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Reposted by Robert Giannotti

Linebreak Rugby @linebreakrugby.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

I knew Jac Morgan would single-handedly win the series

Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Enjoyed both the Aussies coming out swinging and the pluck shown by the Lions in the last 10 minutes. Super entertaining if not of the highest quality. #AUSvLIO

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

The scrum half will be devastated at his effort in defence!

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Harry Potter off to see Madame Pomfrey now... #AUSvLIO

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Reposted by Robert Giannotti

blue on the board @blueontheboard.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

6⃣4⃣ DAYS TO GO. Major season is over - all eyes are now officially on the Ryder Cup! www.blueontheboard.com/blogs/botb-2... 🌟Scottie is a shining star 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿English and Fitzy the big movers 🐴Gotterup a true bolter option 🖋️Captain's agreement signed - Keegan's going to play 🏌️‍♂️The show goes on

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Person visits popular tourist destination and is surprised to see so many other tourists. The tripe that algorithms kick out masquerading as journalism these days is truly shocking...

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

So does Jac Morgan. Is he shit too? So does Tomos Williams - the Premiership player of the year.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

The Irish Times appear to un-ironically be reporting James Ryan had a good game today and is up for promotion to the test 23 if Joe McCarthy is ruled out.

media.tenor.com

a man with a mullet and a mustache is wearing a wig and making a funny face .

ALT: a man with a mullet and a mustache is wearing a wig and making a funny face .

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

The pick of the late call-ups by a mile.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Blair Kinghorn with the look of a guy who might have played his way of out test contention there.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

James Ryan was properly, properly shit today. A penny for the thoughts of injured George Martin or Daf Jenkins, or even Adam Beard, sat at home watching him spew chunks all over Adelaide.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

That's the last we'll see on this tour of a number of those players. Jac Morgan departing early tells me he's going to be involved in the test 23.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

It's frustrating to see Jamie George have a poor game and Ewan Ashman replace him when Dewi Lake is sat at home. More than anything this Lions tour has felt un-meritocratic and that's always been one of the best elements of the entire concept.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

These replacement players are playing like it's the first and last time they'll ever wear a Lions shirt. This now has a very ACT Brumbies 2013 feel to it.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

SA 2021 - double world champions NZ 2017 - double world champions AU 2013 - RWC finalists SA 2009 - reigning RWC winners NZ 2005 - generational best AU 2001 - reigning RWC winners SA 1997 - reigning RWC winners This 2025 Australia vintage is nowhere near as strong.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

This is a cake walk for the Lions. Unfortunately this Australia team are easily the weakest opposition we've seen decades. Be shocked if the Lions don't win by 20-30 today and the series 3-0.

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Reposted by Robert Giannotti

blue on the board @blueontheboard.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

1 sleep until The Open, but just 70 until the Ryder Cup! www.blueontheboard.com/blogs/botb-1... 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Gotterup the Renaissance man; Euros contend 👦Kids dominate the ISCO 🫧Rasmus losing ground on bubble 🍕It's Chicco time ⛳️The Open Championship previewed

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

Which is both good and bad - very 2005 "protect the test team at all costs" vibes.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

The next midweek Lions team rests just about all the reported test 23 for Saturday: Hansen, Graham, Ringrose, Aki, Duhan, Fin, Mitchell; Schoeman, George, Stuart, Cummings, Ryan, Pollock, Morgan, Earl | Ashman, Sutherland, Clarkson, Chessum, vd Flier, White, Marcus, Farrell

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

Reflecting on the Lions, can we all be in agreement that it's shit the test team has been leaked?

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

The Lions support is entirely built on nostalgia thanks to the 1971 and 1974 tours for one generation, and that 1997 documentary for another. New fans to rugby must wonder what the fuss is about. It's so sanitised and curated with zero romance.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

It's so hard to be objective and not parochial about this Lions test side if reports are true. So disappointed for Jac Morgan - the squad's form player in the most contestable position. This year's test XV has always been pretty pre-ordained. The romance of the Lions dies a little more.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

If the Lions lose this series with a fading Irish team that's already peaked, it's going to be 2005 all over again but without RWC winners. Plenty of training call-ups this time who haven't played. Rather it not be Blair Murray who's holding tackle bags for test XV drills as Wales need him.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Sam Warburton really loves Tom Curry, doesn't he?

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

The second I saw 6 locks and 6 back rows in the squad I thought 6 would probably be a hybrid. Assumed it'd be Beirne but increasingly looks like Chessum. Tom Curry always first choice at 7 despite the other two's merits - a bad game and he's out because Morgan has been excellent.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

I'm leaning Scottish centres because it's Finn Russell at 10. Wouldn't surprise me if they go 6-2 bench and that gives Kinghorn advantage over Keenan for versatility in backline. Specialists like Keenan, Morgan, JvdF, Fin Smith might lose out to utility options like Earl or Marcus Smith.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Which is why it all feels very 2005 where CW was always going to lean on his trusted internationals two years after they'd peaked.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

You can't help but feel some players have not been given a fair crack either: Marcus Smith has started once in five games - out of position in the scratch squad of whoever was left. Henry Pollock's one start. Ronan Kelleher and Will Stuart one start.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

I think the centres, the flankers, and right wing are potentially up for debate, but I'd be surprised if the first test team isn't this in every other jersey.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

If you'd have asked me to pick a pre-tour starting test XV based on Andy Farrell being head coach, it would be almost exactly this line-up playing the Brumbies. It all feels very pre-ordained (ala 2005). Disappointing. We even have JvdF rotated into the 23 despite Morgan being the form 7 on tour.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Not Alex Mitchell though - fifth consecutive matchday squad!

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Based on that Lions match we're starting to see some separation between the first and second string XVs now. That front row bench are the test starters, maybe the Scottish centres, and that's about it. Only thing is whether he continues with Beirne despite his poor tour.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

That is the very definition of shitting your pants from Wales.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Keenan being ruled out again is super frustrating. Kinghorn will probably have to play wing on Saturday now so they both start - but I'd sooner see Blair start at 15 with Lowe and Hansen on the wings.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

I thinks it's Conan and Curry plus one in the back row. The longer things go on (and after McCarthy's game on Saturday) it may well be Beirne or Chessum at 6 and Curry at 7. 6-2 split with a lock, a hybrid and a back row makes more sense than 5-3, esp if Kinghorn or Hansen is involved.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Caught up on the Lions game. I'm trying so hard to not be parochial this year, but you can't help but feel proud of Jac Morgan's performance today. I don't suppose he'll start at 7 in the tests, but he's played so well there.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

First few days are the best for watching Wimbledon. More interesting to watch the outer courts where a British wildcard takes someone to give sets rather than a top seed sail through. Case in point: Felix AA v Duckworth.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

Watching Franz Ferdinand's set from Glastonbury back and they're so good we've just booked tickets to see them next year in Bristol. Proper old school looking set. Crowd super engaged. No phones. Perfection.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Despite Emily Eavis' determination to move away from rock bands at Glastonbury festival, Pulp playing Common People will be the highlight of the entire weekend. Look at that crowd!

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Suggest current test team looks something like: Kinghorn, Freeman, Jones, Sione, Lowe, Russell, JGP; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, Beirne, Curry, JvdF, Conan | Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, McCarthy, Earl, Morgan; Tomos, Daly

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Guessing it'll be something like: Keenan, Freeman, Jones, Aki, Duhan, Fin Smith, Mitchell; Porter, Kelleher, Stuart, Ryan, Chessum, Earl, Morgan, Conan (C) | LCD, Genge, Bealham, Maro, Curry, JBP, Marcus, Lowe Conan, Keenan, Freeman, Jones potentially going back-to-back?

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Interested to see what the Lions do on Wednesday for the first midweek side. Keenan, JGP, Ryan, Porter, Stuart, Kelleher, Chessum, Conan, Huw Jones all still yet to start - and imagine the next selection will indicate who's playing the next two Saturdays leading into the tests.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Much better second half. About what we expect from a Lions tour game. Tomos, McCarthy and Hansen the pick of them for me. Finn-Sione-Jones should be the test midfield axis.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

It's the opposite of Gatland-era Lions, which was always based on solid defence and low error count.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

This match is proving that Jack Conan is the most important player in the squad. Why they didn't take a second N8 is baffling, because Doris and Conan would both have gone if Caelan was fit. Taulupe, Dempsey or Matt Fagerson missed for their physicality.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Not vintage, is it? The wallabies will fancy the series if they can keep it open enough. Loads of line breaks and offloads. Joe McCarthy, Tomos Williams and Dan Sheehan the pick of the players so far. Sione much better at 12.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

"Club teams go a decade without winning a restart" was the low point.

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Robert Giannotti @robertgiannotti.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

JvdF stopped a try by himself there. Ridiculous strength.

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