Bath confuse me... They make a great signing like Ford.. then bring in Henson; it's only 3 years since they had issues with a lot of their players taking cocaine... I would have thought it would be something they'd want to avoid having someone like Henson in town.

before lawyers get involved the only Bath player associated with failed drugs test was Matt Stevens and he served his time

Regardless of what rumours went around no other Bath player has been guilty of drug abuse. As bad as Henson has been off field, his problems were more to do with his ego (and his lovelife)

*nothing to see here lawyers*

haha, you're quite right... I'm sure all those players just "retired" in their 20's as they were bored of rugby

Tipuric should be a no brainer. Ideal for these tests. I'd go with Croft, Tipuric and Faletau, infact probably SOB on the bench too.
Can't see either flanker starting though and maybe not on the bench.

How many of the 10 backs involved for England tomorrow in the 23, can you see being long termers? Usually there's some padding out with these Lions series England tours but Burns, Eastmond, Wade, Foden (who should be starting) I can see winning plenty of caps, Yards possibly too and May if he was playing. This side will look a very good one in 5 years time.

All Blacks giving France a pasting and just scored a cracking try to go 30-0 up

Not long left and a shut out for the french is on the cards

Great first half of the Lions match. And Halfpenny shows his worth.

A fantastic game to watch so far. Did I just hear a Sky Sports pundit or two praise Sam Warburton?

Wonders never cease

Congratulations to Japan on a first ever win over Wales this morning. Looked more than convincing with a 23-8 victory.

(opens gritted teeth I said that through)

Barnes is steadily coming round to the hard realisation that Warburton is a great player and leader.


Taken him some time though.

That's what Croft will offer you

A great finish after a fine interception in the move from Davies. There's some superb back row players in this squad. I'm happy either way to see Croft start or be used as an impact sub in the tests.

2nd Rows are sorted for the Tests, they've been everywhere today. Zebo has shown why he should've been one of the first back 3 players in the original squad. Should start with North and HP. Davies played well too.

Take Halfpenny off and wrap him in cotton wool now please Mr Gatland.

7 players off at once will do Warren

Kearney is coming on finally

His workrate, tackles, catching the high ball, darting into the back line and his goal kicking are spectacular.


All round a very special player, he will be SO important next week.

Fingers crossed for Jamie Roberts that it is a hamstring and not his knee.

The Waratahs look out on their feet.
I am so happy for Halfpenny, being a fellow Llanelli-born.

The four centres in this squad are so evenly matched you could argue for any pair of them.

The Lions have such strength and depth in several positions, both forwards and backs, Gatland is in rather a lovely position to pick his team for next week.

A good kind of headache.

Simon Zebo had a great game, exciting and dynamic. Excellent replacement for Bowe.

Should've been in from the outset.

Today showed he should be ahead of Maitland and Cuthbert by a long way.

This is the point of the tour where the squad starts to look very small. You don't want any of the 15 starting, involved at all, which only leaves you 22 odd so one maybe has too.

Then all the likely subs, you don't want getting more than a half and the Brumbies could be the toughest of all these games.

Both Youngs, Farrell, maybe Vunipola will all come off the bench in the test, maybe for a planned 30 minutes, so need to be used sparingly Tuesday.

My Test team for next week so far .....

15 Halfpenny 14 Zebo 13 O'Driscoll 12 Roberts 11 North 10 Sexton 9 Phillips 8 Faletau 7 Warburton 6 Croft 5 O'Connell 4 AW Jones 3 Vunipola 2 Hibbard 1 A Jones