Ireland have dominated all previous editions of ESPN’s weekly British & Irish Lions watch, but does their humbling 42-27 defeat to France last weekend change that?
Which players went a step towards cementing their place on the tour to Australia this summer, and who still has some work to do?
ESPN writers Tom Hamilton and James Regan weigh in on who should be in the XV.
1. Andrew Porter, Ireland (prop)
Hamilton: Porter keeps the shirt, but Ellis Genge is getting closer every week.
Regan: Porter got beat up a bit by France on the weekend along with the rest of the Irish pack. However, he still has too much in the bank to be moved from this spot.
2. Dan Sheehan, Ireland (hooker)
Regan: Same as above. Scored a try just after the break which should have kick-started Ireland but it wasn’t to be.
Hamilton: This is Sheehan’s spot, but I’d love to see Jamie George travel. It’s going to be fascinating which three hookers go. It will likely be three from Sheehan, George, Ronan Kelleher and Dewi Lake.
3. Will Stuart, England (prop), previously Finlay Bealham
Hamilton: I would move Stuart here over Bealham. Did you see Stuart’s sidestep against Italy? Get him in for that alone. But he is also playing really well.
Regan: I see Tom’s thinking here: Stuart has been solid for England. Bealham is definitely fighting for his jersey, with Scotland‘s Zander Fagerson in with a shout after a pretty consistent this year, too.
4. Maro Itoje, England (lock)
Regan: He will have learned a lot from taking on the England captaincy this year, which will serve him well. Being relieved of that pressure on the Lions tour will also help him just go about his business on the pitch
Hamilton: Itoje’s shirt to lose. He’s nailed-on here.
5. Tadgh Beirne, Ireland (lock)
Hamilton: I’d still keep Beirne at lock. James Ryan and Joe McCarthy are on his heels, while Ollie Chessum is playing really, really well.
Regan: Beirne has to be in the side somewhere and, with Tom Curry playing as well as he is, will likely have to go at lock with Itoje. Chessum will hope to get some time on tour. McCarthy is also knocking on the door.
6. Ollie Chessum, England (flanker), previously Tom Curry
Hamilton: Okay, time to shake things up. Start Chessum at blindside and move Curry to openside. It all depends on whether Farrell wants two fetcher flankers in the back-row, or if he goes lineout-heavy.
Regan: I would stick with how we had it last week, with Curry at No. 6. He could be the standout player for England this tournament. If he can get through the rest of the season unscathed then he could be in line to shinein Australia this summer.
7. Tom Curry, England (Flanker), previously Josh van der Flier
Hamilton: Van der Flier can come off the bench, Curry should start here.
Regan: Again, one of the most interesting positions in the squad. Certainly, it is still up for grabs. Rory Darge’s leadership is a bonus here, too.
8. Caelan Doris, Ireland (No. 8)
Hamilton: Doris had his issues with Angus Gardner at the weekend and got on the wrong side of the referee early on. This is a concern. But his on-field performances are impressive, and he remains the standout candidate to captain the team.
Regan: It is still hard to see anyone stopping Doris taking the No. 8 jersey and the captaincy.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park, Ireland (scrum-half)
Regan: He wasn’t at his best against France but he is by far the best scrum-half available.
Hamilton: Ignore the France game, Gibson-Park remains the outstanding scrum-half option. Alex Mitchell remains a strong contender.
Hamilton: Finn Russell is in the box seat here. He was outstanding against Wales. Prendergast had a tough time against France but will surely travel. But keep an eye on Fin Smith, he is coming up on the outside.
Regan: His absence was deeply felt when he went off on the hour mark against Wales. He hasn’t had his best tournament by his own high standards but nobody else has stuck their hand up particularly either.
11. James Lowe, Ireland (winger)
Regan: Missed the France defeat which probably did him some favours. He should start in the Tests for sure.
Hamilton: Even though Lowe missed the match against France, he will surely start here.
12. Bundee Aki, Ireland (centre)
Regan: The midfield options have been turned on their head. Having been dropped, Henry Slade unfortunately looks out of the running. Aki is a solid option but expect Sione Tuipulotu to still have a say. Tom Jordan has made a good impression filling in for Tuipulotu as well.
Hamilton: Agree with James. France found a way to nullify the threats of Aki, and Tuipolutu’s stock is rising in his absence. Jordan should travel too. Looks like this will be between Aki and Tuipulotu.
13. Huw Jones, Scotland (centre)
Regan: Until his cruel Achilles injury, I was leaning towards Ollie Lawrence at 13. However, Jones is surely not in the box seat here.
Hamilton: Lawrence will likely miss out now after his achilles injury. It’s a brutal blow for him. Jones is playing well and probably keeps his spot here, but Garry Ringrose will have a bit to say about this.
14. Darcy Graham, Scotland (winger)
Regan: Another try on the weekend. Injuries and the form of others could open the door for Graham.
Hamilton: I’ll go against James and keep Tommy Freeman on the wing here. Graham has got four in four, offers an aerial threat and can also cover the centres. But Freeman’s having a fine tournament.
15. Blair Kinghorn, Scotland (fullback)
Regan: Stepped up against Wales with two tries. He will be wanting another big performance in Paris this week to help firm up his spot.
Hamilton: This time I’ll agree. Kinghorn was magnificent against Wales at the weekend.
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Source: espn.com