"White flag" – Harlequins fans slam selection, Marcus Smith had departed
Yesterday at 05:02 PM
Harlequins take on Saracens in their highly anticipated derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but the team news has left fans baffled.
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While Saracens have welcomed back all their returning internationals, Quins have opted to give theirs extra time off.
Instead of staking a claim for a spot on the British & Irish Lions tour, Marcus Smith is currently on holiday in Miami – a decision that's not sitting well with supporters.
Here's what the fans had to say:
One fan said: “Clearly we saw the Saracens squad and just gave up then, did we? Like, great squad but you have to match up to your opponent, no?”
Another questioned: “Why aren't the internationals playing?”
A frustrated supporter commented: “So we've just given up – in such a critical match of the season, this is really disappointing to see us throw it away.”
One fan observed: “Looks like we’ve raised the white flag on this one, Sarries including all their England boys in their line-up.”
Another added: “Shame to see Sarries fielding a full-strength squad with internationals while all of ours are rested. This fixture always seems to fall in the same game week every year and every year we get blown away.”
A supporter wondered: “If Sarries can field their full team in a crucial match, how can we afford the luxury of resting our key players?”
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15 England Stars Make Our Lions Squad for Australia Tour
With the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour just around the corner, speculation is ramping up about who will get the nod for the three-Test series against Australia.
Andy Farrell will announce his squad live from the O2 Arena in London on May 8th, 2025, and we've taken a stab at selecting the best possible 36-man squad for the tour.
OUR 2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD
Here's a breakdown of who makes the cut, with 15 England stars included in our strongest lineup.
Props
Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Ellis Genge (England) – The ‘Baby Rhino’ brings his trademark aggression and scrummaging power.
Pierre Schoemann (Scotland)
Kyle Sinckler (England) – A veteran of the 2021 tour, Sinckler's experience will be vital.
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Will Stuart (England) – The powerful tighthead earns his spot after a consistent season.
Hookers
Dan Sheehan (Ireland) – The standout Irish hooker is almost a certainty.
Dewi Lake (Wales)
Jamie George (England) – Lions experience and leadership make him a vital inclusion.
Locks
Maro Itoje (England) – One of the first names on the team sheet.
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) – The young enforcer could be a game-changer.
Ollie Chessum (England) – A rising star, providing dynamism and lineout excellence.
Dafydd Jenkins (Wales)
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
George Martin (England) – Physicality and work rate give him the edge.
Back Row
Josh van der Flier (Ireland) – World-class breakdown presence.
Ben Curry (England) – Edges into contention with his relentless tackling and breakdown work.
Tom Curry (England) – A Lions veteran whose pedigree speaks for itself.
Caelan Doris (Ireland) – A guaranteed starter.
Ben Earl (England) – One of the most explosive players in the Premiership this season.
Jack Willis (England) – His form for Toulouse has been outstanding.
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