Each week we will be asking rugby journalists as well as Lions legends to review all the action from the leagues and competitions to see which players are putting their names in contention for the Lions Tour of Australia this summer. This week’s Lions Watch is written by Paul Martin.
The Guinness Men’s Six Nations is always a key marker in a British & Irish Lions year – and Round 1 of the 2025 Championship did not disappoint as several hopefuls made an impression.
Head Coach Andy Farrell was at the Aviva Stadium to see Ireland beat England 27-22, while Scotland beaty Italy and France saw off Wales in the other opening-weekend matches.
Gibson-Park and Lowe delight Dublin
Ireland v England always promises edge-of-your-seat drama and it was no different on Saturday night at the Aviva Stadium.
England raced out of the blocks, Henry Slade showing great poise to find Cadan Murley with a deft grubber kick for the opening try, and held a 10-5 half-time advantage.
But Ireland roared back in the second half. Key to that was scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park and winger James Lowe, who were outstanding for the Men in Green.
The pair had already combined for Ireland’s first try before the break, as Lowe muscled through an Alex Mitchell tackle on the left and then passed inside to Gibson-Park, who side-stepped full-back Freddie Steward beautifully and scampered under the posts.
🏉 @sageuk Play of the Round
💪 Garry Ringrose passes a 24m long pass (The longest of the match) at a 45.7kph pass
🔥 A reload of 0.6s to James Lowe who breaks the tackle and gives a 3.7m inside ball to Jamison Gibson-Park who scores 🤩#SageInsights pic.twitter.com/Y9prdyAkYn
— Guinness Men’s Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 1, 2025
In the second half, Ireland grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, and both players were involved in Tadhg Beirne’s crucial third try.
Gibson-Park carried the ball right up to England’s defence and released his pass at the perfect moment for Lowe, who ran an incredible support line and burst through a gap. Within seconds, Beirne was dotting down.
Lowe, who kicked expertly all afternoon, also set-up Dan Sheehan for the bonus-point try with a clever pass inside, while Gibson-Park was named Player of the Match.
Jones stars for Scotland
In Edinburgh, Huw Jones threw down the gauntlet to his rivals at centre with a Player of the Match display in Scotland’s 31-19 win against Italy.
The No.13 once again underlined his feel for the try-line with a hat-trick of scores to take his Test tally to 22.
Scotland were quick out of the blocks at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, scoring an early try through flanker Rory Darge, before full-back Blair Kinghorn – who was as electric for Scotland as Lowe was for Ireland – broke free to set up Jones for his first.
🎥 Scotland scores a simply stunning team try, Huw Jones dots it down 😍💙#guinnessm6n pic.twitter.com/Yl2fEYw9y5
— Guinness Men’s Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 1, 2025
Finn Russell, a 2021 tourist who is once again a contender at fly-half, was solid from the kicking tee but Italy nudged their way back into it and capitalised on a Russell error to level at 19-19.
Jones wrestled the momentum back for Scotland after Darcy Graham beat three defenders on a mazy run and found him with a clever pass that allowed the centre to run clear and score.
Jones’ final try was all of his own making, as he showed incredible strength and perseverance to power through three defenders and dot the ball down.
“It’s not every day you manage to get on the end of three so thanks to the boys for setting me up,” he said.
The battle up front
It was not just the backs who thrived in Round 1.
Twin brothers Tom Curry and Ben Curry were electric for England away to Ireland, especially in the first half, while Maro Itoje led from the front in his first game as England captain.
Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan made a crucial contribution from the bench at the Aviva Stadium, while Scotland prop Zander Fagerson also impressed.
Alongside his try, Rory Darge was excellent for Scotland and made plenty of turnovers in the first-half.
Mouth-watering second round
Just as the dust settles after a blockbuster first round, the second looms into view, promising three more mouth-watering matches.
Wales will hope to reset after their defeat in Paris as they head to Italy, while England host France in Le Crunch.
England lost this fixture 53-10 two years ago and will be chomping at the bit to set things right, before Scotland and Ireland play for the Centenary Quaich on Sunday.
Scotland have not beaten Ireland for eight years but will hope the carry the momentum of their Round 1 win against Italy into Murrayfield.