Lions again

[Mich the Tester]

What's the betting that BOD will now switch to a coaching role, working wth his replacements to prepare them for Saturday? He hasn't disappeared rom the squad, nor will he. Given the starting lineup has 10 Welshmen, I think they'll be quite happy to work with an established team at centre.

Yes, O'Driscoll is the consummate professional; he'll work with the squad.

As for mindset, remember Botham captaining England? He was at an utter loss as to why he needed to motivate his players: "They've been picked to play for their country FFS, why the f*** do I need to motivate them to do their best"...

It's not about BOD being captain, and agreed on Botham (but to some extent I agree with his sentiment there too; somebody who isn't motivated shouldn't be picked); I'm not even saying BOD should be in the starting line-up. But dropping him from the match squad altogether? I think Mr Gatland needs to take his pills.

[Mich the Tester]

Never thought I'd agree with this man on anything;

[Doggy Styles]

That almost had me agreeing with him!

"Don't cry, at least there's still no Scots in the team"

[Mich the Tester]

That almost had me agreeing with him!

"Don't cry, at least there's still no Scots in the team"

But Richie Gray's been hard done by IMO. Silly selection too; he and Parling destroyed the Queensland Reds line out.

[Mich the Tester]

So now a roll call of people who've been (politely of course, this is rugby) who've said they'd pick BOD;

Keith Wood
Sir Ian McGeechan (the last series winning Lions coach)
Willie John McBride
Jim Telfer
JPR Williams
Will Carling
Adam Jones, restricted by being an active squad member, said this " Since I have been playing professional rugby, the one thing I've always associated with the Lions is Brian O'Driscoll.
So for him not to be playing on Saturday is a weird, odd feeling. It is strange not having him there. " I think we can translate that as Adam's attempt to say, tactfully, 'I would rather have BOD in the side'.

Sir Clive Woodward's take;
"I agree with dropping O'Driscoll from the team, but he should not have been left out of the match-day squad. I would much rather have the 125 caps and game-changing intelligence of O'Driscoll to call upon in the final 20 minutes"



Umm, I'm with Woodward on this, but I'd listen to any of those guys over Warren Gatland. I must admit I've never liked him anyway, and although I hope the Lions win, if this goes wrong I really hope nobody in NH rugby ever gives that guy a job again, except possibly as tea boy. Or head coach of France.

[Doggy Styles]

Don't forget though, that if Roberts had been fit BOD probably wouldn't have played in any of the tests.

I don't mind Gatland making big decisions. He seems to have a game plan of putting out a bigger more powerful team of bastards for this test to break the gain line. Unfortunately BOD hardly did that in the first two tests, so Gatland had to make a cold judgement.

[quackhandle]

Halfpenny, some player.

qh

[Pondlife]

Halfpenny, some player.

qh

Player of the tour.

[d000hg]

Taxi for Mich...

[Pondlife]

That'll do!