Amédée, Ménager and Okemba out of Grand Slam decider

Some of the key things I want to see now is if;

The two locks, Scott Barrett and Tupou Vaa’i get a proper go at the 6 jersey. This means, the right opponent with the right plan, which is obviously going to not be Plan A

Beauden Barrett return to the 15 jersery, and Love continue his transition into a 10

The movement of players in and out of a squad, so Ethan Blackadder or Dalton coming in for Luke Jacobson, or Reihana for like Barrett or a midfielder, etc etc, and not just when theres an injury

These guys get actual opportunity of the field and not just <5 minutes at the end of the game

The use of utility in the backs with Jordie and Timico being used as perfect 23s in a 6/2 bench, with each getting time at fullback and wing respectively, along with Rieko getting even more time than last year on the wing to see if he can be a viable starter their

How they bring in even further stars of the future into the large squad, players like Tangitau, Carter, Parker, Kyren, Reihana, ENS, CLW etc etc

And I think that Tavatavanawai will definitely get selected in jersey 23 at least once vs France

Agree with MJ below, the short locks and back row players could be a problem.

I read somewhere they were thinking of playing the Lions V Argentina game in the Raiders stadium Las Vegas, which would have been a doable 600 mile drive from here in California. The NRL had some games there the last 2 years and they were a huge success.

Anyone got thoughts on the commentary? Only ask because watching in the US we often get announcers from the southern hemisphere, or Ireland. They’re always excellent. Sorry, but I don’t care for the English “cheerleader,” don’t recall his name, who talks and talks and often interferes with the enjoyment of the match. Perhaps he is reading off a sheet of facts. I’ll often shut off the sound when he’s on.

And I’ve been supporting England since the early 70s!