Back to domestic rugby last weekend and with a large number of the frontline Irish and Welsh internationals rested in the run up to the Autumn tests, this week’s Lions Stock Check is a predominately English affair.

GOING UP

Ben Te’o
He was on the wrong side of the 36-14 scoreline, but Ben Te’o put in his best performance of the season so far and gave a glimpse of what had Leinster fans singing his praises last year. Te’o was direct and physical, setting up Worcester’s first try and then scoring one himself to cap off an all-round excellent display. England have been working with the twin playmakers of Ford and Farrell so far, but there is a feeling this is down to necessity rather than choice for Eddie Jones. With Manu Tuilagi injured with such worrying regularity, Te’o is starting to show there are other options if Jones wants a more route-one approach from his inside centre. However, his one hindrance is now that Semesa Rokoduguni (who had a great game for Bath) and Marland Yarde look likely to start on the wings, England’s backline may not need Te’o’s added physicality as acutely as when Anthony Watson and Jack Nowell play.

Alex Goode
Goode has continued the form which saw him crowned Premiership Player of the Year last season. Against Tigers at the weekend, he attacked space, passed fantastically and his looping offload saw Maitland score in the wide channel. Interestingly, he also seems to have improved his pace – he looks a much more dangerous attacking threat when compared to the old Goode, who could seem ponderous at times with his jinking runs. Right now he is England’s form 15. Will he get a chance in the Autumn Tests? I am not sure. England’s twin playmakers make his distribution less valuable than to Saracens, but should Ben Te’o’s good form encourage Jones to tweak the midfield – Goode might get his chance.

Charlie Ewels
Talking about an as-yet uncapped player as a potential Lion may seem unlikely, but it is worth mentioning Tom Youngs made his debut in the Autumn Internationals in 2012 and was a Lion the following summer, so it is not impossible. With Maro Itoje and George Kruis out, and Courtney Lawes ‘bandaged like a mummy’, there is a place alongside Joe Launchbury in the England second row. Jones publicly stated he thinks partnering Dave Atwood with Launchbury would be too heavyweight and lack lineout options – unless Tom Wood got a recall on the flank. However, for me, more likely is, should Lawes fail to recover, Charlie Ewels will make his debut against South Africa. He’s big (6’7”) and powerful – he played 8 at the weekend for Bath ? but he is also an athletic, modern lock akin to his partner in England’s 2014 Junior World Cup winning side: Maro Itoje. Keep an eye on him.

GOING DOWN

Joe Marler
While Ben Te’o was impressing in a losing cause for Worcester, Joe Marler was disappointing in a winning cause for Quins. His second yellow card in consecutive matches, this time for pulling down a maul. However, what was more concerning was the narrow escape from a second card for shoving Ryan Lamb. It wasn’t the worst offence – but given he had already received a yellow, perhaps showing a bit more restraint might have been advised? When his rival Mako is in blinding form (although also the recipient of a yellow this weekend), Marler needs to be doing everything he can to reclaim the no.1 shirt. That was not the best way.

Matt Scott
Matt Scott was a surprise omission from Scotland’s squad for the internationals given he has been a rare shining light in Gloucester’s (typically) maddeningly inconsistent start to the season – particularly given his replacement is one-cap Huw Jones, who plays for South African Super Rugby team the Stormers. Matt Scott certainly has the talent to be a great centre, but in his 36 caps he has never quite cemented his place in the Scottish midfield. Although he may have always been a long-shot for the Lions tour, we can probably say that dream is now all but over.

Who did you think had a great or disappointing game at the weekend?

By Henry Ker