah now.

I would start Tuipulotu no doubt but Aki has looked better than I was expecting tbh, and offers a different dimension as a hole puncher.

If the IT team is right it looks like the plan would be to beat them up in the first 50-60 before bringing on the more mobile backrowers. That said I do not like the Farrell Smith combo off the bench but it is something Farrell would do imo.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Owen Farrell and Henry Pollock to be left out of Lions Test squad

Limited cover at full back opens door for Marcus Smith to make the bench, while Tom Curry is set to start at No7 against Australia in Brisbane

www.thetimes.com

Says the same with Curry, Beirne and Conan starting. Chessum and Earl on the bench. van der Filer will also miss out entirely. Confirms the ll Scottish partnership. Lowe, Keenan and Freeman also all starting.

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

That said I do not like the Farrell Smith combo off the bench but it is something Farrell would do imo.

I feel like you have to have one or the other, both just doesn't really make sense.

 

[General Melchett]

Ah now.

I would start Tuipulotu no doubt but Aki has looked better than I was expecting tbh, and offers a different dimension as a hole puncher.

If the IT team is right it looks like the plan would be to beat them up in the first 50-60 before bringing on the more mobile backrowers. That said I do not like the Farrell Smith combo off the bench but it is something Farrell would do imo.

Aki is ahead on hole punching but Tui is no slouch in that department. With Russell's channel likely to be targeted I think Sione's ability to interchange with him and step in as first receiver will be a good counter and keep them guessing. His distribution and kicking is also levels above Aki's.

All speculation - we'll be put out of our misery tomorrow morning.

 

[Derpus]

Word is both Valetini AND his deputy Gleeson are out injured.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Curry and Beirne starting would be mad considering how poor both have played

 

[McTallshort]

Curry starting and an all Scottish midfield according to Chris Jones

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

No Van der Flier will have me waltzing, it was all looking too Leinster for me to be petty for awhile there.

 

[Groundhog]

Murray Kinsella also reporting the Beirne, Curry, Conan backrow with Furlong at TH. He thinks decision hasn't been made on Loosehead and the 12 call, but indicates Aki is ahead.

VdF potentially not being in the 23 is crazy work lol, he'd be first name on the team sheet for me with Sheehan and Russell.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

British and Irish Lions: Tom Curry and Sione Tuipulotu set to start first Test

Tom Curry is set to win the competitive race to be the British and Irish Lions open-side flanker ahead of Jac Morgan, with Sione Tuipulotu featuring in an all-Scotland midfield.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[General Melchett]

The idea of some positions not being finalised yet seems wild especially with yesterday being the last intense training day. The players should have been told on Monday night or yesterday morning before training. The only tweaks I would expect now would be injury/fitness based ones.

 

[Groundhog]

The idea of some positions not being finalised yet seems wild especially with yesterday being the last intense training day. The players should have been told on Monday night or yesterday morning before training. The only tweaks I would expect now would be injury/fitness based ones.

I’ve phrased that poorly, it’s more the impression that he’s getting from the balance of reps with the first team. Makes sense that both Looseheads would get pretty even reps as both will get a lot of time regardless. Centre a weird one, could see whoever starts 12 come off fairly early in the second.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Owen Farrell expected to be left out of Lions squad for first Wallabies Test

Andy Farrell is likely to opt for Marcus Smith over his son, while Tom Curry is expected to feature in the back row

www.theguardian.com