NPR

Andy Farrell named British and Irish Lions head coach for 2025 tour to Australia

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67935698

Good choice

Tichtheid wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2024 2:09 pm Andy Farrell named British and Irish Lions head coach for 2025 tour to Australia

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67935698

Unless Australia make a huge improvement over the next 12 months this is going to be a one sided tour.

Who is Australias coach ?

I saw rumours of Schmidt. I doubt he would. He prefers not to be in limelight any more.

Who would want the poisonous, even radioactive, chalice?

Would have preferred someone with a bit more success winning the big matches but I guess Borthwick is focussed on England after their WC run.

Slick wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2024 3:05 pm Would have preferred someone with a bit more success winning the big matches but I guess Borthwick is focussed on England after their WC run.

Irish baiting at its finest

Slick wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2024 3:05 pm Would have preferred someone with a bit more success winning the big matches but I guess Borthwick is focussed on England after their WC run.

<can't tell if serious>


I'm just happy it's not Gats.

inactionman wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2024 3:14 pm

Slick wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2024 3:05 pm Would have preferred someone with a bit more success winning the big matches but I guess Borthwick is focussed on England after their WC run.

<can't tell if serious>


I'm just happy it's not Gats.

rarely

Ymx wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2024 2:43 pm Who is Australias coach ?

Lazarus.

Wallabies under control

The obvious, and best, choice. He's a great coach.

Unless Aus rugby gets its shit together pronto, this could be a disastrous series for the hosts.

Are any of their domestic coaching prospects likely to turn the ship around, or will they have to go shopping offshore again?

His support team will be interest to see. I wonder if le'Gara will get a call.

Gumboot wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 2:40 am The obvious, and best, choice. He's a great coach.

Unless Aus rugby gets its shit together pronto, this could be a disastrous series for the hosts.

Are any of their domestic coaching prospects likely to turn the ship around, or will they have to go shopping offshore again?

Yup, scenes of B&I supporters outnumbering the locals in the stadia and a thumping will be pretty disastrous

Anyone have suggestions for bolters for the Lions at this early stage?

It’s a shame Jac Morgan is crocked for the 6N, he’s a serious player. Arundell getting picked for the Lions but being ineligible for England would be “interesting”. Feyi-Waboso is being tipped for 6N honours this year.

assfly wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 6:22 am His support team will be interest to see. I wonder if le'Gara will get a call.

I would imagine it will be difficult for any club coaches to be involved, but especially so for ones in France - their season just goes on far too long. Whereas national coaches will be free from the middle of March really.

Ymx wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2024 2:56 pm I saw rumours of Schmidt. I doubt he would. He prefers not to be in limelight any more.

Who would want the poisonous, even radioactive, chalice?

He'd be everything they hoped they'd get with Jones but didn't.

Just can't see him uprooting with family situation, it's always come first for him.

This tour has more than a whiff of rage against the dying of the light about it.

An old-fashioned concept kept alive by playing a national team at its lowest ebb from a country that couldn't care less about union in the first place.

Tichtheid wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 10:03 am Anyone have suggestions for bolters for the Lions at this early stage?

It’s a shame Jac Morgan is crocked for the 6N, he’s a serious player. Arundell getting picked for the Lions but being ineligible for England would be “interesting”. Feyi-Waboso is being tipped for 6N honours this year.

Morgan was a good shout but knackered but still has an outside chance depending on recovery. Arundell great with ball in hand but cant defend but there again there won't be a lot of that to do in the land of the convicts but many better wingers ahead of him. Feyi-Waboso is one of these guys who looks great with ball in hand but has had 11 pro appearances and has a lot to learn. We have seen many of these types of players look great at a certain level going forward then get badly exposed when playing with the big boys, get targeted and have to defend against top class players, etc. One to watch for the Tour after Australia perhaps?

clydecloggie wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 10:30 am This tour has more than a whiff of rage against the dying of the light about it.

An old-fashioned concept kept alive by playing a national team at its lowest ebb from a country that couldn't care less about union in the first place.

Oz’s hospitality industry will benefit hugely from the tourist fans, the hosts always do. The Lions is still a big money maker, the concept will survive as long as that remains the case. As soon as the tours stop generating money from tv, sponsors and fans it will be defenestrated toute suite and all the talk of the romance of the Lions will be shown to be hot air.

Rather than killing the golden goose, I can see them playing fixtures in the USA, or even, dog help us, some oil producing countries in the Middle East