British and Irish Lions vs Western Force, Wed 5 June 11am; Sky Sports 1

trouttrout

can't wait to see Heaslip's running stats after this

Cork24

after seen heaslip play this well, it be very hard not to pick him for the first Test Game

Ruck Inspector

Vunipola having a great game in the loose.
Heaslip is playing very well and Sexton and North.

astonaidan

They really arent letting Leigh have easy kicks

Ruck Inspector

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Isn't there a younger Tuilagi brother than Manu?

no, he is youngest

thomond2006

Fair play Vunipola

rockbeast

Deleted User wrote: »

Test games the important part. Only 3 games, the poster maintained that Halfpenny would be taking all the kicks in the tests and I disagreed.

However, if Halfpenny doesn't hit a bad patch with the boot, I can't see Sexton convincing Gatland to let him have the honours.

Sorry, I read as this game...

irishbucsfan

Cork24 wrote: »

Healy tour may not be over,

Doctors think its not as bad as first though

Lets just hope there's nothing in the biting stuff.

Swiwi

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I think Heaslip, Bowe and Sexton looking good for starting places.

Halfpenny as well if he continues to kick well, but I suppose Kearneys injury might guarantee that for him.

I don't understand how people keep questioning HP's selection. Goalkicking or not, he's an immaculate fullback. As it is, with his world class goalkicking he's more certain than certain.

What's that - 3 or 4 touchline conversions?

trouttrout

In this form Vunipola could be the dark horse to start a test, even if Healy is fit and able

RuggieBear

some kicking from halfpenny

stackerman

Will want to be some display to keep BOD, SOB, and Heaslip off the starting test team (early I know)
The Hpenny has it nailed too, awsome kicking, and will help Sexton concentrate on his game. Should work in his favour.

KERSPLAT!

Great run from North, leg drive from Heaslip and nice finish from Vunipola(sp?)

10-41 Lions 52 mins

thomond2006

Metronomic kicking from Halfpenny

Cork24

I can see now why wilkinson wasn't called up you have half Penny and if he fails you have Sexton

unplayable

lads halfpennys kicking is outrageous

Lelantos

seanm92 wrote: »

Agreed, I think he's been very good in the way he's handled the game, Rolland hardly played professionally did he? Pity a few front rowers wouldn't become referees, might help with the scrums a lot

Rolland played with Leinster & has a couple of Irish caps too

AdamD

Taken a serious disliking to that Force number 9

irishbucsfan

Swiwi wrote: »

I don't understand how people keep questioning HP's selection. Goalkicking or not, he's an immaculate fullback. As it is, with his world class goalkicking he's more certain than certain.

What's that - 3 or 4 touchline conversions?

Yeah at the moment there's absolutely no looking past him. If Kearney wants to challenge him he needs to play like 2009

Tox56

Sexton's line kicking is very underrated, spot on so far

Ruck Inspector

is evans even on the pitch?

crisco10

stackerman wrote: »

Will want to be some display to keep BOD, SOB, and Heaslip off the starting test team (early I know)
The Hpenny has it nailed too, awsome kicking, and will help Sexton concentrate on his game. Should work in his favour.

SOB and Heaslip make it? hard to see...That would mean not picking three of Lydiate (a Gatland favourite), Falaetau (the best 8 in the 6 nations and a Gatland fave), Tupuric (himself in great form, brilliant on Saturday) and Warburton (Tour Captain)...

Swiwi

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Glen Jackson has been great btw, really like him since he took up the whistle.

Is he the first ref at this level with professional playing experience?

I think Wayne Erikson played prop at a high level. Dreadful referee though.

shuffol

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Lets just hope there's nothing in the biting stuff.

Especially since Healy was asked by the media about being targetted in the warm up games after his indiscipline against England, it'd be very disappointing if he resorted to foul play after only 15 mins.

Cork24

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Lets just hope there's nothing in the biting stuff.

just have to wait and see. it be a shame to see some one go out, for something silly as that, just like Dylan when he used Language on the reg

irishbucsfan

Ruck Inspector wrote: »

is evans even on the pitch?

What do you think Ian Evans responsibilies are?

Webbs

trouttrout wrote: »

In this form Vunipola could be the dark horse to start a test, even if Healy is fit and able

Vunipola would be perfect impact player to come off the bench once a few holes start to appear, his ball carrying is impressive to say the least

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Yeah at the moment there's absolutely no looking past him. If Kearney wants to challenge him he needs to play like 2009

Don't think Kearney could do anything to force himself ahead of Halfpenny tbh.

With 1/2p kicking like this he's worth +3 points per game ahead of Sexton at first choice kicker.

Kearney would need to be in try scoring form to a ridiculous extent and bring defence up some levels too to be in with a shout.

Hersheys

Christ. Halfpenny and his boot have my knickers wet. Unreal stuff.

jamiedav2011

Really liking the look of Vunipola alright.

Sexton's kicking from hand has been spot on.

rockbeast

AdamD wrote: »

Taken a serious disliking to that Force number 9

I want to bite him:eek:

hope there's some better opposition coming up otherwise the Lions might risk going in to tests undercooked

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

What do you think Ian Evans responsibilies are?

Hide

Principal Skinner

Does north ever pass?

trouttrout

Croft has been really quiet

Cork24

Hersheys wrote: »

Christ. Halfpenny and his boot have my knickers wet. Unreal stuff.

maybe if you washed them once in a while they stay Dry

Ruck Inspector

North at his destructive best, Bowe and BOD quiet but when they get the ball they've been impressive

Cork24

Nice one Tommy, your playing very well.

trouttrout

Well done Tommy, super pass from Murray

leakyboots

Lovely wide pass by Murray for that Bowe try

Swiwi

Ok, the Leinster lads & Bowe have had stormers. POC has also gone up, the Lions locks have been pretty quiet today.

irishbucsfan

Deleted User wrote: »

Hide

No it's support, and he's done tons and tons of it. Seems like he's hitting every other ruck and he's probably the best in the NH at it.

But is that going to be needed in the test team? I don't think so. Don't think there'll be enough bodies at the breakdown. In NH rugby there's much more emphasis put on it I suppose.

Ruck Inspector

Croft and Evans quiet in the pack, Tuilagi and Halfpenny quiet in the backs.

Halfpenny's kicking has been sublime though

Webbs

Deleted User wrote: »

Hide

With Heaslip, O'Brien, Vunipola on the pitch I would be more annoyed if Evans and AWJ were popping up doing the ball carrying. They are doing the donkey work that is allowing those guys to do the damage

rockbeast

soft tries here

ThisRegard

Delighted for Bowe, he's been threatening all evening.

thomond2006

Simple for Bowe

The next ten minutes or so could be very ugly

Swiwi

Dan Carter will be ringing HP for kicking advice!

rockbeast

Ah here, HP's kicking is unbelievable.

KERSPLAT!

10-48 Lions 59 mins

Holy **** these conversions are unreal!!

1/2p has to be nailed on to start

Cork24

rockbeast wrote: »

I want to bite him:eek:

hope there's some better opposition coming up otherwise the Lions might risk going in to tests undercooked

Dont Worry, Red will put on a Show if not then you can see Brumies put on a Show their 3rd in the Table while the Reds are 5 i think