The Rugby Union Society

I get what you mean, but I still actually think Stringer's pass was pretty darned quick. His technique wasn't conventional but it did the trick (2004-9 sorta time, ignoring the 2007 RWC of course...) ROG had time.

Obviously, Howley and Dawson were better scrum halves than any of the 4 home nations have produced in the last 10 years.

One thing the Lions 100% have to do is play flat. That's why I think Sexton may be the best choice for FH. Play flat on the gainline like 2009 and get Roberts and O'Driscoll wrecking the Aussie three quarters

I HATE HATE HATE 10s who play deep.

BO'D might not be in the test team. A lot will hinge on how the Welsh centres get on in the next 12 months. If they cause the Aussies lots of trouble, the don't be surprised if you see us go in with two taffs in midfield.

I agree, playing flat is really important. I think with the Welsh centres inside of him, Farrell could play flat. My only worry with Sexton (and Priestland) is that we would have to play halfpenny out of position (putting him in over Ashton [been out of sorts since RWC], Cuthbert [Defense suspect] and Bowe [Class wing, would find it hard to leave him out]).

North/Halfpenny would be more than solid on the wings, 0.5p has played a lot on the wing too; plus we did something similar to carry Jenks through the 97 tour to enhance our attacking play. I would just be weary leaving out world class finishers after poor finishing cost us the last lions tour.

We could also do with a bit of this from someone... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTtTbcfwCMA

Just got in from cricket to see the RFU's decision about London Welsh. Really disappointed, especailly as they would have been playing down the road from me next year.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/9249565/Aviva-Premiership-Its-time-to-end-the-unfair-protection-for-the-big-boys-of-the-top-flight.html

I wonder if this turns into a court case. It would be depressing to see promotion and relegation from the Premiership in both England and Wales both being decided in the high courts...

The Championship is a bonafide joke nowadays. The play off system is retarded (although they're sorting that out now) and tbh if you get promoted, you should be able to take the spot. The Pirates' stadium isn't that bad, and there's nothing wrong with the Kassam! (I'm annoyed because I live in Oxford too..)

They're stupid rules which prevent other franchises from growing. Newcastle, as a team, could do with a season in the Championship. Crowd sizes at Worcester dropped slightly but were still ballpark 7k or so.

The Champ can be a great place for young English talent to learn their trade. No idea why the RFU seems to be putting rules in place which show a nonchalance to the max.

Unless they are purposely trying to ringfence the Premiership/ensure there is a NE club in the Prem.

I have watched every single play-off game, and I've spotted, that Championship teams, can't tackle. Any AvivaPrem team would trash them! Btw I'm a Newcastle fan so I hope we don't get relegated.

Mike blair for scrummy, scotland always played so much better when him and laidlaw were 9 +10 this is my back line

9 blair
10 sexton
12 roberts
13 tualangi
14 north
11 visser/bowe/halfpenny
15 hogg/karney/

No Foden? The man's utterly brilliant, I can't see why he doesn't get the love he deserves from many, anti-English bias?. And ROG>Tuilagi.

Simple - Rob Kearney is the best full back going.

No Foden? The man's utterly brilliant, I can't see why he doesn't get the love he deserves from many, anti-English bias?. And ROG>Tuilagi.

No Foden? The man's utterly brilliant, I can't see why he doesn't get the love he deserves from many, anti-English bias?. And ROG>Tuilagi.

I think I was more bothered by Stuart Hogg - Kearney's place can't really be debated.

ROG can't defend, though. Whilst I love him and think he's probably one of the best kickers ever, and definitely far better than Sexton, he is a weak link in any defensive line and every side out there knows it. He tries, and he has actually gotten better over the past few years, but he is still weak. To be honest, I'd probably take ROG as a sub and use him tactically, but the team needs a strong back line.

And yes, Kearney's place is assured. That man is simply amazing.

In all seriousness, there are other things to think about for the Lions tour. Foden has been known to be a bit of a ****. Not okay on a Lions tour. Gotta take the characters (hence why I haven't suggested ROG...)

You can't not love this photo.

Then why Tuilagi? He's a grade A **** from all accounts I've heard. I'm not sure character will matter too much, if they're the best available they should get in. It's a rugby tour, some stuff's to be expected. From seeing Foden around and hearing stories about him he seems fairly grounded.

You can't not love this photo.

I wouldn't take Tuilangi I think Roberts and Davies offer 90% of what Tuilangi does, but with the added brain.

You can't not love this photo.

I wouldn't take Tuilangi I think Roberts and Davies offer 90% of what Tuilangi does, but with the added brain.

Obviously there will be messing around on a rugby tour, but the Lions requires a certain kind of cohesiveness that prize ****s damage. I wouldn't take any of those primadonnas. If I had my way, I wouldn't take Mike Phillips for the same reason.