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Roberts was injured, have no fear he played in 5 of the 8 consecutive losses

Interesting look at the BOD, Davies combination. Some nice analysis on where it failed

George Smith probably can't believe his luck, he is going to have a free reign at the breakdown I think. The stage is set for a Smith masterclass to win the Aussies the series, still in disbelief at the Lions team can't see anywhere they can threaten the Australians given how easily they've...

Really? Phillips, Davies, Hibbard, Lydiate and Roberts arguably shouldn't be there

Manu, The DOC and Davies like all big centres are only a factor if they've got quick ball and the defensive line is passive. If Smith is wrecking the Lions ball/Wallaby scrum is steady/Wallabies come up quickly they are easily stopped. The flip side is the 3 of them, and North all have the...

Lions captain is AWJ, if he goes down I have no idea who next in line is. Probably Lydiate

I don't think it would be an issue if it was the correct decision, but in this case many people are up in arms because they feel (rightly IMO) that Gatland has made a spectacular fail in this selection call, and from what I've read it isn't just the Irish who feel this way

Haha fair point, we'll have to make our own The Kiwi job is the one Gatland wants, which makes me think thats why he didn't bring Joe Schmidt as the backs coach can't have another pesky Kiwi sharing the credit, but he's gone back to what he knows and dropped/not picked some potential match...

Two very good points there. The tactics have to change, when the Lions have 4 guys who were really good at the breakdown you could see why the let the Wobs have the ball. The Lions can't afford Jones, Sexton or Halfpenny to get injured lets hope the physios have stocked up on their magic sponges...

You have a very high opinion of Davies, even the Welsh don't rate him that highly. Put it this way if you were Robbie Deans who would you rather face? I bet Dingo is delighted that BOD isn't playing. We'll have to agree to disagree on his abilities. BOD isn't anywhere near his peak I agree...

Tinfoil hat time Craig, Gatland has to go back and coach the Welsh after this and by picking them on masse he is avoiding repeating Graham Henrys mistakes in 2001

Roman Poite doesn't take kindly to any questioning of his decisions from the captain, POC has learnt this the hard way in the Heineken Cup. Horwill and AWJ would just be advised to leave him to it on Saturday you don't want to get on his bad side or else he is liable to blow you off the park.

Roberts and Davies are the same player good straight line runners with zero creativity. BODs presence alone attracts players in defense, added to the fact he can pass and is a far better defender than Davies makes that decision baffling. People can mention the warm up games all they want but at...

I agree with this selection the Lions are effectively sacrificing the line out and the breakdown and putting all their eggs in the scrum basket. As I said if the Wallabies can hold up their scrum I can't see many other threats given how the Lions have played so far.

Gatland has panicked and gone back to what he knows best, wrong decision IMO the Wallabies will have a field day down Davies and Roberts channel. One bloke who is infamous for not being able to get into form quickly and another who has been shocking this test series whilst defending the 13...

Good question, reports are we'll be going in with no reserve lock again, so either Croft or AWJ I guess. I'd like to think as the senior forward AWJ would step up and do it

He has had quite a few similar injuries over the past couple of years as well, if I remember correctly, so he'd know a long term injury if it struck If he keeps his injury rate up I don't think he'll be a top level player for too much longer, which would be a shame for him. I'd be surprised if...

Warburton is out for 4 months with his injury, he'll be back in time to struggle through the November internationals. Early signs from the media are that Tipuric will start with SOB and Croft on the bench again

Jim Hamilton calls the lineouts for the Jocks. Gatlands game plan depends on solid set piece if either falls to pieces they're gone. I'd pick Parling on the basis that he can at least run a lineout brilliantly, even if he does little else, and that means the Lions should at least win their own...

The Lions lineout would be shambles with the combination of Hibbard throwing and no line out caller in there. Gray has varied between disinterested and bone lazy on this tour I wouldn't have him anywhere near the test team. Put Parling in there and you've probably get the team Gatland will name...