Did this weekend’s results change your view of selection for the Lions? We’re asking fans to pick their captain, first pick and bolter for the Tour here. One of you will win Test tickets and a trip to Australia!
There is no greater opportunity to stake your claim for a place on The British & Irish Lions than in a match against your direct competitors.
For that reason, the third round of the Guinness Six Nations was always going to have outsize significance, with the home nations all facing off against one another.
On an entertaining Saturday, Wales produced comfortably their best performance of the Championship, but Ireland eventually found their form to come away with a Triple Crown, keeping their Grand Slam hopes alive.
Then, England made it two successive one-point wins, beating Scotland 16-15 to reclaim the Calcutta Cup for the first time since 2020 in front of a watching Andy Farrell.
Super sub Bundee
It is hard to believe that four years ago, Bundee Aki was something of a surprise pick for the 2021 Lions, as he found himself battling for a starting role in the Ireland midfield.
Since that Tour, he has established himself as one of the best inside centres in the game, and after being named on the bench in Cardiff, he made the most of his time on the pitch in the second half.
Entering the fray after Garry Ringrose’s red card, Aki was monumental for Ireland as they came from 18-10 down to beat Wales, scoring 17 unanswered points.
The focal point of the attack, his most important moment in this game was in defence, winning the jackal penalty that allowed Ireland to go six points clear with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Sione Tuipulotu will be hoping to be fit in time for the Tour following his chest injury, but the Scotland centre will have plenty of competition from 2021 tourist Aki based on this performance.
Faletau rolls back the years
Taulupe Faletau has already been on three Lions Tours, but having played just four times since the World Cup before this year’s Championship, few would have had him in the conversation for a fourth.
Now, 160 minutes later, the 34-year-old is making a very strong case after leading from the front against Ireland in Cardiff.
Alongside skipper Jac Morgan in the back row, he was tireless for Wales, carrying as much as any player on the park, while also making crucial defensive interventions.
Add in a fine scrummaging display from Nicky Smith, and an excellent debut from winger Ellis Mee, and there was plenty to be pleased about from a Welsh perspective.
What that means in terms of Lions representation remains to be seen, but on this form, Faletau is a real contender.
Stuart steps up again
The last time England lifted the Calcutta Cup, Will Stuart had just one cap to his name and was an unused replacement in Edinburgh.
Five years on, Stuart is starting to settle into his role as England’s first-choice tighthead prop, and he was at his best against Scotland this weekend.
The English scrum had the upper hand for much of the game at Twickenham, with Stuart at the heart of that effort.
His five carries trailed only Ben Earl and Ellis Genge among the English forwards, while he also missed just one tackle, making nine.
In a position where only he and Zander Fagerson have made three starts among home nations contenders, Stuart is starting to make a serious claim for a place on the Tour.
Duhan delivers against England again
It is becoming something of a cliché to say that Duhan van der Merwe saves his best performances for England, but once again, he was outstanding against the men in white.
The Scotland winger took his personal tally to seven in the Calcutta Cup, and almost did enough to earn Scotland a fifth straight win in the fixture.
Even with Finn Russell’s missed touchline conversion, Van der Merwe did enough to earn Player of the Match honours for the third year running in the oldest match-up in international rugby.
Four years after he toured South Africa with the Lions, Van der Merwe reminded us not only of his finishing prowess, but also made telling interventions as he helped set up Scotland’s first two tries.
One burst in the midfield and another down the left touchline, allowed Ben White and Huw Jones to get over, before Van der Merwe got a try of his own in the 79th minute.
There are lots of wingers in form and Van der Merwe is very much one of them.
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 Eddison.
