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Not everyone agrees with, Sky Sports have been cheerleading him in the press (again!) http://balls.ie/rugby/stuart-barnes-really-really-likes-tom-croft/

Yes they have but not a fly half who hasn't played there since school! Of the possible test contenders thought that SOB was ok, Faletau was meh and Kearney looked like a guy who was playing his first game in a while! Have to say I am gutted for Rory Best, what a terrible time in your career to...

They have a brief section about it on their website: http://www.barbarianfc.co.uk/charity/

That helps the Brumbies IMO, Hogg at a stretch is a running 10 given its his first start against a professional team in that position I wouldn't expect too much from him in the rain.

As far as I know the home nation pay for 46 members for the duration of the test week, how this is split is up to the touring nation. The Irish management made this known last year when they couldn't bring some young players to NZ as the IRFU wouldn't fit the bill. Unless you get a decent offer...

I'd assume that its geared towards St Sams fabled leadership qualities, he seems to be the first captain in a while who has kept the Welsh squad off the beer. In 2010 and in the lead up to the world cup there were a lot of drink related incidents in the Welsh camp since he has taken over the...

Of course I'd forgotten about that game. How'd they go against each other that day?

Also looking forward to seeing Colby Faainga tonight up against Tipuric, its rare that Tipuric would go up against a player so similar to him. It could be a great battle between the two 7s.

Massive chance for the Brumbies tonight, the Lions have a 10 who has never started against a professional team there, a 15 who is making his first start in 2 months, 11-14 have barely trained together 2 of them have probably been on the beer for a while, a hooker who has the throwing yips and a...

Your being slightly generous there, the try is usually only every 4 or 5 games.

I think a better indication will be how the bench is used, if SOB comes off after 50 minutes you could bet your house he'll be in the test 23, similarly with Kearney or Faletau. Those are the only 3, rightly or wrongly, that are probably in contention

I agree, I've never got the Croft hype very much like Chabal for me gives a 30 second highlight reel play once every 3 games and does little else in between these. The try he scored against the Tahs aside, he has probably been the least effective back row on tour which is pretty damning...

Wales Fan Biggar would have been my choice, he was decent in the 6 nations and this Hogg to 10 nonsense could have been stopped. I understand Gatland isn't a fan though judging by the Preistland perseverance when he was awful Well Williams won't have played a competitive standard of game in a...

I think his ball carrying at 6 might be necessary, Davies is in far better form than Roberts however he is a different player his selection means the Lions would lack someone to get them over the gain line. Personally I wouldn't have even picked Croft to tour, he is a luxury player but he is...

British and Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts is set to miss the first Test against Australia after being rated "a grave doubt" for the match. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22920250 Given the contrasting form of Roberts and Davies he mightn't be a massive loss, that said he is...

Hogg is a 15, he hasn't started a game against professional opposition ever as a fly half. Combined Country was his first shot starting at 10 since school, I have a feeling his performance could verge on train wreck unless 36 slots in there for most of the game given I don't expect the Lions to...

Weather forecast so far is for a dry day, will Robbie have thought up a decent wet day strategy in case it buckets unexpectedly?

As I said on another thread any of the Welsh national team in Japan would have had the same journey, added that they have been playing at a slightly higher standard than Williams in the semi professional second division of Japanese rugby. Dan Biggar should have been called in, Gatland won't have...

Any of the other Welsh backs in Japan would have had the same journey. I'd have probably picked Biggar and played Hogg on the wing

Lions caps shouldn't be handed out in the manner that Shane Williams is getting his this year, I'd have preferred any of the Welsh squad coming over before him it does smack of jobs for the boys. His carry on in the Marcus Horan affair is a reason not to like him but I don't think anyone could...