Highlanders continue re-signing spree with All Black Ethan de Groot

Interesting. This is the thing with Faz. He obviously drives standards but his voice clearly dominates the dressing room and drowns out other voices. I feel he brings the best out of people in terms of fronting up and brings the worst out of people in terms of creativity and instinct. Every 9, 10, 12, 13 who's played inside or outside of him for England has looked cowed.

I will never forget when Cips was pulling up trees and could no longer be ignored, he forced his way into the team for the third test against SA and Faz spent the whole game at first receiver and Cips barely got the ball in his hands. Then at the death Cips finally gets the ball and puts in a worldy kick to send May in the corner while Faz is jumping up and down screaming at him. I've never drank the koolaid. I appreciate Faz does some stuff at a world class level and he's a born leader but he's myopic, uncreative, lacks a running game and kicks away far too much attacking possession.

If he comes back into England contention it will muddy the waters and delay the development of Fin Smith. Inevitably Borthwick will put Faz at 12 and Fin will have no chance, he will be forced into trying to play like Farrell with a 12 outside him who has no running game and will grubber kick possession away relentlessly.

As for his Lion's call up it's hard to say it's not nepotism given he has absolutely no form whatsoever.

He’s made his 4th lions tour.

Recently retired test players who have won tours with him describe him as a driver of standards.

Good enough for me.

With the CC, the numbers differ:

Ntamack: 1479 minutes (26 games)

Ramos: 2205 (28 games)

Flament: 1923 (30 games)

Penaud: 2045 (26 games)

LBB: 2277 (30 games)

Baille: 635 (18 games)

Marchand: 1321 (30 games)

Aldegheri: 1303 (29 games)

Meafou: 1503 (30 games)

Cros: 1759 (26 games)

Barassi is on the tour with his 1751 minutes and 25 games.

Don’t forget that thinking that you can apply those same 2000 minutes rule for props is obviously impossible.

Unless you know something we don't? All those lonely nights hiding in the changing rooms has served you well.

What did you hear, Ed?

Who's in on it?