British & Irish Lions 2017 - Let the tour begin!

… and so it begins! 

The 2017 British & Irish Lions tour has commenced and it’s fair to say that the buzz of excitement has already built into a great wave of noise. Already all of our newspapers and social media timelines and filled with images of the touring squad and the first squad announcement is en route imminently.  

41 individuals have now left their home nations at the door of the Qantas Airbus that flew them to New Zealand and as a result have become one group. A group that is in pursuit of what would be the greatest victory ever in the history of the touring party. 

Of course the back-to-back World Champions await and the British & Irish Lions must endeavour to deliver history without the man that could have conceivably returned as 'Player of the Series' - Billy Vunipola. While we all have had time to digest his injury it still leaves you disappointed for him and pondering on the question ‘what if’ even before a moment of rugby has even been played. However, we must move on. Alas history shows us that further injuries are likely to impact this tour and if that is the case then we all hope that members of the touring party or those called in surpass our expectations and surprise us as a result. 

For months the subject of the British & Irish Lions’ schedule has been the topic of discussion. Crazy and insane are just a couple of the words used to described it and now the squad are living and breathing it. 

Olympic Gold Medal winning sevens coach Ben Ryan wrote an extremely interesting piece around jet lag on his blog and I firmly suggest that you take a peruse through it here. His experience of handling jet lag, and ensuring that professional players do so efficiently, is much greater than all of ours. As he comments in the article, I’m sure that the team supporting the Lions will have worked hard to limit the impact that the schedule may have on their players. With just a few days in-between landing and the opening-match it is a brutal schedule but the players themselves cannot think about it in that way whatsoever. Instead, a positive mindset will be a crucial towards banishing the cobwebs that arrive from making such a long journey across the world.

It’s guaranteed that those that take to the field on Saturday afternoon won’t feel their usual fresh and vibrant selves but those selected I’m sure will disregard those feelings entirely. Up until the point of getting on the plane the players themselves won't have truly called themselves British & Irish Lions. With intense finales to their domestic seasons, injuries could have arrived and robbed them of the chance to tour so they actually only feel like they like a Lion when they pull on a match jersey for the first time. Therefore while the jet lag will be lurking around and trying to de-rail them, the excitement of finally becoming a 2017 British & Irish Lion will be another factor that helps to steer these players through the next few days. Equally we all know that this game is just as much of a shop window for them as the second or third match on tour... Test spots are up for grabs and with such a competitive squad every moment on the field counts. 

The 23 that will face the Provincial XV will be named at 8pm (BST) tonight so for now I'll pause on this article and return following Warren Gatland's selections... 

England Rugby - Barbarians Review

Listen to Eddie Jones' reflections following England's victory over the Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium as I asked him for his overall assessment of the performance, what's next in terms of this young squad's development and more. Also, if you missed the game then read the full report that I put together for Planet Rugby.

England Rugby v Barbarians - Early Thoughts

“It’s an intoxicating mix of youth and experience and it's always exciting because you never know what’s going to happen under the pressure.”

Needless to say Eddie Jones is looking forward to seeing what this England side can do on Sunday afternoon against the Barbarians. Scorching temperatures have accompanied their preparations so far this week at Pennyhill Park in Bagshot and the heat is due to remain in place throughout the weekend. It may be a touch warm however that far eclipses the alternative of rainy rugby. This England squad, and the Barbarbians, deserve a fast and dry track to show what they're made of and that's exactly what they are going to get.

When Eddie Jones announced his ‘new’ squad in April it’s fair to say that it raised a few eyebrows with some thinking that he has taken his focus on youth a little too far. Yet it’s the decision that the Australian has run with and it’s up to those selected to show that they can cut it at the highest level. 

The unknown is what makes this weekend's game and the two matches in Argentina so exciting. As the quote from England's head coach highlighted at the top of this article, none of us - even the man himself - knows which players will embrace the Test arena and which will find it too much too soon. 

Needless to say this opening match is not an easy introduction! Don’t be fooled by the fact that the Barbarians came together at the start of the week and will have had a good couple of bonding sessions during the week. They will mean business and with the experience in their group are more than capable of putting England to the sword if they're in the mood to do so. The question here is can England’s young guns back themselves fully and counter those in front of them regardless of their own lack of personal experience at Test level. Will the likes of Jack Singleton, Nick Isiekwe, Sam Underhill and other look at their opponents and playing without fear or will they cower? 

The other unknown element when it comes to a Barbarians Test match is just how the game itself will unfold. In Eddie Jones’ words matches against the Barbarians can go one of two ways either ‘the ball flies from side-to-side’ or they are a ‘fair dinkum Test matches’. Not only do the younger members of this England squad have to shoulder the occasion of their first outing at Twickenham Stadium but they have to be ready to adapt on the hoof and implement the appropriate game-plan. 

For Sunday's outing Eddie Jones has decided to bring in co-captains and I believe that this is another astute move from the Australian. Both Chris Robshaw and George Ford will be able to speak freely with the referee and as a duo their relationship together during the game will be key. Indeed their relationship with each other and with this new squad will have been key at Pennyhill Park this week. It has been said multiple times before that they both set the standards for others to follow and off the back of leading a young group this week they each will enhance their already strong leadership abilities. One of Eddie Jones' proiorities in the road towards 2019 it to boost the squad's leadership and weeks like this, and tours like the one that is ahead, will do just that. 

As a mark of respect for those that lost their lives in Manchester earlier in the week and to all those affected by the tragic events the squad will wear black armbands on Sunday and there will be one minute of silence ahead of kick-off. We are all still shocked and deeply saddened by what happened this week and safety is paramount so do arrive a little earlier than you would normally for security purposes. The same marks of respect and enhanced security measures will also be in place for the Aviva Premiership final the day before. 

There’s no questioning the fact that this England squad has a significant task on their hands with the Barbarians and then a tour to Argentina. I can confidently say that the Barbarians’ squad with the likes of Thierry Dusautoir, Steffon Armitage, Schalk Brits, Adam Ashley-Cooper know exactly what they are doing and you'd have to say head into this game as the likely victors. 

What England fans need to see is a squad that approaches the game with absolutely no fear and just flies. We often hear that the best quality of young and talented players if that they just throw themselves at what’s in front of them and think after. On Sunday afternoon there’s no room for overthinking instead it will be about embracing the moment and reaching levels that perhaps individuals didn’t even know that they had in them yet. 

As you can tell I’m really looking forward to seeing what will be put out on the park on Sunday afternoon from both the Barbarians and England. The Met Office is forecasting a cool 24 degrees so if you're heading to Twickenham put on a spot of sun cream before you leave and get ready to enjoy some scintillating rugby in the South West London sunshine. 

England: 15 Mike Brown 14 Nathan Earle 13 Sam James 12 Alex Lozowski  11 Jonny May 10 George Ford  9 Danny Care 1 Ellis Genge 2 Jack Singleton 3 Will Collier 4 Charlie Ewels 5 Nick Isiekwe 6 Chris Robshaw 7 Sam Underhill 8 Josh Beaumont Replacements:16 George McGuigan 17 Ross Harrison 18 Jamal Ford-Robinson 19 Will Spencer 20 Tom Curry 21 Mark Wilson 22 Richard Wigglesworth 23 Mike Haley

Barbarians: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Yann David, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i; 1 Mikheil Nariashvili, 2 Richard Hibbard, 3 Census Johnston, 4 Patricio Albacete, 5 Jeremy Thrush, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 7 Steffon Armitage, 8 Facundo Isa Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Ben Franks, 18 WP Nel,19 Joe Tekori, 20 Gillian Galan, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Robbie Fruean, 23 Horacio Agulla

Premiership Semi-Finals - Preview

Here we are, the Premiership semi-finals have finally arrived and at the end of the day we'll know which two teams will duel for the 2017 Premiership title at Twickenham Stadium. It's been a pulsating season and today's back-to-back matches. 

At the RDS last night the Scarlets showed that in one off matches anything can happen and that will certainly further inspire all of our semi-finalists today. 

As you can see Out On The Full didn’t feature the Champions and Challenge Cup finals, do forgive me but I was working on the competition for another and with the intensity of the days I just would’t have been able to do the matches justice here and I certainly didn’t want to rush and publish words that didn't do them justice. 

In terms of the two semi-finals I sat down and looked at the key focus points on each for Sky Sports Rugby and I’ll be in the office for them this weekend covering all of the action.  With Super Rugby, the London Sevens, the second PRO12 semi-final, a Champions Cup play-off, both Premiership semi-finals and a TOP14 barrage ahead it should be a great couple of days. I truly hope that you have got a rugby marathon planned and that all of your domestic duties have been ticked off by this point. If not, just ignore them and lock into the rugby!

So, ahead of this Premiership afternoon do take a look through the two articles below - each has their own link attached to the image so take your pick or enjoy both!! 

 

Key Team News

At Sandy Park Rob Baxter welcomes Dom Armand and Thomas Waldrom back into his back-row while Phil Dollman returns into the starting line-up at full-back.

Gareth Steenson skippers the side from fly-half, Ian Whitten will reach his 100th league appearance today and of course James Short lines up against his former side. 

Mark McCall makes just one change to the side that delivered the Champions Cup title in Edinburgh and that is due to injury as Brad Barritt is forced to sit out. 

Owen Farrell will captain the side in Barritt’s absence and Duncan Taylor comes into the XV at inside centre. 

Tom Youngs will make his 100th appearance for the Tigers and the fortitude that he's showing at such an unimaginably difficult time is truly inspiring. Elsewhere for the Tigers Telusa Veainu returns to start a full-back and he’ll most certainly cause Wasps’ defence some issues. 

The hosts at the Ricoh Arena make just two changes - Ashley Johnson and Phil Swainston start in the front row - while Tommy Taylor and Marty Moore return to fitness to take their places on the bench. 

Team Line-Ups

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 James Short, 10 Gareth Steenson (c), 9 Stuart Townsend 1 Ben Moon, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Harry Williams, 4 Dave Dennis, 5 Geoff Parling, 6 Kai Horstmann, 7 Don Armand, 8 Thomas Waldrom Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Mitch Lees, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Michele Campagnaro

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Duncan Taylor, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Richard Wigglesworth 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 6 Michael Rhodes, 7 Jackson Wray, 8 Billy Vunipola Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Titi Lamositele, 18 Petrus Du Plessis, 19 Jim Hamilton, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Alex Lozowski, 23 Mike Ellery

Wasps: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Jimmy Gopperth, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Joe Simpson 1 Matt Mullan, 2 Ashley Johnson, 3 Phil Swainston, 4 Joe Launchbury (c), 5 Matt Symons, 6 James Haskell, 7 Thomas Young, 8 Nathan Hughes Replacements: 16 Tommy Taylor, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Marty Moore, 19 James Gaskell, 20 Guy Thompson, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Alapati Leiua, 23 Josh Bassett

Leicester Tigers: 15 Telusa Veainu, 14 Adam Thompstone, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Owen Williams, 11 Peter Betham, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Ben Youngs 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Tom Youngs (c), 3 Dan Cole, 4 Dom Barrow, 5 Graham Kitchener, 6 Mike Fitzgerald, 7 Brendon O'Connor, 8 Luke Hamilton Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Greg Bateman, 18 Fraser Balmain, 19 Ed Slater, 20 Mike Williams, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Jack Roberts, 23 Matt Smith

Premiership Rugby Reflections

…and then there were four!

After 22 rounds and 725 tries over our Aviva Premiership semi-finals are set and what a duo we have on the way in two weeks time. Tickets are already selling like hot cakes for the derby at the Ricoh Arena and it goes without saying that Sandy Park will be a sell-out for the arrival of Saracens on May 20. 

As we all expected it was a corker of a final round and while the delay at the Ricoh Area was unfortunate and took a little bit off the drama, safety is paramount. Personally I'm of the view that I don’t think it impacted the way that Wasps that approached the end of match. Whether they knew about the impact that a bonus-point would have or not they are an ambitious attacking team and would have pushed for it regardless. It was a strong performance from a Wasps side that have had a few bumps since that dismantling at the Aviva Stadium and one that was required ahead of knockout rugby arriving again. I don't know about you but I felt a sense of them getting their mojo back slightly and as I say that will be critical when it comes to meeting Leicester in their semi-final. 

Elsewhere the victory at Franklins Gardens’ was a strange one for both sides as Harlequins took away the main prize of Champions Cup rugby. It now leaves the Saints hoping for a Cherry and White slip-up in the Challenge Cup final so that they have a potential route into the top-flight European competition. An odd dynamic for them to deal with on the day and now being slightly in limbo while Harlequins are heading into the off season with a smile on their face. 

At the AJ Bell Stadium Bath left it too late to take the victory over Sale which will perturb them. However unlike Northampton they do have Champions Cup rugby to look forward to next season and that is vital for a club with their ambitions and calibre of payers. As Todd Blackadder’s side move into their summer break I’m sure that there will be a few lingering ifs and buts about the season just gone. A play-off place and nothing less will be their aim next season and the route to achieving it will be enhancing their consistency. 

2016 Final flashback

Saracens’ decision to rest the core of their internationals turned a few people’s heads but in my book it was absolutely the right call from Mark McCall and showed what an astute Director of Rugby he is. The title holders know how to win a semi-final away from home and with a Champions Cup final around the corner it isn’t possible to go full strength week in, week out. The loss to Wasps won’t impact them one jot and they remain firmly on course for the double, double.

Exeter Chiefs haven’t lost a game in the Premiership competition since October and coming from behind against Gloucester showed the type of character that they’ll need for the repeat of last season’s final at Sandy Park. Rob Baxter has already said that training next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be a ‘bit spicy’ because players will want to lay down some markers to secure their place in the squad and that healthy competition should take them up another gear. That fixture in Devon is going to be a fascinating semi-final and it will be interesting to see the Chiefs' approach because we'll see just how much they've learned and grown since this time last year. 

The strength of the Leicester Tigers’ squad is great and they have use every ounce of their experience and character to push themselves into the play-off mix for the 13th season in succession. Teams with less experience and gumption would have crumbled with the upheaval that has occurred over the last nine months and yet come Round 22 they had their fate in their own hands and delivered. 

Following the round we all were made aware of the tragic news about Tom Youngs’ wife Tiffany and we all send our heartfelt thoughts to the Youngs family. My hope is that the outpouring of wishes and love from the rugby community will offer some support to them during this unimaginably difficult time. 

Looking at the rest of the table I believe that a point to take note of is the foundation that the Newcastle Falcons have set this season. The Falcons finished with their highest league finish in 11 years and did so through attacking their rugby with purpose. The five try-bonus points - while not a huge number in comparison to others - indicates that they’re here to play rugby. I remember a season when they were struggling to score even a handful of tries over an extended period of time and that era is long gone. The introduction of the likes of Maxime Mermoz and DTH van der Merwe will only add to that and a solid pre-season could see them continue on with intent in the 2017/18 season. 

Of course I haven’t been through every single Premiership side in this reflections article however they will be a series of Out On The Full reviews en route following the European finals. In these reviews I’ll be looking at each team’s season in a little more detail as well as running the rule over their key signings for next season. For now I’ll leave you with a few key Premiership Rugby stats and facts. 

• Alex Waller has now been named in Northampton Saints squad for 151 successive Premiership Rugby matches. He's actually played in the last 140.
• Denny Solomona broke Nnamdi Ezulike's Premiership Rugby record by scoring a try in each of his first five appearances in the competition.
•  At the age of 18y 137d Sale Sharks’ Tom Curry became just the third youngest to score a try on his Premiership Rugby debut, at Bristol
• Thomas Waldrom became just the 18th player & only the second forward to clock up 50 Premiership Rugby tries. Only Neil Back was older to the mark

Premiership Round 22 Preview

Welcome along to Round 22 and of course we all know that this isn’t just any round, it the season finale and so many of our Premiership teams still have plenty to play for. 

In the past some final rounds of the regular season haven’t had too much riding on them but that’s definitely not the case today. Two home semi-finals, fourth position and the last  automatic Champions Cup qualification place are all up for grabs. If you’re heading out to a match today then do enjoy it, especially if it’s likely to be your last live club rugby until the pre-season matches in August. August seems a long time away but with the Premiership play-offs, England v Barbarians, England's tour to Argentina and the British & Irish Lions en route we will have plenty to keep us occupied before a little holiday in July! Before we jump too far ahead let’s dive into today's matches shall we?

Worcester v Leicester Tigers 

Sixways will wave goodbye to Phil Dowson as he makes his final appearance for them before heading back to Northampton Saints and wouldn’t it be fitting to give such a great rugby man a victory on his final outing? Under Gary Gold Worcester have been progressing nicely, a loss at Kingston Park last weekend wasn’t ideal but back on home soil they’ll want to prove a point on the last day of the season. Leicester require two league points to guarantee participation in the play-offs for the 13th successive season and they’ve actually only lost one of their last six first team matches. Freddie Burns and Owen Williams take the 10 and 12 jerseys respectively and opposite them I expect Ben Te’o to want to up his game again to silence a few Lions doubters. On paper this should be a  straight-forward Leicester victory however Worcester have the potential to niggle at their visitors. That said personally I expect the experience of Tigers' squad to come to the fore at Sixways and knockout rugby be secured. 

Match Stat: Leicester have won their last fourteen matches against Worcester since the Warriors 23-19 victory at Sixways in March 2008. 

Sale Sharks v Bath Rugby

At the AJ Bell Stadium again it’s the visiting side that have to go for broke. Bath started the season with real consistency but the last few months have been more erratic results wise then they would have liked. Five points will be their target to give them any chance of fourth place and it will be all about replicating the way in which they attacked the game against Gloucester last weekend. On the whole the Sharks’ season hasn’t really been one to write home about yet they’ve lost only one of their last six matches in all competitions at the AJ Bell. If Taulupe Faletau and Kahn Fotuali’i replicate their performances from The Rec then Sale will have plenty to think about because Bath on the front foot know how to do plenty of damage. 

Match Stat: Bath have not won away from home in the competition since a visit to Exeter on 30 October but their only defeat in their last five fixtures with Sale was in April 2016. 

Gloucester Rugby v Exeter Chiefs

David Humphreys’ side are welcoming the Chiefs to town and there’s plenty to play for at Kingsholm. Gloucester have two routes into the Champions Cup, the first is if they win the Challenge Cup then they automatically go into the play-off match instead of the seventh club in the Premiership. The second is to finish as the seventh Premiership club so that they’ll head into the play-off regardless of their Challenge Cup final result against Stade. For Exeter it’s all about getting a home semi-final and, seeing that they’ve not lost in the competition since October and have notched up a new record when it comes to try scoring bonus points and maximum point wins, it looks good for them. Personally I’m looking forward to seeing Jack Nowell let loose from full-back, he could cause devastation if Gloucester aren’t on the money defensively. Needless to say the home side must pull their socks up after last weekend’s derby. 

Match Stat: Exeter have been victorious on three of their last five visits to Kingsholm in Premiership Rugby. 

Wasps v Saracens (BT Sport 2)

The Ricoh Arena is set to welcome over 30,000 today as Wasps and Saracens take part in a straight shootout for a home semi-final. While Wasps have coped a bit of criticism of late having not flown as they were earlier in this season they are still the only side in the tournament with a perfect played ten, won ten record at home this season. Joe Simpson and Danny Cipriani will take the reins in the half-backs while Saracens have mixed things up across the park. I’m not surprised by this in the slightly and actually think that it’s a very sensible move from Mark McCall. Saracens know how to win away from home so their Champions Cup final next weekend takes precedent because I’d back them to win at Wasps or Exeter in a Premiership play-off anyway. Wasps have to use Saracens changes to fuel their fire and I expect the Ricoh Arena to be absolutely rocking for this final game of the regular season.

Match Fact: Saracens’ only defeat in their last twelve fixtures against Wasps in all competitions was 23-64 at Allianz Park in February 2016. Sarries 

Northampton Saints v Harlequins (BT Sport 3)

Franklin’s Gardens will be another intense atmosphere as these two sides battle for sixth position and that final guaranteed Champions Cup spot. Here’s the deal… if Northampton are to overtake Harlequins then they will need to obtain four more league points than their rivals in this match. That’s not an easy thing to do when the Saints have lost their last four Premiership matches and Harlequins come off the back of a solid win. From a Saints’ perspective they have to hope that the away side burnt themselves out emotionally last weekend and use the power of home support. Harlequins have to use Round 21 as their benchmark and find the same intensity levels. George North and Tim Visser duelling on one wing should be a great watch alongside Mat Luamanu clashing with Louis Picamoles. It’s a tricky one to call… Harlequins could fly but equally Saints could pull something massive out of the bag. I’ll refrain from predicting and just see what unfolds on BT Sport later! 

Match Stat: Harlequins won 20-9 at Twickenham Stoop in Round 6 to end a seven game losing run to the Saints in all tournaments. They have not achieved a season’s double over the East Midlanders since 2012-13. 

Bristol Rugby v Newcastle Falcons 

The final game will be at Ashton Gate where Bristol must deliver one final Premiership performance against the Falcons. Emotionally it can’t be easy to have to run out knowing that Championship rugby beckons again and so soon since the last time that they were there. So, in that regard and the fact that many are representing the club for the last time, a tough afternoon awaits. The Falcons will know why this fixture was scheduled for the final round and will want to show that they’re really going places by making it one way traffic. Newcastle have an outside chance of taking that seventh spot and therefore potentially gaining a Champions Cup play-off place but it requires quite a number of results to go their way. This will be the Falcons first visit to Ashton Gate and they’ll look to start their record there with a bang. 

Match Stat: Newcastle’s only defeat in their last five fixtures with Bristol was 14-19 at Kingston Park in the Championship in April 2013