Not sure about this burgundy England strip.

one of the rare occasions when they can legitimately wear it
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fairly even match so far

Decent try.

This is going to be a slaughtering by the looks of it. We look like scoring every time we attack, largely as I thought with the back row and back line we have.

Very comfy 1st half for England.

Argentina's lineouts have been some of the worst I've seen at any level of rugby for many years. Some of England's haven't been much better mind.

Just tuned in at the end. Well done England, was that considered to be a full strength Argentina?

nope, not really

Second half was a bit flat, but you can only play what's against you.

Next week should be more competitive.

Apparently Bowe's tour isn't officially over, Gats is waiting for results of surgery to see if they'll call up replacement.

He might be fit in two weeks.

British and Irish Lions team to play a Combined Country XV in Newcastle on Tuesday S Maitland (Scotland); A Cuthbert (Wales), B O'Driscoll (Ireland, capt), J Roberts (Wales), G North (Wales); S Hogg (Scotland), C Murray (Ireland); A Corbisiero (England), R Hibbard (Wales), D Cole (England), R Gray (Scotland), I Evans (Wales), S O'Brien (Ireland), J Tipuric (Wales), J Heaslip (Ireland).

Replacements R Best (Ireland), R Grant (Scotland), M Stevens (England), A-W Jones (Wales), T Faletau (Wales), M Phillips (Wales), J Davies (Wales), L Halfpenny (Wales).

Will O'Driscoll be on kicking duty in that team ?

Hogg probably will do the kicking

cheers

Zebo called up as replacement. Decent choice, should've been there from the start.

Has Maitland played full back before? That and Hogg kicking and at 10 doesn't look great but this probably the easiest game of those out there.

Am very happy about this, talented player, hope he gets a game. Seems to be taking him an age to get there though, from Houston. Would have thought he could have got there quicker than Tuesday.

He played last night. You'd think he could pop to L.A and a direct flight to Oz. But then they're 18 hours behind even without the flight.

They mentioned he will be FB cover too.

I aint got a Scooby about Rugby really but im playing a couple of free games where getting the kicker right is crucial
I only know that O'Driscoll kicks for Ireland and of course Farrell/Halfpenny/Sexton kick also but their not starting.

I assume they'll look to play fairly close to the test team next Saturday you'd have thought 3 or 4 of this team are certs to start and a couple of the subs definite, so this may be the lot for Roberts, BOD, North & Tipuric after this. If Halfpenny, Stevens, Phillips and Faletau get any more than 20 minutes it would be a gamble to have them again.

You'd think a few guys would be doubling up next Saturday and Tuesday but then many of those would be in this game?

Agree but you never know and with injuries and what not.

Like the Zebo call up although realistically now he's going to have to wait for the 2nd test at best to get a game. Shame as the back 3 had really taken shape with North, 1/2P and Bowe... thought Cuthbert looked very out of sorts against the Reds but that is maybe being a little harsh as he could have been exposed by the outside centre (but I doubt it).

Lydiate seemed anonymous for the first 70 minutes... Warbs did okay considering he's just back from injury. Still don't get the love for Felateu, always looks average.

Very excited to see Roberts and BOD together... BOD and Manu looked superb, not heard anything on his injury. Just hope Hogg doesn't stifle their ball time, but once again it's a very weak opposition so not much of a test.

I thought Warburton when he had the chance of that try he was seriously struggling and basically looked like Zico in the 1986 WC - lacking in fitness and not a little broken. Unless he has a seriously big game soon we could have a Ciaran Fitzgerald (sic?) - Colin Deans situation whereby the latter was the oustanding hooker but the former (as captain) got the nod in all 4 tests. That said Gatland seems like a bloke who has the sphericals to name the best 15 and if the captain is not in form then tough.

You see I quite disagree... I think Gatland knows full well we are favourites down there... and he basically just doesn't have to f**k it up... we don't have to play our best XV, and that is particularly true in the back row as Australia's are all injured. I think regardless of form he'll pick Lydiate, Warburton and Faletau...

Gatland must be regreting picking Warburton as captain. Tipuric is haed and shoulders the best backrow on the tour. and O'Brian provides something none of the others do.

My back row would be : 6: O'Brian 7: Tipuric 8: Falatau

bit a walkover judging by the halftime score

I've seen a good suggestion on BBC text commentary that maybe Lions could play one of Tonga/Samoa/Fiji/Pacific Islands instead of Combined side or Barbarians

It would certainly be a step up in quality and leave the team battle ready for the main test matches

On form Heaslip is unlucky to miss out but I don't have much qualms with Faletau myself. Both are very good 8's in their own right. No doubt Tipuric deserves to start. I wonder will Warburton get time at 6 on saturday maybe?


Not only that but it would benefit these nations too. They don't really get to play properly competitive matches until the world cup comes around bar a few November tests where they're often missing a fair amount of players. Like in all fairness today is a great occasion for the opposition but what on earth are the Lions learning from it? Granted the test team is more or less picked bar a few positions at this stage but still it would be nice have even a marginally competitive game. Like last Saturday even

Yeah I agree with this.

I think this is what he'll go with as it stands

HP
North
Bod
Roberts
Cuthbert
Sexton
Phillipps
faletau
Warburton
Lydiate
POC
Parling/AWJ
AJones
Hibbard
Vunipola

Though it wouldn't surprise me if Corbs and T Youngs forced their way in. I'd definitely have Tipuric but as you say it probably doesn't even matter. Aussies are missing two serious back row players, I can't see anything past a facile enough 3-0 series myself