Running predictions for the test team

[westy154]

Actually, disregard that, several players will be doing this actually.

[chinnjamie]

My team for the first test - Vickery, Mears, Jenkins, Hines, O'Connell, Croft, Wallace, Heaslip, Phillips, Jones, Monye, Roberts, BO'D, Bowe, Byrne.
Replacements: Murray, Ford, Wyn Jones, Williams, Ellis, Hook, Kearney

[bluntiger]

My team for the first test - Vickery, Mears, Jenkins, Hines, O'Connell, Croft, Wallace, Heaslip, Phillips, Jones, Monye, Roberts, BO'D, Bowe, Byrne.
Replacements: Murray, Ford, Wyn Jones, Williams, Ellis, Hook, Kearney

I agree entirely, but why is there a nagging feeling that there will be the names of Worsley and Shaw somewhere in the 22? Anybody else have the same feeling?

[dailywaffle]

He wouldn't be my pick, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Shaw make the bench.

Worsley would be a desperately negative selection, one showing a complete absence of ambition.

[mightymouse]

How can you leave out Murray and put Vickery in his place - Murray came on destroyed the opposition scrummage and created 3 penalties which got out of a bad position and then gave Hook the opportunity to win the game.

We have an opportunity to turn the bok scrum over - we will not do that with Phill (can we please have unopposed scrums when the going gets tough) Vickery

[chinnjamie]

Mightymouse 2 weeks ago i would have completely agreed with you, however Vickery was brilliant in the last match and seems to have found himself some of his best form for a long time. He also offers some more leadership against the boks. Im still not entirely convinced Crofty will start though, i would not be suprised to see a back row of Wallace, Williams and Heaslip with Crofty on the bench. He deserves a starting berth but it depends what kind of game IM wants to play, IMO if Williams starts then Crofty doesnt because that back row would be too lightweight.

[dailywaffle]

Lions selection for tomorrow hints at the following:

15 Byrne
14 Bowe
13 BO'D
12 Roberts
(above all known anyway)
11 Fitzgerald (last chance to impress) or Monye
10 Jones
9 Phillips (a given anyway)

1 Jenkins
2 Mears (a given)
3 Vickery
4 A-WJ
5 PO'C (c)
6 ?
7 ?
8 Heaslip

Can't read too much into the backrow, as Martyn had stitches in his knee.

[SkippyTiger]

I think the 6-7 shirts will go to 2 from Wallace - Williams - Croft with the looser (unfortuanatly i can see it being Croft) heading to the bench

[Duncan B]

Im getting that feeling too skip! lets hope williams doesnt have to kick a penalty to win the test match!

[Tiggersarewonderfulthings]

Im getting that feeling too skip! lets hope williams doesnt have to kick a penalty to win the test match!

Well, he's been known to drop goals in a Test match (vs Tonga in the 2003 World Cup) so I wouldn't completely denigrate his kicking abilities.

And if Nugget is the designated penalty kicker at any time over the next 3 weeks, I'd suggest that the Lions would be in pretty deep trouble anyway!

[tigermad]

Lions selection for tomorrow hints at the following:

15 Byrne
14 Bowe
13 BO'D
12 Roberts
(above all known anyway)
11 Fitzgerald (last chance to impress) or Monye
10 Jones
9 Phillips (a given anyway)

1 Jenkins
2 Mears (a given)
3 Vickery
4 A-WJ
5 PO'C (c)
6 ?
7 ?
8 Heaslip

Can't read too much into the backrow, as Martyn had stitches in his knee.

Agree that back row slots are up for grabs but would love to see Croft at 6. Would also like to see Hines instead of POC who has failed to impress at 5. What do you think?

[Jess]

Agree that back row slots are up for grabs but would love to see Croft at 6. Would also like to see Hines instead of POC who has failed to impress at 5. What do you think?

Don't think POC has been too bad to be honest, no worse than any of the other 2nd rows. Not been that impressed with Hines to be honest. I'd have POC and AWJ starting and DOC on the bench - thought he had an excellent game on saturday, took all of our own lineout ball, and stole one off western province. I guess selection in 2nd row depends on whether croft plays - if he does i wouldn't be surprised if they go with hines, but if wallace/williams/heaslip start they will definately go with POC/DOC/AWJ because they need the lineout options

[westwinds31]

This is so tricky, but predicted team is:

15 Bryne
14 Bowe
13 O'Driscoll
12 Roberts
11 Monye
10 Jones
9 Phillips
8 Heaslip
7 Wallace
6 Croft
5 O'Connell
4 W-Jones
3 Vickery
2 Mears
1 Jenkins

Notes: O'Connell doesn't make the bench in my team, but he will play as tour skipper and that is why Croft MUST play, as neither Wallace nor Williams have any lineout presence. Monye or Fitzgerald ?..could go either way. My surprise inclusion is Worsley at 6.

[bluntiger]

Actually I think the test side is more or less nailed as follows:

15 Bryne
14 Bowe
13 O'Driscoll
12 Roberts
11 Monye or Fitzgerald
10 Jones
9 Phillips
8 Heaslip
7 Wallace or Williams
6 Croft or Wallace
5 O'Connell
4 W-Jones
3 Vickery
2 Mears
1 Jenkins

The only two questions are :

1. Monye or Fitzgerald at 11 ? I would go for Monye.
2. Back row. Do they go for a back row of 6. Croft, 7. Wallace, 8. Heaslip or do they go for a back row of 6. Wallace, 7. Williams, 8. Heaslip. Either way, Heaslip and Wallace are in, it comes down to Croft or Williams. I would go for Croft but I would say that wouldn't I!

[SkippyTiger]

Whoever plays backrow for the Lions is going to have an interesting game now that Burger is confirmed as out with Roussow (normally an 8) taking over.