On a weekend which saw England crowned as Six Nations champions, Wales run out comfortable winners against Ireland and Scotland fall short in the quest for their first Triple Crown since 1990, who were the movers and shakers when it came to Lions contention?
GOING UP
Jonathan Joseph
This weekend Joseph danced his way to the first hat-trick in an England shirt since his own against Italy just over a year ago. He did it as part of a revitalised England backline, who pushed and pulled the Scottish defence in all directions creating gaps for Joseph to exploit. In the process he made one of the Six Nations more impressive defenders, Alex Dunbar, look average (more on him later). The numbers tell us he made 120 yards, 4 clean breaks and beat 5 defenders – quite a day at the office for an international centre. This performance highlights what has been a lacklustre Six Nations by his lofty standards and could be enough to see him into the 13 slot on the test team this summer.
Joe Launchbury
The Six Nations top tackler (67) put in another defensive mammoth performance. Already coming off back to back man of the match awards, if Joseph hadn’t scored all those tries, Launchbury wouldn’t have been far from making it three. With five potential Lions locks on the pitch, and another bolter making a cameo off the bench Launchbury still stood head and shoulders above the rest. 22 tackles, with none missed and 7 carries for a healthy 21 yards – however even these stats bely the impressive amount of unseen, dirty work Launchbury gets through. If the Lions need a grafter in their second row, Launchbury could be the man. In a tight race Launchbury must be climbing the pecking order, and he might just have got to the top?
George North
After a torrid period of injuries, George North was at his talismanic best against Ireland. Two tries highlighted a game in which he beat 8 defenders, made 5 clean breaks and 102 yards. He was good. Very good. Probably the most gifted winger eligible for the Lions, he shone on the 2013 tour. But his persistent and horrifying habit of getting knocked has really put his case for this year’s team in doubt. With all the attention that head injuries have been in getting in all sports, not just rugby, it must have been a worrying time for North but based on this week’s performance you wouldn’t have known it. If he remains fit, the titanic match up with Savea (perhaps to rival the memorable one he had with Folau) could be one of the highlights of the Lions tour.
GOING DOWN
Alex Dunbar
Alex Dunbar and Jones both struggled in defence against a smooth England backline, and were at fault for several of the clean breaks through the middle of the park. However, Jones scored two of Scotland’s tries and was much more effective with ball in hand than Dunbar so it would have been harsh to include him here. Admittedly, by the end of the game it was a weakened Scotland team, and they were playing one of the best teams in the world, but four carries for one yard from a 16 stone inside centre isn’t what you want. Dunbar has been excellent this tournament on both sides of the ball and it was a shame to see that come to end this week. But in a position with no real stand out, a good performance next week and a few more good ones for Glasgow could still see him onto the plane.
Tell me who I missed out below.
By Angus Williams
Lawes stood out for me in a strong collective England effort. His carrying has really improved and as things stand I wouldn’t be surprised to see Lawes, Launchbury & Itoje all on the plane. Ford is another who may have just worked his way onto the plane with a tidy performance spearheaded by some stunning passing!
No real standout at 12? Er, Farrell…
It’s a tricky one, because Farrell is the standout candidate, but would you pair him with Sexton? I was making Farrell’s case for the captaincy to some mates at the weekend.
After the performances on Saturday, I would keep the English midfield together, with Ford, Farrell and Joseph. Stick with Murray at 9, Hogg at 15, and the wing berths are up for grabs.
Would have to agree with your second paragraph. the 10-12-13 of England and Hogg have been the stand out backs of the tournament. Possibly North now but I would like to see him have a good game against France and try to improve other areas of his game (defence, aerial, work rate). Nowell and Watson are both pushing him hard and offer a nice balance between them, couple that with the chemistry they are developing with the other backs. Seymour is next, who unfortunately had a very quiet game this weekend. Liam Williams possibly but other than the try v England we really haven’t seen anything from him.
I don’t think Sexton can be a genuine Lions contender at the moment given his lack of game time, continuing injury problems and his relatively average performances when he has played. he does the loop around so well but Wales seemed to stop this and after a few knocks Sexton offered little influence. Ford and Farrell, imo, are the leading Lions fly halves, with the others spot up for grabs.
Jake, have to disagree with you about Liam Williams he was everywhere against Ireland, nothing too flashy but always a threat, and with the ability to cover 15 I’d have him on the plane.
Why take Sexton? Not even sixth best fly half in Six nations (see stats). Too injury prone and past sell by date.
At this time Farrell is the only true option at 12.
I’m far from Dylan Hartley’s biggest fan, i’ve been calling for Jamie George to get a start all tournament… however, the fact is he has taken England to back to back tournament wins and the verge of another slam tells me he’s doing something right in the leadership department. Therefore he has to be ‘going-up’ and despite previous with Gatland, he has to be a serious contender for lions ‘tour’ skip, even if not in the final test setup… please can Martyn Williams and Scrum V stop banging the drum for AWJ… one lions test win versus Australia – whereas Dylan has 4 in the last 12 months…
I’m still trying to figure out where Hartley has been hiding his temperament; cool as you like throughout his tenure as England Captain. And his record speaks for itself.
One player not mentioned who should be going down in stock is Rory Best. Away, in Cardiff, and so many points went begging because they opted for the corner and not the posts. Really poor leadership here.
AWJ has been touted as the Lions captain but yet to really see any qualities shine through. His stock is surely still damaged from his kickers ignoring his orders last outing.
As for Rory Best, could argue that having taken the option for the corner further points went begging due to inaccurate throws allowing Wales to steal. I know not all the blame goes with the hooker here, but given that it happened at least twice you would think he has to shoulder some responsibility in his role as both captain and hooker.
That dams Biggar and AWJ.
Tough selection at lock. Kruis, Itoje, Launcbury, Lawes, AWJ and the Gray brothers! How many do you take three?
need 5 as a minimum
Can’t see AWJ as Captain, might not make the trip. Nor can I see DH on the Plane as there are 3 better hookers, Ken Owens, J George, and Brown.
Plus Richard Hibbard, Luke Cowan- Dickie, Tommy Taylor and my Auntie Mabel Big Dia. Would like to see Mike Brown on the plane for wet Wednesdays and possibly Danny Care who is currently playing out of his skin and would inject real zip off the bench. Joe Marler has to be going up. He now appears to be back to his best and nobody else is really dominant at loose head. Hope that Robshaw is fit enough to have a brilliant end to the club season and force his way into the reckoning.
Was going to name Luke Cowan Dickie but as ED has left him out of the national squad think it’s unlikely he will feature in WG’s plans.
Having trolled through the SuperBru stats the staring 15 for the Lions would be as follows, Halfpenny, L. Williams, G North, J Joseph, O’Farrell, P. Jackson, Care. Furlong, Owens, Reid, Launchbury, Lawes, Stander, Warburton and Hughes. 6 English, 5 Welsh, 3 Irish, 1 Scot.
This shows how much some of the ‘stars’ have to do next weekend to even get anywhere near a ticket for the flight to New Zealand, never mind get a starting berth. Interesting times ahead.
Surely Hogg should be above Halfpenny, Halfpenny is in part getting in because of his kicking points, but then so are Farrell (J Davies should be ahead here?) and Jackson, surely a starting 15 can only have one player in based on the inclusion of kicking points?
Did you subtract kicking points for Halfpenny?
I’ll do a final stats Lions team next week.
No I didn’t deduct kicking points for HP but he is 20 points better than Hogg
Halfpenny’s kicking points are about 50 of his total!
Six Nations stats show best players are. Cole, Hartley, Mahler, Launcbury, Itoje, Heaslip, Hughes, Stander, Murray, Farrell, Earls, Joseph, North, Nowell and Brown.
So it is interesting about what stats are taken and reviewed?
Nice shot of Brown obstructing there! I approve.
Dunno what you’re talking about. Clearly Brown is kindly helping Jones by stopping him falling flat on his face…
Hah, yeah, my mistake!
Lions team @present I am sure it will change after Saturday. Mako George Furlong Itoje Launchbury Stander Warburton Billy Murray Sexton Farrell Joseph North Watson Hogg
How about a decent mid week team…
Marler, Brown, Cole
Lawes, AWJ (capt)
Stander, Haskell, Faletau
Care
Sexton
Henshaw, Jones
Seymour, Nowell, Brown
I am hoping Robshaw will be fit. I know Gatland won’t select him but I’d have him in my test side. A combo of him and Warburton would be fantastic
As I suggested above, so would I if he is back to top form Pablito, but Gatland didn’t pick him last time and I don’t think he will this time either. It is a fun exercise to try to pick a squad of 23 from the other three home nations that you would be confident would beat England if all were fully fit. Interesting to see that Tipuric who has been pretty good this six nations doesn’t feature in either your squad or Seve’ s.
Tipuric has been good, but he can also get out muscled at the breakdown. A bit like Hooper in that respect. Given the ABs rucking ability, I’d be concerned about his effectiveness
I’d consider him on the mid week bench if the squad taken is large enough
Thats mostly the Saturday team.
Other than his cock up last match Henshaw has had a good tournament, and he’s by far the best 12 available.
Before the loss to Scotland and to Wales, I’d have had Henshaw in at 12. Not so much now.
Am coming round to the way of thinking that says a 10/12 of Ford and Farrell will be the way to go
Guess it comes down to the final match.
Exciting!
Irrespective of what happens on Saturday (injuries notwithstanding), I find it very difficult to see anything other than Sexton/Farrell at 10/12.
although I personally don’t think this should be the 10-12, youre probably right.
although not sure how long Sexton, will he make it to the tests?
Henshaw best twelve?
Green tinted goggles. He does not make a third team.
Eddie has to be a shoe in for lions coach in 2021…