Is Gatland set on Roberts/BOD for the Test team?

Anyone feel Gats has alread made his mind up about the centre partnership for the first Test? Hes put out both Roberts and BOD against the weakest sides. I think thats a combination of keeping them physically alright and injury free and also because he feels they have less to prove. I think he has more confidence in this pairing and will save them for the first test now. Thoughts?

+1, they were the choice centres just like Warburton selected as captain regardless how others play.

If no one physically takes the jersey from out of your hands then won't it naturally land in the tried and tested players????

Just like in 05 when Wilkinson was selected.... Jones and Henson hadn't done enough to convince SCW that both were right... Henson and O'Driscoll certainly had a cold relationship. Although SCW should have at least tested out a Jones and Wilkinson 10-12 duo prior to the first test.

BOD has done everything asked of him so far and does seem to be a certain selection. Reports suggested he enjoyed playing off Tuilagi so I am not sure if the combo is as yet set in stone.

Not necessarily. He's giving every combo a run out.

BOD and Davies next?

That could be very good. Plus now that Hogg has shown he can play ten we can have a centre on the bench.

Davies and BOD to start with Roberts coming on as an impact player. Sounds bloody good to me.

I think BOD would get more opportunities in attack playing aside Tuilagi but may have to do more work in defence.

I'd have thought Roberts is 100% set in stone to start. I don't think Gats has ever dropped him regardless of form and currently he's playing well. After Hong Kong I expected Gats to go with Roberts and JD but I think BOD will get the nod now. In all honesty, it's one of the areas where the Lions are the strongest so I can see all three of the four centres getting game time in the tests

BOD is long in the tooth now and susceptible to injuries. I dont think its a coincidende that Gatland has used him against the weakest sides in the easiest physical conditions. I dont think he wants to risk him outside the test matches. He has paired him with both Roberts and Tuilagi now but noteably both in lightweight fixtures.

winchester wrote:BOD is long in the tooth now and susceptible to injuries. I dont think its a coincidende that Gatland has used him against the weakest sides in the easiest physical conditions. I dont think he wants to risk him outside the test matches. He has paired him with both Roberts and Tuilagi now but noteably both in lightweight fixtures.

Well the same can be said for Roberts & he didn't cover himself in glory today against very weak opposition.

He looked at Roberts/Davies on HK (having no choice as Manu and BOD were otherwise occupied. Then rested them for Manu/BOD which looked a natural partnership as they both flourished. Next was Davies/Manu whilst BOD was given longer to rest which we never really saw much of and given Davies second understated performance could see him miss out. Now today we've had Roberts/BOD the bookies favourite combo, I've not seen the game yet.

BOD looks set to start assuming he had a decent game today against average opposition. Then either Manu or Roberts will play 12 with I presume the other on the bench.

Did the game to day say that Bod and Roberts deserve to be the starting centres?

I think it was very hard to day to pick out any players for the Test spot due to the low pressure that they was put under.

I thought Davies and BOD looked better than Roberts and BOD...

Sky Sports didnt even mention Tuilagi as a possible, is that form or injury?

maestegmafia wrote:I thought Davies and BOD looked better than Roberts and BOD...

Sky Sports didnt even mention Tuilagi as a possible, is that form or injury?

Well the 3 'pundits' were Irish, Scottish & Welsh - may have had something to do with it.

Didn't know any of the centre options were scottish...

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:I thought Davies and BOD looked better than Roberts and BOD...

Sky Sports didnt even mention Tuilagi as a possible, is that form or injury?

Well the 3 'pundits' were Irish, Scottish & Welsh - may have had something to do with it.

Trev is wrong, Dean Ryan is English and was also in the debate.

Roberts lost the ball in contact quite a few times today, though his passing looked better than it has been.

I'd go with Davies and BOD or Tuilagi and BOD personally.