The Rolling Maul: stardom beckons Ugo Monye and Tommy Bowe

Yet they have just a shot at something extra. Monye is flirting with true world class. He is one of those players who could retire reasonably happily with 40 caps and a lot of near-misses, or he could retire regarded as one of England’s great post-war wings. He is explosive, he is a thunderous tackler, he is very, very rapid and he has a big heart. His kicking and fielding game needs work but he could just be a star of this series.

Bowe has been revelation. It seemed that he was destined to be not much more than a squad player for Ireland but since his move to the Ospreys he has advanced amazingly - which is odd since the Ospreys have done few favours to individual players of late. Bowe is sharp, quick, and physical with a hunger for action. He could just be one of the trump cards that the Lions say they are keeping in their pockets till they need to play it.

Let’s hope the ball gets through rucks and hands quickly enough for them to take wing tomorrow.

What’s all the fuss about Watson?

There was a press conference this morning given by Luke Watson, the flanker and captain of Western Province. Watson and his family always seemed to be demanding that he had to play in the Springbok team and the Watson family, the famous Cheeky Watson included, gave poor Jake White all kinds of grief when he didn’t choose their pet lad.

Cheeky Watson, hero of non-racial rugby when he played outside the all-white game in the 1970s, appears to believe in my opinion that the rugby world still owes him a living and that Luke should be chosen simply because of his family’s heroic past. And the pressure on White, shocking as it was, was another part of the political rubbish which always surrounds the sport here.

In the final analysis, Cheeky Watson came across as no kind of hero, just another version of a pushy parent. And Luke is nothing more than a Currie Cup player; with the best will in the world, only a squad man for a Guinness Premiership club, second or third choice.

The British and Irish media group contains some of the most dedicated and open-minded journalists you could ever encounter, and I am speaking from decades of experience. They will dutifully attend a media briefing of even minor value with good heart. There are around 70 media following the Lions from Europe. As far as I know, and I may be wrong, none went to the Watson media conference.

The lads can spot a non-story from miles away, and also a funny smell.

The Stephen Jones debate

Maybe you know half a thing after all, SJ. The sight of poor old BOD The Plod being easily run down and desperately looking round for support after his interception break has given you all the ammunition you need for a turkey shoot. Avoid giving him both barrels though - remember magnanimity in victory and all that. James Foster, Cardiff

SJ: Brian clearly did not fancy the trip at all, which makes me think that he is carrying something. If he had gone on, even at his reduced pace, he would have made it. But it did not exactly bode well, did it? Tom Shanklin has been a massive, massive loss here. But Brian did create a superb try for Luke Fitzgerald by sleight of foot and hand.

No mention of BOD getting run down by five Sharks despite a ten metre head start and the Sharks having to stop, turn and chase? My dodgy live stream wasn’t very sharp but it looked like a prop and lock would have got him if the speedster who presumably came off the wing - and probably from 20 metres behind - hadn’t pipped them to it. Nice draw and pass to put someone in near the end but most of the forwards can do that and if the 13 can’t then we’re in trouble. On another note, is there a record for the number of substitute appearances for England as it seems Mathew Tait is destined to become the first player to rack up a century of caps from the bench? Pieman

SJ: Last first: I am afraid that I don’t buy into the Tait Plan in any way, Danny Hipkiss has always been a far better bet - he is more physical, runs better angles and it is good to see that he has rediscovered his best form. I am afraid that BOD’s rather embarrassing non-charge does not hold out great hopes of the Lions cutting the Boks to pieces out wide, does it?

Just a quick thought but I’m surprised that no one has mentioned trying Gethin Jenkins at tight head and Sheridan at loose. Jenkins can play both sides and has done in the past. Vickery could and should be the bench cover as he covers both sides. Don, France

SJ: Don, it is a fair call but Vicks is playing so well, he is fitter than for a long time and he is so up for it. I thought that he was superb in the tackle against the Golden Lions. I am sure he will be the tight-head next Saturday.

I fear for the Lions if they don’t sort out the breakdowns, which don’t appear to be refereed at all in South Africa. But can anyone please explain to me why northern hemisphere sides (especially England) insist on holding the ball at the back of a ruck? They wait for the defence to be completely organised before distributing, or wait for the opposition to calmly walk through and pick it up when quick passing is sure to create an overlap or opening eventually. Am I missing something? Martin The Confused

SJ: And you can add in Steve The Confused, not to mention Geech The Confused. They hold it accepting that it is slow ball and they try to make it quick ball by laboriously taking out a few defenders on the fringes in mini-rucks. If they do it badly, as you say, the ball lies there like an egg begging to be turned over!

I thought that referee Jonathan Kaplan’s performance in the Lions v Sharks match was nothing short of a disgrace. Putting aside his assessment of the breakdown, which seemed to constantly favour the Sharks (how many of their players were allowed to lie still after the tackle while the Lions seemed to get pinged every time for not rolling away?), how on earth can a referee give two penalties against a prop (in this case Gethin Jenkins) from the other side of the scrum? Matt Radley, London

SJ: Nothing short of a disgrace. Hard words, Matt. And accurate. I thought the refereeing of the Durban match showed that Jonathan should consider easing into retirement in his native, er, Durban.

Can we now finally cast aside any belief that Ronan O’Gara is anything but the most overrated international fly half? Yes, he can kick, but you have to admit he is often a liability. To single-handedly negate the attacking impact of Roberts, O’Driscoll, Byrne and Williams outside him against the Sharks was an extraordinary achievement. Surely now Hook is the rightful heir to Stephen Jones’s throne? Rob, London

SJ: To be fair, all three of the 10s are on good form and it is a real shame that James Hook will never get the chance to play outside Messrs Roberts and O’Driscoll, but Stephen is playing just a little better than Ronan.

‘It is guaranteed that after this tournament the world will still be searching for another activity bar rugby that the Kiwis are any good at.’ The world can stop the search as it is sailing. Just look at the number of Kiwi tacticians and skippers in the America’s Cup. Peter, London

SJ: Yes, their names are on everyone’s lips whenever sports fans gather.