Ulster issue statement explaining why they won't sign Stephen Donald

Joe will do what he has done for years - play up the same channel with some frills, only move wide when a def opportunity arises, trick plays in phases 1-3 from set-piece!

They had the opportunity to keep Joe around and Stuart was quite happy to work with him up to and including the 27 RWC…. But now you’re lumbered with Les and that won’t happen!

I’d rate the 2022 version higher than 2018 for that reason, it was part of an evolution and 2022 represented the peak and a world #1 ranking.

But I agree it would be good to see WB progress continue, we need a strong Australian team.👍

I wouldn't quite put Pollock in that same mould, but you get the point. There are many ways to skin the gainline cat. And from what we've seen, I'd actually prefer Earl or Pollock over the larger Conan. But it's all subjective!

I suspect you're right that Farrell picks Conan, and in part that's size-based.

Wilson might well be a shade taller but he is a manufactured lineout player who didn’t jump until 2024 and Tom Hooper is a handful for sure, but I would be surprised if your story for the first Test turns out to be true.

In any case, it looks like they will pick Chessum-Conan-Curry so my team will remain an ‘adventurous’ idea - at least for now🤣

I don’t like this practice of stripping potential Test players off the provincial teams as the Lions go round the country.