Likely Lions: Pack

Ye SARS, Elsom has fallen from captain of OZ the a bench warmer, in the space of a year. Really rapid decline!

What's led to that - has Elsom got worse (and if so, why?) or have other players come on - and was that expected/

I think Max alludes to an interesting point above - Australia's strength is Pocock, our weakness is scrum half. If you were Australia you'd look to focus your strength on our weakness - i.e get Pocock on the SH and get quick turnover ball, and let the backs loose from the breakdown - I hadn't really thought of this until now.

Given that I think we have to refocus our scrum to be a monster and put Pocock on the back foot and protect the Lions SH, for me this implies the following pack, built on power and aggression

1 Corbisiero 2 Hartley 3 A Jones

4 Gray 5 O'Connell

6 Lydiate 8 Morgan 7 Warburton

I have no idea SARS, he fell from grace during the WC group stages, and a little before that in the Tri Nations. but hes still good! just not at his normal high standards. He been savaged in the OZ press.

Apparently he has a two year deal which expires next year, when he'll be 30, but you wonder if a move back to the northern hemisphere wouldn't be a bad idea - I would have thought there were plenty of teams that would snap him up - c'mon Gloucester!!!

He has expressed a desire to return to leinster He came to us off form a little also, but loved dublin loved the support he got from the crown and played the rugby of his career. Went back to OZ a hero, lost a bit of form and then got dumped on the scrap heap. Its a bit cold to be fair.

re: Elsom

One of the stand out performers in the Super 15 this year has been young blindside Dave Dennis. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes it into the AUS team at some point for the Wales tests. He is keeping Elsom out the team

In fact he will for the first time this season be leading out the Waratahs as captain this weekend against the Rebels!

Mmaaxx
Thats interesting, goes to show there is always a young pup nipping at your heels.

So u seem to be up to date on SH coming and goings.
So what the hell happened to Rocky? I mean, on an off day he is still a brilliant player, but man from captain of OZ to nothing in the blink of an eye.... did he sleep with someones misses or what?

He has not been fully fit for a while and I think that's been a big part of the problem. To play the way he plays I'd imagine full faith in your physical condiction is required.

I also think the cesspit that was the Brumbies last year affected him. It was a pretty negative environment with alot of infighting.

I've got a feeling that he'll be back strong and motivated at his new team.