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Tomorrows team just seems to be an attempt to give everyone a run out. Difficult for the players as some combinations are not ideal. Any one who hasn't impressed yet will surely need to do so tomorrow to be considered for the test team which is harsh on those who have not played yet.
On the basis McGeechan said 4 weeks ago everyone would get at least one match before the Tests then that's exactly what it is.
British & Irish Lions (vs Sharks)
15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales)
14. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)
13. Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster/Ireland)
10. Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland)
9. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)
7. David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
6. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England)
5. Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland) captain
4. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
3. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
2. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
Replacements
16. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
17. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
18. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
19. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
20. Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland)
21. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)
22. Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
Think this is probably Williams last chance to impress if he wants to make the test team. He's been very poor so far.
+1.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jofspring
The interception he gave away sums up his performances as he is holding onto the ball far too much & thinks he can do everything himself. It looks like the other players don't know what he is going to do.
Strange not to see Kearney start as Byrne has had 2 games already.
Fitzgerald has a chance as the left wing slot is very much open.
O'Gara needs a big game to force his way onto the bench at the very least.
Solid game from Heaslip will seal his place in the team as Powell has been eratic.
Pack looks very close to starting test side.
Getting closer to the test side, a handfull of those lads are playing for a test start but that looks like about 9 or 10 names from the side I'd expect to run out in Durban in 2 weeks time
Another Irish player out Ferris
Half the Irish picked have either dropped out or can't get in the ANY team selected by Geech. There not injured but it's turning into a terrible tour for the likes of O'Callaghan and Kearney.
How is it a terrible tour? Better players are keeping them out of the team. Thats all, why the drama?Quote:
Originally Posted by rambler14
Gutted for Ferris.
Has anybody been reading Stephen Jones column in the Times? Anti Irish beyond belief. BOD doesn't deserve a starting place, Earls is crap and O'Connell isn't much better etc.
Bowe, BOD, O'Connell and Wallace are nailed on certs for the first test IMO (injuries permitting).
I think ferris would have been in the test side or at worst on the bench so it's a huge blow for him.
Kearney was always behind Lee Byrne in the pecking order, but I thought he had a good game against the Lions when he got his chance & I would think he will be hoping for a bench spot due to his utility
O'Callaghan was behind Alun Wyn Jones for the second lock spot going over but has done himself no real favours from what I've seen of him so far, don't expect him to trouble the test squad which is a pity because after the Ireland Wales Game I thought him & POC took their line out apart but his temprament will always be a question mark.
I'd agree that POC, BOD & Bowe are all certain to start, Wallace must be pretty close too & I think a big game from Heaslip would seal his spot.
I can see ROG missing out completely as Hook might be seen as a better bench option because of his flexibility.
As it stands at the moment I can see the test team being along the lines of:
Byrne: Bowe, O'Driscoll, Roberts, Fitzgerald: Jones, Phillips: Jenkins, Mears, Murray: O'Connell, Hines: Croft, Worsley, Heaslip.
Subs; Rees, Vickery, Wyn-Jones, Wallace, Ellis, Hook, Kearney.
Thats how I see it going. The only major questions are at left wing and open side flanker. Wallace and Williams are both badly out of form. Fitzgerald might edge out Kearney or possibly Earls for the left wing spot.
Don't understand how people suddenly think Hook is above the pecking order ahead of O'Gara, yes he is versatile - but not in the tests imo.I mean he wasnt deemed good enough to travel a few weeks ago. O'Gara has done nothing wrong so far - neither has Jones - its a 50/50 call there still.
Disapointed O'Callaghan hasn't got more game time, he could yet play a big part in the tour. Although Wyn-Jones has done very well, better than i expected. He was crap in the HC Q-final - think he was taken off in that game.
Geech wants to keep a few cards up his sleeve come the tests - so he may not expose all players / combinations in the other matches.
My test team would be:
Byrne, Bowe, O'Driscoll, Roberts, Moyne, O'Gara/Jones, Phillips, Sheridan, Mears, Murray, O'Connell, Wyn-Jones, Croft, Heaslip, Wallace
O'Gara made the tour ahead of Hook initially because of his partnership with O'Leary, who never made it, and because of his experience. He certainly didn't make it on this seasons form, which overall has been quite poor-something he freely admits himself.Quote:
Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid
Can't see how you have Wallace on that starting XV, or Monye for that matter. Still...it's all about opinion, isn't it?
O'Gara needs a good game today as his end of season form was very poor.
Test Team certainties
Byrne, Bowe, O'Driscoll, Roberts, ????, O'Gara/Jones, Phillips,
????, ?????, ????, O'Connell, ??????, Croft, Heaslip, ?????
TBH I haven't paid any attention to the front row so have no idea. Will probbaly be Jones alonside O'Connell. Wallace has good chance but needs to show some form tonight. Fitzgerald has good chance but again needs to show it tonight.
IMO Ferris was almost certain to start in the first test.
Well its between Wallace and Williams for seven. - neither have set the world alight so far. I like Monye - i think he is an improving international , strong, fast, Good finisher, i will concede he is doubtful to start.Quote:
Originally Posted by joeSoap
I disagree about Hook - whatever about O'Gara's form throughout the year - he was still better than Hook, again just an opinion. I don't think Hook has earned the right to be in the out-half selection argument.
Halfpenny gone home now....
Wallace for me has to start somewhere in the back row.
Why?? He's one of my favourite players but has been woefully off form on this tour so far. Unless he has a massive game tonight, I reckon he doesn't deserve to be in ahead of Worsley who has shown better form on tour. Croft is a shoe in now Ferris has gone home and provides the line out option along with Heaslip. I hope he can pull one out of the bag cos he's a great great player, but you only get a minimum of chances on a tour like this.Quote:
Originally Posted by shakermaker1982
dont think joe worsely has done anything at all, as a matter of fact the one game he played at openside i thought he played himself out of contention altogether, as the lions were absolutely obliterated at the breakdown.Quote:
Originally Posted by joeSoap
o gara in my opinion is a cert to be in the 22 and a good performance from him tonight could see him in the number 10 jersey for the first test.
i think the test team will be something like
byrne
bowe
bod
roberts
moyne
rog
phillips
heaslip
wallace
croft
aw jones
poc
jenkins
mears
murray
subs
rees
sheridan
hines
williams (if fit)
ellis
s jones
kearney
does anybody know if the Churchill cup games are available to watch online Ireland first game is tonight at 11.30