British and Irish Lions selection has been a constant talking point throughout this Six Nations Championship. In almost every position, there have been at least three or four players who have stood out, which could create a headache for Andy Farrell.
So who will have impressed the Lions head coach – and whose chances of touring Australia will have decreased after their round-four performances?
On the up
James Lowe and Mack Hansen (Ireland)
A touch gratuitous, perhaps, and while the Lions chances of Ireland’s injured wing duo might not have actively increased in the humbling to France, it was certainly clear of the value the pair bring to their side. Ireland missed their starting wings hugely, with the gamble of shifting Jamie Osborne – nominally a centre or full-back – not paying off. Calvin Nash was sin-binned for a clumsy tackle on Pierre-Louis Barassi, too, which sent France into overdrive.
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
Most would have had Kinghorn in their pre-championship squads – notwithstanding some potential eligibility issues with Toulouse’s probable presence in the Top 14 final – but a few question marks had been raised in round two and three, in defeats to Ireland and England. However, against Wales, the full-back, who also plays on the wing, reminded everyone of his class, scoring twice in the Scottish cause, topping the line-breaks charts and carrying relentlessly.
Ollie Chessum (England)
If fit, it would be incredibly surprising were Chessum not to tour this summer, especially given how comfortable the Leicester forward is at both lock and blindside. Player of the match in England’s comfortable victory over Italy, Chessum showed his balance with the ball; dynamism troubling the Azzurri on the flanks while also blasting through the visitors in the tight. His maul work is phenomenal, too.
On the slide
Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
Should Gibson-Park not find himself starting at scrum-half in the first Lions Test this summer then something would be seriously afoot. He remains deservedly in the driving seat but France did a tremendous job of keeping the Irish livewire quiet. Gibson-Park did not look entirely himself on Saturday, unable to get Ireland ticking and instil energy and dynamism into the Irish cause. The smart money says it was a one-off; but nonetheless it was a one-off in Ireland’s biggest game of the season.
Sam Prendergast (Ireland)
Prendergast is a precocious, prodigious talent and Ireland must stick with him – the Leinster fly-half has the potential for greatness – but his Lions hopes were undoubtedly dented at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. His handling was largely sharp and he kicked his goals but throwing the interception to Thomas Ramos was a bad error and he was bullied in the contact on more than one occasion. Still, he’ll be back.
Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
An off day for the great Irish flanker in the defeat to France. Van der Flier will remain a favourite to tour – especially if Leinster have a good European run as expected. But there is no escaping that the French back row did a number on their Irish counterparts on Saturday, with Van der Flier largely ineffective. The ease with which French lock Mickaël Guillard went through him will be a worry, too.
