Highlanders line-up:

1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
2 Liam Coltman
3 Siate Tokolahi
4 Alex Ainley
5 Jackson Hemopo
6 Gareth Evans
7 Dillon Hunt
8 Luke Whitelock (C)
9 Kayne Hammington
10 Lima Sopoaga
11 Tevita Li
12 Teihorangi Walden
13 Malakai Fekitoa
14 Waisake Naholo
15 Richard Buckman

Reserves
16 Greg Pleasants-Tate
17 Aki Seiuli
18 Siosuia Halanukonuka
19 Josh Dickson
20 Jimmy Lentjes
21 Josh Renton
22 Marty Banks
23 Patrick Osborne

Unavailable due to injury: Liam Squire, Matt Faddes

Unavailable due to All Blacks selection: Ben Smith, Aaron Smith

Unavailable due to NZ Maori selection: Elliot Dixon, Ash Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Rob Thompson, Tom Franklin

Sopoaga needs a big game, especially if Cruden is doubtful for the 1st test.

Fekitoa has a point to prove.

With Buckman at fullback that suggest the Landers won't be kicking as much as usual.

@Bovidae yeah I probably would've preferred to see Banks at fullback and Buckman to 12.

British and Irish Lions:

1 Joe Marler, 2 Rory Best, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 James Haskell, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 8 CJ Stander,
9 Rhys Webb, 10 Dan Biggar, 11 Tommy Seymour, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 14 Jack Nowell, 15 Jared Payne;

Reserves: 16 Ken Owens, 17, Jack McGrath, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alyn Wun Jones, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22, Owen Farrell, 23 Elliot Daly.

So has Buckman now played at 11,12,13,14 & 15 for the Landers this season?

@Stargazer said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

British and Irish Lions:

1 Joe Marler, 2 Rory Best, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 James Haskell, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 8 CJ Stander,
9 Rhys Webb, 10 Dan Biggar, 11 Tommy Seymour, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 14 Jack Nowell, 15 Jared Payne;

Reserves: 16 Ken Owens, 17, Jack McGrath, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alyn Wun Jones, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22, Owen Farrell, 23 Elliot Daly.

A number of real contenders playing for a 1st Test squad place

Marler, Sinckler, Warburton, Stander, Tipuric
Joseph, Nowell, Payne, Daly

@MiketheSnow said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

@Stargazer said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

British and Irish Lions:

1 Joe Marler, 2 Rory Best, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 James Haskell, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 8 CJ Stander,
9 Rhys Webb, 10 Dan Biggar, 11 Tommy Seymour, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 14 Jack Nowell, 15 Jared Payne;

Reserves: 16 Ken Owens, 17, Jack McGrath, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alyn Wun Jones, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22, Owen Farrell, 23 Elliot Daly.

A number of real contenders playing for a 1st Test squad place

Marler, Sinckler, Warburton, Stander, Tipuric
Joseph, Nowell, Payne, Daly

Nowell would have to do something pretty spectacular to wipe out his first performance, though to be fair I felt that on a coupe of occasions he had been left with too much to cover (Blues first try a good example), however his lack of pace at this level was cruelly exposed. Payne and Joseph will need very big games also, not so much that they've performed poorly more that they seem to not be in Gatland's plans.

Open side flanker is going to be interesting, Warburton in the box seat but O'Brien laid down marker against the Crusaders and Tipuric has been playing well too. As far as the props go, it's all up for grabs but with a slight edge to Vunipola and Furlong. To be honest I'd be happy with any mix here. Hooker more of a concern to me.

Warburton would be unlikely to play in the Maori game (a likely shadow test XV) after being named to play on Tuesday.

Is Moriarty carrying an injury? Stander will be involved in 3 games in a row.

@Catogrande said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

@MiketheSnow said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

@Stargazer said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

British and Irish Lions:

1 Joe Marler, 2 Rory Best, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 James Haskell, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 8 CJ Stander,
9 Rhys Webb, 10 Dan Biggar, 11 Tommy Seymour, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 14 Jack Nowell, 15 Jared Payne;

Reserves: 16 Ken Owens, 17, Jack McGrath, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alyn Wun Jones, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22, Owen Farrell, 23 Elliot Daly.

A number of real contenders playing for a 1st Test squad place

Marler, Sinckler, Warburton, Stander, Tipuric
Joseph, Nowell, Payne, Daly

Nowell would have to do something pretty spectacular to wipe out his first performance, though to be fair I felt that on a coupe of occasions he had been left with too much to cover (Blues first try a good example), however his lack of pace at this level was cruelly exposed. Payne and Joseph will need very big games also, not so much that they've performed poorly more that they seem to not be in Gatland's plans.

Open side flanker is going to be interesting, Warburton in the box seat but O'Brien laid down marker against the Crusaders and Tipuric has been playing well too. As far as the props go, it's all up for grabs but with a slight edge to Vunipola and Furlong. To be honest I'd be happy with any mix here. Hooker more of a concern to me.

Agree 100% about Nowell, but my English friends have been getting very precious saying he's the best wing on tour so threw him into the mix.

@Bovidae said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

Warburton would be unlikely to play in the Maori game (a likely shadow test XV) after being named to play on Tuesday.

Is Moriarty carrying an injury? Stander will be involved in 3 games in a row.

I'm guessing a half for Warburton to see if his ankle is OK, then yanked to rest for Saturday. He is VERY much in Gatland's plans.

No word on Moriarty.

@MiketheSnow said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

@Catogrande said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

@MiketheSnow said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

@Stargazer said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

British and Irish Lions:

1 Joe Marler, 2 Rory Best, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 James Haskell, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 8 CJ Stander,
9 Rhys Webb, 10 Dan Biggar, 11 Tommy Seymour, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 14 Jack Nowell, 15 Jared Payne;

Reserves: 16 Ken Owens, 17, Jack McGrath, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alyn Wun Jones, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22, Owen Farrell, 23 Elliot Daly.

A number of real contenders playing for a 1st Test squad place

Marler, Sinckler, Warburton, Stander, Tipuric
Joseph, Nowell, Payne, Daly

Nowell would have to do something pretty spectacular to wipe out his first performance, though to be fair I felt that on a coupe of occasions he had been left with too much to cover (Blues first try a good example), however his lack of pace at this level was cruelly exposed. Payne and Joseph will need very big games also, not so much that they've performed poorly more that they seem to not be in Gatland's plans.

Open side flanker is going to be interesting, Warburton in the box seat but O'Brien laid down marker against the Crusaders and Tipuric has been playing well too. As far as the props go, it's all up for grabs but with a slight edge to Vunipola and Furlong. To be honest I'd be happy with any mix here. Hooker more of a concern to me.

Agree 100% about Nowell, but my English friends have been getting very precious saying he's the best wing on tour so threw him into the mix.

What a good mate you are!

I really want to see how Sopoaga deals with the rush defence.. You know it's coming..

@MiketheSnow said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

@Stargazer said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

British and Irish Lions:

1 Joe Marler, 2 Rory Best, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 James Haskell, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 8 CJ Stander,
9 Rhys Webb, 10 Dan Biggar, 11 Tommy Seymour, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 14 Jack Nowell, 15 Jared Payne;

Reserves: 16 Ken Owens, 17, Jack McGrath, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alyn Wun Jones, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22, Owen Farrell, 23 Elliot Daly.

A number of real contenders playing for a 1st Test squad place

Marler, Sinckler, Warburton, Stander, Tipuric
Joseph, Nowell, Payne, Daly

I'd have a slightly different mix of players hoping to squeeze into test thoughts - either starting or more likely bench.

Best, Sinckler, Lawes, Stander, Tipuric.
Joseph, Nowell, Daly, Biggar, Henshaw.

The problem for Best and Sinckler is they are part of one of three constant trios.

@Pot-Hale said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

@MiketheSnow said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

@Stargazer said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

British and Irish Lions:

1 Joe Marler, 2 Rory Best, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 James Haskell, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 8 CJ Stander,
9 Rhys Webb, 10 Dan Biggar, 11 Tommy Seymour, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 14 Jack Nowell, 15 Jared Payne;

Reserves: 16 Ken Owens, 17, Jack McGrath, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alyn Wun Jones, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22, Owen Farrell, 23 Elliot Daly.

A number of real contenders playing for a 1st Test squad place

Marler, Sinckler, Warburton, Stander, Tipuric
Joseph, Nowell, Payne, Daly

I'd have a slightly different mix of players hoping to squeeze into test thoughts - either starting or more likely bench.

Best, Sinckler, Lawes, Stander, Tipuric.
Joseph, Nowell, Daly, Biggar, Henshaw.

The problem for Best and Sinckler is they are part of one of three constant trios.

The only way Best, Lawes, Nowell, Biggar and Henshaw are making the 23 is injury or suspension to the player - and in some cases two players - ahead of them in the pecking order.

@mimic said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

I really want to see how Sopoaga deals with the rush defence.. You know it's coming..

I'm hoping his superior kicking game will help him here, he has a very accurate chip which could help turn the Lions around in the early exchanges.

given the, er, very flat rush defence is a key part of Gatlands teams, you'd hope that they will have a way to deal with it.

@MiketheSnow said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

@Pot-Hale said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

@MiketheSnow said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

@Stargazer said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

British and Irish Lions:

1 Joe Marler, 2 Rory Best, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 James Haskell, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 8 CJ Stander,
9 Rhys Webb, 10 Dan Biggar, 11 Tommy Seymour, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 14 Jack Nowell, 15 Jared Payne;

Reserves: 16 Ken Owens, 17, Jack McGrath, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alyn Wun Jones, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22, Owen Farrell, 23 Elliot Daly.

A number of real contenders playing for a 1st Test squad place

Marler, Sinckler, Warburton, Stander, Tipuric
Joseph, Nowell, Payne, Daly

I'd have a slightly different mix of players hoping to squeeze into test thoughts - either starting or more likely bench.

Best, Sinckler, Lawes, Stander, Tipuric.
Joseph, Nowell, Daly, Biggar, Henshaw.

The problem for Best and Sinckler is they are part of one of three constant trios.

The only way Best, Lawes, Nowell, Biggar and Henshaw are making the 23 is injury or suspension to the player - and in some cases two players - ahead of them in the pecking order.

Agreed on Best, Nowell, Lawes. Not sure about whether Sexton has fully stated his case to be on the bench assuming Gatland goes with Farrell to start at 10, unless Gatland likes the first/second five option it could bring in a match. And obviously Sexton is ripe for getting clattered, so Biggar might be a bench option. Similarly, assuming Farrell in the 10 shirt, then Henshaw at 12 is a good option for the test match - I don't see Te'o as having nailed that spot down.

I know Sexton has played in the first 3 matches, so Farrell is on the bench on Tues against Landers. Does that mean that Sexton might possibly start against Maori?

Highlanders look very weak on paper. Lions by 10.

Very interested in how Sopoaga goes.
Diapointed that won't see Buckman in one of his proper positions, and how he would cope in midfield v smothering defence.

@Rapido more than 10

@Pot-Hale said in Highlanders v B&I Lions:

I know Sexton has played in the first 3 matches, so Farrell is on the bench on Tues against Landers. Does that mean that Sexton might possibly start against Maori?

Depends if Biggar has a mare / injury. Both very realistic possibilities.

If Farrell plays significant amount of time tomorrow, then Sexton to start on Saturday.

Otherwise Farrell to start on Saturday. Now whether that's at 10, 12 or 13 remains to be seen.