Tonga's ex-All Black handed ban for shot on Finn Russell

I do understand why you are pushing the ‘France are world-beaters’ narrative. It does make that monumental shellacking in Dublin more palatable if you convince yourself it was against the all-conquering best team in the world. Fact of the matter is that they are not. That same team was horrible against England in the same tournament. They have achieved absolutely NOTHING outside of Europe. That Dublin result says much more about Ireland than it does France.

Chances are France will lose 3-0 to the All Blacks and then what? Blame the clubs? I doubt France will be able to put a run of victories together away and home over the next few years to ever be seen as the world’s best.

“PSDT’s penalty count at test level is what I was referencing” - What stat do you have to back this up?

Who’d even pay to watch this?

The game should have separate scrum refs. 4 of them. Surround the scrum and they have to all agree on a majority decision. They have a walk-on theme blasting out as they storm on to the pitch when called into action.

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).