International Rugby

[paul_e]

As has been said other than Itoje I don't mind that. I'd also prefer Daly at full back but hey ho.

As an aside Peter, do you see Daly as an option at full-back for England going forward?  I have to say that a backline of Youngs, Farrell, Daly, Te'o, Joseph, Watson, Brown looks strong on paper. 

Daly will repalce Brown at full back before the world cup, I'd put money on it.  I suspect Watson on one wing is set in stone with Nowell/Solomona fighting for the other spot, along with a few of the kids (Earle and Cokanasiga both look exceptional talents).

Solomona cant defend. Don't rule out Johnny May.

I know, it was me who first said that!!

I'm not rulin gout May, I do rate him, but I think Jones likes the others a little more.

On top of that teaching a good attacking player how to defend is much easier than teaching a defender how to create.

[nigel]

As has been said other than Itoje I don't mind that. I'd also prefer Daly at full back but hey ho.

As an aside Peter, do you see Daly as an option at full-back for England going forward?  I have to say that a backline of Youngs, Farrell, Daly, Te'o, Joseph, Watson, Brown looks strong on paper. 

Daly will repalce Brown at full back before the world cup, I'd put money on it.  I suspect Watson on one wing is set in stone with Nowell/Solomona fighting for the other spot, along with a few of the kids (Earle and Cokanasiga both look exceptional talents).

Solomona cant defend. Don't rule out Johnny May.

Solomona will get better defensively as he learns the 15 a side game. There can be no argument attacking wise, though, he has the potential to be best of the lot.
I agree, Johnny May can't be ruled out. Things are looking very good in the 11, 14 & 15 department.

[taylorsworkrate]

Sky have got some of the behind the scenes footage of the recent Lion's tours on demand.

Being a bit of a saddo, I've watched a few of them. What is noticeable from them is how the 2005 tour to NZ stands out in lack of emotion/passion etc. Woodward really ran am awful tour.

[JD]

What a try for The Lions, back in the game just before half time. 

[taylorsworkrate]

Excellent half of rugby. Lions started well and finished well. Defensively has been ok apart from switching off for the try.

We look like we are causing them problems, could have easily had another try.

[JD]

Not looking so good now though

[taylorsworkrate]

New Zealand have stepped it up 2nd half, different class.

We had guilt edge try chances at the start of both halves and didn't take them.

Going to be a highly embarrassing 3-0 series defeat

[tomd2103]

Enjoyed the game, but it was a case in point of what NZ do.  Such is the skill level throughout the side (Read's offload out off the floor was unreal)that they are able to punish even the smallest errors.  Not all bad for the Lions and French refs in the next two tests might increase their chances a bit.

[nigel]

Well, the Lions got beaten, but, could it have been a different story?
For me Warren Gatland made two crucial errors.
First, replacing Ben T'eo, with Johnny Sexton coming in at 10 and Owen Farrell moving to 12. T'eo was having an excellent game.
Second, and probably more damaging at the time, was replacing Jamie George with Ken Owen just before a crucial line out on the NZ line. Now Owen is a fine player, but, George hadn't missed a line out throw all game. What goes and happens? NZ win the line out!! Surely it would have been wise to keep George on for that line out and replace after!

[taylorsworkrate]

The Lions somehow have to find a way to slow NZ down at the breakdown. The ball was way too fast for their scrum half Smith all game. That is where the Lions need someone like Robshaw who does a lot of the dark things.

I can't see anything other than a bad 3-0 series now.

[Risso]

The general skill of the All Blacks is just on a different level.  That second try from the scrum was magnificent rugby.  The speed of thought, then of the passing and running was superb.

[nigel]

I think this Lions tour will have a pointer to England.
Jamie George will take the number 2 jersey, while 10, 12 & 13 will be Farrell,  Te'o & Jonathan Joseph
The Argentina tour has certainly opened a few doors for others.
I'd feel for George Ford, given my 10, 12 & 13 above as he's has a great tour of Argentina.

[paul_e]

I think this Lions tour will have a pointer to England.
Jamie George will take the number 2 jersey, while 10, 12 & 13 will be Farrell,  Te'o & Jonathan Joseph
The Argentina tour has certainly opened a few doors for others.
I'd feel for George Ford, given my 10, 12 & 13 above as he's has a great tour of Argentina.

I'm not so sure about George, Hartley had a superb tour and is hugely underrated by some.  He's not such a good ball carrier but the tackles he gets through and his work at the breakdown is exceptional for a hooker.  Add on the fact that he's been a superb leader and I think the calls for him to be cast out are still a bit premature.

The situation with Ford is different, I think making any long-term decisions about the 10,12 combo needs to wait until we get the 9 right.  For me Care needs to be phased out over the next year, I just don't think he's a good enough passer, if you pay attention to our backs when Care plays they get flatter and only start moving once the ball is with the 10.  If you compare it to how NZ played todat they were running as soon as the 9 got hands on the ball, meaning they were are full sprint when they took the pass and it means they break the line much more regularly.  England have players who will destroy teams once we get them turnedso the focus needs to be on finding ways to do that after 2-3 phases rather than 10.  That's our one 'gap' right now for me.

[taylorsworkrate]

The scrum half is an interesting one. Ben Youngs can go from looking absolutely world class in some games to completely ordinary in others.

[Gareth]

This mornings game showed how stupid Gatlands decision to call up the players he did was, if he had called up two / three who actually deserved to be there he could have made 5/6 substitutions and gave a few 20 mins break who might make Sat's 23.