Send your questions to Martyn Williams
It's that time of the week again - when you can put your questions to our Lions columnist Martyn Williams.
You set a high standard with last week's Q&A - we found out about Jamie Roberts' dubious taste in music, Andrew Sheridan's loud snoring and physio Bob Stewart's "tremendously hairy body".
So get thinking and see if you can come up with some insightful questions again. It's less than 10 days to the first Test and the Lions have got two more wins under their belts since last week's Q&A.
And Martyn is expected to play against Western Province on Saturday after missing the last two games because of a shoulder injury...
I'm a sports news reporter and write about most sports, but especially football, rugby union and cricket. I'll try and give you some insight into the stories setting the agenda in this blog. You can also follow me on 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~36~RS~)
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Hi Nuggett,
How is the injury coming on and when are we going to see you next ? I hope that you are well and enjoying the tour and not too frustrated with the injury. Great performance by the boys last night I loved it !! My Q is we have seen some pretty good displays by others in the squad in your abscence, its great to see competition not only in the back row but right across the park. Are you worried you may not make the starting XV for the first test ?.
All the best Tony
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Martyn,
Best of luck with the shoulder and we'll hopefully see you in the no.7 jersey for the 1st test! When Lions tours come together, you meet many players for the first time and as human beings we often form opinons of those who we have not met. Therefore my question would be, who has most surprised you in terms of who they are and their personality, that you didn't know before the tour
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Martyn,
First of all, as a Blues fan, thanks very much for a fantastic season, the team has played great rugby this season and I hope carries on in the new ground.
My question-
How does the intensity and physicality of, say, a Magner's Leage or Heineken Cup game compare to the games you have played against the SA Super 14 sides so far? Do you think their domestic game is over a higher standard to ours?
And how much do you expect the intensity to step up in the Tests, what's the difference physically between a domestic and an international game?
All the best for the rest of the tour, we're all behind you back home.
Cheers,
Rob
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Who has the most embarrassing/disgusting habit on tour?
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Alright Nugget...What are the squads real feelings about SA withdrawing the majority of the boks squad from the regional matches? Do you think it's gamesmanship? Do you think they will get any real benefit from it? Do you think it could actually work against them as they might not be as match sharp? Could you also see if you can find a couple of big SA forwards with a scottish granny.
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Martyn,
From watching on the television, I have noticed that the crowds for the games to date have been disappointing in terms of numbers and noise levels. Do you know why this is?
Best of luck for the rest of the tour and especially the test matches.
NNP
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Martyn,
Any highlights from pranks played to date? And who's the main prankster?!
Cheers,
Shimmie
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Hi Martyn,
What do you see as the main thing Ian McGeechan will be looking from you to do if you are to be picked for the tests?
I'm praying for your shoulder!
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Can you ask Ryan where he is planning to go on holidays after the tour, he must have loads of air miles ready to spend after the USA / Canada trip and South Africa..
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How is Jamie Roberts' shoulder as well?
I Take it that you will want to be involved in the big Blues games next season? My partner and I are getting seasons for ther first time this year, and have booked for Paris for 22.5.10 - no pressure of course - but would love to see the Blues get there.
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HI Nugget, hope the injury is on its way out now. Got a few questions, some serious some less so...
although i don't suppose any player is "feared" as such within the lions squad, is there anybody in the squad who people would rather avoid being tackled by in training? I saw gethin jenkins and heaslip putting in some pretty mighty hits last night, is it the same on the trining pitch?
as a back rower myself, i'm feeling a bit frustrated with the refereeing of the breakdown. From my vantage point from the sofa, these saffers are rarely on their feet for longer than a second or two with their hands on the ball. Once off their feet they continue to play it with no concequence. They also seem to lean so far over the player on the ground, with only their pinky on the ball that they block our guys from getting there, is this not going over the top? whats your take on this? At the heart of this issue of course, why do the saffers "appear" better at the breakdown?
Who in your opinion, is the one bokke that really stands out?
many thanks,
benwell
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Martyn (Nuggett)
Rumour has it that the Pontypridd boys are saying that you are scared of Benidorm, any truth in this ?
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Hi Nugget,
Everyone talks during rugby tours about the practical jokers and they've popped up a once or twice in your column so far. But rarely do we get any details of these pranks that keep the mood in the camp light and upbeat, so what's been the best practical joke so far, both on this tour and in your career, any have any failed miserably?
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Martyn,
Do you feel the different combinations of players in matches and the fact that there is not set Test team on this tour has contributed to a better atmosphere, and more comradeship between players?
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Hi Nugget, trust you enjoying the experience of the tour. As a Blue's Fan who is also South African, I have mixed loyalties with this tour. Whilst I wanted to see the Lions and especially the Welsh contigent doing well, I fully expect SA to win at least two of the three tests. My Q is, Loose Forwards are a critical position these days, and how do you see the SA trio (Spies, Burger and Rossouw) stacking up against the best the Lions have to offer.
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Martin,
I hope that you get a game or two before the real test of the Lions test matches start in ernest. I think the team desperately need a world class forager to snap up all the loose balls and I don't see anyone else who does that as well as you in the Lions squad.
My question is a very simple one. We have heard it been suggested that Shane Williams and Ugo Monye are probably the quickest in the squad - who would you say is the strongest?
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Nugget,
What is the fining structure?
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Martyn - good luck on the injury. I've got 2 questions if I may - firstly what sort of extra training are you doing to cope with playing at altitude? Secondly, who's got the strangest pre-match/dressing room routine amongst the other Lions and what is it?
All the best
Clyde
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Nugget ...
Best of luck for Saturday .. take no prisoners !
My question ... Which Lions player(s) from the past would you have loved to tour with and why.
Dave
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I will be in Durban roaring you boys on in the first test. As an Englishman I hope you get the No 7 jersey. My question is this. We hear a lot about the physicality and strength of the southern hemisphere teams but is there any difference between 'us' and 'them' in terms of strength and fitness. Is taking them on up front any different than a northern hemisphere game?
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Nugget,
I told my mate and my sister(she lives in Hensol) about what I asked you on the blog and they want to know the following; 1) who do you see going through to the last 8 of the Heineken cup (please can you to name your group winners an 3 others likely to make it) 2)Has Jenks still got his dog called Chester cos she has not seen him walking him around Hensol lately (She knows he has been in the USA). I told her it was a RUGBY blog but she insisted I ask.
Tony
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Martyn. Having watched last night's game I can only say that the disgraceful, one-eyed refereeing performance, especially in the first half was only surpassed by the near daylight robbery afflicted on England by Andre Watson when we won the world cup.
However, it was a great win. My question is that given the fact that the South African players seem to be allowed to lay down at back of every breakdown making no attempt to roll away at all, why are we not just clearing them out of there?
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Hi Nuggett,
Really enjoying the feedback we are getting from the squad, it seems like a great improvement on 2001 and 2005.
Good luck for Saturday, and hope the shoulder holds up.
My question is;
We have seen a lot of great back row performances so far on the tour. Have you picked up any hints or tips from the guys you dont play with regularly? It has been suggested that the Southern Hemisphere ruck differently to the Northern, but are there any difference between the Lions?
Good luck for the rest of the tour.
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Martyn,
How closely is your diet on the tour controlled, can you fit in a sly burger and curry chips when no one is looking?
Hope the injury sorts itself out and good luck for the upcoming games. We're following every move from Basel in Switzerland!
Barry
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Martyn,
The springboks were at the sharks game last night weighing up their opposition for the first test. Have you started analysing the boks yet, and how to deal with the world class talents such as pierre spies and bryan habana?
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Martyn,
which department do you think it is more important to match and better the Boks in: physicality or fitness and stamina?
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Out of all the players who is the most vain and is constantly checking their hair and checking themselves out in mirrors?
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Have you ever played in any other position for wales other then flanker and how well did you play?
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Hi Martin
Hope the injury will have gone soon and we see you on the pitch.
My question is: How much of SA have you been able to see outside of the hotels/training camps and if you've managed to do some unusual things like a Safari etc
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Martyn,
I suppose there is a curfew that players have to respect. Has someone ever broken it and, if so, what would the consequences be? Football coach Nils Liedholm was said to make rounds at night to be sure that the players were in their rooms, but I don't think McGeechan would go so far. Or would he?
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Firstly Good Luck with the shoulder, i was just wondering how has the departure of Halfpenny and Ferris affected the moral of the team?
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Do you think the comments on Shane William's recent form are justified or unfair? Personally I don't think he's been receiving decent enough ball and the fans are expecting miracles from him 100% of the time. Do you think he will bounce back from this to make the test team?
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Alright Martyne Mate.
Hows it going? Has anybody on the tour done something funny yet like a fart?
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How do you unwind in the evening on tour after a hard days training?
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Martyn,
Great stuff on here and all the best for the tour! I want to know who is in charge of the singing and who is the drinks master for when you guys can let your hair down during the tour - come give us the details!!
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Martyn,
Firstly, cards on the table, I'm English and a Northampton Saints fan (yes I know I played all those years for Quins, but I alwats wanted to be in Franklyns Gardens).
Secondly, I have a dillema, there is no ginger in either mine or my wifes families, until now. Our 2 month old boy - Jonny (yep, No. 10) - appears to have ginger hair, big hands and a barrel chest. He is on th 95% line for height and weight and may well take after me playing No. 7.
Did you always play 7? [clearly, you were never a fly half ;)] and if so have you any tips for him.
Lastly, I hope your injury has nearly healed and look forward to seeing you up against Schalk Burger.
Mickey.
ps - I did once go to Cardiff and had my Santana tape stolen from the mini-bus. Have not been back since.
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Hello Martyn,
Firstly just to say, your all going the shirt proud. Its amazing to see how quickly the team is gelling, and how everyone is putting their hand up and giving their all. What you and the boys are trying to achieve is an real inspiration. Good luck
My question is this. Yesterday the Natal's Hooker appeared to be taking Jannie Du Plessis shirt so far up the props midrift (when setting their scrum) as to prevent Gethin Jenkins from taking a bind on him in the hit. Do you think this was intentional?
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Martyn,
If you were in McG's place, would you start with a powerful scrummaging pack for the first Test to try and exploit the perceived weakness of John Smit playing out of position, or would you play a more mobile to aid a more expansive game and press home the possible advantage the Lions have in their backs?
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Hey Martyn
Hope you are getting over your injury well and hope to see you in the Lions team in the next couple of weeks. 2 quick questions really.
1)Who of all the lads with you from ireland, scotland, england and wales do you think is the one whom everybody secretly wants to be?
and
2)After seeing most of what the boys with you are capable of now on tour who, from another nation, would you most like to be seen playing in welsh colours instead of their own countries?
Ta and best of luck
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Hey martin mate, what has been your highlight on tour so far?
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What's it like to have Ryan Jones in the fold?
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serious rugby question now.who is the biggest ladies man?
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Is Simon Shaw going to turn up as 'Bruce' again in a court session?
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How are the guys dealing with the dissapointment of losing some of the others to injury? Its such a shame to see Halfpenny and Ferris have to leave so early on. What is their involvment with the tour now?
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I think you guys have done really well to put the performances together with such short preperation time.
Do you think the Lions would benefit from having some more time together at the start before playing? Also, with an ever increasing fixture list, what do you see for the future of the Lions touring side? Is it just going to get tougher everytime?
Thanks
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Hi Nugget,
How are the boys feeling about the difference of interpretation in the games so far? Our scrum looks powerful but has been getting negated at times by the refs so far and the battle at the breakdown looks to be our Achilles so far. What are the differences bewteen NH and SH back rows that is making us struggle?
I hope you go well on Saturday, show them what you're made of and get us some much needed parity in the loose.
Good luck to all the boys.
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