Tonight the Lions face their stiffest match so far

[Pavilionaire]

I thought the Lions played well and Stuart Barnes on Sky was overly critical of what was a record win vs Natal where we had 70%+ of possession and always looked like scoring tries for the full 80 mins.

For me the test team is:

1. Sheridan / G Jenkins
2. Mears
3. Vickery / A Jones
4. A W Jones
5. O'Connell
6. Croft
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip
9. Phillips
10.S Jones
11.Fitzgerald / Monye
12.Roberts
13.O'Driscoll
14.Bowe
15.Byrne.

 

[Acker79]

So they had a game last night, probably had some celebratory get together so they're probably tired.

I guess... the lions sleep tonight

 

[Peppermint Tea]

Agree with your team Pavilionaire although I think the management are doing their damndest to get Shane Williams playing well and in the team and that could be at the expense of Fitzgerald.
I too am confused about props and, as a former fly-half ("girl"), have no idea about the dark arts of the front row.
Back row of Croft, Wallace, Heaslip looks balanced and pacy and Wally won some good ground ball last night. Ginger nugget on the bench to come. Good signs.
Maybe, just maybe...

 

[Pavilionaire]

At the start of the tour I had this squad down for a 3-0 drubbing, but there's definitely signs of life now.

In terms of real world class I don't think the class of 09 stands up against that of 97, but 09 are competitive. Stephen Jones for me is the key. He'll have to play at his very best for the Lions to win this series. O'Gara's decision-making has been dodgy - too much from the boot and not enough from the hand.