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The groups were drawn overnight: Pool 1: Leinster, Northampton, Ospreys, Castres Pool 2: Toulon, Cardiff Blues, Glasgow, Exeter Pool 3: Toulouse, Saracens, Connacht, Zebre Pool 4: Clermont Auvergne, Harlequins, Scarlets, Racing Metro Pool 5: Ulster, Leicester, Montpellier, Treviso Pool 6...

He is still training by himself apparently, not sure he'll even make the tests at this stage. Gatland must be regretting that decision. Croft is a marmite (or vegemite for the locals) player I find, he just isn't for me although maybe I need to re watch and look closer at him in the tight last...

Looks like Sheehan tried to punch him and his finger has ended up in his mouth IMO. Similar incidents have been cited and thrown out as they are accidental. Vunipola will look great against reserve Super 15 props but his scrummaging would get eaten alive by the Wallabies pack. The Lions can't...

Croft finished his try well but didn't do much else apart from get knocked out. He doesn't do enough work in the tight for me, I just think he is too much of a luxury at this level. I'd have Tipuric at 7 and SOB or Faletau at 6 with Heaslip at 8. Lydiate doesn't look fit and the Lions can't...

That side could cause the Lions a fair few problems. The Lions team will probably be: Jenkins, Youngs, Stevens, POC, Parling, Lydiate, The Great Leader, Faletau, Youngs, Sexton, Maitland, Roberts, Davies, Cuthbert, Hogg Don't be surprised if Bowe or Sexton start, they were the first two...

Graham Rowntree calls up one of his mates what a shocker! Grant should be there, hopefully Healy can recover quickly he is still a class above all the Lions loose heads

From a Lions perspective: Healy: Was going well until he got injured, not sure he has much answer with the citing, looked like Sheehan tried to elbow him and his finger has ended up in his mouth. Johan Muller got a similar citing and got off last season Best: Missed a big oppurtunity to lay...

Bowe showed the few times he got the ball last night that he is a far better option than Cuthbert. Cuthbert is great for running in straight lines but thats all he can do, Bowe has a bit of creativity to his game which the Lions will badly need also he is a much better defender

Lets hope the agro doesn't step over line, last thing this game needs is another Duncan McRae incident. Looking forward to seeing the Irish backs with Manu and Halfpenny, expecting big games from Sexton and Bowe. Hopefully Jonny is given the place kicking duties, think he is a better bet than...

Some really good stats for Dennis and Hooper from the Tahs members email. I was particularly impressed with Dennis' stats I know he had a good game but didn't realise the work he could through Stats for Dave Dennis (in 66 minutes on field) – compared to Kieran Read (in brackets) 14 carries...

I think it could mean we are only getting one of Beale or Folau, tough to see how we could fit all 3 into the team whilst keeping all 3 happy. Unless Folau is eyeing a move to 13 I think he has mentioned this previously, not a huge fan of his performances on the wing either.

It would be a huge shame to lose Izzy and who knows the Lions series might change his mind, but he has played league all his life taking aside the travel and monetary advantages of each code should it be a surprise he could want to go back to his life long love? Personally I really hope the...

The Rugby Blog, Whiff of Cordite and Demented Mole would be my preference for blogs Disclaimer: My brother is one of the WoC authors so I have to give it a plug but it was a pretty good blog

The Fox Sports Extra coverage is the Sky UK feed, worth watching if you want to hear Stuart Barnes drool over some average play Warburton, Croft etc

Madigan was Leinsters player of the year, and probably the best fly half in the Pro 12 this season. His place kicking stats for the year are better than Sexton and Halfpenny. When people talk about Wilko for this tour they seem to imagine the 2003 version who was a damn good player, the 2013...

Rob Kearney has a grade 1 hamstring tear, the Fatman is talking about calling up a replacement. I suspect St Jonny will searching for his passport even if Hook and Madigan are better options

The Lions probably have their 3 most creative backs in Sexton BOD and Bowe, they are more subtle than the back line they fielded against the BaaBaas. The Lions IMO are only Mike Phillips away from their test back line

Lions team announced Leigh Halfpenny, Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll (captain), Manu Tuilagi, George North, Jonny Sexton; Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Dan Cole, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Tom Croft, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip. Replacements: Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Matt Stevens, Geoff...

Not sure who you've been talking to? Many Irish and British pundits are predicting a Wallabies victory most likely 2-1. Haven't talked to many people who are backing the Lions.

Not sure about that one, this is probably the worst Lions squad for overall talent in a generation. There is a huge drop off between the incumbents and their replacements at 1,3,4,5,10,13,14,15 not to mention that the Lions have a lot of average and overhyped or out of form back rows, Tipuric...