Montpellier and Castres boost top-six hopes

Having said that, I'd be in favour of Australia relaxing their selection policy as they have so many of their best players overseas.

Btw I wouldn't limit the testing of the Lions to the last two matches, I'd say it was the last three. That First Nation and Pasifika team gave them a good going over and showed Joe how it had to be done. I was expecting big roles for Uru and/or LSL in green and gold but it never happened.

The just aren’t able to retain then because a) the union/game in the country isn’t as profitable, and b) because the team doesn’t quite have the same status.

Agree with your points, though would get you to note that it happened before the Dutch timber came to the land of growth. The previous years with Darry and Lord offered great promise first (not even on year with short locks after Whitelock and Retallick retired).

As you say Australia were dominating everything, I’m not sure Tupou helped the scrum but him and Will definitely helped with the psychological battle of a test, which is probably the most important thing.

And you’re right regarding selection, if its good enough for France, it’s good enough for Australia. Joe should simply select these players regardless of their club commitments, they can leave it to the clubs to rest the players adequately to replicate an off season when they return from international duty, during the club season.

1. Coughed up 3 pens

2. Won one scrum pen

3. 6 carries for 5 meters

4. Missed 2 tackles made 26. His only really “standout” stat, however, considering most tackles a prop makes are in tight, he should be missing very few, if any.

The only reason Furlong played in all 3 tests? TH position is the thinnest in the home nations. The best TH (Fagerson) getting injured was as a big loss to the Lions as losing Doris.