British and Irish Lions Watch 2012-13

First topic message reminder :

This thread started many months back and has been a gradual examination of who is picking who for the impending Lions Tour.

Now the Six Nations is over and all we have left to judge is the HEC and the various national leagues.

BOD is around for the Lions there was a very revealing programme on him yesterday morning on sky that I was lucky enough to stumble upon, very personal stuff.

He is going for the Lions but I have a feeling he is going to bow afterwards which is a shame IMO I'd like his last game to be an Irish or Leinster one preferably.

I think if the Wallabies pick AAC at 13 (which I think they will with JOC-Beale-Mitchell making up the back 3) then I think Tuilagi could find himself in all sorts of trouble in defence. The Ozzies are not huge or very quick but their creativity and spacial awareness is second to none other than the Blacks and that is what the Lions are always going to be weakest against due to how little time they get together.

Playing a power game (Warren Gatlands secret child) is not going to work I feel because the power players we have (Mainly English lads in the pack) do not have the ball skills to last in the environment that will surround them also their mobility will be seriously questioned.

We do have some power players in the pack to choose from, just between Ireland and England you have Marler, Corbs, Healy, Youngs, Ryan, Launchberry, Robshaw and SOB.

It'll be interesting if BODs around for the 6Ns (will he be?) The game against Ireland will answer a few questions.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:BOD is around for the Lions there was a very revealing programme on him yesterday morning on sky that I was lucky enough to stumble upon, very personal stuff.

He is going for the Lions but I have a feeling he is going to bow afterwards which is a shame IMO I'd like his last game to be an Irish or Leinster one preferably.

I think if the Wallabies pick AAC at 13 (which I think they will with JOC-Beale-Mitchell making up the back 3) then I think Tuilagi could find himself in all sorts of trouble in defence. The Ozzies are not huge or very quick but their creativity and spacial awareness is second to none other than the Blacks and that is what the Lions are always going to be weakest against due to how little time they get together.

Playing a power game (Warren Gatlands secret child) is not going to work I feel because the power players we have (Mainly English lads in the pack) do not have the ball skills to last in the environment that will surround them also their mobility will be seriously questioned.

You and I seem to have different ideas about the power game Gats uses. He plays powerful backs with not too much else to them, as seen by Cuthbert and North running straight into everything they see. When they don't have JD2 (who is brilliant) their attack stagnates. There is nothing wrong with playing a monster pack that doesn't offload, as they will generate enough go forward ball for that to not be a problem. England teams of old showed that you can smash the aussies of the park in the forwards and grind out a win. Offloading with a power game isn't necessary in this case.

As i mentioned before, Gats plan of smash it up the middle doesn't work against the aussies (see Wales' last 6/7 results against them). The aussies play against the Boks (most physical team on the planet) and the ABs (powerful and skillful) on a regular basis. They can handle crash ball all day long (see when england sent Banahan at Barnes and Giteau and they tackled him every time) and if Gats tries that with all the talent we have in the home nations, then, imo, it will be worse than the Woodward debacle. We have ample players to create 2 monster packs with decent mobility and 2 sets of backs with a mixture of flair and strength and if he doesn't get this i will seriously question his credentials as a coach.

A power game in the backs will only work if the forwards can tie in enough Wallaby players to stretch the defence. Conversely, the Lions defence needs to be fast and organised enough not to allow the Wallabies backs a chink to exploit. We know that, given enough time and the right personnel, Rowntree can deliver one and Farrell the other. Can Gats give them those two things, and then add the attacking game?

yappysnap wrote:
Hodgson has been meh for the last season now, luckily he's Stu Barnes favourite son so gets MASSIVELY over hyped by him, especially if he manages to throw a flat pass!

Pete I thought BOD had ruled himself out of the Lions? And Tuilagi will push him close anyhows

I see thats why he is so regularly touted as a great player on this forum after episodes of the rugby club.

Tuilagi will not oust BOd, Tuilagi will be on the wing...

Nick Evans' Lions starting XV to face The Wallabies in 2013:

1. Gethin Jenkins, 2. Rory Best, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Richie Gray, 5. Courtney Lawes, 6. Stephen Ferris, 7. Sam Warburton, 8. Nick Easter, 9. Danny Care, 10. Johnny Sexton, 11. Tommy Bowe, 12. Jamie Roberts, 13. Brian O’Driscoll, 14. George North, 15. Rob Kearney

Jonathan Davies' Lions starting XV to face The Wallabies in 2013:

1. Andrew Sheridan, 2. Rory Best, 3. Adam Jones, 4. Alun Wyn Jones, 5. Richie Gray, 6. Dan Lydiate, 7. Sam Warburton, 8. Jamie Heaslip, 9. Danny Care, 10. Johnny Sexton, 11. Tommy Bowe, 12. Brian O’Driscoll, 13. Jonathan Davies, 14. George North, 15. Rob Kearney

Interesting just how many players crop up in both teams. Although I wonder when Evans ever faced Warburton to know how good he is, and the selection of Lawes is probably being on the receiving end of his charge down attempts a few times..

Both selected Tommy Bowe who is likely to be out injured for the six nations so might not make it.

Courtney Lawes seems to have dropped down the rankings, he hasn't played well at lock for a few seasons now.

maes

Bowe is also our best winger by a fair distance though so people are likely to try and be optimistic on him. Same goes for Ferris. In fact given recent injury records you could name Jenkins, Bomb, half our best locks, Ferris, Croft, Warburton, Roberts, BOD and Kearney and claim we'd be lucky to realistically have 50% of those fit and firing.

On Lawes I agree with your sentiment. Whilst he's a naturally good player (big,strong,agile,aggressive etc) I've never felt he does a lot of the dirty work that should be a locks first port of call. Hence why I'm a big fan of Parling, POC and Evans in the second row. Gray also offers a great alternative and as an outside bet with the injuries affecting that area Nathan Hines is playing very well in France.

Greenwood gives a huge left of field selection in the locksa, one I actually agree with....

Nathan Hines

Playing some amazing stuff at the moment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_783016&feature=iv&src_vid=pAtgRfbHti0&v=6jaqLo5gpKc

an aussie playing in oz against aussies

As selection is so open I imagine it might well be announced that a large squad will be selected for a training session then whittled down. Giving the coaches a chance to see combinations working together.

maestegmafia wrote:As selection is so open I imagine it might well be announced that a large squad will be selected for a training session then whittled down. Giving the coaches a chance to see combinations working together.

I don't think the coaches get that opportunity. They make their final selection and only then have a chance to work with players on the training pitch.

They can make up the design of the tour as it pleases them.

maestegmafia wrote:They can make up the design of the tour as it pleases them.

Actually, I'm not sure they can. One of the largest costs of a Lions tour in the professional era is player insurance. The policy starts once the squad is named. If you try to extend it to include potential Lions candidates then you'll nearly double that burden, which isn't going to happen.

So, any players gathering for a training session before a final squad is named will have no coverage. That won't wash with the players unions or the clubs.

If thats the case then all combos will be familiar ones, which will mean a predominantly Irish/welsh squad

maestegmafia wrote:If thats the case then all combos will be familiar ones, which will mean a predominantly Irish/welsh squad

Or by the same weird logic any familiar unit combos - club, country or Lions. I certainly wouldn't discount other countries. Form in the 6Ns & HC will be key.

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:If thats the case then all combos will be familiar ones, which will mean a predominantly Irish/welsh squad

Or by the same weird logic any familiar unit combos - club, country or Lions. I certainly wouldn't discount other countries. Form in the 6Ns & HC will be key.

Six nations form will be a defining factor.

My reason to exclude England from the statement above is that they don't have a settled team. The only combination they have regularly selected in the last 18 months are Barritt and Tuilagi.

Whereas Wales have a settled side that has just lost the last 8 or so games.

From the Guardian post Six Nations 2012.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/mar/20/british-lions-tour-australia-2013


Possible 2013 Lions squad?

Full-backs: Ben Foden (England), Rob Kearney (Ireland).

Wings: Chris Ashton (England), Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), George North (Wales), Tim Visser (Scotland).

Centres: Owen Farrell (England), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Keith Earls (Ireland), Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland).

Fly-halves: Rhys Priestland (Wales), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland).

Scrum-halves: Lee Dickson (England), Greig Laidlaw (Scotland), Mike Phillips (Wales).

Props: Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Cian Healy (Ireland), Adam Jones (Wales), Dan Cole (England), Alex Corbisiero (England).

Hookers: Rory Best (Ireland), Ross Ford (Scotland), Matthew Rees (Wales).

Locks: Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O'Connell (Ireland, capt), Richie Gray (Scotland), Bradley Davies (Wales), Donnacha Ryan (Ireland).

Flankers: Stephen Ferris (Ireland), Dan Lydiate (Wales), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Sam Warburton (Wales), Tom Croft (England).

No 8: Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), Toby Faletau (Wales).

Even as a Welshman I wouldn't have Priestland, Jenkins, Rees or Davies in the squad and other than injuries to others, I reckon out of those 4 only Davies will be first choice for Wales come the 6 Nations (Priestland already ruled out)

As an England fan...with exception of Cole and Corbs...i wouldnt take ANY of the other English players selected.

Ie Wood is far superior to Croft.
Brown and Goode are ahead of Foden
Dickenson
Farrell at centre? Hes a Fly Half and a million miles behind Burns...

GF,

I must admit I was bit surprised to see Farrell at centre but didn't mention it as there are enough bashing each others nations on here as it.

Not that I think Priestland will be fit but I would take Farrell over him even if he was.

GeordieFalcon wrote:As an England fan...with exception of Cole and Corbs...i wouldnt take ANY of the other English players selected.

Ie Wood is far superior to Croft.
Brown and Goode are ahead of Foden
Dickenson
Farrell at centre? Hes a Fly Half and a million miles behind Burns...

Is Croft playing again? I agree with your points. Wood is a great player, shame he missed so much last season but thankfully he has come back just in time to stake a good case for Lions tour. Tough position though, especially if Ferris and Lydiate are fit for the Six Nations.

Let alone the multi-positional back-rowers available like Ryan Jones, Sean O'Brien, Barclay, Robshaw, Denton...

I havent seen much this Christmas period maes...but i dont think Croft is playing yet...i think he is back in training though. Much seems to have been made that he has put on a stone of muscle.

The back row will be the most difficult selections..and the front row may be interesting aswell...Healy appears to be favorite for LH but Corbs is no slouch.but that can only help the Lions in the long run - two classy players fighting for the spot. Not to mention Jenkins.

GeordieFalcon wrote:I havent seen much this Christmas period maes...but i dont think Croft is playing yet...i think he is back in training though. Much seems to have been made that he has put on a stone of muscle.

The back row will be the most difficult selections..and the front row may be interesting aswell...Healy appears to be favorite for LH but Corbs is no slouch.but that can only help the Lions in the long run - two classy players fighting for the spot. Not to mention Jenkins.

I think the Loosehead is a tough call. Corbisiero, Heely, Paul James, Gethin Jenkins all fighting for two spots.

Ross Ford is only just hanging onto his Edinburgh place so cannot see him even playing in the 6 Ns !

Croft was supposed to play this weekend but mysteriously didnt appear on the team sheet. Assuming this was just a precaution he should be working his way back in time to be considered for the start of the 6 nations.
From there its a question of actually getting into the England side.

He has a lot to do to get a place on the Lions, but theres no question he'd be one of the players that will be monitored closely

Form is the most important factor so these current picks are still 'pie in the sky' because their must be an assumption that they will be in form in 4/5 months time.

If Gatland decides to attack the Oz scrum, which I think he will, then he will pick the most destructive loose head scrummagers that are IN FORM.

Currently Sheridan & Healy but it may all change.

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Form is the most important factor so these current picks are still 'pie in the sky' because their must be an assumption that they will be in form in 4/5 months time.

If Gatland decides to attack the Oz scrum, which I think he will, then he will pick the most destructive loose head scrummagers that are IN FORM.

Currently Sheridan & Healy but it may all change.

Both of those are looseheads unfortunately unlikely to play both in the front row.

maestegmafia wrote:

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Form is the most important factor so these current picks are still 'pie in the sky' because their must be an assumption that they will be in form in 4/5 months time.

If Gatland decides to attack the Oz scrum, which I think he will, then he will pick the most destructive loose head scrummagers that are IN FORM.

Currently Sheridan & Healy but it may all change.

Both of those are looseheads unfortunately unlikely to play both in the front row.

He didn't say they would both play. He said they were "the most destructive loose head scrummagers that are IN FORM".

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Croft was supposed to play this weekend but mysteriously didnt appear on the team sheet. Assuming this was just a precaution he should be working his way back in time to be considered for the start of the 6 nations.
From there its a question of actually getting into the England side.

He has a lot to do to get a place on the Lions, but theres no question he'd be one of the players that will be monitored closely

Good timing on his behalf.

What's with the bulking up???

Leinster trio set for return

Leinster back-line trio Brian O'Driscoll, Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald are all set to return to full training this week.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_8373482,00.html

Hmm Denton is probably the 3rd No 8 for Scotland after Beattie and Wilson ! Ford is also 3 or 4th behind MacArthur, Hall and the Embra guy who played Saturday. But some of the uneducated wish to take them on a Lions tour eh ?!

21st, I bet you some imaginary currency Denton starts for Scotland come the 6 Nations

ChequeredJersey wrote:21st, I bet you some imaginary currency Denton starts for Scotland come the 6 Nations

As said above Denton is not in good form. Beattie is though.

Beattie is in great form, I'm just predicting what I think will happen though

ChequeredJersey wrote:Beattie is in great form, I'm just predicting what I think will happen though

Why are you predicting Denton to turn his game around?

Well, partially because I think that Beattie, well as he is playing, won't be picked by Johnson and playing alongside Brown at 6 and a fetcher 7 will let Denton play the big-carrying game he enjoys and allow him to play himself into form better than he can at Edinburgh

From the Mail


LEIGH HALFPENNY

THE full-back or wing wasn’t voted Walesonline’s Wales player of the year for nothing – he was simply sensational throughout 2012.

Halfpenny, who plays with his heart on his sleeve, started at the Six Nations and continued to hit the heights until being laid out in the last minute of their final Test of the year, against Australia in Cardiff.

The brave 23-year-old’s goal-kicking has been deadly with his composure under pressure astonishing.

He had the nerve to land the last-minute penalty which gave Wales victory in Dublin and a platform to launch their successful assault on the Grand Slam.

Halfpenny bagged a couple of tries against Scotland and they contributed to his 66-point haul during the European title-race, his marksmanship as a kicker proving vital in the narrow wins over Ireland, England and France.

It was a rugby miracle he had made the start of the tournament, his determination and professionalism seeing him overcome a serious ankle injury much quicker than the medical profession had anticipated.

Halfpenny did everything he could in Australia last June, amassing 41 points in the three Tests, and was the stand-out Welsh figure during a compelling series.

The autumn campaign was a damp squib for Wales with players out of form and an exhaustive injury count, but he stood out.

The Blues ace gave everything to the cause, but ended the series on a stretcher, with neck damage, after putting his body on the line in an effort to prevent Australia scoring the winning try.

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL

PROVIDED he can overcome the injury problems which have resulted in him playing less than 15 times since Wales knocked Ireland out of last year’s World Cup with a sensational victory in Wellington, the world great would seem a certainty to play a key role for the Lions.

You would think the only thing that could stop him from going to Australia and a Test berth would be a lack of form or if age has finally caught up with one of the world’s finest players of this century.

O’Driscoll is 34 next month and, with his comeback from ankle surgery imminent, the determining factor for Lions coach Warren Gatland could be if the great man still has enough speed in his legs.

With 126 caps, 120 for Ireland and six for the Lions, the centre is the third on the list of international rugby’s most-capped players behind Australian legend George Gregan (139) and Ronan O’Gara (128).

His Lions adventure started in Australia in 2001 and he earned the nickname ‘Waltzing O’Driscoll’ from Lions supporters for his tremendous running.

He became the first Irishman to captain the Lions since 1983, when he led them in New Zealand in 2005, but lasted less than a minute of the first Test before being put out of the series with a dislocated shoulder after being the victim of a shocking off-the-ball spear tackle.

O’Driscoll, again having had injuries during the build-up, bounced back during the Lions tour of South Africa – his Irish team-mate Paul O’Connell was skipper – with some scintillating performances alongside Jamie Roberts.

Injury again ended his series, a no-holds barred flying tackle on South Africa lock Danie Rossouw putting both men out of the series with concussion.

His experience, leadership qualities, knack of scoring at vital moments and ability to bring the best out of the players around him will be vital in Australia.

And it would be a fitting way for him to bow out of Test rugby.

MIKE PHILLIPS

THOSE writing off the Lions claims of the Wales scrum-half do so at their peril.

Here’s why!

British and Irish rugby is hardly blessed with top-quality No. 9s and it’s an area they could come off distinctly second-best against probably the world’s best in Aussie genius Will Genia.

But the bigger the occasion, the more Phillips rises to it and there’s nothing more motivating than a Lions tour to get his juices flowing.

He was simply sensational in South Africa three years ago and was rightly lauded by Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan as his player of the trip.

The versatile Phillips even spent the second half of the final Test, won by the Lions following two tries from Shane Williams, locking up the midfield defence as an emergency centre following the departure of the crocked Riki Flutey.

He might not have hit those same heights since but still managed to play a decent role as Wales this year strode to his second Six Nations Grand Slam.

Wales coach Warren Gatland, who is Lions mastermind in Australia, read the riot act to him during the autumn campaigning, questioning his fitness levels.

It’s not a secret Gatland is highly critical of the training regimes at clubs the other side of the English Channel – Phillips is with Bayonne – and he will hope the message has got through.

Gatland will seek a response from Phillips during the rapidly-approaching Six Nations and it’s an opportunity for the 30-year-old to silence his growing number of critics and re-establish his credentials to be a Lions Test starter against Australia.

TOM YOUNGS

JUST three years ago, the Leicester Tigers product was attempting to make a name at centre with his brother Ben already an England international at scrum-half.

The pair are from solid rugby stock with their farming father Nick having also been a Red Rose No. 9.

If the stocky Tom Youngs wanted a career at the highest level, it was suggested to him he should attempt to make the difficult switch to hooker.

And the impact the 25-year-old has made, initially at Welford Road and now with England, has been quite dramatic.

Astute new England coach Stuart Lancaster spotted something in him and made him their No. 2 for midweek matches during last summer’s tour of South Africa.

Volatile Test incumbent Dylan Hartley missed the autumn Tests through injury and it was Youngs who perhaps unexpectedly got the call to pack down in the front row.

Now, with four caps and a triumph over New Zealand under his belt, he is emerging as a real contender for the Lions. The key for him is the Six Nations. If his throwing to the lineout is accurate and his scrummaging holds firm, he could be right in the Lions frame.

Lions coach Warren Gatland is a former hooker and won’t be frightened to pick him, if his set-piece work is good enough.

You see, Youngs is a quick and a fluent footballer, just made for the firm grounds the Lions are likely to encounter Down Under.

Ireland’s dependable Rory Best, the master of the so-called ‘choke-tackle’, has been putting forward his case but, if Gatland is looking for the X-factor, Youngs could be the answer.

RICHIE GRAY

SCOTLAND haven’t provided a Test starter since rugby’s quiet man Tom Smith packed down at loosehead prop for the Lions in Australia 11 years ago.

Tartan candidates have been thin on the ground during the intervening period with hooker’s Gordon Bulloch and Ross Ford both making appearances off the replacements bench.

But that could be about to change next June with Gray possessing the athleticism and craft to shine on the firm surfaces expected against the Wallabies.

He might be languishing at Aviva Premiership bottom club Sale Sharks after an ill-advised move south to England from Glasgow Warriors at the end of last season, but there’s no denying his qualities.

The 23-year-old is 6ft 10in and, besides being a world-class lineout operator, possesses ball skills and the engine to charge around the pitch like a back-row forward.

He was mistakenly written off by outspoken Lions and England great Jeremy Guscott, who later apologised, as “slow, cumbersome and like Bambi on ice” when he first appeared at international level.

Gray responded to the criticism by producing an all-action performance of such endeavour even the partisan French crowd at the Stade de France when Scotland played there warmed to his ability.

The lock, who has size 13 feet, stands out with his blond hair and a solid Six Nations will see him on the flight taking the Lions squad on their mission next May.

He has been compared to Australian legend and world great John Eales and the Wallabies could provide the perfect platform for Gray to seize the limelight.

JAMIE HEASLIP

He has emerged as a dark horse to be the Lions captain and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the experienced No. 8 gets the call from coach Warren Gatland.

It could depend on the fitness of Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell, or the form of Wales skipper Sam Warburton.

But, if you were picking a Lions Test team now, the only guaranteed starter of that trio would be Heaslip.

He packed down for them in all three Tests in South Africa in 2009 and is a leading contender to perform the same role against Australia.

Heaslip could become Lions leader almost by default. If previous captains O’Connell and O’Driscoll don’t prove their fitness or form, they are unlikely to make the trip.

And Warburton, who was odds-on favourite for the role this time last year, needs a massive Six Nations not only to stave off the challenge of Justin Tipuric for the Wales No. 7 jersey but to claim a place on the Lions tour.

Heaslip’s stock as a leader rose during the autumn campaign as a new-look Ireland ran South Africa close, losing 16-12, put 53 points on Fiji and played some breath-taking rugby during a 46-24 demolition of Argentina.

Capped 52 times by Ireland and three by the Lions, the recently-turned 29-year-old was lauded for his captaincy skill during those matches.

Wales youngster Toby Faletau could challenge him for the No. 8 berth against the Wallabies, but has to show better form during the Six Nations.

But the main threat for the Lions Test jersey could come from former Scarlets ball-carrier Ben Morgan, who is improving his all-round game with Gloucester and England.

Nevertheless, you get the feeling, the Lions will require the added skill and maturity of Heaslip to help subdue Australia.

Heaslip looks a strong possibility to not only be the default pick at 8, but could possibly lead the Lions too. O'Connell is out of the picture. And for all that O'Driscoll would like to go on Lions tour and win, being burdened with the captaincy could work against his performance on the pitch. He's also not likely to be a certain test starter for every match.

Credits and experience:
1 Grand Slam
1 Triple Crown
1 Celtic League
3 Heineken Cups
Celtic League Dream Team 2007-2011
3 Lions caps
52 Ireland caps
1 RWC win against Oz
Captained Leinster and Ireland
Infamous for: kneeing Richie McCaw in the head and getting red-carded

I hear Heaslip is Gatlands personal favourite candidate for the captaincy on many forums.

Assuming Gatland will stick to one captain for the tests then they should be a nailed on starter with leadership credentials. On current form I'd have Rory Best and maybe Heaslip in that category. Obviously this could all change in a day with injuries let alone the 6N.

Independent -

The chances of Paul O’Connell completing a full house of British and Irish Lions trips to the great southern hemisphere rugby nations appeared more remote than ever today, despite successful back surgery at a hospital in Dublin.

The Munster and Ireland lock, who played for the British and Irish Lions in the Test series against New Zealand in 2005 and captained them in South Africa four years ago, does not expect to resume playing until the start of April at the earliest. That means O’Connell will have had next to no game time when the squad for this summer’s tour to Australia is named later that month.

O’Connell has been suffering acute discomfort in his lower back – a bulging disc was found to be pressing on a nerve. While Monday’s operation went well enough, he still faces a lengthy period of recuperation and reconditioning. Unless Warren Gatland, the Lions head coach, gambles on the 33-year-old Irishman’s fitness, he will select from an inexperienced band of second-row candidates, led at this stage by three Englishmen in Geoff Parling, Courtney Lawes and the gifted newcomer Joe Launchbury.

Rory Best might be a good shout.

thebluesmancometh wrote:Rory Best might be a good shout.

He is one of very few almost guaranteed selections.

The ESPN Team of the Week


15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors)

The 20-year-old gave Scotland fans reason for optimism ahead of the Six Nations when he grabbed Glasgow's second try in their dominant 41-7 win at home to Treviso to cap an impressive performance in attack and defence.

14. Christian Wade (London Wasps)

The Wasps speedster pounced for a pivotal score in his side's Premiership victory over Bath at Adams Park. His superb finish accounted for four defenders and helped propel Wasps into the top four.

13. Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster)

Showed he is approaching full fitness and his best form with a full 80 minutes in Leinster's win over Edinburgh. Six Nations opponents you have been warned.

12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues)

The twice-capped Lion returned to the Cardiff team and played the entire 80 minutes as the Blues grabbed an impressive 17-6 win away to Munster.

11. David Strettle (Saracens)

The England international got among the tries during his side's victory over Sale and also turned provider for team-mate Charlie Hodgson with a deft chip through highlighting the fact he is more than a speed merchant. The fleet-footed Strettle may well feature in the Six Nations if he maintains this kind of form.

10. Owen Farrell (Saracens)

Farrell signalled his intent to keep hold of the England No.10 shirt with a 22-point haul in their Premiership victory over Sale. Farrell slotted eight kicks from eight attempts to suggest that Leinster's Jonathan Sexton may not get it all his own way when it comes to the Lions.

9. Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow)

The 23-year-old continued his meteoric rise after making his Scotland debut during the autumn internationals and hounded Italy scrum-half Edoardo Gori all night as Glasgow beat Treviso.


George Skivington grabbed two tries as London Irish beat Gloucester © Getty Images
Enlarge
1. Tom Court (Ulster)

A much-improved player from that which suffered at the hands of England during the last Six Nations. He is set to embrace the latest battle for northern hemisphere supremacy full of confidence with his latest eye-catching display coming in Ulster's dominant PRO12 victory over Scarlets.

2. Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)

The England hooker was back to his abrasive best to help Northampton return to form and inflict the Chiefs' first loss at home in the league with a 30-19 win.

3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)

The Tigers' tight-head may have only appeared as a second half replacement in his side's Premiership victory over Worcester but that is all someone of his class needs to make a big impression. Hitting a rich vein of form just in time for the Six Nations..

4. Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)

The England international continued to show why he is rated so highly with a strong showing in Wasps' line-out against Bath as well as getting through a ton of work around the field. A big Six Nations surely awaits.

5. George Skivington (London Irish)

Almost single-handedly breathed new confidence in the Exiles after a turbulent few weeks over the festive period. The former Leicester man went over for two tries in Irish's well-deserved 18-12 victory at Kingsholm.

6. Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)

Another player who did his best to remind the Stuart Lancaster and the rest of the England coaching staff that he has much to offer. His physical approach was crucial to the Saints win down in Exeter and he didn't shy from work either in attack or defence.

7. Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors)

Continues to show that you don't need to be a huge specimen to flourish on the open-side flank. His work-rate at the breakdown almost helped Worcester to a famous win over Leicester and Lions head coach Warren Gatland is likely to need either Kvesic or someone similar in stature to nullify the threat of Australia's No.7, David Pocock.

8. Billy Vunipola (London Wasps)

The Lions tour may come a little too soon for the 20-year-old but there is no doubt he is a rising star of the game and offered another all-action display as his Wasps side accounted for Bath.

Wow, a lot of Premiership players in there again. You'd almost think ESPN had some sort of link to the Premiership

"Team of the week", more like "my most favourite team that happened to play last week". BOD was nowhere near Lions form last week.

Looks Like POC is pretty much ruling himself out of the reckoning for the Lions btw lads...