EPCR takes steps to Brexit-proof UK players before Champions Cup quarter-finals

JAS should have been on the wing ever since he arrived. Playing 13 in a test match is a hell of an ask and he's really struggled defensively. He should be learning the ropes on the wing and by the next world cup cycle they can get him ready for 15 or 13. They've asked too much of him and it may end up killing his confidence and enthusiasm for the game. Besides his aerial skills are utterly wasted right now which is his super strength.

Gosh I love watching Kinghorn run. I expect Hansen will come in for Freeman but getting to see 80 mins of Kinghorn couldn't ever be a bad thing, even if he's gotta play wing… or hooker.

He then lost his place in the Six Nations and Fin Smith did incredibly well and has taken the starting 10 jersey.

Whilst Marcus has lost out to Owen Farrell on this tour, I actually think his form has improved with the Lions and we are seeing flashes of the old Marcus again, with minimal outside distractions over the last 8 weeks.

It’s going to be a tough selection for Steve Borthwick come the Autumn International squad and whilst he may try and pick all 4, it feels like he has to make a decision between Ford or Farrell at 10, or Slade or Farrell at 12, someone is going to get squeezed out and I just hope it’s not one of the youngsters that pays the price.

The one opportunity I could see however, would be to develop the Pacifika/First Nations backstory, that could work very well.

Ps Benazzi has indicated that they’re looking to set something up outside of the existing Lions cycle. No idea how that could work but where there’s a payout, there’s a way I guess…

Good points.

Hansen is playing far better than Freeman. He's had a pretty awful tour but was exceptional in the 6N. Very odd. He's been especially pour aerially which is one of his strengths. A lot of the Irish players have stood up this tour while the English have struggled. Probably not used to having to both make and receive passes during a match.

I also find the exclusion of the players you mention hard to figure out, why no Kerevi or LSL after three pretty good performances v the Lions?

The defence I just cannot work out. It has just made life so easy for Finn Russell and the Lions attack.

But as you rightly conclude, the series as a whole just feels flat and without the dramatic content it might had had.