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Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2025 7:56 pm
by Tichtheid
Uncle fester wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 7:07 pm
Blackmac wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 2:32 pm
westport wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 1:27 pm
Finn would be as well booking a family holiday
Absolute joke of an appointment. Not only no coaching experience but a man that
has made no secret of his dislike of Finn Russell.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... lf-debate/
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2025 8:59 pm
by Uncle fester
Didn't know about that one. Not wild about the appointment for different reasons. He has no experience of coaching at this level and it's not clear what his remit is.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 9:23 am
by SaintK
Yeeb wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 2:35 pm
SaintK wrote: Wed Apr 16, 2025 7:49 am
Yeeb wrote: Wed Apr 16, 2025 7:22 am
Maybe Lawes will get called up, apparently he’s tearing it up in D2
As much as I'd love to see him, at 36 this might well be a tour too far?
Brive are 2nd in the standings and may well be involved in play-offs at thee end of the season
Just airing musings , as a counter to the comment about curry. I’d rather have lawes there who doesn’t appear to be winding down in performance just yet, to some overated celts who underperform when it actually matters.
DTelegraph's Charlie Morgan's take on the current form of potential France based Lions
https://archive.ph/hnRDi
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 10:36 am
by Simian
Worst pick since Alastair Campbell
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 10:43 am
by Rhubarb & Custard
Simian wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 10:36 am
Worst pick since Alastair Campbell
Seems harmless enough, unless he's allowed to pair a suit with trainers
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 11:53 am
by SaintK
Rhubarb & Custard wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 10:43 am
Simian wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 10:36 am
Worst pick since Alastair Campbell
Seems harmless enough, unless he's allowed to pair a suit with trainers
Hopefully no more than the Neil Jenkins role. Water boy, kicking tee carrier and messenger boy
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 11:55 am
by Rhubarb & Custard
SaintK wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 11:53 am
Rhubarb & Custard wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 10:43 am
Simian wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 10:36 am
Worst pick since Alastair Campbell
Seems harmless enough, unless he's allowed to pair a suit with trainers
Hopefully no more than the Neil Jenkins role. Water boy, kicking tee carrier and messenger boy
Might be worth it if he walks out onto the pitch and starts lambasting some of the players for their perceived failings, or driving standards as he might label it
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 12:05 pm
by Chilli2
Rhubarb & Custard wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 11:55 am
SaintK wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 11:53 am
Rhubarb & Custard wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 10:43 am
Seems harmless enough, unless he's allowed to pair a suit with trainers
Hopefully no more than the Neil Jenkins role. Water boy, kicking tee carrier and messenger boy
Might be worth it if he walks out onto the pitch and starts lambasting some of the players for their perceived failings, or driving standards as he might label it
The Lions are fucked.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 12:52 pm
by Rhubarb & Custard
Chilli2 wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 12:05 pm
Rhubarb & Custard wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 11:55 am
SaintK wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 11:53 am
Hopefully no more than the Neil Jenkins role. Water boy, kicking tee carrier and messenger boy
Might be worth it if he walks out onto the pitch and starts lambasting some of the players for their perceived failings, or driving standards as he might label it
The Lions are fucked.
I have no objection should that prove the case. But seeing as I've little idea who Australia will even pick let alone how they might play/fare I'm even more clueless than normal
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 1:12 pm
by Punter15
When you need to unify four different nations, not sure that picking someone with a high degree of animosity towards three of them is a sound move.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 1:18 pm
by Uncle fester
Punter15 wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 1:12 pm
When you need to unify four different nations, not sure that picking someone with a high degree of animosity towards three of them is a sound move.
He has plenty of animosity for Irish players too.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 1:30 pm
by Simian
Uncle fester wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 1:18 pm
Punter15 wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 1:12 pm
When you need to unify four different nations, not sure that picking someone with a high degree of animosity towards three of them is a sound move.
He has plenty of animosity for Irish players too.
True! I suppose it’s possible everyone will be united by their shared disdain for him.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 3:50 pm
by Biffer
Scotlands last three results vs Australia
W 15-13 2021
L 15-16 2022
W 27-13 2024
If the Lions don’t exceed that, the tour is a failure.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 4:16 pm
by Tichtheid
Uncle fester wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 1:18 pm
Punter15 wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 1:12 pm
When you need to unify four different nations, not sure that picking someone with a high degree of animosity towards three of them is a sound move.
He has plenty of animosity for Irish players too.
I'm not sure if it was on here that I read it, but I read that John Cooney's international career was cut short because he didn't get on with Sexton.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 4:28 pm
by Biffer
Tichtheid wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 4:16 pm
Uncle fester wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 1:18 pm
Punter15 wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 1:12 pm
When you need to unify four different nations, not sure that picking someone with a high degree of animosity towards three of them is a sound move.
He has plenty of animosity for Irish players too.
I'm not sure if it was on here that I read it, but I read that John Cooney's international career was cut short because he didn't get on with Sexton.
Be hard to find a 23 of players he actually likes tbh. Prick that he is.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 4:54 pm
by Tichtheid
The thing that pisses me off is that the Lions isn't a development tour. Sexton has no pedigree as a coach, zero, nil, nada. He's no right being there.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 4:56 pm
by SaintK
Tichtheid wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 4:54 pm
The thing that pisses me off is that the Lions isn't a development tour. Sexton has no pedigree as a coach, zero, nil, nada. He's no right being there.
Spot on!!
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 8:28 pm
by Gumboot
Biffer wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 3:50 pm
Scotlands last three results vs Australia
W 15-13 2021
L 15-16 2022
W 27-13 2024
If the Lions don’t exceed that, the tour is a failure.
I'd be surprised if there's that kind of series result tbh. Joe Schmidt's clearly got the Aussie Supe players fizzing for selection to face the Lions, and I'd venture to suggest this year's Wallabies will contain a number of truly world class operators at their best. If Farrell selects a test squad full of Irish players who are past their best (ie most of them), I reckon the Lions will really struggle.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 9:50 am
by SaintK
Kinghorn a doubt for the Toulouse league run in and playoffs.
Went off very early in thgeir match agains Castres with knee ligament issues
Was due a scan yesterday but no details as yet
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 9:52 am
by Tichtheid
SaintK wrote: Tue Apr 29, 2025 9:50 am
Kinghorn a doubt for the Toulouse league run in and playoffs.
Went off very early in thgeir match agains Castres with knee ligament issues
Was due a scan yesterday but no details as yet
Pisser.
I saw him go off, it didn't look too bad at the time
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 8:44 pm
by Uncle fester
Tichtheid wrote: Tue Apr 29, 2025 9:52 am
SaintK wrote: Tue Apr 29, 2025 9:50 am
Kinghorn a doubt for the Toulouse league run in and playoffs.
Went off very early in thgeir match agains Castres with knee ligament issues
Was due a scan yesterday but no details as yet
Pisser.
I saw him go off, it didn't look too bad at the time
Knee injuries can be funny like that.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 9:47 pm
by Guy Smiley
Rugby Australia have been making some sound, if slightly unorthodox decisions under the leadership of Phil Waugh which promise a stable brand of growth and financial success after years of poor leadership and decision making. It's good to see, the next few years promise to have them back at the top of the global scene.
The latest is an announcement regarding the appointment of the next national coach, with Joe Schmidt unwilling to carry on. They've found a way to manage a tricky situation... their appointment is Les Kiss who is currently contracted to Queensland Rugby coaching the resurgent Reds. His contract expires in 2026 and Schmidt has agreed to stay on until Kiss can take over... there won't be any extra matches to manage during that stewardship period but it allows a stability at both organisations while avoiding any messy and expensive contract buy out. Kiss and Schmidt have worked together before at Ireland, it seems to be a particularly effective way to manage the transition keeping everyone involved happy.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 9:55 pm
by Hugo
Guy, is Schmidt leaving due to homesickness? Thought I read that somewhere.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 10:01 pm
by Guy Smiley
Hugo wrote: Tue Apr 29, 2025 9:55 pm
Guy, is Schmidt leaving due to homesickness? Thought I read that somewhere.
Not so much homesickness as a desire to be closer to family and his desire to care for his son, who has severe epilepsy. He's a family man... can't begrudge him that.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 10:26 pm
by Uncle fester
Guy Smiley wrote: Tue Apr 29, 2025 10:01 pm
Hugo wrote: Tue Apr 29, 2025 9:55 pm
Guy, is Schmidt leaving due to homesickness? Thought I read that somewhere.
Not so much homesickness as a desire to be closer to family and his desire to care for his son, who has severe epilepsy. He's a family man... can't begrudge him that.
It's why he left Ireland also. Can't fault him. Family first over ambitions that he may have.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Thu May 01, 2025 1:54 pm
by Uncle fester
Nika, Bin and Piardi for the tests rotating between them.
https://rugbyreferee.net/2025/05/01/202 ... r-referees
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Thu May 01, 2025 5:04 pm
by Biffer
How the fuck does Marius Joncker still get a gig as a TMO?
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Thu May 01, 2025 5:23 pm
by SaintK
Bloody hell! Brousset gets a tour gig after his abysmal performances in the 6N
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Thu May 01, 2025 5:36 pm
by Enzedder
No Saffers? I don't see much of their refs now that there is no Super Rugby there - don't they have any decent ones now?
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Sun May 04, 2025 10:46 am
by Uncle fester
Enzedder wrote: Thu May 01, 2025 5:36 pm
No Saffers? I don't see much of their refs now that there is no Super Rugby there - don't they have any decent ones now?
Yes, was surprised at that.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Sun May 04, 2025 10:52 am
by SaintK
A couple of observations from the Saints Leinster match.
Whilst Doris was visible as a player and had a reasonable game I thought his captaincy and leadership left a lot to be desired when the chips were down.
Am I alone in thinking that Furlong is a shadow of the player he was 4 years ago?
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Sun May 04, 2025 11:13 am
by OomStruisbaai
Enzedder wrote: Thu May 01, 2025 5:36 pm
No Saffers? I don't see much of their refs now that there is no Super Rugby there - don't they have any decent ones now?
Our refs disappear.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Sun May 04, 2025 11:31 am
by Rhubarb & Custard
SaintK wrote: Sun May 04, 2025 10:52 am
Am I alone in thinking that Furlong is a shadow of the player he was 4 years ago?
No, but he's barely played recently so I'd also be far from writing him off. If he can stay fit, which seemingly is a big if, and he can find his groove they'd be mad not to want him. Also he knows what a Lions tour is about, and he seems like the sort of bloke not to hold his troubles against Fagerson and/or Stuart if he's struggling to regain what he was
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Sun May 04, 2025 11:39 am
by SaintK
Stephen Jones Lions squad. Must have been a bit pissed !!!
Cameron Redpath, Nicky Smith, Jonny Hill, Courtney Lawes and Faletau, and no Dan Sheehan
Backs
Back three Elliot Daly (England), Hugo Keenan (Ireland), Blair Kinghorn (Scotland, after French club duties), Tommy Freeman (England), Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland), James Lowe (Ireland), Jamie Osborne (Ireland).
Centre Cameron Redpath (Scotland), Bundee Aki (Ireland), Garry Ringrose (Ireland), Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland), Huw Jones (Scotland).
Fly half Finn Russell (Scotland), George Ford (England), Fin Smith (England).
Scrum half Tomos Williams (Wales), Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland), Ben White (Scotland).
Forwards
Prop Nicky Smith (Wales), Pierre Schoeman (Scotland), Andrew Porter (Ireland), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Zander Fagerson (Scotland), Will Stuart (England).
Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie (England), Ronan Kelleher (Ireland), Jamie George (England).
Second row Ollie Chessum (England), Maro Itoje (England), Joe McCarthy (Ireland), Jonny Hill (England).
Back row Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Ben Earl (England), Tom Curry (England), Courtney Lawes (England), Jac Morgan (Wales), Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Caelan Doris (Ireland).
https://archive.ph/XILKz#selection-1803.0-1835.159
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Sun May 04, 2025 12:15 pm
by sockwithaticket
It's not even funny trolling at this point. Just absurd.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Sun May 04, 2025 12:31 pm
by Rhubarb & Custard
I could sort of see picking White over Mitchell if looking at more than this year's 6N, and if thinking about the partnership with Russell, but then if that's a thing why not pick Fagerson rather than Lawes?
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Sun May 04, 2025 10:02 pm
by Slick
SaintK wrote: Sun May 04, 2025 10:52 am
A couple of observations from the Saints Leinster match.
Whilst Doris was visible as a player and had a reasonable game I thought his captaincy and leadership left a lot to be desired when the chips were down.
Am I alone in thinking that Furlong is a shadow of the player he was 4 years ago?
If Farrell wasn’t coach then Prendergast played himself out of a spot yesterday. He doesn’t do anything better than Russell or Fin Smith but his tackling was unbelievably poor, like amateur rugby poor, so no point in taking him.
I don’t think any of the other Irish players had particularly bad games. Freeman has cemented his place. I feel a bit for Dingwall, how the hell has he not been playing regularly for England? If he had he might well be going
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 3:53 am
by Gumboot
I'm curious to know if any of the bored's Lions supporters have watched many of the Aussie Supe teams' games, and how you rate the quality of the opposiion players the tourists are likely to meet.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 6:41 am
by Uncle fester
Gumboot wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 3:53 am
I'm curious to know if any of the bored's Lions supporters have watched many of the Aussie Supe teams' games, and how you rate the quality of the opposiion players the tourists are likely to meet.
Think most of us stopped watching super rugby a long time ago.
Re: B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread
Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 7:36 am
by Sandstorm
Uncle fester wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 6:41 am
Gumboot wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 3:53 am
I'm curious to know if any of the bored's Lions supporters have watched many of the Aussie Supe teams' games, and how you rate the quality of the opposiion players the tourists are likely to meet.
Think most of us stopped watching super rugby a long time ago.
I have. Aussie Teams are looking much better than they were 2 years ago. I don’t think they’ll beat the Lions, but they’ll give them a decent series.