Queensland Reds v British & Irish Lions

[TommiG88]

The Scottish scouts will be out in force to watch Jock Campbell. I assume he qualifies through his name

 

[odw26]

Reckon Fin will get a good 30 minutes. Will be interesting to see how close that pack is to the one which starts the first test.

 

[curtbob7]

Ben White called up

 

[Grizwald]

Ben White called up

The Geography one.

 

[General Melchett]

Thought Fin Smith would start this one but I guess Faz wants JGP and Russell to establish that combo as soon as.

 

[McTallshort]

Thought Fin Smith would start this one but I guess Faz wants JGP and Russell to establish that combo as soon as.

Yeah wonder how long Russell plays?

 

[General Melchett]

Yeah wonder how long Russell plays?

50-60 I would guess although it may depend how the game is going. Expect JGP's minutes also to be managed if he's just back from injury. I think Aki will play the full 80 with Jones getting 60-70 before Ringrose comes on.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Centre at 23 despite not having any real fullback cover is very Farrell.

 

[General Melchett]

Centre at 23 despite not having any real fullback cover is very Farrell.

Huw's yer man for 15 cover. Played there quite a bit for Glasgow before Sione arrived.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Huw's yer man for 15 cover. Played there quite a bit for Glasgow before Sione arrived.

Him and Freeman I suppose. Don't think you'd want that in a test match though. Reckon he has Marcus Smith pencilled in as bench cover to be honest.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

View attachment 23932

Looks a very strong side. Wouldn't look out of place in the tests

 

[Which Tyler]

aidian ross played for the Chiefs in the super rugby final 10 days ago

At least spell his name right?

 

[Grizwald]

Tuipulotu is the only player with 160 mins on the tour.

The situation at 9 hasn't been great and in part can't be helped mainly as its limited the opportunities to look at the expected test pairing of JGP and Russell. If JGP was fit to play last weekend I dont think either of them would have started on Wednesday.

There's only two games after Wednesday's fixture you'd expect what Farrell sees at the test 15/23 to start a game before the tests so either the Waratahs or more likely the Brumbies. I'm not sure if you'd take a risk putting out many of your test starters against the invitational side a week out from the first test?

 

[curtbob7]

The Geography one.

Infuriates me.

Ben Spencer is certainly better than him but I suppose he has a pre existing relationship with Russell.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Of all the suggestions to be annoyed about White over Spencer is absolutely not one of them

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Yeah White seems like the common sense call to me. Always looks test quality for Scotland imo and OK, he doesn't start for his club but no other option would ahead of Baptiste Serin.

Murray, Casey, Spencer, JVP over him? Nah, not for me.

 

[Ddanno]

I didn't expect to see Russell starting. The pack looks strong

Same, he looks fine and in form but he's had a massive season and I wouldn't risk him too often before the tests

 

[Welsh Exile]

Gutted for Williams. Class operator and in decent form but sadly wasn’t to be.

 

[Saintjay]

Player called up who's probably the next best cab off the rank. One who's nearer to the next match in flight time than the current Lions squad.

Wait till they bench Marcus Smith as 9 cover.

Either way. Let the pearl clutching commence.

 

[Which Tyler]

Infuriates me.

Ben Spencer is certainly better than him but I suppose he has a pre existing relationship with Russell.

Club level... maybe, but not certain.
International level... 100% the other way around.

For the Lions, the pecking order ought to be White > JvP > Spencer, and even then I can' escape the feeling that I'm missing someone ahead of BS