It's official, Ireland are the No.1 team in world rugby

It was 15 v 15 against a proper team in the RWC pools. Alas Ireland got the win that day.

PSDT’s penalty count at test level is what I was referencing. Although he is the only player to be named player of the year having previously been red carded.

Retallick was player of the year in 2014 but didn’t get his red card until 2022.

Taniela had a good game at scrum time on Friday night but wasn't much use in stopping that maul try the Reds scored near half time.

On the officiating front, I'm very surprised Paul Williams wasn't assigned a Lions Test. Surely he’s a better ref than Piardi or Amashukeli?

On Skeltons availability, you mention LAR currently lie 7th in Top 14. I just had a look at last weekends results, and see they only managed to crawl over the line against Vannes, currently last and almost certainly on the way down. Score was 30 - 29. They play Montpellier in the final round, but the way they have gone this year, they could lose that one. And I see Ronan O’Gara has been suspended again. But putting him the stands might be better for the team. But it is quite possible big Will could be available after this weekend to come back to Australia when the WB’s start training.

Why would you assume it’s female company, Ed?

“PSDT’s (in)discipline issues keeps him out of the top table.” Not sure what you are talking about here. I can only imagine you are referring to his red card in 2022 for which he received a reduced ban because of “exemplary prior disciplinary record” . And no issues since. Not only is PSDT at the top table - he sits at the head of it as the current World Player of the Year (for the second time).

To be fair to those Bok lads, they don’t tend to make bad selection decisions. If they we’re using him as a 20 min impact sub that’s a measure of respect to Saints and the expectation of a close game, but the wrong choice. Or is it more a case of keeping him warm for the final. Arrogance if it was.

And to think, he was farcically good the game before.