Croft, Tom Youngs only as starters....

[fortysix]

Willing to bet only Tom Y and Croft will start Test with Cole and Ben Y as benchers. Seems Manu is No 4 on pecking order. Hope Geoff can force his way in on Tuesday.
The backs lost all fluency when Farrell came on, kicking away 40% of his possession. God help us if Sexton gets injured...

[Darc Tiger]

Tom Youngs and Croft look in pole position for starting spots. What a season for Tom Youngs. Unbelievable.

Cole and Ben Youngs look set for the bench, and Parling has a good shout for the bench as he seems to be the 2nd lineout leader, and has performed well. Manu has a good chance of a shirt too, if he plays well on Tuesday. Roberts being injured could bump him to start, or could be the perfect impact sub.

I think we can be happy with that. Great representation from our boys.

[Jimmy Skitz]

looks like Roberts may be out but the way Davies has played can he really not start?

[drc_007]

looks like Roberts may be out but the way Davies has played can he really not start?

The style of play does require a big ball-carrier at 12, interesting to see in Manu is fit for a run out in the next game.

[youngtiger]

looks like Roberts may be out but the way Davies has played can he really not start?

Yes. It's not about the picking best 23 players and fitting them in where you can: it has to be about combinations that will work to create the best team, and Manu and BOD as a combination has had some success this series. Has Davies played with BOD so far? I can't recall but may well have forgotten.

[Jimmy Skitz]

looks like Roberts may be out but the way Davies has played can he really not start?

The style of play does require a big ball-carrier at 12, interesting to see in Manu is fit for a run out in the next game.

I was thinking more about BOD losing his place

[cidermark]

Of the six Tigers there...
The brace of Tom's should definitely be starters
Ben, Dan and Geoff should be, at least, on the bench
The only one that may struggle to gain a place is Manu - but that, I think, really depends on how his shoulder holds up - and,of course, BOD!

As an aside, I would love to see the B.L.'s (without the Tigers sextet) versus the Tigers!!!!

[rocktop51]

Let's all hope that all,our lads become capped LIons even if it is off the bench

[tigerburnie]

Manu's reported to have a stinger injury, if fit I would expect him to start alongside BOD, I think we will have 3 start and 3 on the bench.

[SimonP in Surrey]

Seems to have gone quiet about Manu shoulder ? If Roberts is crocked then Manu would seem to almost like for like and Manu went well with BOD. However Davies was very good yesterday.

[Soggypitch]

Manu is not even in the 23 for Tuesday so there's absolutely no chance (IMHO) of him starting on Saturday.

If his shoulder is compleyely mended however there is a bench possibility, I can't see Roberts being fit in which case Davies and BOD will start and rightly so. Davies had a stormer yesterday.

[SimonP in Surrey]

IMHO I don't see the logic ... Virtually all of the Tuesday 23 will not start on Sat and Manu has been training .... That being said Davies / BOD would be good .... Just lacking the BOOSSHH ... That Gats likes

[TomWeston]

That fanatical Tigers fan Stephen Jones gave TY only a '6' for his performance yesterday. Seems he prefers Hibbard, who just happens to be W.........!

[Farmboy]

Some only see what they want to see

[TigerLad]

I don't like the combo of Davies and BOD, and so I would hope Manu pairs with BOD instead. I can see Manu being fit though, it's clear that Gatland is deeply worried about any more injuries to his starting backs (hence the call up of Wade, Williams, 36 and Barritt). I think that he is resting Manu and BOD to start the first test, at least I hope so anyway.