'They are not the team they were in 2015 when they won the World Cup'

Ireland are strong and transitioning to a new generation. England are ranked 6th, and fast improving. We all know that. There is no English team that is a shadow test team, as Leinster is in Ireland. We also know that.

It suggests we should be looking at individual performances, and that drawing conclusions from games between the teams is not particularly instrtuctive.

Lancaster and Catt no longer there could be the big factor in that one. Their work at Leinster flowed through to the national team.

Ryan also surprises me. I recall a couple of years before the last Lions tour, out to SA, he was being talked of as a possible captain. He then lost form, and was not selected. I don’t feel he has ever fully met the early hopes many of us would have had for him. Not even a first choice for Ireland.

I am happy to see the second Irish hooker in the squad. I highly rate Kelleher, but would concede George is very unlucky…fine player, good leader. And very happy to see Conan going….very smart player, who from all accounts has had to work very hard to get to the level he is at. Was never a noted school boy star. Interestingly, neither was van der Flier.

I’m not convinced Itoje will be a good captain. Very good lineout technican, but has tended to be a very niggly type of player, and concedes a lot of penalties. For example saw him put in a silly shoulder block off the ball playing for Saracens against Sale. He can also have games where is ineffective for periods. Not sure how he would go if it were the ABs or Boks, not that I’m writing the WB’s off as having no chance.

Despite my Irish heritage, neither am I happy to see Sexton in the coaching team. The Prendergast of the coaching world ? Would have thought he should have some time as a coach at some level before being so elevated.

Because France embarrassingly butchered the match against England by playing their worst game in about 4 years, and because the wounded real France turned up in Dublin a few weeks later with pride on the line.

I’m not basing my theory around the current Leinster …. I’m basing my theory around Kelleher being better than George at playing as an edge forward a la Sheehan (which is what Faz wants - hence no Dewi Lake either). I’m basing my theory on the absolute stupidity of anyone (like you) thinking Wainwright is a better 8 than Conan. I'm basing my theory on the stupidity of you wanting to take an unavailable Martin over James Ryan.

By the way, the “current Leinster” you're so happy to deride, are top of the URC and reached this years Euro semi finals, just like Saints. I didn’t notice any other English teams in the semis, did you? Are Sarries, Leceister, Quins, Sale et al not as good as Leinster? Presumably, by your logic, that means they are also overrepresented in the lions squad? Or does performance in Europe only matter for lions selection when Leinster lose by 4 points (as opposed to Leicester and Quins getting utterly embarrassed by URC teams?)

Let’s see how Saints get on against Bordeaux shall we? If they lose by more than Munster and Ulster lost to Bordeaux, should we be rethinking the inclusion of so many Saints players?

Of course not, as only an idiot would drop an entire cohort of players due to one lost game now, wouldn’t they?

p.s. I’m not surprised you’re welsh and cheering for England, as it’s a common 'Stockholm Syndrome’ trait from where you’re from. I'm a

little more surprised at your overt, small man bias against Leinster.

p.p.s Hansen is the lucky Irish player in the squad, no one else. But being from Connacht, he doesn’t fit your narrative does he? Partly because even you can't find a remotely deserving fit English or Welsh winger to replace him, can you?