B&I Lions vs. The Barbarians

[BaggyTrousers]

Socks & the Babas, just about their level.

In the past when players would miss any club game to turn out for them, John Dawes & Mike Gibson swapped their international socks as a mark of mutual respect - Dawes looked good in green, Gibson about tolerable in red since he was used to a red sock with a white top.

[BR]

currently have at least three various styles

Hadn't noticed TBH.

[bazzaj]

Agree with many of the comments on here already. This game was probably played for the sponsors, HSBC. The team has got a run -out, no apparent injuries and an easy 50+ points. The Ba-Bas are no longer a viable opposition, rather a week long party with a match latched on somewhere along the way. I think we might make a more accurate resume after the Western Force game on Wednesday. Didnt like Farrell's reaction to his Saracen's teammates yellow card and didnt like Phillips pointing to the line Delon style when he scored his second.Hope both are reminded of the players who wore the numbers 9 & 10 on previous tours.

Phillips quick to point out on twitter that it was a joke between himself and his mate Joe Roko who was chasing him to the line and was not out of Armitage style disrespect.
Armitage put in his place by Brian Moore on twitter who he shared a slagging match with after his HEC antics.
Armitage had a pop at Moores book writting as well but just how many people would give a tinkers about an Armitage autobiography?
Brian Moore is a legend.
Good work out from the Lions, no injuries and a gameplan firmly established and a good marker as these opening games tend to be an unorganised shambles.
Mike Phillips apparently was first name on Gatlands team sheet as he executes his game plan to perfection.
I now see why he went for Murray.

[Husky]

Had to laugh at how Delon Armitage got booed by the crowd in the semi-final and final. Does he not wonder why nobody likes him?

[Scranner]

Any chance that Farrell will be (imo deservedly) cited?

[AndyB]

Read the Sunday Times player ratings this morning and couldn't believe that S Jones had given Falateau 9 out of 10 (highest mark of any player). I thought he was the least effective of all the Lions forwards.

[ruckover]

Any chance that Farrell will be (imo deservedly) cited?

No, he would've been cited at the same time as Brits. I agree with you though, at the time I thought Farrell should have gotten a yellow card too - his retaliation was just as bad as Brits' initial punch. Reminded me of the Trimble-Williams incident, and in that case the Scarlets got the penalty. If the same applied to this match, the Barbarians should have had the penalty.

[Husky]

Any chance that Farrell will be (imo deservedly) cited?

I was hoping he'd get a ban too, purely so that another 10 could be flown out to back up Sexton. I'd really like to see Wilko out there. He may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I really like his attitude and he would set a great example to the rest of the squad. Why settle for an inferior imitation (Farrell), when you can have the original.

[Scranner]

Any chance that Farrell will be (imo deservedly) cited?

No, he would've been cited at the same time as Brits. I agree with you though, at the time I thought Farrell should have gotten a yellow card too - his retaliation was just as bad as Brits' initial punch. Reminded me of the Trimble-Williams incident, and in that case the Scarlets got the penalty. If the same applied to this match, the Barbarians should have had the penalty.

Didn't realise that Brits had been cited. How could Farrell get away with that? Is it just because Brits punch landed well and Farrell's didn't - and he had at least two goes at it. Not only that he started it with illegal holding and then retaliated - badly. Deserved much more of a hiding than he got. Citing commissioner must blind or english.

[Scranner]

Just read that Brits got a three week ban and Farrell got away scot free. Didn't even acknowledge that he had been lucky to get away with it. Fecking Ar$e!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22744871

[rumncoke]

Look the first match of a tour a friendly
( ? ) the ref is not going to card a member of the tour party if he can help it neither is a member of an invitation XV going to complain.

An incident best forgotten

But one which the aussies will store in the locker of what to do -- play on Farrells concentration.

I think the incident has put on the test bench rather than the team.

[Scranner]

Lions' management said it was test match - not a friendly. My point is why punish Brits and not Farrell? If one gets away with it why not both? It was fecking obvious that Farrell intended to deck Brits. He just wasn't very good at it. Didn't we have a discussion here about how much worse retaliation was that the initial offence. Sauce for the goose!!

[ColinM]

Farrell held Brits and Brits retaliated. Therefore the retaliation is worse than the intial offence. So is retaliation retaliation worse than retaliation?

[Snipe Watson]

Read the Sunday Times player ratings this morning and couldn't believe that S Jones had given Falateau 9 out of 10 (highest mark of any player). I thought he was the least effective of all the Lions forwards.

There's your clue Andy.........

[BaggyTrousers]

Farrell is another wee English Spide in the mould of Ashton.

S Jones - Jones the hack - is madder than a bag of weasels.