Could make AWJ captain. Im convinced the main problem the lions have had is the fact that Jonathan Davies is out of position at 12.

I think He is a great rugby player but I think the Lions have played him wrong. Injuries have led to him being there but I would play him outside Manu and have BOD on the bench.

My back row would be Tipuric, O,Brian, Falutau. Heaslip has had his chances and failed.

I would also say if the scrum is going forward pick up the f-ing thing and run with it, rather than hold it and hope for a penalty.

Yeah, I think I'd go with AWJ for captain... which frees up dropping BOD... no room for sentiment here, the best XV have to play and Davies is playing better than BOD for me.

On Saturday Joubert give the Aussies a final warning for collapsing a maul, the Kiwis and Saffers would've gone for the jugular there but we settled for 3 points. We have to take their scrum apart this week and with a French ref we have someone who rewards a dominant scrum. Would love to see Roberts and Davies at centre but I just can't see him dropping BOD. My big fear is he benches Tipuric and plays Croft SOB and Heaslip. That has disaster written all over it

Except blues fans

Tipuric all the way for me and that's not just because he is an Osprey.

Looks like Stuart Barnes has his wish of the Warburton injury being a 'blessing in disguise' apparently. I believe that was an unbelievably crass comment from someone who should know better.Time for Sky to freshen up their summarisers with some new blood.

Great kudos to Sir Clive Woodward for stating that the 70mins we got from Warburton on Saturday were some of the best he's seen from any player.

Hopefully the 'win it for Sam' mantra will give us an extra edge on Saturday. As well as the win it for yourselves desire which should run through any Lions test starters blood.

Richard Cockerill gets 9 match ban:

http://www.espn.co.uk/premiership-20...ry/188411.html

Horwell citing decison upheld so he is free to play on Saturday.

It kinda makes the whole appeal pointless, were they ever going to find against the original judgement.

Of course the fact that the original judgement was laughable is an entirely different matter

Even as a Leicester fan I tire of this idiot... I'm certain we are successful in spite of him, not because of him.

Heard Aussie legend Stephen Larkham on the radio stating it was deliberate foul play. Good job Australia aren't playing a fly-half like him now.

Ironically, I think Australia's chances in the next World Cup will be enhanced if they lose the series. With Robbie Deans leaving, a coach like Jake White or Ewen McKenzie would throw away the cautious approach for a more running game suitable to their strengths.

They seem to be doing alright without him to be fair.

The best thing that happend to the lions on this tour is le'afanou getting knocked out in the opeing minute of the first test.With his kicking they would have won the fist test and we would be looking at the possibility of an Aussie whitewash on Saturday.

too true... all the more reason to bring Manu in and give him something to think about...

.............talk of BOD being dropped for Saturday. One minute he is captain the next he is not playing! We really need some THRUST on Saturday. Sometimes you just have to go for it and you might just get the reward.

Good call More than just talk !

Loads of changes with Alun-Wyn Jones as Captain and BOD not in the squad
10 Welshmen in the starting line-up

Seems too many changes for me irrespective of the personel

Tipuric should be starting he's the unluckiest guy on tour.

Yeah, I'm not overly enamoured with the starting XV...

1 lineout option
Hibbard can't throw anyway
Sexton plays different style to Roberts
Manu has been the better player over the last 2 years let alone this tour (more line breaks, tackles, off loads), although I do get that Roberts and Davies are an established partnership

That said at least the bench actually has some options this time... Manu, Maku, Youngs and Tipuric could make a huge difference off the bench... not really sure what Richie Gray is going to bring coming off the bench, not really an impact player in any way.

Has Gatland done a Henry and taken one of our most gifted squads ever and thrown a series?

Pleased that BOD has been dropped - he's a shadow of the player he once was as an attacking force. I'd put him with Phillipe Sella & Danie Gerber as the 3 greatest centres I've ever seen. I remember when he burst onto the scene with the hat-trick of tries against France. With that low centre of gravity & blistering pace with body swerve, it was like a knife through butter.
Surprised Parling has kept his place - I think he's too lightweight. Pity Courtney Lawes didn't regain form & fitness until the end of the season as I think he would have been a relevation on this tour not that I'm biased.
Also disappointed that Tipuric's not starting. Whilst the Lions should now have the ascendancy in the tight, Australia may edge it in the loose. Just hope Will Genia has an off-day.

Gats will either been seen as a genius or a fool, depending on how the third test pans out

The decision to drop BOD probably is the right one, but we could have used his guile off the bench

Saturday will be a battle, hopefully one that the Lions can win

I think Parlings selection is based on corbiseiro being fit.

The Lions took the Aussie scrum far to lightly in thier build up. I always said they would be no walkover. This pack should be able to impose itself on them.

Its a brave call by Gatland he is reverting to a gameplan that has failed pretty much every time it has been used agaisnt Austraila.

They will be ready for Roberts out to in line, they will be ready fro Phillips wrap around, they will be ready for Davies support lines, they will be ready for North coming off the wing into the short channels.

Phillips is a gamble, the Aussies did their homework on him,im not convinced he is right but Gatland has gone with what he knows.

idiocy is doing the same thing more than once and expecting different results.

I feel the same! I really thought he would've started on Saturday. He'll make a big impact coming off the bench

Bold move from the management but that is what they are paid for.

Complaint seems to be that the team is very "one dimensional" - Is that far?

Just to be picky that's the definition of insanity

I knew I should have googled it!! damn!

Im excited about Saturday and desperate for a win.

are we still talking about insanity?

George Smith set for a recall agains the Lions.......big call, one team drops experiance and another brings it into the team. We will know Saturday who was right