Class is permanent, he's complements BOD perfectly.

Fully Deserved

Come on LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!

Hopefully Hook is still there to provide some utility­ and call up Peel now.

Am I dreaming, or did I read somewhere that Flutey was­ picked because of his ability to cover 9 & 10????? ­ I might be wrong, but if that's the case, I do­ worry as per post 10. With only 2 recognised 1st 5/8,­ I think we lack depth.

As for Lions Tours ending­ (post 9), even as professionals, i think so many­ players desire the red jersey that there would be too­ much resistance to the thought. However, the clubs­ would be delighted if Lions tours ended, no more injury­ headaches to worry about through close season.

Delighted he's there now but I don't think that­ centre is the position that we need most cover.­ O'Driscoll and Roberts will start each test I­ reckon and Fluety is decent cover. I wouldn't read­ too much into Earl's performance he's much­ better than that. Maybe D'Arcy will become first­ cover but I really believe that scrum half is going to­ be our biggest problem. Phillips is decent but­ that's all, if anything happens to him we are­ fecked.

Bout time D'arcy was called up...Well done!.

Any­ one get a feeling with all the injuries The Lions­ could be on another hiding here like in New Zealand in­ 2005?

Raises another question, after Professionalism­ entered Rugby in 1995, the Lions have only won 3 test­ matches, will the Lions continue to survive if they go­ down heavy again ie:- 3-0?

Thoughts?

@ 3 - Yes, I am saying that the right squad wasn't­ picked the first time. D'Arcy should have always­ been there ahead of Earls. Earls is a talented kid,­ but he is by no means ready for a tour of this stature.­ Equally, Delon Armitage must feel bitterly­ disaapointed not to be there. A 37 year old flanker­ was picked ahead of Tom Croft, who can pack down at 4,­ 5, 6, 7 or 8. That was a travesty of a decision. ­

However, I temper everything I say here with the fact­ that opinions are like @rseholes, we all have one!!! ­ :-)

At last common sense has prevailed with bringing D’arcy­ into the squad – what a fantastic season he’s had so­ far with the Triple Crown, Grand Slam, Heineken Cup and­ now a great game for the Baba’s. I really think this­ could be his tour, and even though he just came back­ from injury at the start of the year I think he will­ reach his peak on this tour as fatigue will play a­ major role within this Lions squad. Best of luck to the­ squad and I hope we see some great rugby over the­ coming weeks.

Come on Wexford!!!!! Bout time D'Arcy got the call,­ I think when Geech saw Earls performance on sat last he­ got that sickening feelingin his stomach as it clicked­ with him...." why in the name of god did I bring­ this boy" Im not belittling Earls by any means,­ just there was no way he could deal with test match­ pressure, heniken cup is one thing, lions tests are a­ LITTLE bit more. Any way, here to looking forward to­ tonight and hopefully the boys will settle in and relax­ a bit easier and show us how we no each and everyone of­ them can play.

Thats made my day!!fully deserved.

so they didnt pick the right squad in the first place?

About time. He should have been on the first flight­ out, instead of Earls. At the very least, he should­ have been called the moment that Shanklin was injured. ­ He will most definitely add some guile and experience­ to the squad, and will really push Roberts for the­ starting jersey. (And no, I am not Irish.)

Nice one gordan, eire abu