Lions Tour 2025

[bignose]

The following is a link from an antipodean web site that I follow, inviting the northerners to drop in for some lively banter through the tour. In my opinion, this is an excellent rugby site and well worth the effort.

https://greenandgoldrugby.com/the-north-remembers/

[Wottie]

Zander Fagerson ruled out of the Tour with his calf injury
One down seven left. Still hoping that Tom Jordan and Darcy will be added to the squad for the tour. Farrell still has two spots to allocate for injury recovery and form. There will also be further injuries inevitably.

[The Feral Goat]

Thought the country combos generally went well. But schoe and Cummings a bit quiet.

Daly solid at 15, Hansen jamesmatthew first 40 better second 40.

Pollock looked decent but stiffer tests to come.

Lions need to work on discipline and restarts.

[The Chiel]

Thought the country combos generally went well. But schoe and Cummings a bit quiet.

Daly solid at 15, Hansen jamesmatthew first 40 better second 40.

Pollock looked decent but stiffer tests to come.

Lions need to work on discipline and restarts.

Have to say Cummings being "a bit quiet" is very kind. Sadly, back of the test queue for him. I accept the restarts and the line outs have other moving parts, but against allegedly the weakest team the Lions will play, the game passed him by. Complete contrast with McCarthy.
Also serious doubts about Furlong - on that showing, Zander will be badly missed.

[Wottie]

Delighted for Scott Cummings who was back to where we expect to see him against the 'tahs yesterdays and Schoeman took The Tongan Thor to the cleaners in the scrum. Nice to see the guys up front silencing the criticism that has come their way for daring to be part of a hefty Scots contingent. Russell, Tuipolotu, Jones and Kinghorn looking favourites to make the Test side with only 2 games to play.

[The Feral Goat]

Huw Jones best centre on tour, looks so confident at present and maybe a little bit more muscular. Tuipolotu may benefit as I think Farrell would have gone a country combo at 12/13.

Thought Ben White had a really good game as well.

VdW didn't look too happy despite the hatrick, defensive frailties wether perceived or actual I think will cost him a test place.

Schoeman I thought has played well but suspect he won't make squad either not sure what Porter has done other than being Irish.

[The Chiel]

Congrats to all the latest Scottish lions, and of course I'm as gutted as everyone is for Darcy.
I know Ashman will get pelters for being a geography Lion ( atm ). Whilst I get it's far from ideal, read it in the papers, as they say. He got on the pitch in the shirt, and has his number.
But . . . . . . the throw in to the line out at the end of the match. I really can't remember a second row being lifted much higher at a lineout unless they were over 7 feet to start with. And Ashman overthrew Cummings ( immense throughout btw ) by at least two feet !
It's been said before, but he needs to be some immediate and serious coaching. It's not always his fault of course, but some of it clearly is. If he can sort out his throwing he'll tour again in four years, because he has everything else.

[The Feral Goat]

The SRU really should be investing in a lineout coach that can go around the national team, pro-clubs, womens team, Academy etc. Across all Cherry was about the most consistent almost every other hooker has issues.

Ashman in particular if he gets it sorted has a really high ceiling as the rest of his game is very strong.