The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

Another exciting looking team selection from Gatland & co. - backrow as forecast....

Must admit I'm not convinced Cowan-Dickie should be in the squad let alone in the starting XV so soon after being knocked "out cold" against Japan......

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57720212

[pharvey]

South Africa Shut Down Training Again and Match in Doubt After Latest Positive Covid Case


"There will be fresh concerns over the Lions tour after South Africa were forced to suspend training again following another positive Covid test.

South Africa rugby training has been suspended following a positive Covid test in the Springboks squad.

The announcement was made on Monday, July 5, after lock Lood de Jager returned a positive test in scheduled testing, forcing the entire squad to go into isolation.

A statement from the South African Rugby Union said: "The players have been placed in preventative isolation prior to further PCR testing and a review of the testing data by the Medical Advisory Group (MAG).

"Lood de Jager returned a positive outcome in scheduled testing and, because of his close contact with a number of squad members, the entire group has gone into isolation.

"An update will be issued following the review by the MAG and the further testing.""

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... d-20973407

[pharvey]

Another exciting looking team selection from Gatland & co. - backrow as forecast....

Must admit I'm not convinced Cowan-Dickie should be in the squad let alone in the starting XV so soon after being knocked "out cold" against Japan......

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57720212

[EDIT] Beg your pudding, it was of course the Premiership Final against 'Quins where Cowan-Dickie was knocked unconscious. Not that it matters....

[pharvey]

The one issue IMHO that's not really been mentioned at the moment and which was a big factor in the last B&I Lions tour of SA in 2009 is the lack of "international opponents/players" - on duty for warm up matches or training.

The Emirates Lions were without their international contingent as will be the Sharks on Wednesday. It's great for fans to see the B&I Lions with big wins, another pretty much guaranteed on Wednesday night (UK/BST time). BUT, there's a big danger of the Lions being "undercooked" for the Test Series as they were in 2009 - the Springboks then winning the series after the first two Tests and quite frankly a little "relaxed" in losing the third and final test.

I hope history is not about to repeat itself, but the Lions need to change things from that 2009 tour. Thankfully, Gatland has the experience and a wealth of it!! He was assistant coach in 2009 so understands the problem in SA - and of course, he's been Head Coach on the previous two unbeaten (in Tests) tours (Aus & NZ), Christ not a bad record!!

If the Lions beat or draw with SA this time around, Gatland will go down as the first Head Coach to be unbeaten (in TESTS) over three B&I Lions Tours..... Personally, I also believe he wants to emulate the Lions of '74 and be unbeaten throughout this tour - I hope he achieves it!!

[pharvey]

Plenty to keep up with.... Four episodes so far well worth a watch - and more to follow!!
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I still want to have a bet on the Lions going unbeaten as they did in '74, but not one "betting agency" will give me odds..... (I'm only betting a fiver....).

[pharvey]

NOT Good News.....

"The British and Irish Lions' match against South African provincial team Vodacom Bulls on Saturday has been postponed because of Covid-19 cases in the hosts' camp.

It is the first tour game to be affected in a country that is experiencing a surge in infections.

Tour organisers hope to reschedule the game or find different opponents for the Lions.

Doubts also exist over South Africa's warm-up against Georgia on Friday."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57741576

[dtaai-maai]

^^This was sadly predictable. I'll be furious if the tour is cancelled, as there were so many more viable options.

[dtaai-maai]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57751748

British and Irish Lions 2021: Two players isolating after member of management tests positive

And kick-off has been put back to 7pm BST, so the 2nd half clashes with the football!!!

[pharvey]

SA's game against Georgia now cancelled due to positive Covid tests - all going Pete Tong.....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57741576

[pharvey]

"A changed kick-off and a changed line-up for the tourists.

Liam Williams, Anthony Watson, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Tadhg Beirne, Conor Murray, Stuart Hogg and Chris Harris all come out of the matchday 23.

This is the revised line-up with Owen Farrell starting at 10 with Ali Price at scrum-half and wing Josh Adams stepping into full-back.

British and Irish Lions: Adams, Rees-Zammit, Daly, Aki, Van der Merwe; Farrell, Price; Vunipola, Cowan-Dickie, Fagerson, Henderson (capt), Beard, Navidi, Curry, Simmonds.

Replacements:Owens, Sutherland, Furlong, Itoje, Conan, H Watson, Russell, Faletau"

From the BBC Website...

[pharvey]

Another big win for the Lions, although a few lapses in defence and a couple of moments of concern in the early scrums although that was rectified.

Cowan-Dickie was everywhere and should have been Man-of-the-Match IMHO - Van Der Merwe won that accolade with a hat-trick of tries and a standout performance of his own. Talking of hat-tricks, Josh Adams added one of his own, taking his tally to 8 tries in three B&I Lions starts... I wonder when/if that has been done before

Great stuff from the Backrow, although Curry was a little quieter than I thought he'd be (far from a bad game though).

Fast paced and a few tired players out there - altitude not helping and 2 of the 3 Tests will be played in Joburg.... hopefully!

All in all, solid performance.

[pharvey]

Well, the the Lions match vs Bulls cancelled (although the Lions still looking for alternative opponents), as well as Scotland vs Romania & South Africa vs Georgia, there are thankfully others to watch this Saturday (all times UK/BST): -
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Let's hope something can be organised with regards to the Lions - a decision due later today..

[pharvey]

Further to above, it's just been announced that the Sharks will take the place of the Bulls and play the Lions for a second time in 4 days. Another outing for the Lions at least and a chance for a run-out for a few more players - hopefully Ken Owens will get a start and the "original selection" of players forced to isolate will be available.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... dium=email

[dtaai-maai]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57781789

Anthony Watson will make his first start of the British and Irish Lions tour against the Sharks on Saturday.

Watson, Liam Williams and Duhan van der Merwe, who scored a hat-trick in Wednesday's win over the same opposition, make up the back three.

Watson's England team-mate Jamie George captains the team with Ireland's Jack Conan at eight.

The Lions' original fixture against the Bulls was called off because of an outbreak of Covid in the hosts' camp.

There are 13 changes from the starting line-up that ran out conclusive 54-7 winners in midweek with outside centre Elliot Daly and Van der Merwe the only players to keep their place.

British and Irish Lions: L Williams, A Watson, Daly, Harris, Van der Merwe; Biggar, Davies; Sutherland, George (capt), Furlong, Itoje, Hill, Beirne, H Watson, Conan.

Replacements: Owens, Jones, Sinckler, Lawes, Simmonds, Curry, Murray, Russell.

From what we've seen so far, I think Daly is likely to be in the match 23 for the tests, as is Lawes. I'd have ARZ starting as one of the wings, he's so quick. After scoring 8 tries in 3 games it's difficult to see Adams being left out, but TBH he hasn't had to do anything really special to get those tries. We'll see how Watson goes tomorrow.

Seems to me there are still a lot of test places up for grabs, but if course we don't see what goes on in training.

[pharvey]

British and Irish Lions: L Williams, A Watson, Daly, Harris, Van der Merwe; Biggar, Davies; Sutherland, George (capt), Furlong, Itoje, Hill, Beirne, H Watson, Conan.

Replacements: Owens, Jones, Sinckler, Lawes, Simmonds, Curry, Murray, Russell.

From what we've seen so far, I think Daly is likely to be in the match 23 for the tests, as is Lawes. I'd have ARZ starting as one of the wings, he's so quick. After scoring 8 tries in 3 games it's difficult to see Adams being left out, but TBH he hasn't had to do anything really special to get those tries. We'll see how Watson goes tomorrow.

Seems to me there are still a lot of test places up for grabs, but if course we don't see what goes on in training.
[/quote]

"ARZ on the wing...." are we spelling Louis with a silent A, or talking an additional squad member?

IMHO there are masses of places up for grabs - can't see the Captain's place being under threat, but hey - Davies is looking good.

You're right to look at the matchday 22-23 as tactically that is the team (rather than years past). Lawes has to be there IMO but likely not in the starting XV. I don't think LRZ has done enough even for the Match Day Squad ( ), whereas Adams has (good defence, positioning - and don't forget scoring a hat-trick out of position). Daly won't be in the starting XV and therefore not in the 23 for me (you have to look at cover).

The "Bench" for the Test(s) will give more weight to the forwards and any backs will be able to cover different positions.

But Hey... lots of things can happen yet!!