2021 Lions

[riocard911]

Smith looks like the real deal, well worth a punt ahead of Farrell.

Marcus Smith is only two months older than Harry Byrne. Noah Lolesio, who kicked the Wallabies to victory in the third match of the Test Series vs France and scored a try, is half a year younger than HB.

[ronk]

And Harry was capped for Ireland at a younger age than Marcus Smith.

There are well discussed reasons why a player like Smith might have 100 caps for Sale but Byrne has so many less.

Fair play to him for an incredibly fast rise. Not thrilled that England are going to be harder to beat.

[riocard911]

And Harry was capped for Ireland at a younger age than Marcus Smith.

There are well discussed reasons why a player like Smith might have 100 caps for Sale but Byrne has so many less.

Fair play to him for an incredibly fast rise. Not thrilled that England are going to be harder to beat.

Me either. But it's players like him, the stuff they do and the skills they display, that make one just want to sit back, admire and enjoy.

[ronk]

Smith plays for Quins. Point is about 12 clubs to share the talent rather than 4.

[Ruckedtobits]

Difficult to know if anything can disturb Gatland's sang froid even if it is misplaced in this instance. Based on Gatland's historic preferences, I suspect a selection something like this :

Williams, RZ, Daley, Henshaw, Evans, Biggar, Murray, Vunapola, Cowan Dickey, Furlong, AWJ, Itoji, Lawes, Curry, Falitaou.

At this point, 'Boks to win First Test by 21-15 with a feast of penalties.

[CiaranIrl]

He can't start Vunipola after the demolition of the scrum against the A team, surely?

[LeinsterLeader]

A few shocks if this turns out to be the team (from scrum365)

Could be WG pulling a fast one though!

[CiaranIrl]

The backline is a bit surprising, in that VDM turns like an oil tanker in defense. Seems he might be opting for the idea that he can run over Kolbe on attack. I think everyone thought it would be Adams though. Hogg is prone to f%~king something up massively in every game. I really expected Williams to start at full back.

He seems to be opting for as big a pack as possible, but more focused on upright power than threat over the ball.. Thought Beirne was a shoe in after starting three games on tour and playing well.

Absolutely delighted for Conan though.

[Ruckedtobits]

If that rumoured team turns out to be Gatland's selection, they must be seeing a lot at training which isn't evident on match days to date.

[OTT]

3 of the ‘soft’ Leinster men in that team.

[wixfjord]

Tough on Hendo.

Great to see 3 of our boys starting!

[Dave Cahill]

I'd have gone with Adams insted of VDM myself, but that apart...

[Oldschoolsocks]

Tough on Hendo.

Great to see 3 of our boys starting!

Henderson doesn’t like playing on the right hand side and AWJ prob won’t last the 80.

[ronk]

Henderson is the loser from the 5-3 split. But an extra back is great to have.

[CiaranIrl]

Lawes will switch to the row alongside Itoje I assume when Beirne comes on for AWJ. Don't think Beirne is remotely big enough to play in the row against those monster locks.

[Laighin Break]

Great to see 3 of our boys starting!

Highest represented club in the starting XV

[CiaranIrl]

Great to see 3 of our boys starting!

Highest represented club in the starting XV

Hopefully there's no injuries or long term damage to the three lads. McGrath was a wreck after the Lions, and even Furlong took damage that took him a while to recover from.

[riocard911]

Courtney Lawes is the unsung hero of the tour thus far, IMO. If he puts in a top notch performance, which I'm expecting, the BIL could win the first Test. I too am absolutely delighted for Jack Conan getting the 8 jersey.

[OTT]

Munsterfans up in arms, for Murrrrr? Nah, for Beirne? Nah.

Keep up the great work Jack Conan

[Oldschoolsocks]

Munsterfans up in arms, for Murrrrr? Nah, for Beirne? Nah.

Keep up the great work Jack Conan

They are absolutely gas down there!!!