Johnson in 1997 did not play until a few games in. It happens.

The thought process behind making someone so injury prone captain is a bit odd. If you include Dan Lydiates inclusion as someone who has barely played any rugby for months, you have to question some of the selection decsions. Don't get me wrong I rate both of them but I have zero expectation of Lydiate and Warburton making the end of the tour.

so there's a glimmer of hope for Robshaw yet then?

Less than 24hrs till the match, not sure how much Gats will get from this.

Woodward thinks Barbarians match is waste of time

Now I know Woodward got quite a few things wrong in 2005, but I think he might have a point about playing a tougher side like France or Argentina

thoughts?

Hi, long time lurker here, but havent got sky, anywhere else I can watch the lions tour? thanks

sorry, am an avid England rugby fan, and would love to watch the Lions tour, aint a pbu or a wum, am a genuine first poster,
if anyone knows where I can watch it, muchly appreciated

Just listened to a report on Radio 5 from Hong Kong and they said how humid it is . The Lions management have asked for extra water breaks. With only 7 changes allowed, 8 of the starting line up will have to play the whole 80 minutes
Gonna be a few tired bodies . The bit that concerns me is this is when injuries happen

It was 40/1 on bet365 on a 56 point win or above.

Could be.

Farrell is a great kicker but I think Sexton is definately going to play the tests

He's been a bit iffy in the second half ball in hand

The trouble with winning a World Cup and the trouble with having a knighthood........He has a point though but this is a man who presided over probably the unhappiest Lions tour in recent times by having 2 coaching teams with the result that the dirt trackers (mid week team) thought they had no chance of making the test team.

I am afraid that Farrell in recent times has come undone as it were. Yes Brits over 'compensated' for being held back but Farrell applauding him off was not right. He was also involved in an incident or 3 in the domestic season towards the end. Australia/Australian teams will be licking their lips at the prospect of provoking him.

Farrell was shocking, no two ways about it.

He needs to take a long look at himself and sort things out because otherwise Johnny Wilkinson or Dan Biggar is going to get a plane ticket to Australia couried to them first thing Monday morning.

I really can't say he was shocking... maybe I have some English bias towards him but I have no problem at all with him going back after Britz... Simon Barnes seems to have a massive issue with him (he seems to be jealous of every player ever ever since Rob Andrew made him 2nd choice for England)... I like my players to have a bit of bite, and particularly the fly halves... crikey, his dad won Man of Steel 3 times; he's young and exceptionally good.. people are going to try and get into him... once he fired back no one else tried in the game...

All that said, I've no issue with JW coming over and taking over at 10... DB can stay with Wales though, second rate for me.

I think a match with the Babaas didn't tell us much we didn't already know... we have a powerful pack, the back row were all very efficient if unremarkable (how good is Tipuric!!). Phillips with ball in hand is exceptional and I'll allow the conditions to be part responsible for his service.

Roberts is a big game player and I've seemingly underrated Davies, as he looked pure class (like a shorter Will Greenwood).

The only player who didn't really impress for me was Maitland; looked fast but ineffective.

The XV selected for the next match looks exciting, really interested to see BOD and Manu together, we have 4 great centres of that I've no doubt and I think whichever combination it'll be a strong area for us. Also excited to see Croft get going again and Rory Best; who I think could play himself into a Test spot.

I think we saw that Hogg is making a case for inclusion into the squad.

Farrell was a very weak link

Vinupula was better than I expected

O'Connal and Gray are my 1st choice second row

we have like for like centres

Tipuric is a better 7 than Warburton

My dad was a paratrooper, I get a nosebleed on the first rung of a ladder.

I think Farrel is a massive weak link he is a replacement 10 if Sexton has an injury at best.

I just can't agree with that... he played superb all season for Saracens as they topped the Premiership... he played superb in 4 of 5 games for England as they came within a game of a grand slam... his kicking remains on point, Sexton hasn't looked good since the first half against Wales in the first game of the 6N.

I think a lot of people don't like him as he's young and slightly arrogant... it's a shame but it's a national thing that Brits don't like... if Quade Cooper was British we'd all not want him to play either. Someone appears to have dreamed up you have to be humble to be good...

I wouldnt want Quade Cooper to play as he is as likely to lose you a game as he is to win you one. If his team is on the back foot and he is under pressure he is awful. Defencvly he is a shambles.

Put him in a lose open game yes he is one of the best fly halfs in the world.

Lions play their first match in Australia today

According to the hysterical Daily Mail the match is pointless, because Melbourne Force named a weakened team.

Should still be a decent run out for the team and provide a better challenge than Barbarians match

Yeah I'm not sure anyone at the DM as ever played rugby... surely even watching football is enough for them.

We played the Western Force in 2001 and they weren't a Super team by then so I imagine the standard will still be higher than it was.

this will be a 40 point + win to the Lions. If it isnt then we are in trouble.

I agree, looking at the weakened Western Force team this should be a Barbarians-esque slaughter.

I'm thinking 60+ points margin... particularly with Manu in the middle of the park.

What sort of record do the Lions generally have in these mid-week games..guess as the tour goes on players know they aren't in the test team so maybe don't have the same sort of motivation?

I'm gonna sit on the fence and say 20+ points win

Does anyone know if this is on Radio anywhere?