Week 1 of the Six Nations noticed some gamers additional cement their spot on this yr’s British & Irish Lions squad for the tour of Australia, whereas it solely elevated the intrigue round another positions.
Is Caelan Doris now nailed on as captain? Who edged forward of the pack within the combat for a spot within the midfield?
Every week, ESPN writers James Regan and Tom Hamilton weigh in on who needs to be within the XV, making two modifications from their first squad choice.
1. Andrew Porter, Eire (prop)
Hamilton: Out of all of the areas, that is maybe the lightest for the Lions. Trying round those that began, Porter was probably the most dominant on his facet of the scrum, forward of Ellis Genge, Pierre Schoeman and Gareth Thomas.
Regan: Solely enhanced his standing with one other strong efficiency in opposition to England, though I assumed Genge was good in Dublin as effectively. With Schoemann placing a shift in for Scotland, Farrell will not be nervous about his depth right here.
2. Dan Sheehan, Eire (hooker)
Regan: Whereas he got here on and made an affect from the bench in opposition to England, he must be a nailed on starter for the tour.
Hamilton: The excellent hooker within the northern hemisphere. He got here off the bench in opposition to England to show the tide of the match in Eire’s favour.
3. Zander Fagerson, Scotland (prop)
Hamilton: Till Tadhg Furlong comes again from harm, it is Fagerson’s shirt to lose.
Regan: With Eire’s Furlong injured, Fagerson must impress Farrell with each alternative and made a very good begin in opposition to Italy.
4. Maro Itoje, England (lock)
Regan: Led from the entrance in his first match as England captain. The additional accountability seems to be like it should solely make him a greater participant.
Hamilton: There is not any debating: Itoje is nailed on for this shirt.
5. Joe McCarthy Eire, (lock)
Hamilton: As McCarthy was pressured to sit down out the weekend’s match, and the modifications I am making within the back-row, Tadhg Beirne is shifting right here.
Regan: Whereas he did not play in opposition to England, he’s anticipated to return in opposition to Scotland this week. James Ryan did play effectively, it should take one thing vital to take away McCarthy and Itoje from this facet.
6. Tadgh Beirne, Eire, (flanker)
Regan: Began at lock in opposition to England however count on Farrell to make use of him as a No. 6, if solely to get Itoje, Ryan and McCarthy within the squad. His versatility is a significant asset, although.
Hamilton: Beirne was nice in opposition to England, however I would make a change right here, purely off the again of witnessing yet one more heroic efficiency from Tom Curry. His engine is unreal and deserves inclusion.
7. Rory Darge, Scotland (flanker)
Hamilton: The back-row would be the best space within the Lions squad, however Darge put his hand up in opposition to Italy. Josh van der Flier, the Curry twins and Jac Morgan will push him shut.
Regan: With all of the speak round Scotland being about their ‘harm disaster,’ Darge merely knuckled down and bought by way of a mountain of labor in opposition to Italy. He has the flexibility to get his facet on the entrance foot from nowhere, one thing that will likely be invaluable down beneath.
It is merciless, however you would be stunned if all of Darge, Van der Flier, Tom Curry, Ben Curry and Morgan went on the tour. The back-row depth is a energy for Farrell, however sadly somebody will miss out.
8. Caelan Doris, Eire (No. 8)
Regan: It is more and more trying like Doris will likely be Farrell’s right-hand-man on this tour and rightfully so. His maturity in coping with each his gamers and the officers is a massively constructive signal forward of the summer season.
Hamilton: The Lions captain-in-waiting.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park, Eire (scrum-half)
Hamilton: He put down a marker in opposition to England, outplayed his reverse quantity in Alex Mitchell and is the excellent scrum-half on this a part of the world.
Regan: Excelled in opposition to arguably his most important rival for the No. 9 jersey Mitchell, who missed a vital deal with within the construct as much as Eire’s opening attempt. There’s few folks Farrell may have loved watching extra final weekend than Gibson-Park. He steered his facet across the park admirably whereas Sam Prendergast nonetheless finds his ft, and unlocked the English defence with little problem.
10. Finn Russell, Scotland (fly-half)
Regan: Did not have his most influential recreation in opposition to Italy, however do not be stunned if he steps up in opposition to Eire. Fortunately for Russell, neither Marcus Smith, Sam Prendergast or another fly-half possibility notably stood out this week.
Hamilton: He did not have a classic efficiency in opposition to Italy, nevertheless it’s nonetheless his shirt.
11. James Lowe, Eire (winger)
Hamilton: This can possible chop and alter over the approaching weeks, however Lowe skittled England.
Regan: If it wasn’t for Gibson-Park, Lowe might have been man-of-the-match in opposition to England. He was a menace with and with out the ball and you might inform from the smile on his face he relished the competition. In what will likely be such a hotly contested place, he arguably did probably the most of any participant this week to place his hand up for a beginning jersey.
12. Bundee Aki, Eire (centre)
Regan: Injuerd Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu would not have seen his shares lower on the opening weekend, however Aki undoubtedly reminded everybody why he is been so good within the final three years. The best way he shrugged off three England defenders on his technique to scoring was scary.
Hamilton: I feel this can find yourself being Tuipulotu’s shirt however Aki performed effectively in opposition to England.
13. Huw Jones, Scotland (centre) – replaces Garry Ringrose, Eire
Hamilton: Harsh on Ringrose as he performed effectively in opposition to England, however you possibly can’t ignore Huw Jones’ kind after his hat trick in opposition to Italy. Ollie Lawrence additionally very a lot within the combine.
Regan: You possibly can’t look previous hat trick hero Jones this week who stepped up within the absence of Tuipulotu. I assumed Lawrence was spectacular for England as effectively, and the midfield battle is shaping as much as be an interesting one.
14. Darcy Graham, Scotland (winger) replaces Mack Hansen, Eire
Regan: He has been unlucky with accidents within the latest previous, however Graham was again with a bang for Scotland. He was a relentless risk and had a hand in two of their tries.
Hamilton: Darcy Graham takes over Hansen’s crown right here after his all-action efficiency in opposition to Italy.
15. Blair Kinghorn, Scotland (fullback)
Hamilton: This can find yourself being a shootout between Kinghorn and Hugo Keenan however Kinghorn is within the driving seat as issues stand.
Regan: Kinghorn was strong in opposition to Italy, however will probably be an enormous face off this week with Eire’s Keenan, who was glorious in opposition to England, making some key tackles and proving a nuisance for the opposition defence all through the match.
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