Garry Ringrose hoping Marvel cameo can put him Test picture
Ringrose missed the first Test win against the Wallabies on Saturday due to concussion, but having come through the return to play protocols, he took his place in the matchday squad in Melbourne today, for what would have been an ideal tune-up ahead of Saturday's second Test at the MCG.
Attempting to read between the lines, the fact he was named on the bench rather than the starting XV looked like a nod towards a short cameo at Marvel Stadium, and possibly a route back into the Test side.
Alas, an early injury for Darcy Graham on his Lions debut saw the Ireland international (below) togged out and ready to go, playing more than an hour, and impressing despite the Lions' clunky overall display.
"Any chance to represent the Lions, I've got to pinch myself," he said, following the five-point win.
"It's something I would have dreamed of and everyone in their dreams of doing so to get a chance to be out on the pitch was brilliant."
The 30-year-old had arguably been the standout player in the warm-up fixtures before picking up a concussion late in the win against the Brumbies a fortnight ago.
Scotland's Huw Jones started ahead of Ringrose last weekend in Brisbane, and while the Ireland international is hoping he's done enough to earn a second Test call, he's prepared to row in behind whatever selection is made.
"It's the team first. Wherever I fit in to help the team win, I'll be all in on that.
"Yeah, happy out with the win today and then it's kind of a cool challenge in that it's a Test game in a few days and it's all hands on deck from tomorrow morning really.
"Everyone is there for the team and I've been lucky enough to work with Faz [Andy Farrell] and a couple of coaches for so long that I've just complete trust in their decision making and back whatever it is and wherever my role fits in, then as I say, go all in on that.
"It's the nature of the beast. If you weren't dealing with that little battle there's some other little battle that one's dealing with and everyone has their own story that they're trying to do themselves proud for their teammates, and family, so we're all in the same boat in that regard."
If Ringrose does start on Saturday, then it could potentially be a change of both centres.
The Irish pair of Ringrose and Aki have been preferred as a unit, as has the Jones and Sione Tuipulotu partnership.
And having come up against the Scottish pair often, both with Leinster and Ireland, Ringrose has gained a new appreciation for how they work in tandem.
"To work with Sione and Huw, and Bundee as well is brilliant.
"At the start of the campaign, we'd challenge ourselves to be really open and honest with each other and try to get the best out of all of us. Whoever's out there on the day is representing the whole centre group. So whatever combination it is, there's a standard expected to deliver on so that nothing changes for this week.
"Without being too clever, what has impressed me most [about Jones and Tuipulotu] is their skill at the line. What is expected of centres is to be able to carry when it's tight, play through the line when it's on, then pull the trigger if the space is out wide. Those two are exceptional at that.
"It's been brilliant training against them, training with them, picking their brains on decision-making based on what they see.
"From playing against Scotland and watching them play for Glasgow, it's unreal to actually work with them and have those conversations. They've been brilliant from that perspective, so I've definitely learned off them and still learning off them in every meeting.
"They've unbelievably intelligent, skilful, physical, and really both of them are all-court in what they do."
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Irish Times
21 minutes ago
- Irish Times
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Irish Examiner
an hour ago
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RTÉ News
an hour ago
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Australia host the Lions in the second Test on Saturday with the series on the line. It's simply win or bust for the Wallabies after last weekend's underwhelming 27-19 defeat in Brisbane. The famed MCG is the scene and a crowd of around 90,000 is expected. A win for Andy Farrell's men will clinch a first Lions series win since 2013. Find out all you need to know here. ONLINE There will be a live blog on and the RTÉ News app, as well as match report, reaction and player ratings. TV Australia v British and Irish Lions will be shown on Sky Sports with kick-off at 11am Irish time. WEATHER There was a severe weather warning for Melbourne on Friday afternoon to evening, and rain is predicted for Saturday 8pm (local) kick-off. Temperature around 11C. Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. While last weekend's scoreline looked close on paper, the Lions held the Wallabies at arm's length throughout the game, and it was only when the contest was over that the Aussies did some damage. Neither side will read too much into that but Andy Farrell will demand an 80-minute performance this time around. There's more heft in the Aussie pack with the addition of Rob Valetini, Will Skelton and David Porecki and the hope for Joe Schmidt is that they provide more front-foot ball for the backs to work off. They were distinctly second-best last week across all areas, on and off the ball, and achieving something like parity up front will be crucial to their cause. It's set for a wet evening in Melbourne so expect a lot of kicking and aerial battles. The Lions have made three changes to the team with Bundee Aki coming in for Sione Tuipulotu, Andrew Porter replacing Ellis Genge and Ollie Chessum in for the injured Joe McCarthy. Garry Ringrose was originally selected but withdrew after self-reporting concussion symptoms. Still, there are a record nine Ireland internationals in the starting team, with Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, James Lowe and Hugo Keenan all retaining their places. Maro Itoje captains from the second row and Finn Russell will run the operation from out-half. Rónan Kelleher and James Ryan are on the bench, alongside Owen Farrell and Blair Kinghorn who didn't make the squad last weekend. For the home side, in come forwards Valetini, Skelton and Porecki with Schmidt also making three changes. This is the 25th meeting of the teams, with the Lions winning 18 and losing six. The tourists, ten-point favourites for this game, have won seven series and lost two. British and Irish Lions: Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum; Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan. Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, James Ryan, Jac Morgan, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell, Blair Kinghorn. Australia: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa; Nick Frost, Will Skelton; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson. Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson. OFFICIALS Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) Assistant Referee 2: Ben O'Keeffe (NZ) TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra) WHAT THEY SAID Joe Schmidt (Australia head coach): "We don't have the intention this week of being submissive. It'd be special for this group [to win]. I think it would accelerate a little bit of their growth as well, because in terms of gaining confidence, it's hard to top competing with the best." Andy Farrell (Lions head coach): "We certainly feel we left a few things out there [last weekend], most aspects of our game will need to better but it is proving to ourselves it can be better as well. Doing things properly, that is what we have talked about all week."
