Eire have dominated all earlier editions of ESPN’s weekly British & Irish Lions watch, however does their humbling 42-27 defeat to France final weekend change that?
Which gamers went a step in the direction of cementing their place on the tour to Australia this summer season, and who nonetheless has some work to do?
ESPN writers Tom Hamilton and James Regan weigh in on who needs to be within the XV.
1. Andrew Porter, Eire (prop)
Hamilton: Porter retains the shirt, however Ellis Genge is getting nearer each week.
Regan: Porter bought beat up a bit by France on the weekend together with the remainder of the Irish pack. Nonetheless, he nonetheless has an excessive amount of within the financial institution to be moved from this spot.
2. Dan Sheehan, Eire (hooker)
Regan: Identical as above. Scored a strive simply after the break which ought to have kick-started Eire nevertheless it wasn’t to be.
Hamilton: That is Sheehan’s spot, however I would like to see Jamie George journey. It will be fascinating which three hookers go. It is going to probably be three from Sheehan, George, Ronan Kelleher and Dewi Lake.
3. Will Stuart, England (prop), beforehand Finlay Bealham
Hamilton: I might transfer Stuart right here over Bealham. Did you see Stuart’s sidestep in opposition to Italy? Get him in for that alone. However he’s additionally enjoying rather well.
Regan: I see Tom’s pondering right here: Stuart has been strong for England. Bealham is unquestionably preventing for his jersey, with Scotland’s Zander Fagerson in with a shout after a fairly constant this 12 months, too.
4. Maro Itoje, England (lock)
Regan: He may have realized quite a bit from taking over the England captaincy this 12 months, which is able to serve him effectively. Being relieved of that strain on the Lions tour will even assist him simply go about his enterprise on the pitch
Hamilton: Itoje’s shirt to lose. He is nailed-on right here.
5. Tadgh Beirne, Eire (lock)
Hamilton: I would nonetheless preserve Beirne at lock. James Ryan and Joe McCarthy are on his heels, whereas Ollie Chessum is enjoying actually, rather well.
Regan: Beirne must be within the facet someplace and, with Tom Curry enjoying in addition to he’s, will probably must go at lock with Itoje. Chessum will hope to get a while on tour. McCarthy can be knocking on the door.
6. Ollie Chessum, England (flanker), beforehand Tom Curry
Hamilton: Okay, time to shake issues up. Begin Chessum at blindside and transfer Curry to openside. All of it is dependent upon whether or not Farrell desires two fetcher flankers within the back-row, or if he goes lineout-heavy.
Regan: I might persist with how we had it final week, with Curry at No. 6. He might be the standout participant for England this event. If he can get by the remainder of the season unscathed then he might be in line to shinein Australia this summer season.
7. Tom Curry, England (Flanker), beforehand Josh van der Flier
Hamilton: Van der Flier can come off the bench, Curry ought to begin right here.
Regan: Once more, one of the vital attention-grabbing positions within the squad. Definitely, it’s nonetheless up for grabs. Rory Darge’s management is a bonus right here, too.
8. Caelan Doris, Eire (No. 8)
Hamilton: Doris had his points with Angus Gardner on the weekend and bought on the mistaken facet of the referee early on. This can be a concern. However his on-field performances are spectacular, and he stays the standout candidate to captain the group.
Regan: It’s nonetheless exhausting to see anybody stopping Doris taking the No. 8 jersey and the captaincy.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park, Eire (scrum-half)
Regan: He wasn’t at his greatest in opposition to France however he’s by far the most effective scrum-half accessible.
Hamilton: Ignore the France sport, Gibson-Park stays the excellent scrum-half choice. Alex Mitchell stays a robust contender.
10. Finn Russell, Scotland (fly-half)
Hamilton: Finn Russell is within the field seat right here. He was excellent in opposition to Wales. Prendergast had a troublesome time in opposition to France however will certainly journey. However regulate Fin Smith, he’s arising on the surface.
Regan: His absence was deeply felt when he went off on the hour mark in opposition to Wales. He hasn’t had his greatest event by his personal excessive requirements however no one else has caught their hand up significantly both.
11. James Lowe, Eire (winger)
Regan: Missed the France defeat which in all probability did him some favours. He ought to begin within the Exams for positive.
Hamilton: Although Lowe missed the match in opposition to France, he will certainly begin right here.
12. Bundee Aki, Eire (centre)
Regan: The midfield choices have been turned on their head. Having been dropped, Henry Slade sadly appears out of the operating. Aki is a strong choice however count on Sione Tuipulotu to nonetheless have a say. Tom Jordan has made an excellent impression filling in for Tuipulotu as effectively.
Hamilton: Agree with James. France discovered a strategy to nullify the threats of Aki, and Tuipolutu’s inventory is rising in his absence. Jordan ought to journey too. Seems like this will likely be between Aki and Tuipulotu.
13. Huw Jones, Scotland (centre)
Regan: Till his merciless Achilles harm, I used to be leaning in the direction of Ollie Lawrence at 13. Nonetheless, Jones is unquestionably not within the field seat right here.
Hamilton: Lawrence will probably miss out now after his achilles harm. It is a brutal blow for him. Jones is enjoying effectively and possibly retains his spot right here, however Garry Ringrose may have a bit to say about this.
14. Darcy Graham, Scotland (winger)
Regan: One other strive on the weekend. Accidents and the type of others might open the door for Graham.
Hamilton: I will go in opposition to James and preserve Tommy Freeman on the wing right here. Graham has bought 4 in 4, affords an aerial risk and can even cowl the centres. However Freeman’s having a fantastic event.
15. Blair Kinghorn, Scotland (fullback)
Regan: Stepped up in opposition to Wales with two tries. He will likely be wanting one other huge efficiency in Paris this week to assist agency up his spot.
Hamilton: This time I will agree. Kinghorn was magnificent in opposition to Wales on the weekend.
– Permutations: How France, England, Eire (and Scotland!) can win title
– Overreactions: Marcus Smith cements fullback spot? Eire want reset?
– Tom Hamilton from Twickenham: England do Italian job, preserve title hopes
– Who might substitute Warren Gatland as Wales head coach?
– WATCH: Relive a few of Six Nations’ basic video games
– Six Nations and Girls’s Six Nations: Full fixture listing
– British & Irish Lions fixtures for Australia tour
