Ahhhhh, the third article. After the pressure of backing up a first installment with the notoriously difficult second,  should the third be a 'Christmas special' a la Ricky Gervais's famed format? Well we haven't got till Christmas; things have to be said and more importantly fans have to appeased. What would FOR give for a little time off relaxing on his jollies, but no, work has to be done, and most notably also with the Lions.
 
Prior to the third game of the tour I think we all knew the side didn't look right. A winger at 12, a young maverick at 13, an out of form world class performer at 11. Now as the pretence for this tour was picking the in-form players, how have some snuck through the net? As with all sporting sides, they say they pick on form players. Shane Williams truely is world-class, however, he hasn't played well all season and unfortunatly for the Welsh wizard, things aren't quite working as they were on his last visit to the African continent.

I'd pick him all day long for the test side ......"why F.O.R?!?" you may ask. Pure and simply as we haven't selected anyone else who I think can cope and perform under the pressure of the first Test. Halfpenny is a talent, but for someone to come from playing semi-pro rugby to playing the Boks in one season is slightly worrying. Fitzgerald simply isn't good enough; neither is Monye who is England's 6th choice wing in my opinion. Monye can't kick, can't defend and is a glorified sprinter. Last season he couldn't get in the Quins side and then I saw him make his England debut, where I tell you no lie [ED: surely some mistake?], I have better basic skills than he.
 
Then I thought about who has actually played well on this tour and who has been effective. Roberts and Monye have to come in that bracket. This raises the question - are we going backwards in a game that is said to be progressing quicker than a steroid enhanced Usain Bolt? Have we now seen basic rugby skills given the hard shoulder to pace and pure brute power? Is that where we are heading? Is rugby at it's purest so simple? Or do we need slight of hands, audacious dummies and bullet passes? Sod it give it the guy who can run 100 meters in 10 seconds and see what happens. I for one would rather see a 'Geraghty' or 'Catt' play than a 'Habanna', because arent we just watching rugby league without such skills?
 
The Lions came through unscathed and more importantly still undefeated. I think some players have ruled themselves out of the Test side rather than anything else occuring. Selections at prop will be interesting as Mr Sheridan had a very good game. The second row of O'Connell and Hines or O'Connell and Wynn-Jones, with a  back-row of Croft, Heaslip, Williams. (a fit Rees would be an absolute shoe in, of that I have no doubt). A Welsh half-back pairing, followed up with Flutey, O'Driscoll, Williams, Bowe and Byrne should make the Test matches interesting. Combinations need to be picked from now on with test's very much on the horizon.
 
As for FOR, I will be here as ever for any questions you may have about rugby, life or 20-20 cricket. (it should be out-lawed). I appoint Dragon to answer anything you may need answering urgently, as the time difference doesn't allow me to be with you 24 hours a day. Just note his answers will be wrong, so try and hold out for when it goes dark in Blighty. As always stay safe, keep warm and love each other.
 
Regards
 
FOR xx
 
 

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