NPR

Most surprised by Price & Fagerson, who didn't seem to be in the conversation. Very happy we have 8 in the squad. I wonder where Gray, Ritchie, Brown & McInally sit the reserve lists? Not that I wish injury on anyone, but the nature of the game suggests that there'll be some replacements needed. We might get even more representation!

SomersetJock wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 12:18 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 12:14 pm

Begbie wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 12:11 pm

Enjoy your winnings

Ta. SomersetJock is on for 300+ I think.

£350 + my £50 stake which I always write off when I bet as I never bloody win

Well chuffed though.

Really pleased for the 8 lads who have made it

Nice one, you can get yourself a really nice bottle of whisky (or two) with that, just the thing for sampling after the test matches.

Have just realised that the matches are exclusively on Sky Sports.

I cancelled Sky Sports a few months ago because I wasn’t watching it.

Feck.

Edit: a 3-month Now TV Sports pass might occur.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 12:46 pm Have just realised that the matches are exclusively on Sky Sports.

I cancelled Sky Sports a few months ago because I wasn’t watching it.

Feck.

Edit: a 3-month Now TV Sports pass might occur.

I should be living up your way by then, I think a visit to a pub with Sky Sports for a test or two is in order

SomersetJock wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 12:58 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 12:46 pm Have just realised that the matches are exclusively on Sky Sports.

I cancelled Sky Sports a few months ago because I wasn’t watching it.

Feck.

Edit: a 3-month Now TV Sports pass might occur.

I should be living up your way by then, I think a visit to a pub with Sky Sports for a test or two is in order

Now THAT I can get on board with!

S/Lt_Phillips wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 12:45 pm Most surprised by Price & Fagerson, who didn't seem to be in the conversation. Very happy we have 8 in the squad. I wonder where Gray, Ritchie, Brown & McInally sit the reserve lists? Not that I wish injury on anyone, but the nature of the game suggests that there'll be some replacements needed. We might get even more representation!

I think Price may have benefitted from Youngs dropping out.

I suspect the hookers may be closest. Ryan must have been close so may be ahead of Gray and there are loads of back rows missing out; Navidi, Ritchie, Underhill, Stander, Van der Flier etc.

So for the first time in forever, we’ll have a slightly experimental Scotland side playing in the summer, thanks to the Lions tour. Should be some good opportunities there for quite a few players. Ritchie for captain, obvs.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 1:10 pm So for the first time in forever, we’ll have a slightly experimental Scotland side playing in the summer, thanks to the Lions tour. Should be some good opportunities there for quite a few players. Ritchie for captain, obvs.

Schoeman qualifies this summer, I'd expect to see him in a Scotland shirt. Dobie must be in with a shout of being in the squad, Shiel possibly instead of/as well as.

I'd like Kinghorn to tour, he desperately needs something to get him back up to his best.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 1:31 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 1:10 pm So for the first time in forever, we’ll have a slightly experimental Scotland side playing in the summer, thanks to the Lions tour. Should be some good opportunities there for quite a few players. Ritchie for captain, obvs.

Schoeman qualifies this summer, I'd expect to see him in a Scotland shirt. Dobie must be in with a shout of being in the squad, Shiel possibly instead of/as well as.

I'd like Kinghorn to tour, he desperately needs something to get him back up to his best.

With Price away and Horne not in any form just back I'd expect both Shiel and Dobie to go. Maybe one of and then Charlie Chapman if he wants to play for Scotland. Shiel has been very good of late.

Kinghorn depends on fitness I guess? Rufus McLean and I think Cole Forbes will tour.

I'm very keen to see Luke Crosbie and Tom Gordon in Scotland colours.

The A team is going to essentially be any Scottish qualified player currently playing rugby professionally.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 12:46 pm Have just realised that the matches are exclusively on Sky Sports.

I cancelled Sky Sports a few months ago because I wasn’t watching it.

Feck.

Edit: a 3-month Now TV Sports pass might occur.

I got an offer from NOWTV last month before the masters, 6 months at £25 a month for the Sports package. Figured the timing covers all four golf majors, the Ryder Cup, some summer cricket and the Lions Tour so went with it.

Big D wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 1:06 pm

S/Lt_Phillips wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 12:45 pm Most surprised by Price & Fagerson, who didn't seem to be in the conversation. Very happy we have 8 in the squad. I wonder where Gray, Ritchie, Brown & McInally sit the reserve lists? Not that I wish injury on anyone, but the nature of the game suggests that there'll be some replacements needed. We might get even more representation!

I think Price may have benefitted from Youngs dropping out.

I suspect the hookers may be closest. Ryan must have been close so may be ahead of Gray and there are loads of back rows missing out; Navidi, Ritchie, Underhill, Stander, Van der Flier etc.

Agree on Price, think Gray might be ahead of Ryan. Back row depends on who's injured and whether or not you look for a like for like replacement.

I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 1:34 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 1:31 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 1:10 pm So for the first time in forever, we’ll have a slightly experimental Scotland side playing in the summer, thanks to the Lions tour. Should be some good opportunities there for quite a few players. Ritchie for captain, obvs.

Schoeman qualifies this summer, I'd expect to see him in a Scotland shirt. Dobie must be in with a shout of being in the squad, Shiel possibly instead of/as well as.

I'd like Kinghorn to tour, he desperately needs something to get him back up to his best.

With Price away and Horne not in any form just back I'd expect both Shiel and Dobie to go. Maybe one of and then Charlie Chapman if he wants to play for Scotland. Shiel has been very good of late.

Kinghorn depends on fitness I guess? Rufus McLean and I think Cole Forbes will tour.

I'm very keen to see Luke Crosbie and Tom Gordon in Scotland colours.

The A team is going to essentially be any Scottish qualified player currently playing rugby professionally.

I guess it depends if they put out a full team for the non-A team games.

Full team (assuming some rest for more senior players-anyone 30 or over gets the summer off):
Schoeman, Turner, Rae (?)
Cummings, Craig
Richie, Fagerson, Crosbie
Horne, Hastings
Redpath, Jones
Graham, Steyn
Kinghorn

McBurney, Kebble/Bhatti, ?, Toolis/Young, Bayliss/Bradbury/Graham, Steele, Jaco, Johnson/Lang

A-Team
Rodd, Ashman, Grahamslaw (?)
Davidson, Henderson
Bayliss, Bradbury, Miller
Vellacott, Jaco
Johnson, Lang,
McClean, Hoyland
Forbes

Stewart, ?, ?, Bain/Hodgson, Gordon, Dobie, Thomson, Blain

That's actually not too bad. There are actually a couple of guys that would be a bit unlucky (i.e. Dobie benching for the A team simply to cap others) and actually some pretty decent players in the As as well. Bugger knows who will sit on the bench at prop for the A-team though!

Big D wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 12:13 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 12:03 pm Really pleasantly surprised by the picks and 8 is beyond my expectations. There are a few slightly surprising picks including Aki (not a first choice for Ireland), Lawes (long term injured this year) and Conan (although I think he's been brilliant for Leinster this year, he isn't a worldy type player). Harris is probably the Scottish one that will be questioned, but I think he deserves it and he'll be a dirt tracker anyway. Altogether though, even though there are a few surprises I wouldn't say any are massively controversial.

I honestly don't think Harris should be questioned. Not every player needs to picked because they are possible test starters. He will be key to bedding in the defensive system within the squad. Given the time restrictions that can't be under estimated.

I think Harris is the sort of player Gatland will love and will get close to the test squad.

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 4:13 pm

I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 1:34 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 1:31 pm

Schoeman qualifies this summer, I'd expect to see him in a Scotland shirt. Dobie must be in with a shout of being in the squad, Shiel possibly instead of/as well as.

I'd like Kinghorn to tour, he desperately needs something to get him back up to his best.

With Price away and Horne not in any form just back I'd expect both Shiel and Dobie to go. Maybe one of and then Charlie Chapman if he wants to play for Scotland. Shiel has been very good of late.

Kinghorn depends on fitness I guess? Rufus McLean and I think Cole Forbes will tour.

I'm very keen to see Luke Crosbie and Tom Gordon in Scotland colours.

The A team is going to essentially be any Scottish qualified player currently playing rugby professionally.

I guess it depends if they put out a full team for the non-A team games.

Full team (assuming some rest for more senior players-anyone 30 or over gets the summer off):
Schoeman, Turner, Rae (?)
Cummings, Craig
Richie, Fagerson, Crosbie
Horne, Hastings
Redpath, Jones
Graham, Steyn
Kinghorn

McBurney, Kebble/Bhatti, ?, Toolis/Young, Bayliss/Bradbury/Graham, Steele, Jaco, Johnson/Lang

A-Team
Rodd, Ashman, Grahamslaw (?)
Davidson, Henderson
Bayliss, Bradbury, Miller
Vellacott, Jaco
Johnson, Lang,
McClean, Hoyland
Forbes

Stewart, ?, ?, Bain/Hodgson, Gordon, Dobie, Thomson, Blain

That's actually not too bad. There are actually a couple of guys that would be a bit unlucky (i.e. Dobie benching for the A team simply to cap others) and actually some pretty decent players in the As as well. Bugger knows who will sit on the bench at prop for the A-team though!

A team TH will have to be McCallum and/or Rae who are apparently both leaving the club's this summer. I think Berghan and Nel will both go just because they have to.

If I'm playing in England I wouldn't play for Scotland A. A full cap maybe but not Scotland A. If Rodd, Ashman, Bayliss or Chapman play it'll be in the full squad I think.

I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 4:27 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 4:13 pm

I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 1:34 pm

With Price away and Horne not in any form just back I'd expect both Shiel and Dobie to go. Maybe one of and then Charlie Chapman if he wants to play for Scotland. Shiel has been very good of late.

Kinghorn depends on fitness I guess? Rufus McLean and I think Cole Forbes will tour.

I'm very keen to see Luke Crosbie and Tom Gordon in Scotland colours.

The A team is going to essentially be any Scottish qualified player currently playing rugby professionally.

I guess it depends if they put out a full team for the non-A team games.

Full team (assuming some rest for more senior players-anyone 30 or over gets the summer off):
Schoeman, Turner, Rae (?)
Cummings, Craig
Richie, Fagerson, Crosbie
Horne, Hastings
Redpath, Jones
Graham, Steyn
Kinghorn

McBurney, Kebble/Bhatti, ?, Toolis/Young, Bayliss/Bradbury/Graham, Steele, Jaco, Johnson/Lang

A-Team
Rodd, Ashman, Grahamslaw (?)
Davidson, Henderson
Bayliss, Bradbury, Miller
Vellacott, Jaco
Johnson, Lang,
McClean, Hoyland
Forbes

Stewart, ?, ?, Bain/Hodgson, Gordon, Dobie, Thomson, Blain

That's actually not too bad. There are actually a couple of guys that would be a bit unlucky (i.e. Dobie benching for the A team simply to cap others) and actually some pretty decent players in the As as well. Bugger knows who will sit on the bench at prop for the A-team though!

A team TH will have to be McCallum and/or Rae who are apparently both leaving the club's this summer. I think Berghan and Nel will both go just because they have to.

If I'm playing in England I wouldn't play for Scotland A. A full cap maybe but not Scotland A. If Rodd, Ashman, Bayliss or Chapman play it'll be in the full squad I think.

I’m not so sure. It doesn’t tie them to Scotland but sets their stall out as being in and around the squad. Ideal for Ashman and Bayliss in particular I would have thought.

Also, I forgot Hutchison and would definitely try to cap Dingwall.

I thought Scotland A was our designated capture team? Keeping the under20s open so players have options.

I'll tell you what if the RFU ever make their 20s the capture side rather than the Saxons we're screwed.

I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 7:33 pm I thought Scotland A was our designated capture team? Keeping the under20s open so players have options.

I'll tell you what if the RFU ever make their 20s the capture side rather than the Saxons we're screwed.

Ah, actually, you might be right on that one.

Edit: I’m not going to change it, but that wasn’t meant to sound like you are wrong on everything else!

I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 12:13 pm Chris Harris has been the most polarising Scotland player I can remember for a long time with fans.

Fair play to him. Also what a recruitment tool for the SRU. We took a 25 year old Newcastle falcons 13 and turned him into a British and Irish Lion.

I think he was that polarising player but after France few now doubt him.

I honestly think he has been chosen with the tests in mind. Why would you pick him as a dirtracker? Toony must have a hugely positive opinion of him. I reckon he’ll start the first test

Slick wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 9:37 pm

I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 12:13 pm Chris Harris has been the most polarising Scotland player I can remember for a long time with fans.

Fair play to him. Also what a recruitment tool for the SRU. We took a 25 year old Newcastle falcons 13 and turned him into a British and Irish Lion.

I think he was that polarising player but after France few now doubt him.

I honestly think he has been chosen with the tests in mind. Why would you pick him as a dirtracker? Toony must have a hugely positive opinion of him. I reckon he’ll start the first test

I'm of the same opinion. I think he'll be a big part of their defensive system

The videos of players watching the announcements are brilliant.

Have just read an article where Gatland says it was the France match which Finn really impressed him and cemented his place in the squad.

Just makes me wonder what is going through Sean Maitland’s mind right now that he was denied that chance to shine for the most ridiculous of reasons. I thought Sean had a great 6N and with him playing for Saracens he had a limited amount of matches to impress and get on the plane. I’m not saying he would have been a certainty but with tight decisions having to be made this one match missed may have been the difference as to whether he toured or not.

Indeed. In the Calcutta Cup, Maitland was the only impressive Saracen, yet most of the others have been selected and not him.

Whose place would Maitland take?

It's been funny seeing everyone's predictions here over the last few weeks, where all the Scots had effectively been programmed by Gatland to be conservative and some thought we'd have 3 or 4 (or fewer) Lions. Almost nobody thought more than 5 or 6. Funny, but also sad that we had got so used to losing the 50:50 calls.

Like many others, I secretly hoped for a total like this. Secretly, though. Been burned before.

8 is satisfying. But now that there are 8, it's so easy to make a case for a few more. I thought Redpath was going to be Gatland's bolter (in place of Farrell or Aki). Then there's Gray (for Hill), Maitland (for Daly), and one of the hookers. There are about three Englishmen too many, if form is considered.

I wonder how many Scots will be (or will have been) on tour before it's over?

duke wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 6:20 am Whose place would Maitland take?

Not saying he has an absolute right to have got his place but I imagine that it was a tight call between Maitland and Elliot Daly.

Having picked Hill I am surprised that Gatland never picked Gray alongside him as they work well together for Exeter

charltom wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 6:25 am It's been funny seeing everyone's predictions here over the last few weeks, where all the Scots had effectively been programmed by Gatland to be conservative and some thought we'd have 3 or 4 (or fewer) Lions. Almost nobody thought more than 5 or 6. Funny, but also sad that we had got so used to losing the 50:50 calls.

Like many others, I secretly hoped for a total like this. Secretly, though. Been burned before.

8 is satisfying. But now that there are 8, it's so easy to make a case for a few more. I thought Redpath was going to be Gatland's bolter (in place of Farrell or Aki). Then there's Gray (for Hill), Maitland (for Daly), and one of the hookers. There are about three Englishmen too many, if form is considered.

I wonder how many Scots will be (or will have been) on tour before it's over?

I was definitely one of those conditioned to have had low expectations. I predicted we would get Hoggy, Hamish, Duhan and Harris.

I thought Sutherlands shoulder would have given Gatland enough of an excuse to leave him out, I didn’t even consider Fagerson and Price as having a chance. And I fully expected Sexton to travel at Finns expense.

And none of those omissions are because I think our players don’t deserve it, I just didn’t expect Gatland to pick them.

charltom wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 6:25 am It's been funny seeing everyone's predictions here over the last few weeks, where all the Scots had effectively been programmed by Gatland to be conservative and some thought we'd have 3 or 4 (or fewer) Lions. Almost nobody thought more than 5 or 6. Funny, but also sad that we had got so used to losing the 50:50 calls.

Like many others, I secretly hoped for a total like this. Secretly, though. Been burned before.

8 is satisfying. But now that there are 8, it's so easy to make a case for a few more. I thought Redpath was going to be Gatland's bolter (in place of Farrell or Aki). Then there's Gray (for Hill), Maitland (for Daly), and one of the hookers. There are about three Englishmen too many, if form is considered.

I wonder how many Scots will be (or will have been) on tour before it's over?

I thought Redpath would go. He was absolutely outstanding Vs England. Henshaw was obviously the best 12 in the last year but I don't think many had a better performance than Redpath Vs England.

Oh well there's always next tour and the one after that. I bet he's VC for Scotland in the summer.

I don't think Maitland would've gone even if he had played France. Maybe he's on better form than Daly and covers 11/14/15 too. However Daly's boot is absolutely massive and we're playing at altitude, also Gatland must like him from the last tour.

charltom wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 6:25 am It's been funny seeing everyone's predictions here over the last few weeks, where all the Scots had effectively been programmed by Gatland to be conservative and some thought we'd have 3 or 4 (or fewer) Lions. Almost nobody thought more than 5 or 6. Funny, but also sad that we had got so used to losing the 50:50 calls.

Like many others, I secretly hoped for a total like this. Secretly, though. Been burned before.

8 is satisfying. But now that there are 8, it's so easy to make a case for a few more. I thought Redpath was going to be Gatland's bolter (in place of Farrell or Aki). Then there's Gray (for Hill), Maitland (for Daly), and one of the hookers. There are about three Englishmen too many, if form is considered.

I wonder how many Scots will be (or will have been) on tour before it's over?

To be fair pretty much every 50/50 has gone the way of the Scottish player. Which is unusual and the coaches have to find the balance, it is hard to only rely on form when the 6N was 2 months ago and the Lions tour is almost 2 months away. Every nation can point to a couple of guys being unlucky (Ryan, Ringrose, Davies, Underhill, Sinckler and others) which is how it should be really.

Taking Redpath on the back of one game would be massive punt.

I reckon if we were touring Oz then Gray would have been picked. His tackle count is insane but his tackles aren't always that physical and would bet that is what held him back. Lions are lucky to have locks like he and Ryan to fall back on.

Hopefully Turner is on the standby list, Rambo just hasn't got the games in his legs or the form before injury and Brown IMO is a walking stupid penalty.

Turner can't throw into a lineout consistently. His aberration against Ireland will have seen his chances go. It'll be the Irish hookers before Turner.

I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 7:19 am Turner can't throw into a lineout consistently. His aberration against Ireland will have seen his chances go. It'll be the Irish hookers before Turner.

Yep.

If it was a couple of years ago, people would have been arguing for two scottish hookers to go with McInally and Brown both at the top of their game.

I hadn’t really considered Fagerson as having a chance at all, and Price only came into my thinking of having a shot when Youngs said he wasn’t going.

I never thought Russell wasn’t going. Sexton hasn’t played three weeks in a row since 2018, and you can’t manage a player’s time like that on a Lions tour. He wouldn’t have been able to contribute fully to the tour and he’s not now at the level where it’s worth making that compromise. Once you take him out of the equation fly half is straightforward tbh, Biggar, Russell and Farrell with the latter covering centre as well.

Similarly with Watson. Don’t think there was ever a serious chance he wasn’t going.

I thought VdM was likely as Gatland likes to have a big winger and there isn’t another one.

I had thought Sutherland might be left out because of the injury.

So I’d been thinking 5 (Hogg, Russell, Watson and two from VdM, Harris, Price, Gray, Ritchie, Sutherland). Pleasantly surprised.

A bit of simmering resentment in some of the English press this morning over Sinkler losing out behind Fagerson and Sutherland.

I do feel for Sinkler mind you, great player and great lad it seems, but don’t take it out on those guys

Slick wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 7:35 am A bit of simmering resentment in some of the English press this morning over Sinkler losing out behind Fagerson and Sutherland.

I do feel for Sinkler mind you, great player and great lad it seems, but don’t take it out on those guys

I just commented on the M&B thread about how surprised I was with what Gatland said in his presser when asked about Sinckler - essentially, that he liked Porter's versatility as a hybrid LH/TH more.

Which of course means Fagerson was already in and seen as superior to Sinckler by the time it came down to choosing the 3rd TH. Clearly his stock was a lot higher than most of us on here thought.

Injury excepted, there is no chance of him usurping Furlong for the Test 3 shirt, but he must be a really good shout for the Test 18 strip.

Interesting to think about where there are players virtually nailed on and where there’s competition. I think TH, lock and 15 are really the only ones where pretty much everyone would agree at the moment.

Biffer wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 8:23 am Interesting to think about where there are players virtually nailed on and where there’s competition. I think TH, lock and 15 are really the only ones where pretty much everyone would agree at the moment.

Not 15, that’s going to be a massive shot fight between Hoggy and Williams I reckon

Slick wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 7:35 am A bit of simmering resentment in some of the English press this morning over Sinkler losing out behind Fagerson and Sutherland.

I do feel for Sinkler mind you, great player and great lad it seems, but don’t take it out on those guys

If they are complaining about him being behind Sutherland then that says a lot about them.

Slick wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 9:07 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 8:23 am Interesting to think about where there are players virtually nailed on and where there’s competition. I think TH, lock and 15 are really the only ones where pretty much everyone would agree at the moment.

Not 15, that’s going to be a massive shot fight between Hoggy and Williams I reckon

Yeah that will be decided on tour. Faletau is probably clear favourite for the 8 shirt too.

Big D wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 9:10 am

Slick wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 9:07 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 8:23 am Interesting to think about where there are players virtually nailed on and where there’s competition. I think TH, lock and 15 are really the only ones where pretty much everyone would agree at the moment.

Not 15, that’s going to be a massive shot fight between Hoggy and Williams I reckon

Yeah that will be decided on tour. Faletau is probably clear favourite for the 8 shirt too.

I would think Hogg is nailed on for 15, with Williams nailed on to be one of the wings.

Faletau might have it tough against Simmonds.

At the moment I'd only see Furlong, Itoje, Williams, Hogg as nailed on. 11 places up for grabs.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 9:28 am

Big D wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 9:10 am

Slick wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 9:07 am

Not 15, that’s going to be a massive shot fight between Hoggy and Williams I reckon

Yeah that will be decided on tour. Faletau is probably clear favourite for the 8 shirt too.

I would think Hogg is nailed on for 15, with Williams nailed on to be one of the wings.

Faletau might have it tough against Simmonds.

At the moment I'd only see Furlong, Itoje, Williams, Hogg as nailed on. 11 places up for grabs.

Could just as easily be Williams at FB with Watson and LRZ/DVdM on the other. Or Watson, Hogg and AN Other. The back 3 guys will enjoy the hard ground I think.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 7:43 am

Slick wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 7:35 am A bit of simmering resentment in some of the English press this morning over Sinkler losing out behind Fagerson and Sutherland.

I do feel for Sinkler mind you, great player and great lad it seems, but don’t take it out on those guys

I just commented on the M&B thread about how surprised I was with what Gatland said in his presser when asked about Sinckler - essentially, that he liked Porter's versatility as a hybrid LH/TH more.

Which of course means Fagerson was already in and seen as superior to Sinckler by the time it came down to choosing the 3rd TH. Clearly his stock was a lot higher than most of us on here thought.

Injury excepted, there is no chance of him usurping Furlong for the Test 3 shirt, but he must be a really good shout for the Test 18 strip.

Furlong is a freak, but I think a lot of people will be surprised by Fagerson this tour. I agree he will take the 18 shirt and I expect him to be solid in the scrum as well as showing his excellent game in the loose. His workrate is exceptional and, one minor aberration against Wales aside, generally extremely accurate. I don't think he'll displace Furlong, but I think post tour he will be mentioned in the same breath as Furlong as being a top, possibly world class tighthead.