Ulster lose to Lions but don't leave Jo'burg empty handed

It isnt just how he hits it’s his positioning and pace. He got skinned by Ramm (I think) for the first try. He chased the kick but could deal with a small swerve, then turned slower than Freddie Stewart on an ice rink.

He really is a great prospect and if it wasnt a Lions year everybody would give him another year to improve. This is why there is so much scrutiny.

The Brumbies game a few weeks ago was when I became concerned about Les as a Wallabies coach and I haveh’t seen enough to be anything more than hopeful he’ll succeed

It would be asking a huge amount from Les to lead Aussie into a WC with a 15-month runway, which is why I feel Joe has not quite let go yet!

Henshaw is done, Aki and Ringrose are first choice and have been for years. Henshaw cannot affect an 80 minute match anymore. If Irelands suffocating, multi-phase power game doesn’t work he doesn’t have the pace. Age has caught up with both him and Conan.

Keenan looked the fittest player in rugby two years ago, but in last years game v England and this weekend he looks well off the pace. Maybe a good break for him, especially after the Olympics, would be the best thing.

In saying that, not being picked for the Lions really helped Ireland in 2022 as Sexton, POM, JVDF, Ringrose, Lowe and Ryan had storming seasons if I remember rightly. Sexton in particular looked very fresh, leading to that series win in New Zealand. If those players were picked for the Lions would they have won that series? I am not sure.

England players suffered a lot in 2018 after the 2017 Lions, so while its nice to have your teams players get Lions recognition, it might not be the worse thing if they aren’t there either.

As you say both of Les’ teams at Irish and Queensland have tended to attack well but the output is uneven. Mistakes in specific areas can come in bunches, without correction - look at my previous pieces on the Reds’ lineout and exit strategy. They often do not change even when something is not working.

At risk of flattering the Reds/Wallabies too much, I fear they are at risk of potentially turning into a Scotland-esque team under LK - i.e., attack-oriented, great set plays - but lacking the killer physicality/X factor to beat the top teams?

This could well turn out to be right, let’s see!