Before the Crusaders…………Lions Tour 8 June 2017

Lions team v Crusaders

S Hogg; G North, J Davies; B Te’o, L Williams; O Farrell; C Murray; M Vunipola, J George, T Furlong; AW Jones (capt), G Kruis; P O’Mahony, S O’Brien, T Faletau

Replacements: K Owens, J McGrath, D Cole, M Itoje, CJ Stander, R Webb, J Sexton, A Watson

This means that everyone has started. As I was predicting yesterday, 5 backs picked themselves as they hadn’t yet started so the only questions revolved around who would play at 12 and 15. I was suggesting T’eo and Hogg for the simple reason that both of them have the ability to unlock defences which is where the Lions have struggled so far. T’eo has looked the best centre so far and a second chance for Hogg. Hopefully he can be a bit more grounded and less arrogant, I’m sure he’s had a good look at himself after last week.

Looks like a decent team to me. I think that we probably need to keep it tight, play for position and move it wide when we get quick front foot ball. Easier said than done but I’m more confident somehow with Murray and Farrell at 9 and 10, plus North out wide.

Good bench too with Itoje Stander Webb and Watson, all of whom are game breakers ( or finishers as they say!)

Crusaders team: I Dagg, S Tamanivalu, J Goodhue, D Havili, G Bridge, R Mo’unga, B Hall, J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, L Romano, S Whitelock (capt), H Bedwell-Curtis, M Todd, J Taufua.
Replacements: B Funnell, W Crockett, M Alaalatoa, Q Strange, J Brown, M Drummond, M Hunt, T Bateman.

I like watching Dagg so that will be good. They have 8 AB’s, 6 of whom are in the forwards.