I think Sexton got to call the shots mainly because he was wanted enough. Not every player who moves to France or will move to France has such leverage. Even so, I doubt that arrangement covers the Lions. It needs to be a collective thing so that if all our talent leaves, like for example the Brazilian and Argentinian footballers do, they can still represent the Lions or national side.
As for the issue of residency, I hate it. I have said many times that people like Waldrum, Stevens, Barritt and so on are not English. I have no problem with people who have been here from childhood, such as Manu, Mako or even Hartley.
I don't mind the RFU tapping up league players such as Tomkins, but as it stands, they could approach a guy like TJ Perenara and offer him a huge amount of money to move to England. It isn't right, International sides are not club sides.

Btw SARS, do you watch Wednesday? I would be interested to hear how you thought Holden got on.

I guess its one of the complexities of rugby, the ideal state would be that anyone playing anywhere should be availavle to play for any internnational side - thats how skills and tacttics are developed and teh game with it.

Its also important taht we don't simply fleece the smaller nations of their greatest talents and equally ensure the quick option of buying a Springbok cast off to substitute years of youth development doesn't pay.

Perhaps the way it should be is that once you've represented a nation at any level above schoolboy - U-17 perhaps, then thats who you stick with and that playing outside your home nation isn't a block to playing internationally

With Wednesday, sort of, I actualy live less than 200metres from Lansdowne Road, so trips back to see Wednesday are limited. However, from heaing from friends, he played well in his loan, making 4 starts, though he seemed to get a bit tired later on. He seems to be at a bit of a crossroads, where with the rigth coach he could really progress, but equally if he doesn't he might just slip away to league 2 level, which would be a shame.

He was outstanding for a year, a £20m midfielder imo, we were top eight in the PL with him running the show. Up there with Okocha and Campo for me. Jonny Evans got annoyed at him and made a disgusting challenge and since then Bolton nose-dived, that was two and a half years ago. I am just hoping he can add something to our play-off campaign (if we get in on saturday). Anyways, I apologise for the derail Ding and cheers for the scout report SARS

I don’t understand the criticisms about the squad being all about bulk rather than speed and skill.

There seems to be no merit in such a claim.

I can’t see one unit of that squad which has been picked purely with size in mind.

The front row contains 4 players (vainiuplo, cole, stevens and woods) who are known for their ability to get around the park. The second row and back row are the same – gray, wyn jones, tupiric, croft; these guys haven’t been picked to stick it up their jumpers. The wings and full backs don’t contain any Jason Robinsons, but not many teams do, and the team’s hardly full of matt banahans either. To be honest, Im not sure how you expect the squad to be more versatile than it is.

The concerns about not being able to handle australia’s pace don’t seem to be merited either imo. You cant pick a team in order to score breakaway tries. Anyway, just because you haven’t got the quickest player on the pitch in your team, doesn’t mean you cant score a breakaway try. South Africa had spies, Habana etc, and bowe, Kearney, Roberts, odriscoll etc dealt with them alright. The least effective back in the first test was ugo monye, who was probably the lions’ quickest player. In fact the team was criticised for picking players in the first test who were more renowned for getting round the park than they were for being effective at set pieces. The idea of (forwards atleast) hitting a man and then offloading, sounds like it might lead to quite open rugby to me by the way !

I don’t understand the criticisms made of oconnell and robshaw either. Robshaw was england’s player of the series in a 6 nations where they were 40 minutes away from a grand slam; he also topped most of the tournament’s back row stats. Hardly someone who’s “rubbish” and “not an international player”. As for the suggestion that you might as well pick martin Johnson as paul occonnel, well that just strikes me as nonsense to be honest; o connell had a big series in south Africa, has vital leadership and experience, and has shown that he’s back to full fitness. He’s an automatic selection for me.

Didn't you describe it as "arguably the weakest Lions squad" in 24 years right at the top of your article above?

I did Sars yes, but it wasn't on the basis that the squad had been selected with brute strength in mind. My criticism was more that the players available/selected, were not of sufficient quality, and because they seemed to be a combination of those lacking in experience, and those who had been diminished by age.

If I think of the players who were unlucky to miss out and who I think could of made a difference, I would say these were :

Sheridan
Hamilton
Robshaw
Wood
Morgan
Wilkinson
Lamont
Byrne
Strettle/Brown

With the exception of Morgan, Byrne and the winger, these guys are no less 'bulky' type players than the players they would need to replace in the squad, and the full back and wing positions appear to be the strongest part of the squad as it is.

So for me, I think it's more a case that in some areas there just isn't the individual talent (half back) and form (centres, front row) around which has been available for previous tours.

JPB we had a discussion about this 2 days ago and you clearly agreed the team are a crash em bash em lot.

Change your mind much?

BTW gents, you guys from England, you annoyed that Sky sports lost the aviva league? haven't read any complaints about it, but i presume its a pain in the back side. Excluding you SARS, i dont think you have said it, but im pretty sure your an English man in Dublin hahaha ya poor git!

I don't remember that to be honest mate. No big deal anyway; maybe my post above was a little undiplomatic.

ding

have ESPN got the rights for next season?

BT vision i believe

Correction BTsport.

Dallaglio has signed on as their "leading rugby expert" ahaha. that should please some.

I don't watch enough rugby these days. I don't really follow club rugby any more to be honest.

whats wrong with big lawrence ding ?

Mako Vunipola having a stormer of a game so far for sarries

actually mex. i have a lot of respect for him. i just hate his guts as well. go figure that one out. hahaha

because he was part of an all conquering england side maybe?

Yep thats why i respect him.

Its when he opens his big mouth that i wanna stick my foot in it. hahahahahah

and the hate?

I took my nephew to lol's last game for wasps. legend.

i used to love his eye bulging singing of the national anthem, almost bought a tear to the eye to see such passion in playing for your country, what a team that was between 2000-2003, i still maintain all round thats the best and most versatile rugby team ive ever seen

yep hellluvaa rugby player. tool besides. but we cant all be perfect