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British & Irish Lions 2025 General News and Chat

The selection of Osborne is a clear example of Farrell's bias towards Ireland. Any other coach would have picked Jordan ahead of Osborne based on form over the last 6 months.
Trust me as a Munster man I can tell you about bias. BUT Osborne call actually makes sense. He is in very good form, is versatile, knows Farrell system so up to speed and I would say earned his spot.
 
The selection of Osborne is a clear example of Farrell's bias towards Ireland. Any other coach would have picked Jordan ahead of Osborne based on form over the last 6 months.
They player each other a month ago and Osborne scored two tries in an 18 point win and was part of a totally dominant midfield.
 
We also don't know what conversations were had. Maybe Farrell inquired with Scotland and they said it would really affect their plans in an important game when seedings are coming up. Where as Osborne would play in no games of consequence.

Out of all the call ups,

Bealham for Fagerson
White for Williams
Farrell for Daly
And Osbourne as training cover

This is not one to moan about and has nothing on Gatland picking Welsh players before.
 
I thought Jordan would be the best replacement for Daly but Ben White not getting any minutes against the Brumbies tells me that decisions have already been made re. the test 23 and that Mitchell has already sealed a bench spot. Looks like White is only there as injury cover now and on that basis I hope Jordan now stays with Scotland.

If England beat Argentina then Scotland's hopes of a top 6 ranking before the RWC draw are back in their own hands and it could be a one game shoot out with ARG in November. I actually wish we still had Ben White for Fiji tomorrow but hey hoh. I'm even that glad England still have George Ford!
 
Jordan has 2 career starts at 15,
Farrell already ****** up by not calling up a fullback to replace Daly, if he called up Jordan we'd only have one realistic 15 choice in the whole squad
Jordan could cover 15 and cover Owen Farrell all round.

Other Scots options for fullbacks would have been Kyle Rowe or Ollie Smith.

Smith especially could have been a like for like replacement for Daly.
 
Farrell chose experience to replace Farrell and Osborne as extremely precautionary contingency for 15 in case 2 of Kinghorn, Keenan and Smith get injured.

The Geography 6 was a clearly pre-planned play for Wales' benefit. I don't think they're too comparable.

Also the last selection was between Farrell and Osborne. Would be surprised if Jordan was in the conversation, better 10 than Osborne obviously but not at centre or 15.
 
Farrell chose experience to replace Farrell and Osborne as extremely precautionary contingency for 15 in case 2 of Kinghorn, Keenan and Smith get injured.

The Geography 6 was a clearly pre-planned play for Wales' benefit. I don't think they're too comparable.

Also the last selection was between Farrell and Osborne. Would be surprised if Jordan was in the conversation, better 10 than Osborne obviously but not at centre or 15.
Ollie Smith has almost 3 times the experience at fullback over Osborne (46/27) and both cover centre and wing.

In theory Smith can play against Fiji and still be in Australia before they take the field.
 
Ollie Smith has almost 3 times the experience at fullback over Osborne (46/27) and both cover centre and wing.

In theory Smith can play against Fiji and still be in Australia before they take the field.

Why are we talking like Osborne is some dirt tracker? He's beaten SA in Durban, played in one of the best Heineken Cup finals of all time and is a current URC winner playing every knockout game.

He'd be a 20 cap international already except he's had to deal with Aki, Henshaw, Keenan and Ringrose.
 
From a Scottish perspective, of course I want as many Scots travelling, and I can argue for Jordan's inclusion, but I can't argue against Osborne's inclusion. It's just one of those where you've got two good players who could be called up, but only one can.
 

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