Lions Tour 2025

[Dan54]

so they can put a team together with the best from 4 countries, but dont want the same to be done on the other side??

Well probably as such, don't forget they had a contract to play against Rebels etc and as these extra games are just really to give Lions a chance to run together before test, so guesss they have to be a little careful they don't get a stacked team

 

[fatprop]

Some reasonable marketing

 

[Wilson]

Schmidt has announced his policy on player releases for tour games:

Wallabies coach Schmidt reacts to Lions squad, open to overseas players, releasing for tour games

www.rugby.com.au

Schmidt isn’t eager to stand in anyone’s way of featuring against the Lions across the tour.

He revealed he would keep a core squad of 23-25 players, who are most likely to play in the first Test, but he was open to releasing and calling back players for their respective club matches and the marquee fixtures.

“We don't want to deprive someone the opportunity of playing against the Lions if they're not going to get the test jersey at the time,” Schmidt said.

“We know that the Lions, you never get through unscathed, so we know that we're going to need people.

“…There’s a good opportunity for them to continue and get game time anyway. Then some of the guys who do come in might go back out again to maybe play in some of those other games in the lead-up.”

 

[Dctarget]

Just realised the Lions are running with a shortish combo of locks. Only Ryan (2.03m) and Chessum (2.01m) are over 2m. We potentially have Skelton, Canham, Philip, Swain, Frost all over 2m. Their 7s and 8s are all pretty small too. Wilson/Valetini would be taller than anything they can throw out at 8.

Would love to know their preferred forward pack: 4. Itoje 5. Chessum 6. Beirne 7. Van Der Flier 8. Earl would be my guess.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Just realised the Lions are running with a shortish combo of locks. Only Ryan (2.03m) and Chessum (2.01m) are over 2m. We potentially have Skelton, Canham, Philip, Swain, Frost all over 2m. Their 7s and 8s are all pretty small too. Wilson/Valetini would be taller than anything they can throw out at 8.

Would love to know their preferred forward pack: 4. Itoje 5. Chessum 6. Beirne 7. Van Der Flier 8. Earl would be my guess.

If they do use that 4.5.6 they have three world class lineout operators on the pitch, along with a very good one in Earl.

Does height matter that much?

We are probably going to run with two specialists in Frost and Williams, plus some OK guys in Wilson and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (bench?). Skelton makes the equation even worse

 

[Sword of Justice]

Wingspan, lifter’s height, speed into the air can counteract lack of height. Not sure but I don’t think their props are the tallest.